Help! The Villainess Trapped in the Beast World's Drama!-Chapter 296 - 288: What Right Do You Have to Question Her?
Yun Han looked at Shen Qingli with extremely indifferent expressions, seemingly tinged with disappointment, reprimanding deeply, "No evidence, groundless slander, despicable shame!"
"You’ve gone too far with your words!"
Shen Qingli looked incredulously at the man in front of her who had always cared for her; she never expected that the first to question her would be Yun Han!
He was her companion; shouldn’t he speak up for her at such a time? How could he assist this vile person in questioning her, and with such a cold and fierce tone!
Shen Qingli’s eyes instantly reddened, she clenched her fists tightly, both angry and annoyed, "This matter is indeed strange, I’m only expressing my suspicions, why are you scolding me? Yes, I lack direct evidence, but she still can’t escape suspicion! I just suspect that Shen Tang is behind this matter..."
"What right do you have to question her?"
A sudden icy chuckle left Shen Qingli stunned, speechless.
She stared blankly at Yun Han who spoke angrily, her mind a blank, and the unfinished words stuck in her throat, unable to come out.
Others present were also dumbfounded.
In the minds of the Empire’s people, Shen Qingli and Yun Han were undoubtedly the perfect couple, with beauty and handsomeness complementing each other, seemingly having only each other in their lives, harmonious in public, to the envy of others.
But what did they witness today?
In broad daylight, the two actually quarreled.
Shen Tang also looked at Yun Han in shock, never expecting to witness the drama unfold like dogs biting each other, this plot isn’t developing correctly at all.
Yun Han was also stunned after finishing his words; seeing Shen Qingli’s reddened, tear-filled eyes, her tightly clenched fists slowly loosen, emotions gradually calming down, "I..."
He tightly pursed his lips, shifted his gaze to the people present, still firmly sticking to his views, "I was a firsthand witness to the Imperial City’s military coup, everything Princess Shen Tang did, I’ve seen with my own eyes, I know very clearly she absolutely did not collude with the rebel army, the rumors among the people are just baseless slander against her."
Simultaneously, Yun Han looked back at Shen Qingli, his brows tightly furrowed, deep black eyes filled with complex emotions, he’s been with Shen Qingli for so long, has he ever not seen through that she’s not truly considering the Empire’s people; she’s merely unwilling to see Shen Tang take the heir position, trying to drag her down at this opportunity.
Does she want the throne that badly? Enough to stoop to such lowly means?
Yun Han is willing to believe Shen Qingli as much as possible, believe all her statements because she is his companion, he ought to harbor all trust for his companion, but that doesn’t mean he is a foolish, blind idiot.
Once, twice, thrice...
Time and again he wanted to cover for her, but he also found it hard to deceive his heart.
At this moment, Yun Han suddenly felt indescribable disappointment and exhaustion, why has Shen Qingli become increasingly different from before.
The female he fell in love with at first sight back then was so kind, gentle, and beautiful, but now Shen Qingli, made him feel an inexplicable unfamiliarity.
She has changed so much.
Making him barely recognize her.
The council hall fell silent, seemingly startled by this scene, no one dared to speak.
Shen Tang came to her senses, chuckled softly, took the initiative to step forward, "Recently, this wave of slander against me in the Imperial City also left me feeling angry, incredulous. I thank the Young Master Yun for speaking up for me, however, Sister Qingli did make a valid point, the rebel army managing to silently break through the Imperial City’s heavily guarded barricade certainly implies there’s an insider collaborating!"
While saying this, she curved her eyes like crescent moons, calmly gazed around, yet inexplicably exerted immense pressure on others.
Shen Tang chuckled lightly, continued, "Perhaps this insider is hidden among us! Listening to these very words right now!"
Yun Han hated the rebel army to the bone, his palm instantly condensed an Ice Blade, pierced through the table, crashed down, ice shards scattering!
The man’s voice was cold, deep, and authoritative, "If I find out who the insider is, I, the Young Master, will personally cut him into pieces, death will be too lenient!"
Shen Qingli stood right beside Yun Han, seemingly frightened by his sudden violent action, face turning pale, almost collapsing.
Yun Han quickly receded his actions, "Sorry, I got too angry and forgot there’s someone beside me."
Shen Qingli lightly covered her chest, forced a smile, "I, I’m fine, I also hate those who betray the Empire, when the day comes that we find out who this person is, he’ll surely be brought to justice!"
Shen Tang saw Shen Qingli’s hurriedly concealed reaction, let out a cold laugh in her heart, this dog protagonist is truly quite the actress, she almost wanted to award her an Oscar statuette.
Sadly, paper can’t wrap fire forever, the best part is yet to come.
At this moment, the conference hall’s doors opened, Lu Xiao led a group of people forward, tossing captured beastmen onto the ground.
There were a dozen middle-aged beastmen, wearing plain clothes, looking just like ordinary citizens; casually walking the streets wouldn’t arouse any attention.
Their hands and feet were bound, bodies curled up, faces filled with terror, incessantly kowtowing on the ground, shouting in tears, "Please spare us, we were just hired for money, we’re innocent!"
Someone looked at Lu Xiao, frowning and asked, "What are you doing?"
Lu Xiao’s expression was composed and calm, yet his hawk-like gray-green eyes flashed with icy killing intent, explained in a low voice, "The Imperial City’s recent rumors have all been instigated by them, these are the culprits inciting public emotions and spreading rumors behind the scenes."
"In recent days, I disguised myself and led people to stake out, successfully capturing this group and handing them over to the council for judgment and disposition."
Right from the first day, Lu Xiao and the others knew about the rise of the rumors, Xiao Jin’s hot temper got him so mad he wanted to rush over directly and see which scoundrel dared to slander Shen Tang? Flaying them alive and pulling out their tendons would be light work!
Shen Tang ordered them not to act rashly.
In her heart, she could largely guess who the mastermind was.
In this whole world, who else would hate her so much other than the protagonist Shen Qingli.
But, everything needs evidence, she didn’t let the Beast Husbands alert the enemy, instead choosing to observe quietly, allowing the rumors to spread, letting the other side lower their guard, finally setting the stage to catch the culprit behind it all.
Present beastmen were filled with righteous indignation, all pressing, "Who exactly instructed you to do this?!"
The leading middle-aged beastman, beaten with bruises all over, cried bitterly, "I, we really don’t know, we were just paid to do the job, the person said as long as we spread these rumors throughout the city, we’d get a large sum of money!"
"But the person was very cautious, didn’t expose themselves, we truly don’t know who they are!"
What they’re saying is also the truth, the real mastermind wouldn’t be foolish enough to show up themselves, they’re indeed just hired thugs.
The atmosphere in the council plummeted to an extreme coldness.
Everyone harbored different thoughts.
At such a critical moment, spreading rumors could only serve one purpose—to disrupt the coronation ceremony happening in a month, preventing Shen Tang from becoming Monarch.
And in this world, who most wished Shen Tang would not be crowned King?
Using even the slightest thought would reveal that, all the nobles present were clever beyond belief, inwardly as clear as a mirror but dared not speak openly.
Yet the world doesn’t lack those with boldness.
A young beastman, attired like a young master from an aristocratic family, turned to Shen Qingli and questioned, "The person behind spreading the rumors—is it possibly you?"
