Chapter 135: Seeing Through Without Speaking Out

“Li Yue’er, these two women claim that you were persecuted and humiliated by the Princess Consort of Prince Jing, and that you took your own life out of grief and indignation. Is that true?”

This was also Zhang Yi’s first time witnessing a living person return from the dead. Judging from Chunhong and Yanhong’s expressions, there could be no mistake. When he saw that neither the prince nor the princess consort had spoken, Zhang Yi immediately seized control of the proceedings.

“My lord, these two vile women slandered the princess consort. They wanted to join forces with me to frame her and ruin her reputation. But they actually intended to… to violate my chastity and then pin the blame on the princess consort. When I refused, they heartlessly pushed me into the river. Fortunately, a kind-hearted person rescued me, and I survived that catastrophe. Everything was their doing. They dared to bully their mistress within the prince’s residence, and when the princess consort dealt with them decisively, they harbored resentment and sought revenge. I was already implicated because of these two women, yet they still tried to take my life. I beg you, my lord—Your Highness, Princess Consort—please uphold justice for me!”

Li Yue’er was already sobbing so hard that she could barely speak. She had never imagined that one wrong step at the time would lead to mistake after mistake. Not only had she lost her position in the prince’s residence, she had nearly lost her life as well. She hated Chunhong and Yanhong to the bone and revealed everything without holding anything back.

Chunhong and Yanhong had long since lost the ability to defend themselves. They had not yet recovered from the shock of seeing Li Yue’er return from the dead. Now that she had confessed everything, and with Xiao Jingxuan’s words still ringing in their ears, their hearts sank completely. Indeed, Xiao Jingxuan would not have spoken with such certainty unless he had been absolutely confident. It seemed the two of them were truly finished.

“How dare you, treacherous servants! To frame your own mistress in such a manner is utterly outrageous. You first humiliated your mistress, and though she had already shown you mercy, you showed no gratitude and instead committed one shameless act after another by slandering her. Such audacity is unprecedented and a disgrace to public morality. Guards, take them away. They are to be executed after the autumn harvest.”

Zhang Yi hastily delivered his verdict and closed the case. The surrounding commoners erupted in cheers. In truth, as long as the facts were made clear and the information was transparent, everyone could reach the proper judgment. Su Jingluo had clearly intended to lay everything out in the open.

“My lord! My lord! We have our reasons and grievances. Please show us mercy!”

Chunhong and Yanhong were instantly dumbfounded. If they did not do something for themselves now, they would truly be finished.

“Treacherous servants, your mouths are full of lies. How am I supposed to believe you? Take them away, take them away!”

Zhang Yi naturally knew that there was more to the matter. With only these two servants, how would they have dared to do something so serious? Nor would they have had the courage to beat the grievance drum outside the prefectural office. Someone had certainly instructed them from behind the scenes. But Zhang Yi was no fool; he knew that the matter was rooted in the conflicts within the household. Since this concerned the prince’s family affairs, His Highness surely would not want them publicized. He therefore settled the nature of the case directly.

Before the bailiffs could step forward, Yanhong suddenly crawled several paces and seized the hem of Su Jingluo’s skirt, crying out, “Princess Consort! Princess Consort, please spare me! We were instructed by someone else!”

Su Jingluo immediately yanked her skirt free from Yanhong’s grasp, stepped back, and stared at her coldly.

“It was you who made a wager of life and death with His Highness. Do not slander others now. You were willing to falsely accuse me—how do I know you are not falsely accusing someone else? I will not believe a single word you say.”

Su Jingluo naturally knew that Lin Feifei was the mastermind behind it all. Xiao Jingxuan should have known it just as clearly. But this was, after all, a matter within the Prince Jing Residence. How could they discuss it openly in the middle of the street? Su Jingluo was no longer the reckless fool who had once struck her head against a wall. Back then, she had done it to deal with Xiao Jingxuan. This time, she was standing on his side and protecting him.