“Then why don’t you mention that it was Jin Wangfei who pushed Duan Wangfei first? If not for her quick reflexes, I might have died along with my unborn child right here!” Yu Wangfei supported her belly. “The Jiang family of Luozhou was once a noble house. Who would’ve thought they’d raise a daughter so fond of speaking lies!”
“Enough!” the Crown Prince shouted. “Crown Princess, you speak.”
The pressure instantly shifted to Bai Shixi.
She knew she couldn’t avoid it. With a helpless look, she stood and glanced at the Crown Prince, then sighed softly. “Your Highness, since we seek justice, why not summon the nearby palace maids and ask them what they saw? That way no one can claim bias—truth will speak for itself.”
Bai Shixi couldn’t say outright who was right or wrong. She understood all too well what the Crown Prince wanted.
She couldn’t openly side with Duan Mingxi, but she could let the truth come out from the mouths of the palace staff.
No wonder Jin Wangfei had acted so boldly today—she was likely already instructed to do so.
Xiao Muchen shot a look at Qi Wang and then ordered, “Someone, summon all the palace attendants who were nearby today!”
“Duan Wang!” the Crown Prince frowned with displeasure. “Why make such a spectacle of this? Today is Seventh Brother’s wedding day—it’s an auspicious occasion. A commotion like this is hardly appropriate.”
“Your Highness, that won’t do. My wife has been falsely accused—it’s only right that she be given justice,” Xiao Muchen responded sternly.
Yu Wang seemed to finally return to his senses. He slowly walked over to his wife’s side, glanced at her, then at Duan Mingxi, and finally swept his eyes across the room as if only now realizing what had happened.
“Are you all right?” he asked, looking down at Yu Wangfei.
She had long since given up on this husband. His clueless expression made her inwardly disgusted, but she still needed him today. Holding back her loathing, she said, “Wangye, I was truly terrified. Jin Wangfei pushed me so hard—I’m still shaking. Just a little more and we would’ve lost our child…”
She collapsed into his arms, sobbing.
Yu Wang stiffened but lightly patted her shoulder. Then he turned to Jin Wang and said, “Older Brother, I don’t believe I’ve wronged you in any way. Why would Sister-in-law do something so cruel?”
Hearing that, Jin Wangfei shrieked, “I didn’t want to harm Yu Wangfei! I was merely upset during a disagreement with Duan Wangfei and gave her a slight push. Who would’ve thought she’d be so vicious and frame me for it!”
She turned to Duan Mingxi. “I know you hate Xingan Marquis because of Qiao Wan, but my Father has already paid for his crimes. What more do you want? Must you destroy me too?”
Duan Mingxi understood everything now—this had all been a setup.
“Every debt has its debtor. Since Xingan Marquis has already paid the price, the matter is settled. I’ve never blamed you, Jin Wangfei, nor sought revenge. Why do you twist the facts like this?” Duan Mingxi said coldly.
“It seems Jin Wangfei resents me for the downfall of Xingan Marquis, and that’s why she seeks to frame me. But don’t forget—this is the imperial palace, the seat of the Son of Heaven. Do you really think you can spread lies with impunity here?”
Xiao Muchen turned to Jin Wang. “Brother, what do you say?”
Jin Wang looked completely unconcerned. “Then investigate it thoroughly. I want to know the truth too.”
Qi Wang: …
He had known their marriage wasn’t good, but he didn’t expect it had come to this.
Even Qi Wangfei was starting to regret getting involved. She had only jumped in earlier out of spite—she hated seeing Duan Mingxi so admired and respected. How could a girl raised in a merchant household outshine someone like her, a noble-born lady?
The Crown Prince once again looked at his wife. “Crown Princess, what do you say?”
Bai Shixi knew he wanted her to take a stand—but how could she?
There was a living child in Yu Wangfei’s belly. She could overlook anything the Crown Prince did in his pursuit of the throne—but harming an unborn child? That, she could not tolerate.
She was carrying a child too. Just as she yearned to hold her baby, so would Yu Wangfei long for hers.
Still, Bai Shixi knew she couldn’t risk displeasing the Crown Prince. Holding her waist, she took a slow step forward and said sorrowfully, “I wasn’t feeling well earlier and was seated, resting. I didn’t see exactly what happened. Since Your Highness didn’t witness it either, I dare not make any conclusions.”
The Crown Prince stared at her intently.
Bai Shixi’s palms were slick with sweat. She forced herself to remain calm on the outside and looked between Jin Wangfei and Duan Mingxi, as if caught in a difficult position.
The commotion had by now reached the Kunde Palace, and the consorts such as Consort Shu were already aware—things were about to get even more complicated.
Only Consort Gui’s face was truly ugly, her teeth clenched as she followed the Empress to the scene.
Consort Shu and Consort Xian each rushed straight to their own daughters-in-law.
Seeing that Yu Wangfei was unharmed, Consort Xian finally let out a breath of relief. Standing beside her, Yu Wangfei felt reassured at last.
Consort Shu looked Duan Mingxi up and down. Seeing that she was uninjured, her tense expression relaxed slightly. Then she turned and glanced at Consort Gui, who pressed her lips together. Consort Shu then looked to the Empress, and before the Empress could speak, she loudly declared: “Empress, this matter cannot be tolerated. I ask that Your Majesty seek the truth and ensure no villain goes unpunished!”
“Consort Shu!” the Empress snapped, displeased. “The truth hasn’t yet come to light. How can you say who the villain is?”
“Niang Niang is right. Since we don’t yet know the truth, we mustn’t make assumptions. Now that the palace attendants have arrived, please question them, Your Majesty,” Consort Shu said, throwing an angry look at Jin Wangfei.
What a fool. Her own Father had already been trampled under the Crown Prince’s feet, yet she’s still rushing to be a knife in the Empress’s hand.
The Empress looked displeased at Consort Shu. “Whatever I do, it’s not your place to decide, Consort Shu. Don’t overstep your bounds!”
Consort Shu hadn’t intended to go too far, but now she couldn’t help herself. She sneered at the Empress and said, “Your Majesty, I have always abided by palace rules. I fear the one breaking them isn’t me.”
“You…” The Empress took a deep breath and was just about to respond when Ding Zhao hurriedly entered.
“Your servant greets Your Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince,” Ding Zhao bowed respectfully.
The Empress forced a smile and asked, “Steward Ding, why are you here? Has His Majesty sent instructions?”
The Crown Prince glanced at Ding Zhao, his hand tightening slightly as he stepped forward and stared at him.
Ding Zhao raised his head and smiled. “His Majesty heard about the disturbance in the Imperial Garden and specifically sent me to assist Your Majesty in getting to the bottom of it.”
The Empress’s smile froze slightly. “It’s just a minor issue. There’s no need to trouble you, Steward Ding.”
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