Jiang Yunjiao was trembling all over, as fragile as a leaf swaying in the wind, still clutching the purse she had embroidered herself tightly in her hand.
Her eyes were filled with terror, and she didn't even care about the pain in her arm. Her voice trembled uncontrollably: "No, Your Highness Prince Yi, I didn't... It wasn't me! I've really been wronged!"
She couldn't understand why things had turned out this way when she had only intended to give the purse to Xie Yizhi during the flower-viewing banquet. Why had she been stabbed by Xie Yizhi for no reason?
Jiang Yunjiao's hands trembled as she held up the purse, her eyes red and brimming with tears.
Her voice trembled with tears: "Your Highness, I really just wanted to give you this purse... I absolutely did not put any drugs in your wine!"
Her tone was a mixture of grievance and fear, as if she hoped that this meager explanation could prove her innocence.
But under Xie Yizhi's icy gaze, she felt all her strength rapidly draining away, making even kneeling difficult.
On the other side, Judge Hu, carrying a medicine box and wearing his official hat askew, rushed over in a hurry.
Xie Yizhi gently raised his hand, and Judge Hu immediately stepped forward.
Upon seeing this, a glimmer of hope ignited in Lu Baimei's eyes, assuming that he had come to treat Jiang Yunjiao's wounds.
However, Judge Hu remained calm and simply took the purse from Jiang Yunjiao's hand.
Seeing this scene, Lu Baimei felt a wave of despair wash over her, and her face turned deathly pale.
She understood that since Xie Yizhi and Empress Dowager Du had not given any instructions, Hu Yuanpan would never treat Jiang Yunjiao's injuries without authorization.
Judge Hu picked up the purse, his gaze narrowing slightly, and carefully used a dagger to cut open the seams.
In an instant, several dried magnolia flowers appeared inside the purse, their faint fragrance wafting out.
He stared at the flower, his pupils contracted, and his voice trembled slightly: "Your Highness, although this flower has a calming effect, if it comes into contact with the pine and cypress incense you usually use, it will produce a strange fragrance that makes people lose control of their emotions, and even arouse lust."
These words struck the hearts of the crowd like a heavy hammer. All eyes were focused on the inconspicuous purse, while Jiang Yunjiao trembled as if struck by lightning, staring incredulously at the cut-open purse.
"No, it's impossible!" she murmured, her eyes filled with fear and despair. "What I put in my purse was jasmine, my favorite jasmine! I just wanted His Highness Prince Yi to remember the scent I love, I had no other intentions!"
Her voice choked with emotion as she looked up at Xie Yizhi, hoping to find a glimmer of trust in his icy gaze.
However, Xie Yizhi's cold expression made her feel as if she had fallen into an ice cellar, and all the strength in her body seemed to have been drained away. Only then did Jiang Yunjiao realize that the little bit of tenderness Xie Yizhi had left was reserved for Jiang Luoluo.
Lu Anrou secretly rejoiced at this moment, but a wave of fear washed over her.
Fortunately, Yao Shiyu stopped her just now; otherwise, she would probably be the one stabbed by Xie Yizhi and disgraced.
She recalled how she had been consumed by rage and resentment over the emperor's bestowal of marriage, which had clouded her judgment and led her to impulsively gamble everything.
Looking back now, I feel a chill run down my spine and my whole body is soaked in cold sweat. Fortunately, Yao Shiyu noticed it early on.
Lu Anrou pursed her lips, her hands clenched into fists hidden in her sleeves. She secretly vowed that she would remember this lesson and would never act so rashly again.
It's just an arranged marriage; the wedding ceremony hasn't actually taken place yet, and everything is still uncertain.
Seeing Jiang Yunjiao's life hanging by a thread, Jiang Muyan couldn't bear it any longer. He quietly walked up to Jiang Luoluo and whispered, "Luoluo, could you please plead with His Highness Prince Yi to spare Yunjiao's life?"
Jiang Luoluo sneered inwardly. Although Jiang Yunjiao was being used, if she wasn't wicked, how could she have been so easily taken advantage of?
She raised an eyebrow slightly and replied calmly, "Second Uncle, I don't have that much influence in front of His Highness Prince Yi."
As they were talking, Xie Yizhi's cold voice rang out again, carrying an unquestionable authority: "What does Your Majesty think should be done about the plot to murder a prince?"
Jiang Muyan's heart tightened, and cold sweat began to seep from his forehead.
He gritted his teeth, secretly pulled out five fingers from his sleeve, and pleaded in a low voice, "Luo Luo, if you can accomplish this, your second uncle will give you this amount."
Jiang Luoluo lowered her eyes, looking at his slightly trembling hand, and slowly replied, "Then I will try it for you, Second Uncle."
Seeing that she had agreed, Jiang Muyan felt like he had been granted a pardon and nodded repeatedly: "Okay, okay, I'll leave everything to Luo Luo!"
Jiang Muyan, that old fox, had already seen through it all. Asking anyone else was useless; asking Jiang Luoluo was the wisest choice.
After all, in Xie Yizhi's heart, Jiang Luoluo's importance was far beyond that of ordinary people.
Empress Dowager Du frowned and said coldly, "Jiang Yunjiao plotted to murder Prince Yi. The evidence is conclusive. Her crime is heinous and she deserves to be executed!"
Upon hearing this, Lu Baimei and Jiang Yunjiao turned pale and screamed in unison, "No, no!"
Jiang Yunjiao burst into tears, crying, "I've been wronged..."
Jiang Luoluo walked lightly forward, curtsied, and spoke in a gentle yet measured tone: "Your Highness Prince Yi, my cousin Yun Jiao was too enamored with you, which led to her momentary lapse in judgment and caused this great disaster."
Could you please spare her life?
Xie Yizhi shifted his gaze slightly, gave her a deep look, and a faint smile slowly appeared on his lips.
He had been waiting for Jiang Luoluo to say this. Now that his wife had spoken, how could he refuse?
Xie Yizhi gave a cold laugh, his tone indifferent yet authoritative: "Very well, considering my fiancée pleaded for you, you will be spared the death penalty this time. Minister Jiang and his wife have failed in their duty to raise their daughter properly, and will be fined one year's salary."
As for Jiang Yunjiao, she is by nature unruly and willful; from this day forward, she is banished from the capital and never to set foot there again.
His gaze swept over Lu Baimei and Jiang Yunjiao, who were kneeling on the ground, as sharp as a blade. His voice was cold, "Any objections?"
Although Jiang Muyan, Lu Baimei, and Jiang Yunjiao were unwilling, they dared not disobey. They could only suppress their fear and humiliation and kowtow in unison: "Your subject/your subject/your subject thanks Your Highness Prince Yi for your grace!"
Empress Dowager Du hadn't expected Xie Yizhi to listen to Jiang Luoluo's advice so readily. Just a moment ago, he had even considered killing Jiang Yunjiao, but Jiang Luoluo had so easily suppressed his anger.
Empress Dowager Du withdrew her gaze from Jiang Luoluo and said coldly, "In that case, you may leave."
Jiang Yunjiao was led away by Lu Baimei in a daze, and the flower appreciation banquet ended hastily with this farce.
From the pavilion on the high building, Xie Qiyu and Xie Zhichen had a panoramic view of the courtyard.
Xie Qiyu murmured, "Zhichen, your mother's words really carry weight."
Xie Zhichen finished the last of the pastries and said proudly, "Of course, Father said that you'll prosper if you listen to your wife!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
