The onlookers were taken aback when they saw that the Third Prince looked calm and showed no sign of guilt. Could it be that they had really misunderstood the Third Prince?
Considering the Third Prince's straightforward personality and style of doing things, he doesn't seem like the kind of treacherous villain who would poison someone behind their back.
What was originally a seemingly straightforward case with solid evidence has become increasingly perplexing.
Who poisoned them?
"Do you dare say that the old woman's money wasn't given by you, and that those people watching Jin Youfang weren't arranged by you?"
Jiang Jiaojiao's tone was particularly sarcastic.
"So what if I arranged it!"
The Third Prince, with a hint of arrogance and disdain on his face, said confidently, "I only instructed that old woman to keep an eye on you; I did not order her to poison anyone!"
"How do you explain the poison of the Heartbreak Grass?"
Jiang Jiaojiao's gaze was icy.
The third prince looked bewildered. "What poison is this 'heartbreak grass'?"
"I had someone keeping an eye on Jin Youfang just to find a fault with you! I don't believe you'd genuinely be kind enough to take those children in!"
"The poison of the poisonous herb Gelsemium elegans? How could I use such a vicious poison to kill a group of children!"
Suddenly accused of ordering someone to poison him, the Third Prince was furious.
Pointing at the old woman, he asked, "Tell me! Did I give you poison? Did I instruct you to poison people?"
The third prince looked arrogant and confident.
He hadn't instructed the old woman to poison them at all. He sneered at Jiang Jiaojiao, "Who knows who you've offended that has implicated those children!"
Should!
Let her go around bullying people!
It's a pity those children were implicated because of her. By the way, Sister Xue'er has extraordinary medical skills.
He can go to her to detoxify the children!
If we can save the children, it will be a great achievement!
He secretly begged his father again, hoping that he could return the position of concubine to her, and maybe... maybe he could even win the position of prince's wife!
Xue'er is so gentle and kind. If she becomes a concubine, she'll be bullied to death by the women in the Fifth Prince's harem.
Thinking this, the Third Prince glared fiercely at Yuan Bao'er. He had once called her Fifth Sister-in-law! He thought she was weak and pitiful!
I never imagined she could be so vicious!
Not only did she cause Xue'er to lose her imperial heir, but she was also punished by the fifth prince and demoted to a concubine.
God knows how angry he was when he received the news, which is why he rushed back to support Xue'er!
Unexpectedly, as soon as they arrived at the city gate, they heard that Jin Youfang had gotten into trouble and that he had been implicated.
"Your Highness—this humble woman...I was just following your instructions! You were the one who gave this old servant the medicine!"
Wang Po suddenly shouted.
The room erupted in uproar.
Granny Wang was shocked and frightened after being exposed by her unfilial son. She didn't know how to get out of trouble when she suddenly heard the Third Prince's question. It was as if she had grasped a lifeline.
Moreover, the poison was indeed given to her by the Third Prince's men; she was simply stating the truth.
The Third Prince was stunned, his face showing disbelief, before he suddenly flew into a rage, roaring, "Nonsense! When did I give you poison?!"
"Your Excellency is wise! It was indeed the Third Prince who gave this woman the poison! It was the steward who gave me the silver notes; he personally delivered the poison and the silver notes to this old servant, telling me that it was the Third Prince's order..."
Granny Wang recounted the whole story in detail, even describing the time, place, and the appearance of Manager Qian in great detail.
The third prince was completely dumbfounded.
The person Wang Pozi described really did seem to be the money manager.
Could it be that Manager Qian really did something?
Thinking of this, the Third Prince immediately ordered his attendant, "Go and summon Steward Qian to give an answer!"
To everyone's surprise, the attendant's expression changed drastically, and he stammered, "Your Highness... Steward Qian went to the estate to collect the account books today, and accidentally... accidentally fell into the lake and drowned."
The third prince's eyes widened instantly, filled with disbelief and anger.
"When did this happen?! How come I didn't know?"
The attendant, trembling with fear and drenched in cold sweat, replied, "I...I just received the news and was about to report to you when you...you arrived on horseback at breakneck speed. I didn't even have time to report..."
The third prince was dumbfounded.
Jiang Jiaojiao's expression, as if she were looking at an idiot, made him want to vomit blood!
Now that things have come to this, how can we not see it?
He... is probably being used as a pawn by someone else.
The Third Prince's face grew increasingly grim. He gritted his teeth, and after a long pause, finally managed to utter a few words: "I didn't have anyone poison me!"
"Your Honor, I was merely following orders!"
Wang Po sat on the ground, tears streaming down her face, crying loudly that she was wronged.
The Third Prince trembled with rage. He glared at those around him and argued sternly, "How could I possibly do such a thing! You cannot convict me based solely on this old woman's testimony!"
However, since the money steward who relayed the message was dead and there were no witnesses, the case reached a stalemate.
The prefect was about to strike the gavel to suspend the trial.
Jiang Jiaojiao suddenly seized the opportunity to question Granny Wang, "You said you were following orders, so what's the deal with the poison in this purse?"
Wang Po's face turned deathly pale with guilt, and beads of sweat rolled down her forehead.
"The woman saw her adding something to the food and notified Steward Qian. It was Steward Qian who gave me the powder and told me to add it to the food. It was also he who told me to steal her purse and frame her!"
These words were spoken.
The hall and the surrounding area fell eerily quiet, as if time itself had frozen.
Holding the bloodied and unconscious Xiangling, Li Yunxuan stared intently at the Third Prince, his eyes filled with anger and murderous intent. His hands were clenched into fists, his nails digging deep into his palms, as if he wanted to vent all his anger.
He wanted nothing more than to rush up and tear him to pieces. It was he who framed Xiangxiang, causing her to suffer an injustice and be driven to her death.
"Insolence! I never ordered Steward Qian to give you poison! Nor did I order you to use poison to frame anyone!"
The third prince was furious and looked at the solemnly seated Mr. Li with alarm.
He was also there on the day that Mr. Li and Mr. Li recognized each other at the Red Mansion, but he didn't show his face. He knew this little maid named Xiangling!
She also knew that she was the one Mr. Li loved.
He even knew that Young Master Li had joined General Weiyuan's forces on the recommendation of the Seventh Prince.
He had someone keep an eye on Jin Youfang just to find fault with Jiang Jiaojiao; he would never use poison to frame someone else, especially since this person was Mr. Li's future daughter-in-law.
Is he trying to hang himself because he's tired of living? If Mother finds out, she'll skin him alive!
The thought of his mother's red-tasseled spear made the Third Prince's bones ache.
He still doesn't know how to explain to his mother that he had someone keeping an eye on Jin Youfang. If he were to commit poisoning and murder again, his mother would beat him to death without his father's decree.
A strong will to survive finally made the Third Prince's mind start working.
"Everything was arranged by Steward Qian; I was deceived by him!"
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