Mad Queen Leaves the Palace

Not long after, a series of crisp and rapid clanging sounds came from afar, indicating that someone was leading Xiao Jing'an this way. Besides Xiao Jing'an, Yue Jiangchuan and Liu Pengfei were also with her.

This matter had actually been approved by Xiao Zhenwei beforehand. It's important to understand that if only Xiao Lan and Xiao Zhenwei were to interrogate Xiao Jing'an, it would inevitably invite criticism afterward. Therefore, it was better to find several people to act as witnesses. Although there's a saying that "family scandals shouldn't be aired in public," compared to the potential problems later, Xiao Zhenwei ultimately chose to heed Xiao Lan's advice and invite the prefect and members of the Imperial Guard to participate in the interrogation.

Xiao Jing'an walked over slowly, her steps steady and powerful, each step seemingly carrying an invisible pressure. Upon reaching her, Xiao Lan, her face grave, addressed the crowd, "Before that, I'd like to ask you something." As soon as she finished speaking, Xiao Lan abruptly turned around, her gaze piercing as she stared directly at Xiao Jing'an, then bluntly questioned, "The entire Xiwu Prefecture is buzzing with rumors that the betrothal that was supposed to be your daughter's was stolen by me. Who devised such a despicable method to spread these rumors? Was it your idea, or that little Jin Shi? Hmph! Don't try to deny it, because those servants involved have already confessed everything in detail." "It's clear. So, which of you two is the real mastermind behind this? Of course, if you're unwilling to admit it or say it, that's fine too. But before that, there's something I forgot to tell you—when I was ordered to come to Xiwu Prefecture to read the imperial edict, His Majesty personally ordered that all officials along the way must greet me with the same courtesy they would show to a princess consort. In other words, anyone who dares to slander me is actually openly offending the dignity of the royal family, a grave crime punishable by death according to the law. Not only will their entire family be executed, but even those implicated will not escape punishment!"

Surprisingly, faced with Xiao Lan's righteous and stern questioning and warning, Xiao Jing'an showed no fear. Instead, a slight, contemptuous sneer appeared on her lips. She then responded with a mocking tone, "Haha, what a fine way to exterminate nine generations! In that case, even if it were to be carried out, you yourself would likely not escape unscathed. Don't forget, you still have parents and brothers alive; they will be implicated as well, and they won't be able to escape unscathed!"

"Hehehe..." Xiao Lan suddenly turned her gaze, staring intently at Xiao Jing'an, a disdainful smile playing on her lips. She thought to herself, "With this level of intelligence, she's only fit to be a lowly villain!" She parted her lips slightly and said slowly, "Little Jin has only taught you how to spread rumors and slander me, but hasn't she told you anything about the mystery of your own origins?"

As soon as Xiao Lan finished speaking, Xiao Jing'an was startled and looked suspicious. She frowned and asked, "What background do you have? Don't talk nonsense and spout off!" However, Xiao Lan just smiled slightly in response to Xiao Jing'an's questioning, appearing confident.

Xiao Lan gently beckoned to her personal maid, Dingding, and after a moment's thought, she felt something was amiss. So, she turned to Prefect Liu and Commander Yue Jiangchuan, politely requesting, "I would like to trouble you, Prefect and Commander Yue, to each select one person to accompany my maid Dingding on a small matter." Then, she turned her gaze to Xiao Zhenwei, who was sitting beside her, and continued, "Grandfather, would you also be so kind as to have someone from your own household accompany the three of them?"

Upon hearing this, Prefect Liu immediately dispatched his old steward, while Yue Jiangchuan casually pointed to the nearest Imperial Guard. Thus, along with Xiao Zhenwei's entourage, the four hurriedly departed under Dingding's guidance. A short while later, Dingding returned, steadily carrying a tray, followed closely by the other three who had left with her. Upon closer inspection, the tray held a bowl of crystal-clear water, an extremely sharp dagger, and a silver needle. Everyone immediately recognized that this was for a blood test to determine kinship.

Dingding carefully and steadily lifted the tray in front of Xiao Lan. Xiao Lan looked calmly at the attendant beside Xiao Zhenwei and said slowly, "I would like to trouble you to go and get a drop of blood for Xiao Jing'an."

Upon hearing this, the attendant dared not be negligent and quickly clasped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Xiao Lan before turning and striding towards Xiao Jing'an's location. A short while later, he returned successfully after completing his mission, and at that moment, everyone's gaze was unanimously focused on the bowl filled with clear water.

A single drop of bright red, jewel-like blood dripped from the tip of the needle in the attendant's hand, like a sparkling cinnabar dot falling into clear water. Instantly, the blood mingled and spread, forming a vibrant, dazzling crimson flower that bloomed in the clear water with a unique, poignant beauty.

Xiao Lan nodded slightly, then turned to look at Xiao Zhenwei again and said softly, "Please, Grandfather, also drip a drop of blood." After speaking, she was about to raise her hand to signal Dingding to bring the tray to Xiao Zhenwei, but something unexpected happened—before she finished speaking, Xiao Zhenwei had already stood up abruptly and walked steadily straight towards Dingding.

Upon approaching, Xiao Zhenwei, without a word, reached for the small knife on the tray and, without hesitation, made a small cut on his fingertip. Immediately afterward, a drop of dark red blood quickly seeped out, slid down his finger, and fell precisely into the clear water in the bowl.

Just then, Prefect Liu and Yue Jiangchuan, who had been observing quietly from the sidelines, could no longer contain their curiosity and came closer to see what was going on. In an instant, the atmosphere in the small space became increasingly heavy and tense.

