After Consort Li finished speaking, the courtyard fell silent.
No one answered; even Consort Liang remained silent with a stern face.
They thought it would take some time to send someone to invite Prince Qi and Princess Qi. Everyone had been standing in the courtyard for quite a while, and the cold wind was blowing against them. Even an iron man couldn't stand it.
So Consort Li took a breath and said, "We need to wait a while, so everyone should go back to your rooms and sit down."
"Guards, tie that eunuch up with ropes and bring him in as well."
Upon hearing Consort Li's instructions, and feeling the chill of the night wind, the group went back inside in twos and threes.
Zhao Qianlan held Song Ruoan's hand tightly, and the two of them slowly followed behind the crowd, their eyes flickering and their hearts heavy, as if they were about to go to the execution ground.
Unexpectedly, just as everyone sat down inside, there was already some commotion outside.
Consort Li looked through the doorway and saw Zhao Qingshu stepping over the threshold and walking a few steps into the house, looking travel-worn.
Song Juncai and the others followed behind him.
Zhao Qingshu stood at a distance from the entrance and respectfully bowed to Consort Li, Consort Liang, Consort Zhen, and the others:
"Your Majesty, Your Highnesses."
His arrival surprised everyone present. Madam Zhao's eyes lit up, and she hurriedly walked to Zhao Qingshu's side: "Husband, why are you here?"
Zhao Qianlan breathed a sigh of relief, as if she had found a pillar of support.
Zhao Qingshu glanced at Zhao Qianlan briefly, then looked away, took Zhao's wife's hand, and patted it gently.
"Lord Zhao, it's late and the dew is heavy. Why did you suddenly come here?" Consort Li asked.
Lord Zhao cupped his hands in her direction and said, "Just now, when I went out with Lord Song and others, we encountered the nanny from Your Majesty's palace."
"After asking her carefully, I learned that she was going to see the Prince of Qi and also knew about what happened in your courtyard today."
Consort Li nodded, her expression unchanged: "We're looking for Prince Qi. Is there something wrong with that?"
Zhao Qingshu suddenly stood up straight: "Your Majesty, you don't need to look anymore. Prince Qi and Princess Qi did not come to Heyan Mountain to participate in this Fengshan ceremony. They are currently in the capital, so it is impossible for him to come and testify."
Everyone present was stunned by Zhao Qingshu's words.
Song Xizhi stood there, his brows furrowed, his palms clenched, and his heart was filled with surprise.
King Qi did not come to Heyan Mountain, nor did he attend this Fengshan ceremony.
Who exactly was the middle-aged man she met in the bamboo forest that day?
He not only called himself the King of Qi, but also appeared imposing and composed in the face of danger, and was accompanied by a young eunuch.
Why would he lie?
At that moment, Consort Li stood up from the soft couch: "You're saying that Prince Qi isn't at Heyan Mountain at all?"
"But Lady He said that she went to treat Princess Qi every night, so she had witnesses."
Seeing this sudden turn of events, Consort Liang was delighted and almost burst out laughing: "Can't you see that, sister?"
"Someone had something to hide and deliberately lied to buy time. Since Princess Qi hadn't shown up recently, they used this excuse. Who knew that the Prince and Princess Qi hadn't come to the Fengshan ceremony at all!"
As Consort Liang spoke, she turned to look in Song Xizhi's direction, her voice filled with sharp anger: "Song Xizhi!"
"You're about to die, and you still don't want to tell the truth?"
Song Xizhi stood still and looked up in the direction of Zhao Qingshu: "Zhao's one-sided statement is probably hard to take as evidence."
Zhao Qingshu slightly raised her chin, taking in everything before her, and gave Consort Liang a reassuring look:
"Yes, this case is of great importance. After all, General He was just wounded on the battlefield and is unconscious. If his wife is having an affair, it will have far-reaching consequences."
"Whether the lady wishes to refute or seek verification, it is not necessary. I have already sent someone to inform His Majesty, and His Majesty will arrive immediately."
"Whether the King of Qi has arrived or not, and how the criminals should be severely punished, is all up to Your Majesty to decide."
Zhao Qingshu's determined words relieved many people present, but also made many others tense.
Song Juncai, who had been silent all along, burst into tears at this moment: "What a misfortune for our family! What a misfortune for our family!"
"I have worked diligently and faithfully to my duties and to the court, but who would have thought that I would give birth to such a daughter!"
As Song Juncai spoke, he tried to rush forward again and slap Song Xizhi hard across the face: "Why are you so shameless? Why don't you learn from your mother and sister!"
"How could you do such a thing! How can you face your son-in-law? You...you are just like your mother!"
However, before Song Juncai could finish his domination, Siqin swiftly stopped him. She grabbed Song Juncai's wrist and pushed him back sharply, sending him flying.
Song Juncai stumbled and almost fell to the ground, prompting Zhao Qianlan to rush out again and help him up.
"Husband...husband...are you alright?"
Zhao Qingshu lowered his eyes indifferently, watching the interaction between the two people in front of him.
Song Juncai also cried out in pain, "Qianlan! Qianlan! Look at her, she has no self-control and shows no remorse!"
Zhao Qianlan was also wiping away tears: "Husband, you should make Zhizhi admit her mistake quickly. It's better for her to admit her mistake now than to lie all the time when His Majesty comes and anger him!"
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