Chapter 658 The Prince Dies
Everyone's expression changed, even Mrs. Fu's eyes widened.
She wanted to embarrass Fu Jinrou and laugh at her, but it was definitely not this kind of thing. If Fu Jinrou really got into trouble in the palace and was raped by the prince, what would happen to the other girls in the Fu family? What would happen to her daughter who had been married for only three years?
Mrs. Fu opened her mouth to speak, but Mrs. Cao held her arm.
Madam Cao grabbed Madam Fu's arm tightly and glared at her. Madam Xu beside her also shook her head at Madam Fu, indicating that she must not speak.
Today's matter is complicated and concerns the life and death of the prince. They must not get involved in this matter, and the Fu family must not stand up for Fu Jinrou. At least they must not get involved before the matter is investigated clearly. Otherwise, if it is related to the struggle for imperial power, the lives of all their families will be at stake.
Madam Fu was dragged back, and the hall became extremely quiet.
After a while, Concubine Zhao frowned and said, "I remember that the Empress Dowager's banquet today was all in the front hall. Why is Miss Fu in the porch?"
Fu Jinrou's heart skipped a beat, and she lowered her head: "It was... the prince who sent someone to summon me."
There was an uproar in the hall, and everyone's eyes changed when they looked at Fu Jinrou.
Fu Jinrou also knew that once today's events were investigated, many things would be impossible to cover up, such as the palace maids calling her during the banquet, and the things that happened between her and the prince.
Fu Jinrou sobbed softly, "When I was tending to the Empress Dowager, the Crown Prince came to Shoukang Palace. He...he once stopped me and spoke to me privately. He was very gentle to me. The Crown Prince said he admired me and that after this period of tending was over, he would ask the Empress Dowager and His Majesty for permission to welcome me into the Eastern Palace."
"Jinrou fell for the Crown Prince's gentleness and believed he was sincere. During the banquet today, the Crown Prince sent a palace maid to call me, so I went. But who knew that when I saw the Crown Prince, he acted like a madman and dragged me into the porch, even trying to take my body."
The young girl seemed to be talking about something embarrassing and was crying uncontrollably.
"Jinrou was wrong. She shouldn't have fallen for the Crown Prince's promise and thought she could marry into the Eastern Palace. But even though I admire the Crown Prince, I know I can never have an affair with someone without a matchmaker, let alone do such a dirty thing in Shoukang Palace."
"I struggled desperately, but the prince bullied me. If it weren't for the Qian family's sister who saved me, I would have crashed into the porch and died."
She covered her face and cried out in pain, her body falling to the ground like a helpless willow. Her sleeves had slipped down, revealing her arms covered in purple pinching marks, and vague traces of affection could be seen on her neck.
Concubine Zhao frowned tightly, "The Crown Prince's behavior is truly absurd. He dares to do such obscene things in Shoukang Palace!"
Prince Ji's concubine also spoke up: "Your Majesty, although Miss Qian acted rashly, she was also acting out of a desire to protect herself and others."
"The Crown Prince is the heir to the throne, yet he committed such shameless acts in the palace. The wife of Marquis Wenxin was seriously injured and is now unconscious. If it weren't for Miss Qian's skillful martial arts skills and her utmost efforts to protect her, Miss Fu wouldn't be the only one in the palace who was bullied by him."
"Although Miss Qian injured the Crown Prince, it was for a reason."
Xian Fei said, "Concubine An is speaking for her, but this is just their one-sided story. This girl from the Fu family also said that she and the Crown Prince had been involved for a long time. Who knows if she was forced into it or if it was her will? Moreover, Qian Qiyue could have stopped the Crown Prince, but she even attacked him in public. Who knows if there is something else hidden?"
Qian Qiyue suddenly looked up: "Your Majesty, is there anything else you think is being hidden?"
"Sister Fu was raped by the Crown Prince, and I was nearly murdered by him. If we both want to conceal it, why would we ruin our reputations? Or, Concubine Xian, what girl do you think would lie about her innocence?"
The virtuous concubine said calmly, "This palace has no such intention. I just want to clarify what happened today. After all, this concerns the crown prince of a country, and I can't just rely on your one-sided statement."
She paused.
"Oh, right, wasn't Miss Zhou there at the time? Why didn't I hear her speak?"
Qian Qiyue said without hesitation: "Sister Zhou is timid. After the wife of Marquis Wenxin was injured, she was frightened and fainted."
The Queen Mother looked at Zhou Yuchang: "Is that so?"
Zhou Yuchang's face was extremely pale, and there was a hint of panic in her eyes that usually smiled, and there was no trace of blood on her lips.
Hearing the Queen Mother's question, she shuddered, and then she heard Qian Qiyue's voice:
"Don't be afraid, Sister Zhou. Just tell the truth. The Queen Mother will make the decision for us."
Zhou Yuchang seemed to be comforted. With red eyes, she whispered, "After my mother and I followed Sister Qian into the porch, my mother was beaten. I was horrified by the sight of so much blood. I only vaguely heard Sister Fu's cry for help before I fainted. When I woke up, the prince was already injured."
"Miss Zhou fainted at the perfect time." Concubine Xian said sarcastically.
Seeing that Concubine Xian was still interfering, Madam Cui couldn't help but say coldly, "Then when does Concubine Xian think it's not the right time to faint?"
"Ms. Zhou is just a girl in the boudoir. How could she have witnessed such a scene? Not to mention her, even if the queen suddenly saw the crown prince doing such a shameful thing, she would be terrified. Moreover, the wife of Marquis Wenxin has been in trouble. It is reasonable for a little girl like her to faint from fear."
The virtuous concubine immediately raised her eyebrows and glared at Madam Cui.
Madam Cui didn't look at her, but raised her head to the Empress Dowager and said, "Your Majesty, this matter is clear. The Crown Prince acted improperly and insulted Miss Fu's innocence. Miss Qian was so eager to save someone that she accidentally hurt him. Please understand, Your Majesty."
Liu Tong'en, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly said, "I think what Her Majesty the Concubine said makes sense. It's hard to make a conclusion based on Miss Qian's words alone. After all, no one knows what happened in that room."
"Miss Fu can't testify." Someone whispered.
Liu Tong'en said coldly: "Miss Fu and Miss Qian are old friends. It's possible that they could fabricate their testimony."
He looked up at the top:
"Empress Dowager, this matter concerns the Crown Prince. No matter what, it is a fact that Miss Qian hurt the Crown Prince. Those two palace maids can testify to this."
"Even if the Crown Prince truly acted inappropriately, Miss Qian should have stopped fighting him to protect herself, given her skill. However, she forcefully pursued him and attacked again. This behavior cannot be explained by self-preservation."
Tang Ning's heart sank.
As expected, the Queen Mother said, "Commander Liu is right. This matter needs to be investigated in detail. We can confront the Crown Prince after he wakes up. Come, first bring Qian Qiyue..."
“Oh no!!”
Before the empress dowager finished speaking, someone suddenly ran in from outside.
The man's face was full of fear, and he knelt down in front of the hall after entering.
"Oh no, Queen Mother, the Crown Prince has passed away."
Everyone in the hall was in an uproar, and the Queen Mother suddenly stood up.
"What did you say?!"
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