These two spoke in tandem, settling the matter directly and leaving her with no room to retreat.
Today, whether she played the zither or not, she had to play. But did these two truly believe this was enough to control her?
It was laughable!
Nan Shiying gracefully twirled her wine glass, a smile playing on her lips, her gaze calm, showing no hint of embarrassment or timidity. She glanced at Ji Hong, not responding, her eyes shifting to Qin Yushan. After taking a sip of wine, she asked with a laugh, "Oh? Is that what the side consort told you? Did I misunderstand? Since entering the manor, I have never played the zither or conversed with the side consort. Furthermore... if my memory serves me correctly, you haven't set foot in the Regent's manor for months. How did you hear these things from the side consort? Did the side consort leave the manor without my knowledge?"
"Or, has it become necessary for your Qin family members to enter the manor without notifying me?"
Although Nan Shiying's voice was laced with laughter, it held a sharp edge, each word a fatal blow. Setting aside whether Qin Yushan's statement constituted deceit towards the emperor, her final question to Qin Yushan, if proven true, would bring misfortune to either Qin Yurou or the entire Qin family.
In just a few words, she completely reversed the situation, casually pushing Qin Yushan into an abyss. This composure and calculation startled everyone present and made those who had been harboring intentions of causing trouble for Nan Shiying reconsider.
They had expected Nan Shiying, without Ji Jinmo, to be a docile house cat. Unexpectedly, she was a dormant tiger. Previously, with another tiger by her side, she had restrained her ferocity. Now that the other tiger was absent, she unleashed her aura without restraint.
Only then did the crowd belatedly recall various rumors about her. The earlier ones were not worth mentioning, but the later ones, not having witnessed them firsthand, they hadn't fully believed. Yet now, it seemed she was truly as the rumors suggested, having killed someone on the street for a mere disagreement.
The crowd shivered intensely, their gazes towards Qin Yushan filled with either pity or mockery.
Ji Hong's expression stiffened. He had not expected Nan Shiying to dare to disregard him, and anger surged within him. His hand, resting on the dining table, clenched into a fist.
Consort Zou, who was closest to him, could hear the grinding of his teeth.
This Nan Shiying was utterly audacious. Did she truly believe that being the Regent's Consort meant the Emperor could not deal with her as he pleased?
Nan Yuan'er held her wine cup, her head slightly bowed, not looking at Qin Yushan or Nan Shiying, only occasionally casting a glance at her father, her expression unreadable.
Nan Chaoyin's expression remained unchanged. Compared to the anxious and worried Qin Qiancheng, he seemed indifferent to Nan Shiying's fate. However, no one found this surprising, as they had understood the relationship between father and daughter at the banquet in the Nan residence previously.
Qin Yushan felt her ears ring. She opened her mouth, momentarily unsure how to respond. She had originally thought that with her words, Nan Shiying would be compelled to play the zither under the Emperor's authority, thereby losing face in front of everyone from Lin Yuan and Da Li. But she had never expected Nan Shiying to be so arrogant, not only failing to immediately accept the Emperor's command but also questioning her.
When?
How could she answer?
If she admitted to lying, it would be a crime of deceiving the emperor. If she denied it, then stating her sister had left the manor without permission would give Nan Shiying grounds to attack her sister for being unchaste. But if she said she entered the manor without announcement, it would be a grave offense of disrespecting the Consort and insubordination.
To minimize the crime, the only option was to implicate her sister... but that was unacceptable. If her sister were to earn a reputation for unchastity, then all unmarried young ladies of the Qin family would bear such a stigma.
Qin Yushan gritted her teeth, filled with both anger and fear, her body trembling uncontrollably.
"Your subject, your subject..."
Just as she was at a loss, Consort Zou suddenly spoke, "Why must the Consort be so aggressive? If you are unwilling to play, then don't. Why trouble an unmarried young girl, and aren't you afraid others will say you bully the weak and disgrace the Regent's manor?"
Consort Zou's intervention allowed Qin Yushan to breathe a sigh of relief. She looked up at Consort Zou with gratitude.
Nan Shiying turned her head to look at Consort Zou.
"Bully the weak? Is Consort referring to herself?"
"You..."
"If not, then please, Consort, remain calm. I was merely curious as to how Miss Qin of the Qin residence knew of my excellent zither skills. If it didn't come from the side consort, then the matter is far more serious. As the Regent's Consort, I have the responsibility to protect the manor's safety. Now, if I ask a few more questions, and Consort intervenes, could it be that... today's matter, it is you who..."
"How dare you spout nonsense!"
Consort Zou had not expected that by merely interjecting, she would nearly be accused of probing the Regent's manor. Even as a consort, if she dared to extend her hand towards the Regent's manor, even the Emperor might not be able to protect her.
Even if the Emperor protected her, there was still the entire Zou family.
She felt a chill.
This damned Nan Shiying, so ruthless, so insidious, framing and slandering her in front of everyone, was utterly rampant.
"Regent's Consort, you are too presumptuous!"
Ji Hong could no longer tolerate it and spoke out with a reprimand, his imperial aura pressing down instantly. However, it had no effect on Nan Shiying. She slowly rose and bowed to Ji Hong, "It is not that your concubine is presumptuous, but rather, with the Prince absent, your concubine is filled with apprehension. If there is any offense in my words, I beg His Majesty for forgiveness."
Forgiveness, forgiveness, Nan Shiying showed no sign of guilt.
Ji Hong felt a surge of annoyance, but he could not truly punish Nan Shiying for such a trivial matter. After all, even a dog needs to be seen by its owner. It was fine to vex Ji Jinmo, but to truly act over such a small matter against his consort was like handing Ji Jinmo a knife!
He suppressed his anger and asked, "Consort, what exactly do you want?"
Nan Shiying brushed down her skirt, her face beaming with a smile, "If the esteemed daughter of the Qin residence wishes to hear your concubine play the zither, it is certainly possible, but... after your concubine plays, I require the Qin family to give me an explanation!"
Ji Hong was slightly taken aback.
Play the zither?
He had thought Nan Shiying's sudden outburst was simply because her skills were not up to par and she was unwilling to play in public. But now, it seemed that was not the case. Then why did she make a fuss? Was it merely because Qin Yushan had schemed against her, and she wanted the other party to pay a price?
She and Ji Jinmo were too similar!
Both were so meticulous about every detail.
However, the Qin family... He pondered for a moment, ultimately not rejecting Nan Shiying's request, "Alright, I grant it."
Qin Yushan's body went limp, and she immediately collapsed onto the ground.