Chapter 169

Chapter 169 Fang Yuan'er didn't believe in vows in the slightest. Just as she was about to respond, she saw Xie Run staring coldly at her, speaking in a deep voice: "Do you dare to swear that if you ever harmed Taotao, you and Third Young Master will both suffer retribution?!" Not to mention Fang Yuan'er, everyone present drew in a sharp breath upon hearing those words. Fang Yuan'er met Xie Run's dark, cold gaze, and the words on the tip of her tongue simply wouldn't come out. Fang Yuan'er didn't believe in vows, but she had no choice but to believe in ghosts and gods. Otherwise, how could she have come to this world? But that brief moment of hesitation was enough for everyone present to see through her. Before Fang Yuan'er could find a way to salvage the situation, Prince Jing had already spoken coldly: "Enough!" Xie Run restrained the anger on her face and bowed calmly to Prince Jing. "Your concubine was overcome with maternal concern and spoke improperly. I beg the Prince to punish me." When Prince Jing heard his son being cursed, he was displeased. But seeing Xie Run's composed demeanor, he couldn't bring himself to utter words of punishment. After all, her anger was understandable. Prince Jing held back his fury, finding no outlet for it. His gaze swept to Fang Yuan'er, whose expression was dark, and he immediately found his target. "Lady Fang has plotted against the Prince's offspring—a crime deserving of death—and shows no remorse. She is hereby placed under House Arrest for six months, with six months' allowance deducted." His peripheral vision caught Qiu Lu kneeling on the ground, and Prince Jing said casually: "As for this maid, have her beaten to death." Fang Yuan'er and Qiu Lu both looked up at Prince Jing simultaneously, disbelief written all over their faces. Fang Yuan'er never imagined that Prince Jing wouldn't believe her in the slightest and would punish her so severely! But before Fang Yuan'er could even cry out for mercy, Qiu Lu was already sobbing and crawling forward on her knees, tugging at Prince Jing's robes. "Please spare me, Your Highness! Please spare me! This servant truly never harmed the young master!" "This servant has been devoted to you with all her heart—you cannot treat me this way!" At these words, everyone present wore expressions of shock. "Your mistress is Side Consort Fang—what do you mean by being devoted to the Prince?" Nanny Li said with disgust: "No wonder a sachet embroidered with mandarin ducks was found in your room. So you were harboring such filthy intentions. How revolting!" "A lowly maid, daring to harbor thoughts of the Prince!" Nanny Li added with her own agenda: "Truly, a servant takes after her master—equally ignorant of her place!" Prince Jing had just disliked Nanny Li's aggressive manner, but now he found the old woman's words rather agreeable. Was he someone just anyone could covet? A side consort's personal maid, shouting about being devoted to him with all her heart? Utterly lacking in propriety! Eunuch Shian caught Prince Jing's expression and immediately signaled the young eunuch beside him to gag Qiu Lu. Fang Yuan'er had originally intended to plead for Qiu Lu out of consideration for their mistress-servant relationship. But upon hearing Qiu Lu's words, she realized that Qiu Lu had harbored feelings for Prince Jing all along. A wave of inexplicable disgust washed over her, and she said nothing. At that moment, Zihu suddenly entered. "Reporting to the Prince and Princess Consort, Yueyao, who tends the flowers in the corridor, says she has something to report—it concerns Yuezhi." The Princess Consort raised an eyebrow. "Before Yuezhi has even been interrogated, someone has already come forward to report her?" Prince Jing looked puzzled. "Who are these Yuezhi and Yueyao?" Xie Run explained gently: "Reporting to the Prince. Taotao's discomfort was not only due to the fleece-flower root added to the wet nurse's meals, but also because tapioca powder was added to the water used to prepare Taotao's supplementary food." "This Yuezhi is the maid in charge of Taotao's water, and she is currently being interrogated." Her peripheral vision swept across the faces of everyone present, taking in their expressions. Consort Li had always worn a cold, aloof expression; upon hearing this, her face showed no change. Fang Yuan'er's eyes were