mesbooks Chapter 278 Taking the blame
Chapter 278 Taking the blame
"Have you ever known Jiang Ping?"
When Xiao Jinhuan heard the name, her heart sank suddenly, but she still tried to remain calm on the surface.
She hesitated for a moment, then replied, "Your Majesty, I am aware of this person. I once met him during the palace examination, and at that time I even considered making him my consort."
As she spoke, she revealed a hint of shyness at just the right moment, and her cheeks instantly flushed.
Seeing this, Emperor Jing continued to ask, "Have you seen him again since that time?"
Xiao Jinhuan shook her head slightly and replied softly, "Your Majesty, I once told you that Lord Jiang's family had already arranged an engagement, so I haven't met him since then. Could it be that Lord Jiang has changed his mind now? Humph, even if he regrets it now, I will never marry someone who has rejected me before!"
However, at this moment, Emperor Jing's face suddenly darkened, and he said coldly, "Jiang Ping has stayed in your house for several days."
Xiao Jinhuan's face was filled with shock, her eyes wide open. She subconsciously stretched out her hands and covered her mouth tightly, fearing that she would scream out loud.
She frowned and muttered to herself in disbelief, "What on earth does Jiang Ping mean? When I asked him to be my son-in-law, he was extremely reluctant, but now he sneaks into my house! What on earth does he want to do to me?"
Emperor Jing narrowed his eyes slightly, staring at Xiao Jinhuan with a sharp gaze, his face so gloomy that it seemed as if water could drip out.
He said coldly, "But as far as I know, Jiang Ping was brought to your house after being knocked unconscious, and even after arriving at your house, someone kept forcing him to drink drugs."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinhuan shook her head like a rattle and denied it repeatedly, "This is absolutely impossible! Father, how could such a ridiculous thing happen in my house? I truly know nothing about this!"
Suddenly, as if she had thought of something, she clapped her hands suddenly and said with sudden enlightenment: "I understand, this matter must be related to Shen Jingwan! Only she would have the courage to bring people to my house."
Emperor Jing clearly didn't believe Xiao Jinhuan's words. He snorted coldly, his tone tinged with doubt as he asked, "Hmph! You have a living person in your own house for no apparent reason. Could it be that you were completely unaware of this?"
Xiao Jinhuan suddenly felt aggrieved, and her eyes became red.
She bit her lip and explained, "Father, Shen Jingwan is my cousin after all. When she occasionally stays at the mansion, no one is allowed to enter the room except the servant. But the servant has been with Shen Jingwan for a long time, so how could he tell the truth to me? I believe they must have conspired to trap Jiang Ping in the room."
Although Xiao Jinhuan spoke sincerely, Emperor Jing was still skeptical, and his expression did not ease at all.
Concubine Qin stood to one side and said softly, "Your Majesty, Shen Jingwan is waiting outside the palace right now. Just call her in and question her, and we'll naturally get the answer. I'm sure she wouldn't dare to hide anything in front of Your Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Jing slowly turned his gaze to Eunuch Dequan beside him.
Dequan understood what he meant and quickly walked out of the hall to pass on the message.
After Shen Jingwan entered the hall, she knelt down respectfully and saluted.
Emperor Jing looked closely at the person in front of him and found that she looked somewhat similar to the old lady of the Shen family, so he determined that she was indeed from the Shen family.
"Do you know Jiang Ping?" Emperor Jing asked expressionlessly, his voice low and majestic.
Hearing this question, Shen Jingwan was stunned for a moment, thinking rapidly in her mind, but the name "Jiang Ping" was indeed the first time she heard it.
So, she subconsciously turned her head and her eyes fell on Concubine Qin and Xiao Jinhuan one after another.
Xiao Jinhuan looked a little flustered at this moment, and hurriedly explained, "That's the man you brought into my house!"
At the same time, Concubine Qin stared at Shen Jingwan seriously, her eyes full of warnings.
Although the two of them had not mentioned this matter to Shen Jingwan before, now that things have come to this, and since she has already agreed to take the blame for Xiao Jinhuan, it doesn't seem to make much difference whether this person was originally in the princess's mansion or was brought in by her.
Thinking of this, Shen Jingwan took a deep breath, calmed herself down, and prepared to answer Emperor Jing's questions according to the pre-agreed words.
Her lips trembled slightly as she spoke, "In reply to Your Majesty, it was indeed I who brought Jiang Ping into the Princess's residence. I now fully understand that I have made a grave mistake and will never dare to do such a thing again! I hope Your Majesty will forgive me!"
Before he could finish his words, Emperor Jing angrily rebuked him, "Will you never dare to do that again? Humph! Do you know the true extent of the crime of murdering an imperial official?"
Emperor Jing's voice was like thunder, exploding above the hall and shaking everyone's hearts.
Hearing the words "official appointed by the court", Shen Jingwan couldn't help but widen her eyes and looked at Emperor Jing with horror.
When she saw Emperor Jing's face, which was as dark as ink and covered with gloomy clouds, she was so frightened that her whole body trembled, and she quickly shifted her gaze to Concubine Qin and Xiao Jinhuan who were standing beside her.
However, at this moment, Xiao Jinhuan seemed to deliberately avoid her sight and quickly turned her head away.
Concubine Qin was still sitting on the high seat, looking down at her coldly in a condescending manner, with deep contempt and disdain revealed in her eyes, and the threat she meant was self-evident.
Shen Jingwan secretly groaned in her heart, and her mind was quickly thinking of a countermeasure.
She knew very well that if she denied it now, all her previous plans and efforts would be in vain.
Not only will he be unable to enter the coveted Third Prince's Mansion, but even the businesses that he was able to conduct under the name of the Third Prince will probably disappear.
In her memory, there seemed to be no one named Jiang Ping among the children of the aristocratic families in the capital.
Thinking about it this way, it is very likely that Jiang Ping was a student from a poor family who made a name for himself by passing the imperial examination.
Although plotting to murder an imperial official is a serious crime, considering the other party's low status, even if I admit the crime, I believe I will not suffer too severe punishment, right?
Thinking of this, Shen Jingwan gritted her teeth and decided to take a gamble.
She opened her red lips slightly and said slowly, "Your Majesty, I was indeed unaware that Jiang Ping was an official appointed by the court! This matter was caused by my ignorance. I beg Your Majesty to forgive my crime."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Qin and Xiao Jinhuan both breathed a sigh of relief.
However, all the actions of the three of them could not escape Emperor Jing's sharp hawk-like eyes.
In fact, Emperor Jing was clear in his mind. He knew very well that Shen Jingwan was just the person who took the blame for the mother and daughter.
Then, Emperor Jing said solemnly, "Transfer this case to the Dali Temple for a thorough investigation and trial."