Beast World: The Crazy Female Is Chased by Five Beast Husbands - Chapter 24

Li Qinghe’s initial unease instantly settled.

Her secret friendship with Physician Fang was well-hidden; even if discovered, it wouldn’t be at a time like this.

Li Feng’s earlier words had startled her badly.

Fortunately, she reacted quickly, avoiding any slip-ups in front of Li Feng.

However, to the elders, Li Feng’s words seemed like an intentional cover-up for Li Xuanyue’s difficulty in bearing children.

What kind of imperial physician would need the monarch’s consort’s approval?

Everyone in the Phoenix Clan knew the Phoenix Sovereign held supreme authority. Once she gave an order, who would dare refuse? Or even disagree?

What did it matter if it was the consort?

Husband and wife were one when it came to major decisions, he would still have to defer to her, the Phoenix Sovereign.

“Phoenix Sovereign, the consort is the master of the inner court,”

Elder Three pressed on relentlessly. “Given his usual virtue and magnanimity, he would never refuse in this matter. We implore Your Majesty to reconsider carefully for the sake of our clan’s future.”

“Please reconsider, Phoenix Sovereign.”

Seeing Elder Three speak up, the other elders followed suit in unison.

Li Qinghe couldn’t contain her satisfaction.

Elder Three and the others truly hadn’t disappointed her.

Li Xuanyue, just wait I’ll drag you down from your high position soon.

“Mother, Elder Three and the others make a valid point,” Li Qinghe said, feigning concern for Li Feng. “Heirs are a matter of great importance to the Phoenix Clan. We cannot afford carelessness. I believe Father, once informed, would agree for the greater good.”

“Little Sister, are you implying that Mother is selfish and hasn’t considered the greater good?”

Li Xuanyue had no sooner arrived than she heard Li Qinghe’s veiled accusation.

She immediately confronted her.

“You’re here, Yue’er.”

On the throne, Li Feng, who had been feeling overwhelmed, brightened the moment she saw Li Xuanyue appear before her.

“Your daughter greets Mother.”

Li Xuanyue withdrew her gaze and bowed to Li Feng seated above.

At once, the previously noisy hall fell silent with her arrival.

Li Qinghe clenched her fists inside her azure sleeves.

She hadn’t expected Li Xuanyue to disregard her health and come to the Central Harmony Hall at such a critical moment.

And judging by her complexion, apart from being slightly breathless and unsteady on her feet, she showed no other signs of distress nothing like someone on the verge of death.

Had her plan been exposed?

“Elder Sister!”

Suppressing her resentment and fury, she raised her hands in a formal salute.

Li Xuanyue didn’t spare her a single glance.

“Elder Three and the rest truly love to jump at shadows,”

Her sharp gaze swept over the elders as she rebuked coldly, “Don’t you all have anything better to do?”

“Even I only just learned about my difficulty in bearing heirs, yet you rushed here in such haste to question Mother.”

The lie rolled off her tongue so smoothly she nearly believed it herself.

“Or do you think Mother is shielding me?”

The elders’ faces turned ashen with humiliation.

Though they held little real power in the clan, they had lived for millennia.

Now, to be scolded by a young, inexperienced princess if word got out, where would they hide their dignity?

“How can Princess Xuanyue prove this?”

The Third Elder could be described as someone who wouldn’t shed tears until seeing the coffin.

Not all rumors are entirely baseless.

If such things hadn’t happened, how could these rumors have spread?

In his view, Li Xuanyue was merely bluffing, stubbornly refusing to admit the truth.

“Indeed, Princess Xuanyue, how can you prove this matter?”

The other elders chimed in, “We can’t just take your word for it, can we? Everything must be backed by evidence.”

Li Qinghe, who had been ignored all along, watched as Li Xuanyue was cornered by the elders.

She could hardly suppress the smug grin threatening to break across her face.

“Sister, though I may not be as knowledgeable as you,” she feigned concern, “I do know that the elders are only acting out of concern for you. There’s no need to hide anything.”

Hah!

Concern for her?

Li Qinghe’s ability to lie through her teeth was truly impressive.

“Then why don’t you take this ‘concern’ for yourself?”

Li Xuanyue’s retort left Li Qinghe momentarily stunned.

“Besides, if you claim I’m hiding something, then present your evidence!”

How dare she spout nonsense without a shred of proof?

Li Qinghe stiffened. “I—how could I possibly have evidence?”

Even if she did, she wouldn’t be foolish enough to step forward.

“Hmph, if you have no evidence, then what right do you have to spew such nonsense?”

Li Xuanyue scoffed.

“As the saying goes, ‘To catch a thief, you must catch him with the stolen goods; to expose adultery, you must catch the pair in the act.’ Since you’re all so certain that I cannot bear children, very well produce the evidence you’ve gathered.”

She wanted to see who among them would dare speak up to her face.

Li Xuanyue lifted her chin, her proud gaze sweeping over the assembly.

Even with her pallid complexion, her striking beauty and noble bearing remained undeniable.

The Third Elder and the others exchanged glances, lowering their eyes in silence.

They had no real evidence only hearsay that had driven them to seek confirmation from the Phoenix Sovereign.

Had they possessed proof, they would have long since pushed for the Second Princess to be named the next ruler of the Phoenix Clan.

They wouldn’t have waited until now.

Li Xuanyue arched a brow. “What, no one has anything to say?”

These old fools had been so eloquent earlier.

Why were they suddenly mute when asked for evidence?

“Just moments ago, I dismissed these claims as mere rumors, yet you all demanded I prove my innocence as if my word alone wasn’t enough.”

She smirked coldly. “But now, when I ask you to present evidence for your accusations, not a single one of you speaks up?”

“It’s easy to dismiss suffering when the stick hasn’t struck your own back.”

“Only when it does do you realize how unjust it feels.”

“Am I wrong?”

Her light, mocking tone filled the entire Hall of Harmony.

Even the thick-skinned Third Elder and his cohorts couldn’t withstand such ridicule, their faces burning with shame.

“Sister, how can you speak to the elders like this?” Li Qinghe interjected, pretending to mediate. “They only have the future of the Phoenix Clan in mind. There’s no need for such harsh words.”

The position of the Phoenix Clan’s Crown Princess hasn’t even been decided yet, but that b1tch Li Xuanyue is already flaunting her authority here. Doesn’t she fear being collectively opposed by the clan’s elders during the election?

Li Xuanyue glanced sideways at Li Qinghe, “Since when do you have the right to speak here?”

She said with infuriating smugness.

Did she really think Li Xuanyue didn’t know she was the mastermind behind all this?

Still trying to play innocent and pure here? If she wasn’t disgusted by the act, Li Xuanyue certainly found it irritating.

Li Qinghe stiffened all over, wishing she could disappear from embarrassment.

That b1tch Li Xuanyue was as detestable as ever.

She really should die immediately.

“Imperial Mother, this daughter requests a thorough investigation of this matter.”