With his uncle and younger brother by his side, Sun Jun threw the door open with a fit of rage. Zhen Shi, his uncle, was a tall man with an authoritative bearing. His gray beard was neat and long, and his dark hair, which had streaks of gray, was neatly combed and put in place with a metallic hairpin—an experienced court official with sharp political insight and well respected among his peers. He was Sun Jun's mother's older brother.
Standing close to him in a more simple yet elegant robe was his younger brother, Sun Zhao. He was the quiet type—refined and respectful.
Zhen Shi was the first to speak. He moved closer to her, trying to access her. "Li Mei, is it true? Did you really betray your husband?" he asked.
"Yes," she muttered, her voice breaking due to the effect of the drug.
Sun Jun clenched his fist and snarled, "you're nothing but a stain on this family," he declared and turned his back against her.
Li Mei's body felt frail, and she fell to the ground.
The scene before Li Mei felt like one from the movies. After she regained consciousness, she found herself in the middle of the room, startled by the constant stare and glances, she immediately threw her hands around herself, trembling when she finally realized what was happening.
Guests were seated in an orderly manner, dressed in elegant robes that reflected their revered status—the needlework delicate and vibrant. The most important individuals sat closest to the platform at the front of the hall, with the nobles arranged according to rank. They looked at her with open detestation and whispered beneath their sleeves and fans, their voices barely hushed.
Sun Zhao stood close to her, though quiet but observing everything, while Sun Jun and Jing Yan stood side by side.
From every side of the room, fingers pointed at her accusingly. Some of the nobles turned away their faces, as if her very existence could make them puke their guts. Others watched in excitement, anticipating the next course of action. Li Mei felt like a broken glass which could never be made whole again.
She felt helpless, small and alone. Like a wrecked ship abandoned in the middle of the sea.
"What a slut! She had an affair with another man," one of the guests shouted.
Li Mei rushed forward to defend herself. "I didn't! I was set up," she tried to explain.
Jing Yan jeered, stepping forward. "You didn't?" She repeated. "You admitted to it in the presence of everyone a few hours ago, now you deny it?" Her voice was laced with disbelief as she spoke. "Li Mei, do you take everyone here for a fool?" Jing Yan inquired, trying to paint her bad.
"I really didn't!" Li Mei yelled, her voice pale and pitiful. "It's her," she said, pointing at Jing Yan. "She made me do it!"
"Are you saying I made you cheat on your husband?" Jing Yan said softly, drawing gasps from everyone.
"What nonsense are you saying?" Li Mei said in her defense. "It was you who forced me to say I did it!"
"What is she saying?" one of the guests said to another.
"I don't know," the other replied. "It looks like she really did it," she added.
"You are not just a cheat but also a liar. I regret marrying you," Sun Jun said angrily.
Li Mei shook her head in tears, her voice faint as she cried out, "I didn't do it! You must believe me." She turned towards Sun Jun, holding his robes. "You're my husband, you have to believe me," she pleaded.
But she was met with cold rejection instead of comfort. Sun jun yanked her hand away harshly.
"Don't touch me. I can't even look at you anymore."
"I would never do anything to hurt you. I was set up!" She turned to Sun Jun. "I'm your wife—why would you think I'd do something like that to you?" Li Mei cried in desperation.
Before Sun Jun could react, the doors flew open and an eunuch rushed in, his head bowed, declaring in a clear voice,"The Imperial Noble consort has arrived!"
Everyone in the room immediately got up and sank into a bow, speaking In unison, "Greetings to the Imperial Noble Consort."
The Imperial noble Consort walked gracefully into the room. Her brocade, woven together with a golden thread, had a detailed design. A double-ended hairpin made from gold and decorated with a phoenix was placed in between her bun. She scanned the room as she strode towards her seat. One could tell she was a woman of status and power—also the Emperor's favorite. She waved her hands with care as she took her seat at the head of the room.
"Don't stand on ceremony."
"Thank you, Your Grace," they all chorused and sat down.
Li Mei scrambled towards the Imperial Noble Consort. "Mother, I was wronged. You must seek Justice for me," she pleaded, her voice breaking in desolation.
The Imperial Noble Consort smiled at her. "It's alright, tell me everything that happened."
Li Mei slowly answered, "Yes, Mother. After yesterday's event, I was worn out and prepared for bed," she began. "Ling Long came to me with a cup of wine saying it was sent by his Highness." She glanced at Sun Jun. "I had a drink, and after that, I couldn't remember what happened, until this morning when I woke up in my room with a stranger. Mother, I really didn't do what they are accusing me of. Someone must have set me up," she added.
