Chapter 397: Chen Meixin's End]
According to Dayu's laws, any woman sentenced to death who becomes pregnant cannot be executed during her pregnancy. The execution can only be carried out one hundred days after the woman gives birth, which is the so-called "one hundred days before execution."
When Chen Fenghe learned the news, her first reaction was who the father of this child was. She felt that judging from the things that Chen Meixin and her mother Yang Cuicui had done in secret, it was unlikely that it was Xiao Yunqi's flesh and blood.
The second reaction was to feel a little sorry for Chen Meixin. If she had been born in modern times, according to modern legal sentencing rules, she would not have to die.
Of course, just a little bit.
After all, whose child Chen Mei was pregnant with and whether she would be sentenced to death were all matters of irrelevant people to her. Why should she care?
However, along with this news came another thing.
Shen Meixin wanted to see her.
"Miss Shen, the death row is filled with gloomy energy. If you don't want to see it, I'll just go back and tell you. It's really because that evil woman Shen Meixin has been yelling and making a lot of noise all day long, saying there's some big secret. If we don't tell her, she'll tell us what will happen in the future. That's why the adults sent us here to tell you."
The constable explained.
Chen Fenghe couldn't help but feel curious.
At this time, why did Chen Meixin still look for her? Could it be that she wanted her to go over and see how miserable she was in prison?
However, speaking of it, she had not yet settled the score with Chen Meixin about the fact that she had ruined her and Xiao Yunshuo's wedding banquet.
She didn't look for her because she was in such a miserable state that she was extra generous and didn't care. But Chen Meixin came to her on her own? How bold!
Then don't blame her for taking revenge and complaining without hesitation.
Chen Fenghe smiled and said, "Since she's so desperate to see me, I'll go. This will prevent her from being executed and dying with regrets."
The death row is indeed dark and lifeless, and the prisoners there are all death row prisoners waiting to be executed in the autumn.
Chen Meixin was in the innermost cell.
She was wearing dirty prison clothes, with chains on her hands and feet. Her abdomen was slightly bulging, and she looked disheveled and haggard.
The jailer opened the cell door, and Chen Meixin turned around dazedly to look at the person who came.
When she noticed that the person coming was Chen Fenghe, her eyes suddenly changed from dull to resentful!
Seeing that she was tortured, interrogated, and imprisoned for a month or so, she still had such a look in her eyes. Chen Fenghe couldn't help but admire her vitality.
Chen Meixin struggled to pounce on and grab Chen Fenghe, but was pinned to the ground by the jailer who came in, unable to move.
"Behave yourself! Don't think we won't touch you just because you're pregnant! You're already a death row prisoner, how dare you be so arrogant and hit people?" the prison boss scolded.
Chen Fenghe said calmly, "Thank you, sir. I think given her current physical condition and the chains on her hands and feet, she can't do anything to me. sir, could you please let us have a few words alone?"
When Chen Fenghe came in, he had already secretly given the jailer one or two taels of silver. Therefore, the jailer had no choice but to obey and immediately agreed to leave.
Chen Fenghe then squatted down, looked at Chen Meixin's embarrassed appearance calmly, and asked: "You are so desperate to see me, saying that you have something to tell me, now you can say it."
Chen Meixin glared at Chen Fenghe with hatred, her teeth clenched. Chen Fenghe suspected that if it weren't for the chains, she would rush up like a wild beast and bite her a few times.
However, apart from finding out about the arsenic poisoning that the entire village had been infected with, saving Wang San and letting Wang San identify her crime, and ultimately finding conclusive evidence and sentencing her to death, she didn't seem to have done anything else that would have hindered her, right?
On the contrary, as a legitimate daughter, all the treatment and honors she deserved from childhood to adulthood were taken away by Chen Meixin. If anyone should hate someone, she should hate Chen Meixin.
Chen Meixin's hatred for her was truly baffling.
"Chen Fenghe, don't be so complacent! Don't think you've won just like that! Humph! In the end, didn't you lose your status as the Crown Princess? From a noble lady in the capital, you became the wife of a sickly small merchant in the countryside? You'll have to farm and weave in this remote and impoverished countryside for the rest of your life, living as a peasant woman! Just thinking about the hard work you've endured in this life, I can't help but feel pity for you! I'm telling you! As long as I don't die, one day, I will turn the tables and restore my life of wealth and glory..."
