Rebirth of the Phoenix Princess novel Chapter 174

There was coldness in Emperor Ning's eyes when he looked at Hua Jing. "When I asked you to attend the Flower Show Banquet, you refused, saying that you were feeling unwell. You told me you would rather stay at the temporary imperial palace. No one saw you in the temporary imperial palace just now though. Where have you been?"

Emperor Ning's cold tone made Hua Jing shudder, and her face turned pale, "I... I heard that the flowers in the temporary imperial palace had blossomed beautifully, so, I went to see them."

"Really? Which garden did you visit to see the flowers?" Emperor Ning's tone lowered, and he turned away. He was unable to look at Hua Jing because he was disappointed that she had lain to him.

Hua Jing bit her lip and softly said, "The Butterfly Garden."

"Is that so?" When Emperor Ning finished questioning Hua Jing, he called out to his servant, "Bring the maids and guards from the Butterfly Garden here."

Hua Jing lowered her head. She kept very still, and didn't seem to know what to do. Emperor Ning looked at her before he turned to the Head of the Court of Justice, "What else would you like to know?"

The Head of the Court of Justice had worked for Emperor Ning for many years. He knew what the Emperor was implying by his question. According to how the Emperor had treated Hua Jing, it seemed that he was disappointed with her. Knowing that, the Head of the Court of Justice knew where his limits were. He was sure that the Emperor wouldn't be enraged by his question, so he asked Hua Jing, "Your Highness, I'd like to know if you really walked through this garden, and will the servants claim the same."

Hua Jing bit down harder on her lip as she shook her head, "Though it's true that I rest in this garden quite often, I haven't been here today. It makes me wonder who it was that made the claim about seeing me."

A eunuch walked out of the crowd and said timidly, "It was me. I swear that I saw Her Highness walk into the garden today. And I wasn't the only one who saw her. But I remember that she wasn't wearing this dress. She wore a peachy red dress."

"He is right. I remember the loveliest peach flowers were embroidered onto the Princess's gown. Given my love of embroidery, the style and workmanship left a strong impression on me." A maid who was standing in the crowd claimed that she had seen Hua Jing as well.

The Head of the Court of Justice looked at Hua Jing, and then down at the gown she was wearing. It was blue. Hua Jing noticed that he was examining her attire, so she quickly raised her head. She glared at the Head of the Court of Justice before respectfully stating, "Your Lordship, I believe that they have mistaken me for another person. As you can see, I am not wearing a peachy colored dress. I am wearing blue. There must have been some kind of mistake. I have reason to believe that someone intentionally dressed like me to confuse you. Please uphold justice, Your Lordship."