Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

Upon hearing this, Lingyan stared intently at Grand Tutor Yao and replied firmly, "Is that so? But those two assassins kept saying that I had offended the Yao family, which is a huge deal, so they wanted to seek justice for Her Majesty the Empress and Young Master Yao. Can this be a lie?"

The people were in uproar again upon hearing Lingyan's words.

Grand Tutor Yao's face grew even more somber.

However, he still replied to Lingyan, "Your Highness, I can guarantee that this matter was not done by the Yao family. I usually manage the people in my household very strictly. It is absolutely impossible for anyone to do such a big thing under my nose without me knowing. I beg Your Highness to see the truth."

Lingyan smiled and agreed, "Indeed, the Grand Tutor is a master at managing state affairs, so it must be just a mere mansion under his jurisdiction. If someone dared to do such a thing, they would not escape the Grand Tutor's notice. Therefore, this matter was probably not done by anyone in the Grand Tutor's mansion, and the Grand Tutor would not be so foolish as to do such a thing."

Upon hearing this, Grand Tutor Yao immediately echoed, "The Crown Princess is wise; this is indeed the case."

Everyone agreed that this made sense and nodded in agreement.

But the next moment, Lingyan changed the subject and continued, "But those two assassins said they kidnapped me for the sake of the Empress and your son. So if they weren't from Grand Tutor Yao's household, then it must have been done by one of Grand Tutor Yao's subordinates. After all, the Yao family is very powerful! There are too many people under them, and they are of all kinds of quality. Although Grand Tutor Yao put aside his personal grudges for the sake of the greater good, not everyone thinks the same way. There must be some people with dark intentions who didn't consider the affairs of the country and thus committed such a mistake."

Upon hearing Lingyan's words, Grand Tutor Yao's face grew even more gloomy.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of annoyance in them: "Your Highness is mistaken! It could never have been done by my subordinates. Although I hold a high position and great power, I have always been strict with those under my jurisdiction. They would never dare to do such a treasonous thing."

Grand Tutor Yao's tone was firm and left no room for doubt.

Upon hearing this, Ling Yan's lips curled up slightly, revealing a cold smile: "Oh? Who else could it be? Could it be one of Grand Tutor Yao's enemies, deliberately trying to frame him? But you, Grand Tutor Yao, are a veteran of two dynasties, a first-rank official in the current court, and your daughter is the Empress. You are also His Majesty's father-in-law. Who would dare to frame you like this?"

Grand Tutor Yao snorted coldly after hearing this, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding crowd: "Your Highness, you may not know this, but I have served as an official for many years. Although I have worked diligently for the court, I have inevitably offended some people. However, even if someone wanted to frame me, they would never dare to use such clumsy methods. Not to mention that I am strict with my subordinates, if this matter were to be exposed, it would be a crime that would implicate nine generations of one's family. Who would be so foolish?"

Ling Yan nodded slightly, seemingly pondering Grand Tutor Yao's words: "What you say makes sense, Grand Tutor. However, if it wasn't done by Grand Tutor Yao's enemies, why did these two assassins keep saying they kidnapped me for the sake of the Empress and your son? Are they lying?"

Grand Tutor Yao frowned, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes: "Your Highness, there must be some misunderstanding here. Perhaps someone deliberately misled these two assassins, making them think it was for Her Majesty the Empress and my son, when in fact they had other purposes."

Ling Yan shook her head, her eyes filled with doubt: "The Grand Tutor's explanation seems a bit far-fetched. If someone really is deliberately misleading us, then what is that person's purpose? Moreover, these two assassins don't seem to be people who have been misled."

Upon hearing this, Grand Tutor Yao remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Your Highness, this matter still needs further investigation. I believe that the truth will eventually come to light. Before the truth is clear, I urge Your Highness not to draw any conclusions hastily."

Ling Yan stood there, her clothes tattered and her body covered in wounds, yet her imposing presence remained undiminished.

Upon hearing this, her gaze shot straight at Grand Tutor Yao like a sword, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, carrying a hint of mockery: "Grand Tutor Yao, you keep saying that this matter has nothing to do with the Yao family, but those two assassins spoke with absolute certainty. If they were not from the Yao family, why would they target me? And why would they use the banner of avenging Her Majesty the Empress and Young Master Yao?"

Upon hearing this, Grand Tutor Yao's face turned extremely grim as he retorted, "Your Highness, there must be some misunderstanding. The Yao family would never do such a treasonous thing. I have served as an official for many years and have always been loyal and upright. I have a clear conscience towards His Majesty, the court, and the people of the world."

Lingyan persisted, saying, "Grand Tutor, your words sound nice, but the facts are right before our eyes. Are the injuries on my body and the words of those two assassins all lies? Grand Tutor, you speak so lightly, yet I almost lost my life. Are you just going to let it go like this? If this matter is not thoroughly investigated, I will not let it go peacefully!"

Upon hearing this, Grand Tutor Yao stared intently at Ling Yan and replied, "Crown Princess, do not be used by those with ulterior motives. This may be a conspiracy against the Yao family."

Lingyan met Grand Tutor Yao's gaze without fear: "Oh? In your opinion, Grand Tutor, who is plotting this conspiracy? Could it be one of your political enemies? But I really can't think of anyone who would dare to provoke you, after all, you are second only to the Emperor!"

She deliberately emphasized the words "one person".

Sure enough, after hearing this, Grand Tutor Yao suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

My previously confused and angry mind cleared up instantly.

Yes!

Who else could it be?

After all, he was second only to the emperor, and that person was naturally that one.

After all, whether it's the motive, the courage, or the ability, there's only one person who would do such a thing.

Seeing that Grand Tutor Yao was now deep in thought, his face as black as the bottom of a pot.

Ling Yan smiled with satisfaction.

Grand Tutor Yao! You want to stop vying with the King of Beili and continue to maintain this superficial peace as before.

This is simply impossible!

How could I possibly let you stop here and grant your wish?

So hurry up and start fighting!

They won't stop until everyone's bleeding!

Seeing that she had achieved her goal, Lingyan pretended to be weak and said, "I am dizzy and my injuries are also very painful, so I will go back to treat them first. Please tell the officials to convey this matter to the King of Beili and ask him to investigate it thoroughly and give me a satisfactory explanation."

The officials immediately bowed and agreed.

Then they arranged for a carriage to take Lingyan back to her residence.

After Lingyan left, Grand Tutor Yao was the first to leave with his men.

All the officials, accompanied by their guards, left the place and went to the palace to report to King Bei Li.

Seeing this, the people also left in twos and threes.

The once bustling and noisy street suddenly became quiet and silent.

By the time Lingyan returned to her residence, it was already completely dark.

Even though the injuries are fake, the necessary pretense still needs to be done.

So Lingyan first took a bath, and then asked the maidservant to apply medicine and bandage her arm wound.

After finishing tidying up, Lingyan was just about to rest.

Then a maidservant came to report that the Prince of Beili had arrived.

Why are you coming at this time?

Or is this just a show on purpose?

Just like the incident with the imperial physician last time.

But if you're going to put on a show, can't you come back tomorrow?

She needs to sleep now, okay?

So Lingyan dressed herself again and went to the front hall to meet the Northern King, still full of resentment.