Chen Fenghe interrupted her calmly, "A comeback? A return to a life of luxury and prosperity? Chen Meixin... have you forgotten that you were sentenced to the death penalty of lingchi after the autumn? Even if you can't be executed now because you're pregnant, it will only be postponed until the autumn of next year. Who gave you the courage to make such a boast?"
Chen Meixin subconsciously covered her abdomen with her hands and sneered, "Chen Fenghe, haven't you figured out the situation yet? The child I'm carrying carries the blood of the Dayu royal family! Although the Fifth Prince has been deposed, when the new emperor ascends the throne, he will surely grant amnesty to the entire nation, and any capital punishment I've inflicted will naturally be pardoned. Moreover, the new emperor will surely, for the sake of our brotherly love and the bloodline of my unborn child, bring us mother and child to the capital... Then, I can live a life of wealth and glory again!"
Chen Fenghe: “…”
She used to think that Shen Meixin still had some brains.
Now it seems that she overestimated her.
"Chen Meixin, do you want to listen to what you've said? Do you really think... do those things you've assumed are possible? Have you forgotten that the Fifth Prince vomited blood from poison in public? Your crime of poisoning your husband, your parents, is an irrefutable fact! Even if the new emperor grants amnesty after ascending the throne, I'm afraid you won't be pardoned. Besides, how do you know when the new emperor will ascend the throne? What if it's ten or twenty years from now? How are you going to delay your execution? Are you going to keep seducing jailers and prisoners and keep getting pregnant?"
A moment of embarrassment flashed across Shen Meixin's face.
Chen Fenghe: “…”
She guessed right...
"Let's take a step back and put all this aside. If the new emperor truly pardons you and, considering your child's royal blood, wants to bring him back to the capital and grant him a title and a residence, do you think... the royal family will tolerate a woman like you who dared to murder her own husband, father, and mother, and have an affair with another man, living in this world and bringing shame to the royal family? In the end, I'm afraid you'll just die a violent death and disappear without a trace."
Chen Meixin's lips trembled slightly.
After all, she was a young lady who grew up in a noble family. She knew that the more royal and powerful the family was, the more they valued reputation and family tradition. How could they possibly tolerate someone like her?
However, she was already in a desperate situation. Apart from fantasizing about these things, what else could she do?
As long as there is a one in a thousand or one in ten thousand chance, it is possible!
She...will never die in this filthy, neglected death cell!
Why is Chen Fenghe so vicious? Why does he want to destroy all the fantasies in her heart!
Yes! She was so vicious! She said this just to cut off all hope in her heart and let her die like a bug in this stinking prison!
She would never let her succeed!
"Shut up! Shut up! Chen Fenghe, shut up!"
Chen Fenghe didn't stop talking. Someone had to pass on a message to her specifically to cause trouble. If she didn't do it, she would feel sorry for making this special trip.
"Besides, how can you be sure that the baby you are carrying is the Fifth Prince's flesh and blood?"
The corners of Shen Meixin's mouth trembled with fear.
She's not sure.
But... the fact that she had an affair with another man should not have been exposed, except for the day when Wang San was caught by the police.
According to the doctor's diagnosis, she has been pregnant for almost two months, so... it is definitely not Wang San's, so... in the eyes of outsiders, it can only be Xiao Yunqi's!
"You...you shouldn't slander me! Wang...Wang San forced me to do it that day, and the date was wrong..."
Chen Fenghe looked at her mockingly: "Oh, do you want me to help you find the patrons you and your mother once entertained in the house in the back alley of Youzhou City's brothel, and ask them to come to the government office and testify in court?"
Chen Meixin was completely stunned and her eyes widened in horror.
"You...how do you know..."
He was halfway through his words when he realized that he had let something slip, which was tantamount to incriminating himself. He gritted his teeth and said angrily, "Chen Fenghe, you are deliberately trying to trick me!"
Chen Fenghe looked at her disdainfully and sneered, "Tricking you? Don't you see how you are now? Why would I bother with so much effort for you? Do you deserve it?"
She now has several shops in Youzhou City, so she would come to Youzhou from time to time to check. Coincidentally, she had seen Yang Cuicui bringing Chen Meixin into the city to do those things several times.
