Chapter 46

Lin Minxin, who was kneeling on the ground, spoke up: "Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince was drugged with aphrodisiacs by Shen Zheng two months ago, and he even sent his daughter Shen Qingnian to a temple, all in order to seize the position of Crown Princess!"

Shen Qingnian, who had just calmed down a little, became so angry after hearing what Lin Minxin said that she started trembling all over.

Her eyes were red, and her voice trembled as she said, "Why would I risk my life to drug His Highness? Would ruining my innocence make me the Crown Princess? Lord Lin's words are far too far-fetched!"

Although my status isn't of the highest rank, I am still the legitimate daughter of the Shen family. Even if I coveted the position of Crown Princess, how could I possibly resort to such self-destructive tactics?

As she finished speaking, tears welled up in her eyes.

Indeed, this would be self-destructive for any legitimate daughter, and a slight misstep could lead to utter ruin.

Lin Yue'er, kneeling on the ground, was somewhat agitated: "You only resorted to this underhanded tactic because you coveted the position of Crown Princess! When I returned to the capital after leaving the mountain, you must have felt that you had no chance of becoming Crown Princess, which is why you schemed against His Highness the Crown Prince like this!"

"You shameless woman who flaunts her body, do you think His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince can't see through your true colors?"

Her voice was loud, and it even cracked a little at the end. Shen Qingnian said all of this to her personally by the lake.

When she first returned to the capital, everyone said that the position of Crown Princess should belong to her, all because of that bitch Shen Qingnian!

Shen Qingnian's face was ashen. She looked at Lin Yue'er, her lips trembled a few times, and finally she spoke with difficulty: "I did not intend to scheme against His Majesty. I went to the dilapidated temple that day to give some food to the beggars. Beggars in the capital often roam around dilapidated temples."

I never expected to meet His Highness the Crown Prince, who specializes in traditional Chinese medicine. Nobody wants to gamble with their innocence...

Lin Yue'er and her father breathed a slight sigh of relief when they saw her admit it.

Shen Zheng, kneeling on the ground, stared wide-eyed, exclaiming in disbelief, "Qing Nian, you...you really are with His Highness the Crown Prince..."

This appearance clearly indicates that he is unaware of the situation.

The emperor, seated in his chair, narrowed his eyes, his expression scrutinizing.

Shen Qingnian lowered her head and wiped away her tears. She said softly, "Father, this is my fault. I was too scared at the time... that's why I kept it from you... I will accept whatever punishment you want."

After saying that, she knelt down, looking as if she was willing to accept punishment.

"Qingnian, you are really foolish! How could you keep such a big thing from your father!" Shen Zheng's face was full of regret, looking both heartbroken and angry.

At this moment, Song Xuan stepped forward and personally helped Shen Qingnian up from the ground. He said to Shen Zheng, "Lord Shen, please rest assured that since I have taken away Qingnian's innocence, I will take responsibility for her."

This statement is tantamount to an explicit statement that he will marry Shen Qingnian as the Crown Princess.

Hearing this, Lin Yue'er, who was kneeling beside her, reacted as if she had been stimulated, and her tone was very agitated: "No! Your Highness, how can you take responsibility for Shen Qingnian? She clearly plotted against you! You should have the Shen family's property confiscated and the father and daughter thrown into the imperial prison!"

She didn't understand why, even with the facts laid bare before him and Shen Qingnian's admission, His Highness still didn't believe her.

Lin Yue'er was already somewhat deranged, and what she said in this state was completely illogical.

Lin Minxin was so frightened that he quickly covered Lin Yue'er's mouth, shouting as he did so, "Your Majesty, I have evidence!"

The Emperor frowned as he watched the Lin family father and daughter fooling around. He waved for a eunuch to step forward and gag Lin Yue'er.

Then he spoke again: "What evidence do you have?"