Rebirth of the Phoenix Princess novel Chapter 14

The imperial guard brought forward two bracelets which were the same as the one on the table.

"How?" Yun Shang frowned and looked at Emperor Ning. "Father, my bracelets are unique. Why then are these two bracelets the same as mine?"

"Where's the maid?" Emperor Ning asked.

The imperial guard beckoned to his subordinates to bring the maid forward. Looking pale and dispirited, the maid fell to the ground limply. She shivered and said, "Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, may you enjoy long lives and blessings..."

Yun Shang stared at the maid before speaking, "Father, I know her. She is in charge of cleaning my Hall."

Emperor Ning nodded and snapped at the maid, "How did you get these bracelets?"

The maid said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty. I stole them from Her Royal Highness's bedroom."

Yun Shang frowned and said, "Why did you steal my bracelets?"

"I..." The maid gritted her teeth and said, "It was at the instigation of Hua Jing! The Princess Hua Jing confined my brother and threatened me to steal Princess Yun Shang's bracelets. I didn't dare to disobey. However, Princess Yun Shang has been so kind to us so that I didn't want to betray her. In order to save my brother, I took the bracelets to my family's jewelry store and had copies made. Since then, I haven't had the chance to put the bracelets back."

Hua Jing became infuriated with the accusations. She argued, "Nonsense!"

Hua Jing knelled in front of the Emperor and explained, "Father, they slander me..."

"Oh, " she suddenly exclaimed and pointed at Yun Shang. "Father, it's her. It must be her who set a trap for me..."

No longer silent, the Empress took the opportunity to support her daughter. "Your Majesty, that's queer indeed! I'm afraid that it's beginning to look more and more like a plot against Hua Jing... Your Majesty..."

Before the Empress could finish her sentence, the maid interrupted. "Your Majesty, my family's jewelry store is to the East of the Imperial City. A few days ago, my parents came to tell me that my brother had been caught by someone serving Princess Hua Jing. That's why I went to see Die'er secretly. You can order your guards to check whether I am lying."

The maid knew what she was about to say would seal her fate. However, given Princess Yun Shang's kindness, she took the risk. She clenched her teeth and closed her eyes. After letting out a defeated sigh she said, "I know that Xiang Lan was taken by Princess Hua Jing's attendants!"

Hua Jing couldn't bear to hear this nonsense any more. She stood and screamed, "You are a lowly servant. No more of your lies!"