"Don't worry, I didn't expose your secrets that day, and I won't tell anyone now."
Although she didn't like Chen Meixin, she wouldn't use such things to talk about a woman.
"So, you wanted to see me just to say this crazy stuff?" she asked, trying to end this useless conversation.
These are indeed the only things Shen Meixin wanted to say.
Life on death row was too hard. Although I wasn't going to die this year because I was found to be pregnant, what about next year? What about the rest of the world?
She desperately needed something to keep herself going.
After thinking about it, I only feel jealousy and hatred towards Shen Fenghe!
Even if she was on death row, she would never admit that she lost to Chen Fenghe!
"Chen Fenghe! Why? Just because your mother was born into a royal merchant family, a noble lady, you are qualified to marry my father as his legal wife, and you are the legitimate daughter, but I can only be a concubine's daughter! No matter how much honor and favor you receive, I am always inferior to you in every way! Even marrying the crown prince and becoming the crown princess are only yours! I am only worthy of marrying an unfavored prince, and can only be a concubine! Just because you are legitimate and I am a concubine, just because my mother is of humble origin, I have to endure so much humiliation and injustice! Why? I won't accept it! How am I inferior to you! Why can you still live a life of luxury, while I... can only rot and die in this stinking death cell!"
Chen Fenghe: “…”
She now understood why Shen Meixin hated her so much.
Greedy people are like a snake swallowing an elephant.
Selfish people always only see themselves. No matter how much they have, they always think that others have better and always feel that they have been wronged.
Chen Fenghe didn't want to talk to Shen Meixin anymore. She said calmly, "It seems like you've already said everything you wanted to say. Then...it's time to settle the debt you owe me!"
Chen Mei was stunned for a moment, looking at Chen Fenghe with some confusion, and then she said angrily: "I owe you? Chen Fenghe, if it weren't for you, how could I be arrested! How could I be sentenced to death by slow slicing! You have hurt me so much, and you still dare to say I owe you! I am your biological sister..."
Chen Fenghe interrupted her coldly, "Chen Meixin, you need to understand one thing. You've fallen into this situation because of your own fault, and you can't blame anyone else. As for what you owe me, regardless of anything else, you had someone poison me at my wedding banquet, and you brought bad luck upon me. You must repay this debt!"
As she spoke, she took out a sharp dagger from the space.
Chen Meixin saw a flash of cold light, trembled with fear, and shouted sternly: "Chen Fenghe, you! What are you doing! Help! Chen Fenghe is going to kill me!"
Chen Fenghe ignored her shouting. It was useless anyway because the jailer would never come in.
She raised her hand and slashed with the knife. In an instant, Shen Meixin screamed in pain sharply: "Ah!"
A wound several centimeters deep appeared on Shen Meixin's left cheek, and blood instantly flowed all over her face!
"Ahhhh! Chen Fenghe! What have you done! You will die a horrible death!" Chen Meixin covered her face and roared in pain and shock.
Her face! How could Shen Fenghe be so vicious!
She has nothing now! Only this face remains, which can help her survive and turn the tide! Shen Fenghe destroyed her face in order to kill her!
Chen Fenghe had already stood up, put the dagger back into space, looked down at her condescendingly, and sneered, "Don't worry, I only destroyed your appearance. Compared to your vicious attempt to kill me, my trick is already a bargain for you. Also, let me tell you, your father and mother, as well as Xiao Yunqi, have all died from the poison. You have finally gotten what you wanted. From now on, I guess we won't meet again. Take care of yourself!"
After coming out of the death row, Chen Fenghe found an inn in Youzhou City, booked a room, closed the door, and went straight into the space to take a good bath.
After talking to Shen Meixin for a while, she felt uncomfortable all over.
Only after washing away the disgusting feelings in the death row did Chen Fenghe breathe a sigh of relief.
She ordered some more food, and after eating, she took the carriage back home.
Seeing her come back, Xiao Yunshuo couldn't help but ask, "What does Chen Meixin want to see you for? Is she going to do something strange again?"
Chen Fenghe shook her head and said calmly, "Now that she has fallen into that state, it's difficult for her to act like a demon."
After saying that, he briefly recounted what the two people in the prison had said.
After hearing this, Xiao Yunshuo couldn't help but sneer, "She's in this state now, it's all her own fault. And now she's still blaming others."