Faced with this scene, Xiao Lan remained unfazed, her lips even curving upwards into a half-smile. She first examined the two drops of blood in the bowl, each different in shape and color, then looked directly at Xiao Zhenwei and slowly said, "Grandfather, in my opinion, the color of your blood seems slightly darker than normal. I suppose you should pay more attention to your diet in the future, keeping it as bland as possible and reducing your intake of meat." As she finished speaking, a hint of concern appeared in her eyes.

At this moment, Prefect Liu, who had been silent all along, finally couldn't contain his curiosity and slowly asked, "Miss Xiao, you were able to discover the problem simply by observing the color of the blood? That's truly eye-opening!"

Xiao Lan smiled slightly and replied unhurriedly, "Your Excellency, you may not know this, but I run a shop called 'Wutongju' in the capital, specializing in health and wellness products. Through long-term practice and exploration, we have summarized many details that are easily overlooked but are crucial to health. Observing the color of blood is one of them. Normally, the blood of a healthy person should be a bright red. However, if the blood is too dark or too light, it means that there may be some potential problems in the body, which need to be taken seriously."

At this point, Xiao Lan paused slightly, then continued, "Of course, these are just preliminary methods of judgment. But for now, let's deal with the important matter at hand first."

As she finished speaking, everyone's gaze turned to the bowl on the table. Inside the bowl were two drops of blood, freshly collected from Xiao Jing'an and Xiao Zhenwei. Surprisingly, these two drops of blood seemed to possess their own consciousness, standing distinctly on either side of the bowl, like the chasm between Chu and Han.

Upon seeing this, everyone present suddenly realized—Xiao Jing'an was not Xiao Zhenwei's biological daughter! This sudden truth stirred up a storm in everyone's hearts, a flood of thoughts surging through their minds. Some sighed inwardly, lamenting that Xiao Zhenwei, this once powerful and influential figure, had ultimately raised someone else's child for his entire life; others wore expressions of astonishment, clearly finding the outcome unbelievable. For a moment, a complex and subtle atmosphere filled the room.

When Xiao Zhenwei witnessed the results of the blood test, his already imposing face instantly contorted with rage. His eyes widened like copper bells as he stared directly at the person before him, shouting, "What a shameless slut!" Then, he abruptly turned to his attendant beside him, pointed ahead, and ordered sharply, "Quickly bring that bitch, Xiao Jinshi, here!"

Just as the attendant was about to turn and leave after receiving the order, a clear and firm voice suddenly rang out: "Wait!" It was Xiao Lan who had stopped the attendant. Xiao Lan strode up to Xiao Zhenwei, first bowing respectfully, then raising her head. Her gaze was calm as still water, yet it subtly revealed an undeniable aura. She slowly spoke to Xiao Zhenwei, "Grandfather, now that the blood test has been confirmed, why not bring all the relevant people here together? This way, we can clarify all the matters at once. After all, you are getting on in years, and your health is not as robust as before. It would be best to finish these matters as soon as possible so that we can send you back to your residence to rest and recuperate."

After speaking, Xiao Lan first turned to Prefect Liu, bowed slightly, and said, "Please send someone to bring Xiao Jinshi and Xiao Jing'an's daughter here." Then, she turned her gaze to Yue Jiangchuan, who was standing on the other side, and said softly, "I also hope that Commander Yue can personally go to the dungeon and bring the old woman who accompanies Xiao Jinshi to the Prefect's residence as well." After arranging these two matters, Xiao Lan finally looked at Dingding and gave her instructions in an orderly manner: "Dingding, go and bring Xiao Houshi and Xiao Shu here immediately. Also, please tell Uncle Li to send someone to find Xiao Dayi and bring him to the Prefect's residence. You should know that Xiao Dayi's birth mother is just a concubine, and Grandfather has already ordered her to be demoted to a maid. If Xiao Dayi dares to resist, do not show any mercy, just break his arms and legs and forcibly bring him back."

At that moment, Xiao Lan spoke these words expressionlessly, without any attempt to avoid the others present. She even deliberately raised her voice, as if she wanted everyone to hear. Xiao Zhenwei, who was standing to the side, originally wanted to say something, but when he recalled what Xiao Lan had said to him earlier, he swallowed back the words he was about to utter and remained silent.

Meanwhile, those who received the order dared not delay and acted swiftly. Before long, Xiao Jinshi and Xiao Lanlan were brought there. The moment Xiao Lanlan saw Xiao Zhenwei, she clung to him like a drowning person grasping at a straw. Ignoring her two immobile hands, she stumbled and staggered towards him. At the same time, she cried out loudly, "Grandfather! Please save me! My cousin sent people to brazenly break into our manor and vandalize it! They not only injured my grandmother but also cruelly broke my hands! Grandfather, you must seek justice for me and my grandmother!" Her cries were so pitiful that they broke one's heart.

Just as Xiao Lanlan finished speaking, Madam Jin burst into tears, sobbing, "My lord! Look at how unreasonable and arrogant your granddaughter is! Not only did she come to our manor and vandalize it, but she also broke Lanlan's arm without any mercy, and even Jing'an was beaten by her!" Madam Jin wiped tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief as she sobbed. However, as she spoke, Madam Jin suddenly sensed that something was amiss in the atmosphere around her. She looked up, her gaze sweeping around before finally settling on Xiao Jing'an's deathly pale face. Xiao Jing'an stood there quietly, showing no intention of joining her in her lament. Madam Jin was taken aback and quickly asked, "Jing'an, did they attack you again? Why are you so silent?"