Chapter 86: Forced by the Situation
Song Yanxi glanced at Zhuang Shihan, who was speechless, and said word by word with great force, "I swear on my life that what I just said is absolutely true. Everyone present here can bear witness to this!"
As soon as these words were spoken, all the ladies looked at each other, but no one dared to stand up and speak.
After all, the Duke of Jingguo's Mansion is not like the long-declined Marquis of Yongchuan's Mansion, and the Duke is not like the Marquis of Yongchuan, who has always been indifferent to his wife and daughter.
Now that the eldest princess is here, everyone can just say those words of disdain for Zhuang Shihan's behavior in private. No one would be stupid enough to bring it out into the open and cause trouble.
Princess Huayang was the younger sister of Emperor Xuande. She had been with him through many ups and downs for so many years and had seen all kinds of scenes. Her face immediately darkened.
She looked at Madam Qiu and said coldly, "Since they are unwilling to speak, then you, the victim, will speak."
Madam Qiu took the handkerchief handed to her by Song Yanxi, wiped the corners of her eyes, and immediately her eyes turned red with irritation. She said aggrievedly: "My eldest princess is wise. I have always been straightforward and outspoken. You sisters all know this and have never blamed me for anything.
I never thought that Princess Shihan would turn against me because of a joke I made. Not only did she scold me for being short-lived and expecting retribution sooner or later, she also insulted Sister Xu, saying that she was old and out of form.
After hearing the last part, Princess Huayang's expression could only be described as ugly.
Even though she is a princess, she is not immune to the common people and cares about her appearance and age like most women.
Madam Xu is even younger than her. If she is old and ugly, wouldn’t she be old and decrepit?
Princess Huayang laughed in anger. Looking at Zhuang Shihan who was trying to explain, she said meaningfully, "Duke Jingguo really gave birth to a good daughter."
Zhuang Shihan thought to herself that this was not going well, and quickly knelt down to explain, "Princess, please calm down. I didn't mean to provoke Madam Qiu. I was just impulsive and lost my mind, so I said the wrong thing.
"The root of the problem is that I, a minister, couldn't help myself and fell in love with someone I shouldn't have. My concern led me astray and I foolishly accepted the responsibility of hosting Aunt Lin's birthday banquet, which displeased Princess Yong'an and caused all these troubles."
"In that case, it is Yongan who is ignorant."
Upon hearing this, Song Yanxi, who was supporting Mrs. Qiu, knelt down obediently, her movements as skillful as if it were a daily routine.
Princess Huayang frowned.
How much injustice does this child have to endure on a daily basis?
When something happens, the first thing I think of is not to argue for myself...
Sitting in a wheelchair, Mo Jinchuan tightened his hands on his knees slightly, and his eyes, which others could not see, were full of heartache.
I really shouldn't have come today.
Even though he knew she was pretending, he still couldn't bear to watch it.
Yan Qing's eyes were red with tears. She walked over and knelt behind her, saying sadly, "It's all because of my poor parenting. Please punish me, Princess."
Song Xubai followed closely behind, lifted his robe and knelt down, his wounded face full of determination, "Princess, punish me if you want to."
The eldest princess couldn't help but be touched by the family's unity.
Such a situation is not common in the royal family.
Seeing Princess Huayang was moved, Zhuang Shihan secretly thought that something was wrong. She pinched herself hard to force out tears, and said in a choked voice, "This matter is utterly wrong. It was all caused by my selfishness. I almost caused Madam Qiu's death. I beg the Princess to punish me!"
As she spoke, she folded her hands on her forehead and bowed deeply to the eldest princess.
I heard that Princess Huayang was free and easy-going when she was young. She liked women who were bold and responsible, and disliked those who were scheming.
It's a good opportunity today to let Song Yanxi know that pretending to be pitiful and weak doesn't always work.
Zhuang Shihan thought so in her heart, but she couldn't wait for the eldest princess to tell her to stand up, which made her feel strange.
Could it be that the eldest princess already knew about the affair between Prince Jin and her, and was deliberately protecting him...
Thinking of the news from the person she had planted in the old lady's courtyard, Zhuang Shihan gritted her teeth and looked up, only to meet a pair of angry eyes.
Princess Huayang sneered, "I originally thought you were ignorant and innocent, and a bit rash, but I never thought you were so clear-headed."
Since I understand everything, the only explanation is that it was done on purpose.
Zhuang Shihan understood the hidden meaning and quickly explained, "Princess, please calm down. I will never…"
"That's enough," Princess Huayang interrupted her impatiently, her face darkening as she said, "It's a shame that Your Majesty and I used to think you were a woman as capable as any man. It turns out I was wrong. I didn't realize you were such a narrow-minded, ignorant jerk!"
Zhuang Shihan: "The Princess must have misunderstood me!"
Princess Huayang looked at her coldly and asked, "Knowing that he was already married, you still disregarded the strict rules between men and women and ate and lived with him. But you?"
Zhuang Shihan's face turned pale as she said stubbornly, "I'm a military doctor. Marching along the border is arduous. I was forced to do so by the circumstances..."
"Even if the situation forces us to do so, there are so many good men in the army, many of whom are unmarried, and Lin Tingfeng is not the only one who has his own independent tent.
What? Are you going to tell me that he is the only honest man among the 100,000 soldiers? "
At the end of the conversation, Princess Huayang felt a little embarrassed to speak.
If she hadn't sent someone to investigate, she would never have believed that a legitimate daughter of a Duke could do such a thing that brought shame to her parents and relatives.
She felt ashamed to dirty her mouth when she talked about such dirty things.
If Zhuang Shihan stayed quietly in the mansion waiting to get married, considering the hard work and great contributions of Duke Jingguo, she would help her settle the matter and let her get married peacefully.
But unfortunately, she didn't know how to stop while she was ahead. She had already used her military achievements to force the emperor to agree to their marriage, but she still bullied the wife again and again.
She is just a concubine. She dares to host the birthday banquet at home without the permission of the wife before she even enters the family. Will she not torture her to death one day?
Zhuang Shihan didn't expect that such a secret matter was known by the eldest princess. She was so anxious and angry that she couldn't say a word.
Seeing this, Lin Tingfeng quickly lifted his robe and knelt, saying respectfully, "Princess, please understand. Although Princess Shihan and I are in love, we have never done anything that goes against the rules. I hope you will not listen to the slander of others and tarnish Princess Shihan's reputation."
As he spoke, his complicated gaze fell on Song Yanxi, as if he felt heartbroken.
Anyone with a little bit of common sense could see what Lin Tingfeng was implying.
Princess Huayang is of noble status and has always lived a secluded life. Apart from attending the weddings of several princes, she doesn't care about anything else.
Not to mention the General's Mansion, even the Duke of Jingguo's Mansion is not qualified to send an invitation to the Princess's Mansion.
Her appearance here today was already suspicious.
Not to mention Lin Tingfeng, all the ladies present were also wondering if Song Yanxi or Yan Qing had said anything when they went to the princess's mansion.
Looking at Lin Tingfeng, who looked like he was framed but had something hidden that he was not comfortable speaking out, Princess Huayang could not hide her disgust in her eyes.
She raised her hand and said, "Go to the palace and invite two maids to come and clear Princess Shihan's name."
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