slightly lowered, her emotions unreadable, with only a faint, elusive smile curling at the corners of her lips. Whether it was smugness or mockery, no one could tell. Prince Jing stepped forward and sat down on a chair. "Bring her in first—let's hear what she has to say!" The Princess Consort glanced at Fang Yuan'er. "Your Highness, shall we first send Side Consort Fang back to begin her House Arrest?" Fang Yuan'er seemed startled back to her senses. "I'm not leaving!" Prince Jing and the Princess Consort both looked at her. Fang Yuan'er sneered: "From the looks of it, this is far from a one-act play. Your Highness might as well let me watch to the end before I go, so I can be convinced of my fate." Prince Jing frowned and was about to refuse. But the Princess Consort said: "Your Highness, since Side Consort Fang is curious, let her stay a while longer." "Once she's under House Arrest, she'll have fewer opportunities to go out." Fang Yuan'er made no sound, but her chest felt tight and suffocating, as if a bloody taste were rising in her throat. Soon, Yueyao, who tended the flowers, was brought in. She was young, only thirteen or fourteen. Yet she had grown into quite a beauty—delicate and gentle in her features, with a pair of watery, misty eyes. When frightened, she was like a startled sparrow, pitifully endearing. Xie Run had liked her obedient and adorable nature, which was why she had promoted her from a rough servant girl to a third-rank maid. As soon as Yueyao stepped forward, many inwardly remarked that Xie Run was bold to keep such a pretty maid in her service. Were she not afraid that the girl might one day seduce the Prince? Unaware of what others were thinking, Yueyao obediently stepped forward and performed the proper salute. Prince Jing remained expressionless, while the Princess Consort beside him was the first to speak: "You said you have something to report concerning Yuezhi. Speak in detail." Yueyao said timidly, "To answer the Princess Consort, this servant is responsible for the flowers and plants along the corridor. Five days ago, I went to the flower house to fetch some flowers, and on the way I passed by the Flying Crane Pavilion, where I saw..." As she spoke, Yueyao's voice grew softer and softer. Xie Run knew she was timid by nature, so she said gently, "Don't be afraid. Just tell the Prince and Princess Consort what you saw." "If the culprit who put in the tapioca powder is found, you'll have rendered a great service, and there will be rewards aplenty." "And even if what you say turns out to be useless, the very courage you've shown by stepping forward deserves praise." Yueyao, coaxed by Xie Run's words, finally spoke a little louder. Though still as faint as a mosquito's buzz, it was at least audible now. "This servant saw Yuezhi and Suici, who serves Concubine Wan, seemingly arguing about something. Neither of them looked very pleased." "After a while, this servant saw Yuezhi leave the Flying Crane Pavilion, and she also adjusted her sleeve... Later, while working, this servant deliberately watched her sleeve for a long time and noticed that a fine-banded gold bracelet had appeared on it." Yueyao was timid but had a keen eye for detail, and she recounted clearly and thoroughly when and where she had seen Yuezhi. The Flying Crane Pavilion was a rather cleverly situated spot. Its location was somewhat secluded, but it was built with considerable artistic flair, surrounded on several sides by rockeries draped in green vines. If one wanted to find a quiet place to chat, it was an excellent choice. And thus, it was also an excellent place for secret scheming. Zihu chimed in as well, "At that hour, Yuezhi was supposed to be on duty. No one had instructed her to go out, so why would she appear at the Flying Crane Pavilion?" After Prince Jing heard this, he only said, "Send someone to summon Concubine Wan first, then bring that girl up for questioning." "Yes!" Xie Run, supported by someone's arm, also returned to her original seat. She lowered her eyes, seemingly lost in thought about something. Prince Jing watched her and felt an inexplicable softening in his heart. Then he thought of Taotao, who had suffered two sudden calamities for no reason, both being such subtle and insidious schemes that were impossible to guard against, and he felt even more pity for this mother and child.