"Don't trust her lies, Mother!" Sun Jun's voice shot up like a bird finally free from its cage.
"Did I ask for your opinion?" The Imperial Noble Consort shot Sun Jun a cold glare.
Sun Jun, with a cold shiver, immediately lowered his head and backed down.
"Someone!" The imperial Noble Consort ordered. "Get Ling Long here immediately."
The guard bowed and left, returning later with Ling long by his side. Ling Long dropped to her knees, bowing deeply, her forehead touching the floor.
"Greetings, Your Grace," she greeted, her voice vibrating in fear.
"Ling Long," the consort called. "Tell me, did you bring wine to Lady Mei Yesterday?"
Ling Long hesitated, her palm sweaty and trembling, before answering, "Y-Yes, Your Grace."
"Did his Highness order you to deliver it to her?" the Consort asked further.
Ling Long's face suddenly turned pale as she glanced nervously at Sun Jun before averting her eyes, then finally answered, "No, Your Grace."
"You're lying!" Li Mei yelled in anger. "You told me his Highness sent it!"
"I didn't!" Ling Long defended and burst into tears. She then began to slam her head against the hard floor in desperation. "Forgive me, Your Grace! Forgive me, Your Grace!"
"Enough!" the Consort commanded. "Speak, what do you have to say?"
Ling Long stammered as she spoke, "I didn't want to say this, because, because… Lady Mei asked me to keep it a secret. But it was Lady Mei who asked me to bring her two cups of wine," she explained.
Li Mei broke into tears
"She said his Highness doesn't treat her well and doesn't love her anymore, so she asked me to help her get Mr. Fang into her room."
"Ling Long," Li Mei said quietly, "why are you lying?" Tears rolled down her cheeks. "I never said anything like that," Li Mei said, glancing from the Noble Consort to the guests seated.
"I'm not lying! You told me to do it," Ling Long said in a rather defiant manner.
Sun Jun smiled satisfyingly as he watched the scene unfold.
"That's enough!" The Imperial Noble Consort silenced the room, then faced Ling Long. "Ling Long," she called, "continue."
"I… I…" Ling Long looked at Li Mei, then at the Consort. "I followed her instruction, Your Grace."
The guests began to murmur.
"Fang Zuo?" one guest suddenly whispered to another. "Isn't that the foolish son of the merchant in pingxiang?"
"Yes, the one who sells fabric," the other guest answered.
Jing Yan stepped forward, bowing formally. "Your Grace, I suggest we search Lady Mei's room. If there were two cups of wine, It might confirm Ling Long's story."
With a nod from the Noble Consort, a servant hurried towards Li Mei's room, only to return with two wine cups.
Murmurs and whispering resumed among the guests seated.
"This isn't possible! How did this happen?" Li Mei muttered almost to herself as she broke down.
Jing Yan looked at Li Mei loathingly. "How could you? You're a Noble Lady. Your act is dishonorable."
"I didn't…" Li Mei said quietly as she sobbed on the floor. Suddenly, a burst of anger surged through her as she glared angrily at Jing Yan. "It's you… it was you who set me up!"
Jing Yan tilted her head to the side with a knowing smile. "Really?" she asked derisively.
The Imperial Noble Consort turned to face Li Mei. "A Mei," she called, "you know I really dote on you. Did you really do it?" she asked, not in a way that showed she wanted to be convinced, but rather accusingly.
"I really didn't…" Li Mei cried bitterly.
Sun Zhao moved forward, he placed one hand on top of the other partially, indicating he wanted to speak.
"Mother," he said in a composed voice, "I suggest we bring Fang Zuo here to hear his own side of the story. He should also take responsibility for his actions."
The Imperial Noble Consort gestured for Fang Zuo to be brought in. When he arrived, he looked rough and Sloppy.
Jing Yan sized him up with her eyes, as if scrutinizing him. "Mr. Fang," she began, "where were you yesterday after the ceremony ended?"
Fang Zuo, who was disoriented, mumbled while rubbing his head, "I… I don't know."
The guests chuckled at his sluggishness.
"You don't know? How is it possible that you didn't know where you were?" Jing Yan questioned. Fang Zuo began to stammer. "I… my… my father asked me to deliver fabrics for the occasion, so I stayed."
"So you weren't invited after all," Jing Yan said, throwing daggers at him.
"His father was invited," Sun Zhao said, stepping forward. "Yeah," the Imperial Noble Consort backed him up. "I personally asked Zhao'er to deliver the invitation."
Suddenly, a guard entered the room. "Your Grace," he said and bowed, "I saw Fang Zuo sneaking into Lady Mei's room."