Chapter 225

Chapter 225 The Princess Consort spoke slowly: "These past days, has Consort Jiang been staying obediently in her own courtyard? Surely you have some idea in your heart?" Jiang Baobao was startled, and her tone immediately lost some of its confidence. "This concubine... this concubine has indeed been staying in her own courtyard and has not gone anywhere else." The Princess Consort said: "If that's the case, is Concubine Fang slandering you by saying you left the courtyard without permission during your house arrest?" Jiang Baobao: "Princess Consort, please see clearly. This concubine... this concubine simply grew a bit restless after staying in the courtyard for so long. I only slipped out through the back gate to take a stroll in the plum grove. I didn't run around anywhere." Nanny Li said in a mocking tone: "Does Consort Jiang mean that slipping out through the back gate doesn't count as leaving the courtyard without permission?" "You didn't run around anywhere, it's true. You merely happened upon Concubine Fang and Princess Ruyi in the plum grove, exchanged a few sharp words, slapped Concubine Fang across the face, and frightened Princess Ruyi so badly she was shocked..." Xie Run nearly choked on her tea. This Consort Jiang... truly, as long as she breathes, she keeps stirring up trouble. She had already been demoted from Side Consort to Concubine Consort, and still she didn't know how to stay out of trouble. Jiang Baobao said indignantly: "That wretch Concubine Fang must have filed a false complaint against this concubine!" "This concubine had no intention of frightening Princess Ruyi. It's just that Concubine Fang truly doesn't know her place. When she saw this concubine, she began mocking me, ridiculing me several times, showing not the slightest respect." "She only dares to disrespect this concubine because she sees that I've lost my standing and been punished by the Prince." "Even if this concubine has been punished, my rank is still higher than hers. Isn't it within my rights to discipline her a little?" As Xie Run listened, she suddenly felt these words sounded familiar. Just then, the Princess Consort turned to ask her: "What does Consort Xie think of Consort Jiang's explanation?" Xie Run held her teacup, using it to conceal the smile at the corner of her lips. "These words... they do sound somewhat familiar." "When Consort Jiang was still Side Consort, this is exactly how she treated this concubine." Jiang Baobao's face immediately darkened. The Princess Consort raised her hand, and Tinghe immediately brought two maidservants forward. "These two are maidservants from Cangmei Courtyard. They were serving nearby that day. Let's hear what they have to say." Jiang Baobao was stunned. She had thought the Princess Consort would summon Concubine Fang's people to confront her. If that were the case, she truly wouldn't be afraid. After all, when two parties face off, each has their own version of the story. If she made a scene, the Princess Consort couldn't very well convict her. But Jiang Baobao never imagined there had been others present at the time. She glared at the two maidservants from Cangmei Courtyard. Neither of them dared to look at her, only keeping their heads lowered as they recounted the events of that day in full detail. It turned out that Concubine Fang had been taking Princess Ruyi for a walk when she happened upon Jiang Baobao, who was supposed to be under house arrest. Concubine Fang was naturally surprised and casually asked a couple of questions. Jiang Baobao, being overly sensitive, took Concubine Fang's inquiry as mockery. She immediately flew into a rage and began pointing at Concubine Fang, hurling insults. Even the most good-tempered person couldn't endure such abuse, so Concubine Fang retorted a few words. This immediately enraged Jiang Baobao, who resorted to physical violence on the spot, slapping Concubine Fang across the face and frightening Princess Ruyi into crying on the spot. Afterward, the maidservants on both sides pulled them apart, and each returned to their own quarters. Consort Jiang thought that was the end of it. She never expected that Concubine Fang, who was usually as quiet as a mute, would actually file a complaint behind her back! Looking at Jiang Baobao's indignant expression, the Princess Consort said calmly: "Is there anything wrong or missing in what these two have said?" "It's not wrong, but these maidservants made it sound as though this concubine deliberately bullied Concubine Fang." Jiang Baobao was extremely unconvinced. She insisted: "It was clearly Concubine Fang who disrespected this concubine first. This concubine is at least a Concubine Consort. Are you telling me I can't even discipline a mere