Chapter 290

Chapter 290: Commoner "Logic?" Princess Consort Rong suddenly smiled. "Naturally, I have my own people by my daughter's side. Mei Shi schemed to rise through the ranks by bearing a son, stealing away the favor of my daughter's husband. How could such a person not die?" From the moment Princess Consort Rong opened her mouth, she had no intention of living. Even The Emperor was surprised that Princess Consort Rong would come forward to confess. "Do you know what you are saying?" "Your Majesty, this subject's wife has never been clearer than at this moment." Princess Consort Rong no longer feared death. "After poisoning Mei Shi, I thought to eliminate the roots along with the weeds, so I sent people to cause a landslide, killing the rest of the Mei family. This subject's wife can explain all of these matters clearly." She recounted everything—how she arranged it, down to the year and month—with perfect clarity. Since County Princess Rongjia had never admitted to the crime, the guilt now fell upon Princess Consort Rong's head. Xie Yunting and Cui Zeyu exchanged a glance. No matter how they figured it, they never imagined Princess Consort Rong would dote on County Princess Rongjia so much that she would willingly step forward to take the blame. "I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly. Rongjia has a straightforward temperament—if she were to threaten Wu Qingfei, she would go directly to his door. Why would she go around in circles?" This matter was indeed done by Princess Consort Rong. "Moreover, the paper used for that letter is only sold at the Shuxiang Pavilion in Bianjing. Rongjia married far away years ago—why would she specifically buy paper from Bianjing?" That was indeed solid evidence. From the moment Princess Consort Rong began speaking, Prince Rong had said nothing. There was no turning back once the arrow was loosed; he could not possibly refute his wife's words now. Prince Rong could only feign bewilderment. "You... you are confused!" "My Prince, I have wronged you all." Princess Consort Rong said, then kowtowed to The Emperor. "It is this subject's wife's fault. Whether I am to be killed or tortured, I will obey Your Majesty's decree." Princess Consort Rong was willing to give her life for her daughter. County Princess Rongjia looked at her mother, unable to speak for a long time. Mei Shi was killed by her own hand, and the murder of the Mei family had her mother's help—but it was she who had insisted on it, and only then did her mother send people to act. Now, watching her mother take the blame, County Princess Rongjia wanted to open her mouth to argue several times, but then thought that if she admitted her crimes, she too would be punished. In the end, County Princess Rongjia said not a single word. Inside the great hall, everyone held their breath, waiting for The Emperor's decree. The Emperor needed to give the Mei family and the court officials an explanation. Whether it was County Princess Rongjia or Princess Consort Rong, one of them had to be singled out for punishment; otherwise, it would be difficult to satisfy the masses. Cui Zeyu furrowed his brows tightly. He was still pondering how to find a flaw in Princess Consort Rong's words when The Emperor directly issued his decree. "Since the fourth son's wife has confessed, there is nothing more to be said." The Emperor was already weary from this case. "In consideration of her having borne children for the imperial family, after you return, end your own life. Consider it preserving the dignity of the Rong Prince Mansion." Hearing these words, Princess Consort Rong's body swayed, and she nearly fainted. "As for Rongjia..." The Emperor's gaze swept over her. He knew Rongjia was not innocent, but since someone had taken the blame, she could be spared the death penalty. "Headstrong and reckless—strip her of her County Mistress title, remove her name from the imperial clan registry, and she is forbidden from entering the palace henceforth." Without the status of the imperial clan, and with her mother implicated, the days ahead for County Princess Rongjia could well be imagined. "Imperial Uncle, your niece..." County Princess Rongjia was about to speak when her father yanked her arm hard. It was this movement that drew The Emperor's attention to Prince Rong. The Emperor waved his hand, signaling the others to withdraw, leaving only Prince Rong behind. County Princess Rongjia and Princess Consort Rong were escorted out by the inner attendants. Princess Consort Rong was now a convicted criminal. The attendant made a gesture of invitation, indicating that Princess Consort Rong was to be watched as she left the palace. County Princess Rongjia, meanwhile, glared at Cui Zeyu and the others, as if she wanted to devour them alive. "Cui Zeyu, Xie Yunting, you brought harm to my mother like this—you will die a horrible death!" "County Mistress... no, wait, you're not a County Mistress anymore." Xie Yunting raised an eyebrow mischievously, speaking in a tone of someone enjoying the spectacle. "How is it that we harmed your mother? It was you—you did wrong, and Princess Consort Rong came forward to take the blame. If you truly want to protest injustice, why didn't you speak up for your mother before The Emperor just now?" "I..." "Is it because you are a coward who fears death? You are the despicable, shameless one!" Xie Yunting chuckled. Cui Zeyu added, "Indeed, Zhao Susu. You know very well in your heart how the Mei family died. You watched Princess Consort Rong go to her death without saying a word. Having a daughter like you is truly the misfortune of the Rong Prince Mansion." County Princess Rongjia's birth name was Zhao Susu. Now that she had lost her County Mistress title, Cui Zeyu was unwilling to call her Marchioness Song, as that was his sister's identity. Zhao Susu looked at Cui Zeyu and Xie Yunting, raising her hand to strike them, but Xie Yunting reminded her that they were still in the palace. "You can try it if you like—see if I'll let you get away with it!" Xie Yunting said, then made a point of turning to Song Shulan. "Marquis Song, what's the matter with you? Watching your own woman being bullied, and you don't say a word? The Emperor only stripped Zhao Susu of her title—he didn't order you to divorce her!" Song Shulan was in a difficult position at the moment. He did not know what The Emperor would do with Prince Rong after keeping him behind. If the Rong Prince Mansion were to fall from power, and he lost their support, would he still have any reason to side with Zhao Susu in everything? At that moment, Zhao Susu also turned to look at Song Shulan. They had been married for some time now, and seeing him remain completely silent, her heart turned cold. "Fine, all of you just wait. Thirty years east, thirty years west—who knows, in a while, it might be any one of you who ends up unlucky!" "Then I truly look forward to that!" Xie Yunting called out loudly at Zhao Susu's retreating figure. After mocking Zhao Susu, Xie Yunting turned his gaze to appraise Song Shulan, holding him in utter contempt. "I say, Marquis Song, you're supposed to be a man. Even if the Rong Prince Mansion has fallen on hard times, you should still speak up for your wife. They say a day as husband and wife creates a hundred days of affection. Seeing how heartless you are, are you already thinking of seducing some noble lady from another family and bringing home an Equal Wife?" "Xie Yunting, what nonsense are you talking?" Song Shulan was furious. "Oh? Getting angry?" Xie Yunting taunted relentlessly. "In my opinion, you might as well just get a Mutual Divorce from Sister Cui. A man like you isn't worth keeping anyway. Can't even protect your own woman—you're nothing but a useless coward!" "You bastard, Xie Yunting! Have you had your eye on Lady Cui all along?" Song Shulan glared viciously at Xie Yunting. Xie Yunting pursed his lips, slung an arm around Cui Zeyu's shoulder, and said boisterously, "Song Shulan, you really don't deserve Sister Cui. You'd better hurry off and chase after your precious Zhao Susu—she's the one you hold dear to your heart!" Watching Cui Zeyu and Xie Yunting walk away, Song Shulan wanted to throw a punch but didn't dare, knowing full well he was no match for Xie Yunting. Just as he was about to leave the palace, he heard Prince Rong's voice from behind. Turning around, he saw Prince Rong's face dark and grim. Song Shulan's heart sank—he knew this meant the prince was about to take his anger out on him.