Chapter 750 I Did Not Kill Princess Duanmin

The lanterns emitted a soft glow, and the moon was large and round.

The Lantern Festival banquet should have been a lively night, but at this moment it was extremely quiet, with everyone holding their breath and listening intently to Cheng Wanwan speak.

“Princess Rongqing’s family died in the palace turmoil more than ten years ago, killed by the traitors. Those traitors were the former Crown Prince’s elite troops, so logically, they should have been killed with a single blow.” Cheng Wanwan’s eyes were clear and sharp. “However, after the coroner’s examination, he found that none of the princess’s eight closest relatives died from a single stab wound. There were no wounds on their bones. After interviewing many palace servants, he learned that these eight people had been stabbed up to thirty times, and the youngest brother had been stabbed nine times. Their deaths were extremely gruesome… The wounds varied in depth, clearly indicating that they were not inflicted by an adult male. In other words, the murderer was either a young child or a weak woman…”

Her sharp gaze was fixed on Rong Qing.

"No, no..." Rong Qing's face turned pale as he shook his head desperately, then he glared angrily at Cheng Wanwan, "My family members have already been laid to rest. Who gave you permission to open the coffin and examine the bodies? What right do you have to disturb my family! What does how my family members died have to do with you? What right do you have to do this? I'm going to fight you to the death!"

The Empress spoke coldly: "Stop her."

Xiao Guozi immediately stepped forward and blocked Rong Qing's path.

"These are the things I discovered," the Empress said, enunciating each word clearly. "After the palace coup, the palace was in chaos, and no one paid attention to the truth behind the deaths of a few commoners. It was only after I investigated that I discovered that, Rongqing, your family members did not die at the hands of the rebels. In fact, they died at your hands. You killed your family members with your own hands, didn't you?!"

The Empress was usually very good-tempered, gentle and mild-mannered, and had no aggressive tendencies.

But at this moment, her aura was fully unleashed, and the light in her eyes fell on Rong Qing like a sharp blade.

Rongqing's face drained of all color, and her limbs went weak. She needed to lean on the palace maid behind her to barely keep herself steady.

"Rongqing!" the Empress Dowager cried out, calling out her title. "Is what the Empress said true or false? Give me an explanation!"

"I don't……"

Rongqing could only repeat these three words over and over.

More than ten years ago, she would have been filled with anxiety and fear that her family would take her life, but so many years have passed and she has been at peace with everyone, so she has gradually become at ease.

She never imagined that those things from the past, long since rotten, would one day be unearthed.

"Your Majesty, you must believe me, I really didn't!"

Rongqing knelt down at the Empress Dowager's feet, tears streaming down his face, and broke down in tears.

"Still trying to deny it!" The King of Qin's sword was pressed directly against her neck. "I ask you, did Duanmin also die at your hands?!"

"No! I didn't kill Princess Duanmin!" Rongqing's voice was full of confidence. "I didn't kill my parents, brothers, or sisters, nor did I kill Princess Duanmin. I had no motive to do so. I am innocent. Empress Dowager, you must do justice for me..."

The Empress Dowager's lips trembled.

She was just wondering if Rong Qing was really that vicious, if he would really harm his own parents who gave him life. It all seemed unbelievable...

But if it weren't true, the Empress wouldn't have said it in front of so many people, which means that it's most likely true.

If Rongqing could harm his own blood relatives, then Duanmin...

“Princess Duanmin was indeed not killed by Princess Rongqing,” Cheng Wanwan said slowly. “Before the former Crown Prince Xiao Jue died, I asked about the cause of Princess Duanmin’s death. Xiao Jue only wanted to capture Princess Duanmin as a hostage, but when he attacked Princess Rongqing, Rongqing pushed Duanmin out to take the blow, and Princess Duanmin died tragically under Xiao Jue’s blade. This scene was probably witnessed by Princess Rongqing’s family. Fearing that her family would reveal this secret, she cruelly murdered her closest relatives… Her youngest brother died at her hands. That’s why she invested so much emotion when she met the Imperial Preceptor’s son, who had similar symptoms to her brother…”

The entire storyline lacks concrete evidence; it's a complete narrative that Cheng Wanwan deduced.

There might be some inaccuracies in the details, but the general direction is absolutely correct, as evidenced by Rong Qing's near-fainting state.

“These are all just my speculations. If we are to convict Princess Rongqing, we still need a lot of crucial evidence.” She said softly, “I implore Your Majesty to transfer this case to the Court of Judicial Review for a thorough investigation.”

Rong Qing closed his eyes, his whole body trembling uncontrollably.

Things that happened more than ten years ago will never be discovered unless they are investigated.

However, if the Dali Temple intervenes, all the shady things she has done will be exposed to the public.

She's finished, really finished...

She clearly wanted to drive that vile woman, Lady Sui, out of the capital, so why, why was she the one who ended up being besieged and attacked...?

"You bitch!"

The King of Qin raised his leg and kicked Rong Qing hard in the chest.

"To gain the Empress Dowager's favor, you actually had a birthmark on your chest that's exactly the same as Duanmin's. Do you even deserve it?!"

His sword pierced through Rong Qing's clothes at the chest, the blade sweeping across her chest before stabbing fiercely at the birthmark, instantly drawing blood.

Rongqing was writhing on the ground in pain, completely losing any semblance of the elegant and dignified demeanor of a princess.

"Guards!" The Empress Dowager closed her eyes, concealing the pain within them. "Princess Rongqing is unworthy of her title. Strip her of her honors and imprison her in the dungeon for immediate interrogation!"

"No, no..." Rongqing grabbed the Empress Dowager's leg. "Rongqing has served you for more than ten years. Even if I haven't done anything great, I have certainly worked hard. Please, Your Majesty, give Rongqing another chance..."

The Empress Dowager's hand trembled uncontrollably as she raised it and slapped Rongqing hard across the face.

"You killed my daughter, yet you took her place in the palace, enjoying the privileges of a princess and my protection. How dare you come begging to me?" The Empress Dowager's voice trembled. "I haven't torn you to pieces on the spot, out of consideration for our years of friendship. Get out of here! I never want to see you again..."

She couldn't imagine how desperate Duanmin must have been in the moments before she died.

She wanted nothing more than to strangle Rongqing, and to make him die with Duanmin... but not yet.

She had to wait until the Dali Temple uncovered the whole truth before she could personally send Rongqing to the executioner's block...

"Sixth Brother, please save me..." Rongqing knew the Empress Dowager would no longer protect him, so he turned and hugged the Prince of Qin's leg. "Sixth Brother, we grew up together, you can't bear to see me die like this, can you? Sixth Brother, please help me..."

The King of Qin looked down at her.

She also raised her head to look at the King of Qin, and the affection in her eyes was no longer concealed.

At that moment, the King of Qin felt utterly disgusted.

He finally understood why Rongqing had targeted Madam Sui time and time again; it turned out to be the reason.

He raised his foot again and kicked hard.

Rong Qing was kicked so hard that he coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"Sixth Prince," the Emperor called out coldly, stopping the Prince of Qin from continuing his violence, "Guards, take this woman away immediately!"

Several imperial guards gagged Rongqing and dragged her away.

"I'm sorry to have made you all laugh." The Empress stood up and looked at the astonished crowd below. "It's getting late, so you should all go back and rest."

Those below, having watched several grand performances, were in dire need of someone to discuss the matter, and naturally couldn't wait to leave the palace.

Soon after, everyone in the palace dispersed.