concubine?" Nanny Li couldn't help but say: "Consort Jiang truly has a talent for twisting right and wrong." "Since you've admitted that what the maidservants said is true, then you used your status as Concubine Consort to bully Concubine Fang at will and disturb Princess Ruyi..." Jiang Baobao instinctively retorted: "I did not!" Xie Run looked at her carefully and realized that Jiang Baobao genuinely didn't think she was wrong. She probably felt that a Concubine Consort slapping a concubine who didn't know her place was simply a matter of course. The Princess Consort shouldn't be interrogating her—she should instead be properly punishing Concubine Fang. Nanny Li: "Whether you did or didn't isn't something Consort Jiang alone can twist. Everyone's eyes are sharp!" Consort Jiang said discontentedly: "The Princess Consort is here. Where do you, an old hag, get the right to speak!" Nanny Li was so angry she could barely catch her breath. She was the Princess Consort's wet nurse, so naturally her every word and action represented the Princess Consort's intentions. This Consort Jiang was truly too foolish and dense! Hearing this, the Princess Consort finally said in a calm voice: "Consort Jiang left the courtyard without permission during her house arrest and bullied a concubine. The evidence is conclusive. The punishment is five lashes to the palms and copying the Buddhist scriptures ten times." Consort Jiang tried to say something more, but the Princess Consort only gave her a cold, sweeping glance. "If you make more excuses, it will be changed to slaps on the face." Consort Jiang's brow twitched, and she immediately shut her mouth. But beneath her eyes and between her brows, resentment and unwillingness were clearly visible. Seeing this, Xie Run slowly spoke up and asked: "Just now, Miss Tinghe said Consort Jiang committed two offenses. One has now been dealt with. May I ask what the other one is?" Jiang Baobao didn't dare act arrogant anymore. She racked her brain, trying to think of which of her faults had been caught and reported to the Princess Consort. But after thinking for a long while, she still couldn't figure it out, so she secretly lifted her head to gauge the Princess Consort's expression. It happened that the Princess Consort's gaze fell lightly upon her. Those dark, deep, and restrained eyes made Jiang Baobao's heart leap violently, and she subconsciously lowered her head. The Princess Consort said, "These past days, rumors have frequently circulated in the manor that Side Consort Fang was plotting against Sixth Young Master. I had people investigate... and the trail led to Xiao Guizi, who serves Consort Jiang." "Consort Jiang, do you have anything to explain?" Consort Jiang was full of grievance, thinking to herself, Even if I explain, you won't listen. And now you come asking me for an explanation. She said with grievance, "Something that never happened—how can it be framed onto me?" "I naturally won't admit to it." The Princess Consort let out a soft sigh. "Consort Jiang, since I've summoned you to Qingsong Court, it means I already hold considerable evidence in my hands." "Are you truly not prepared to confess on your own?" Consort Jiang pressed her lips together and said with displeasure, "I've said it—I didn't do it, so I didn't do it. How does the Princess Consort expect me to confess?" Never mind the Princess Consort—even Xie Run felt exhausted watching this. Anyone with even a shred of sense would have already admitted it by now and be racking their brains thinking of how to clear their name. But who would have thought Consort Jiang was so single-minded, only knowing to stubbornly deny this one matter. The Princess Consort glanced at Tinghe. Tinghe clapped her hands, and immediately someone brought Xiao Guizi up. Also brought up along with him was a maidservant with an unfamiliar face. Tinghe didn't waste any words and said directly, "Consort Jiang, Xiao Guizi and Yunxiang have already confessed their crimes." "Xiao Guizi said that because you bore a grudge against Side Consort Fang, you specifically gave him a hundred taels of silver to spread rumors everywhere about Side Consort Fang plotting against Concubine Lian and Sixth Young Master." "He used ten taels of silver to bribe Yunxiang, the daughter of Granny Ma at the second gate, and through Yunxiang's mouth, the news was spread throughout the manor." "I already have the confessions of these two in hand, which record when and where you instructed him to do this, and how. The ninety taels of silver Xiao Guizi secretly kept, along with the physical evidence of Yunxiang carrying out the task, are all here... How else do you intend to quibble?" How else could Jiang Baobao quibble? She wouldn't quibble anymore!