Mingzhu was trembling the whole time. She didn’t know if it was because she was afraid the truth was as Ji Hui said and couldn’t face it, or because she was too angry to control herself. It was clearly a misunderstanding. She hadn’t done anything, yet it turned into her being unable to tolerate concubines and illegitimate children, forcing Ji Hui into this situation. What the h*ll!
Jealousy was a crime, favoritism shouldn’t have happened. It was all her fault… Mingzhu took a sip of cold tea, trying to calm herself down. “It seems that Miss Ji is truly unfortunate. Originally destined to be the main wife, but unlucky enough to have to become a concubine for someone else. Even if willing to lower oneself to become a concubine, because of encountering someone like me, who is jealous, she cannot achieve her wish. It’s really pitiful.”
She couldn’t help but sneer, “Did I cause your misfortune? Did I make you drunk? Did I send you to someone else’s bed? Didn’t give you a way out? Are you blaming me for blocking you back then, not letting His Highness accept you? So, all your misfortune stems from my jealousy? It makes me sick. I used to think you were a brave, wise, and discerning girl, but now I take back those words. You’re really pitiful!”
Ji Hui’s face turned pale, but she remained stubbornly defiant. “Regardless, I can’t let my child be born without a name or status outside. As long as the Wangfei gives him a way out, I will die after giving birth to him, to ease your mind.” With that, she straightened her big belly and knelt directly in front of Mingzhu.
Mingzhu felt extremely nauseated, trembling uncontrollably. She turned away, refusing to look at Ji Hui anymore, only gesturing to Fu Mingzheng, “Fourth Brother, you ask. I can’t calm down. I’m a mess.”
Understandingly, Fu Mingzheng patted her shoulder and calmly asked Ji Hui, “Okay, now that we have the time, place, smell, and physical evidence, let me ask you. Were the lights on at the time? Did you see the person clearly? Did you hear him speak? Did you feel anything distinctive, like a special mark?”
Ji Hui’s face was as pale as death, and she said frantically, “It was him, it was him! I won’t be mistaken!” There were no lights at the time, she didn’t see the person clearly, nor did she hear his voice. But besides Yuwen Guang, who else could it be? Given the current situation, it could only be Yuwen Guang.
Fu Mingzheng nodded. “Good, I’ll ask you again. Since it was the regent’s temporary residence, there must have been someone guarding it. So, what about your eyewitness?”
This time, it was Wetnurse Xiao who spoke up. “I saw it with my own eyes!”
Fu Mingzheng raised an eyebrow and smiled. “And who might this be?”
Ji Hui barely audible, “She’s my nursemaid.”
Wetnurse Xiao loudly declared, “I have been following our young miss all along. During the banquet, I had to leave for a moment due to an emergency. When I came back, I couldn’t find our young miss. I was very anxious and begged the princess to send someone to search for her. Despite the extensive search, she couldn’t be found. I was so worried and heard someone saying our young miss was with the regent, so I shouldn’t worry. Afraid that something big would happen, I ran nearby to watch. I saw someone helping our young miss out of the regent’s residence. Could this be fake?”
Fu Mingzheng said solemnly, “Alright, this is your side’s testimony, and I have noted it down. But in this matter, there is a plaintiff and a defendant. We cannot just listen to one side of the story. We must also question the defendant. Please inform me, wetnurse, who on the regent’s side knows about this matter? We must find a few more people to come. Otherwise, what if we wrong someone?”
Wronged someone? Both Ji Hui and Wetnurse Xiao were infuriated. Ji Hui lowered her head, tears streaming down her face, while Wetnurse Xiao roared, “This gentleman’s words make no sense at all! How could anyone wrongly accuse the Regent? He’s clearly afraid that the Wangfei will hold him accountable. Who in his camp would dare to act recklessly? Does he think having an extra head is a problem?”
Fu Mingzheng nodded. “Understood. There are no witnesses on their side.”
Ji Hui lifted her head, resolutely stating, “No, there is one. Mr. Meng. He saw it too.”
Fu Mingzheng lowered his head, cracking his knuckles, his smile shining brightly. “Oh, Mr. Meng, did he witness the entire process with his own eyes? Or was he like your wetnurse, only seeing you being helped out of the Regent’s room?”
Ji Hui gritted her teeth. “He suffered severe punishment from the regent for helping me prove this matter.”
“Ah, witnessing the process and seeing you come out of someone’s room are two completely different things. You know, a dumpling skin might be covered in meat, but the filling inside could also be rotten vegetables,” Fu Mingzheng sighed. “Well, I’ll remember this. Let’s end it here for today. You go back and take care of yourself during your pregnancy. Once I uncover the truth, I’ll let you know.”
Yuwen Guang looked at the immense anger on Mingzhu’s face and felt very uneasy. “But…”
Fu Mingzheng smiled. “Rest assured, Your Majesty. This matter will be handled according to regulations. The message has been sent, and we will definitely have a response before the child is born. Since the truth is unclear, we can’t detain people without evidence. The lady cares about her reputation, but the regent’s reputation is also important, isn’t it?”
After thinking it over, Yuwen Guang realized it seemed to be the case and said, “Ji Hui, you can go back now.”
Ji Hui said, “Since it has come to this, I still request the Wangfei to make a promise. You must ensure the safety of me and my child, and prevent any mishaps.”
Before Mingzhu could respond, Fu Mingzheng said, “Alright, I will ensure the safety of your child. When the time comes, it will be clear whose child it is.” Then he turned to Qi Wangfei and said, “Today’s events, please witness, Your Highness.”
Qi Wangfei nodded. “No problem.”
Mingzhu stood up. “I’ll escort Your Majesty out.”
Yuwen Guang awkwardly mumbled, “Mmm,” and quietly left. Ji Hui was accompanied by Wetnurse Xiao as they slowly walked out, but Fu Mingzheng loudly exclaimed, “Miss Ji, you dropped something.” He caught up with her, smiling warmly and elegantly. “Based on my years of experience in handling cases, you’re lying. Your words are not entirely truthful. You’re not even sure if that person was the regent, but you’re very clear that it must be him, or else you would have had no way out. But let me assure you, based on my understanding of the regent, if it were true, you would have been dead long ago. The only reason you’re still alive is because the child isn’t his. I will ensure the safe birth of this child, and then I will slap your face hard enough to make you die of shame.”
Ji Hui looked at him in horror, protecting her belly and asking sharply, “What are you going to do?”
“Nothing,” Fu Mingzheng cleared his throat and called a maid, “This is our household’s Ruan Momo. She will help you look after which things to avoid and ensure the safety of the child.”
Ruan Momo respectfully greeted Ji Hui with a smile. “Please take care of me, miss.”
Wetnurse Xiao objected, but Fu Mingzheng looked at her with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, cold and chilling. “Are you not willing to bet?”