As he spoke, he couldn't help but sniff at Chen Fenghe, then he stretched out his arms and suddenly put her in his arms, saying with a smile: "Fenghe, you smell so good..."
His breath touched her ears, and Chen Fenghe couldn't help but blush a little. She explained softly, "Well... after I came out of prison, I always felt unclean, so I found an inn to take a bath before coming back."
Xiao Yunshuo's eyes deepened after hearing this. His fingers had already tugged at her belt and untied it. He smiled and said, "I see. That's just right. I was going to ask them to boil some water, but now I don't have to..."
As he spoke, Chen Fenghe's outer shirt had been half-taken off, and the collar of his inner shirt had also opened, revealing the bellyband underneath.
"Your Highness..." Shen Fenghe's body tensed up.
Xiao Yunshuo leaned over and kissed her, whispering softly, "I finally got you married, and even our wedding night was ruined. Now... isn't it time?"
This matter is somewhat coincidental.
On their wedding night, something like that happened, and they were busy all night trying to save people, so their wedding night was naturally ruined. Afterwards, they were busy catching the murderer, treating witnesses, and testifying in court to help with the trial.
The case was finally settled, but then Xiao Yunqi, Shen Shi'an, and the others died one after another. Even though they were all enemies, the timing felt wrong. Furthermore, Xiao Yunshuo had secretly gone out once during the investigation. When he returned, Shen Fenghe happened to be unwell. In short, various circumstances had delayed the investigation until now.
Chen Fenghe was speechless.
She had no intention of delaying, but God had to make so many small mistakes.
But when the moment really came, she couldn't help but get nervous again.
"Your Highness...it's still daytime..."
"What's the harm in doing it during the day? There are people guarding outside, and they won't let those three little guys in."
Xiao Yunshuo said this, and simply waved his sleeves, the door closed, and then he picked her up and carried her sideways, walked to the inner room, and put her on the bed.
Before Chen Fenghe could adjust her posture, she suddenly felt a chill on her chest, and the only thing she had on to cover her modesty had been torn off...
"Ah!" She quickly crossed her arms to cover herself.
Xiao Yunshuo had already approached, grabbing both of her wrists with one hand and pulling them above her head to secure them. His other hand had already covered one of them. His eyes were deep, and he said in a hoarse voice, jokingly, "What are you covering? Don't you even want your husband to see it..."
…
Chen Fenghe felt that he shouldn't have been deceived.
What do you mean by a time-limited 'relationship' where you only talk about feelings but not love?
Why didn't anyone remind her that just falling in love could be fatal!
There was a sound of roosters crowing outside the window. Chen Fenghe's mouth was dry and his throat was so hoarse that he couldn't speak.
Suddenly, a mouthful of warm water was passed into her mouth, and Shen Fenghe's hazy consciousness was brought back to her.
"Awake?" Xiao Yunshuo's low, magnetic and pleasant voice came to his ear, followed by the feeling of his earlobe being rubbed by teeth.
"Don't……"
From yesterday afternoon until now, when it’s almost dawn, this has happened for the umpteenth time…
Does this bastard know how to be satisfied? Does he know how to be moderate? Does he know that this is her first time...
Xiao Yunshuo kissed her apologetically and said gently, "Just lie down, I'll help you wipe it..."
After hearing what he said, Chen Fenghe was too lazy to lead him anyway, so she just let him go.
In the palace, although the eunuchs and palace maids were responsible for changing the bed bedding and furnishings after the emperor had slept with her, the empress and concubines had to drag their tired and sore bodies to help the emperor clean and change his clothes.
Shen Fenghe felt it was unfair when she thought about it.
The emperor enjoyed it all—although, she admitted that she still felt a little addicted to it afterward—but it was always more comfortable for men—and in the end, women had to serve him tirelessly...
When I think about it this way, I feel that it’s pretty good to have the prince serving me personally.
If... the days of being together like this could continue forever, it would be pretty good.
Chen Fenghe moaned with some satisfaction.
Seeing her tired but cute appearance, Xiao Yunshuo couldn't help but feel impulsive again.
However, he still tried his best to restrain himself. After all, it was her first time, and if it happened again, her body might not be able to bear it.
"I asked the kitchen to make some shredded chicken porridge and a few side dishes, and they'll be brought in soon."
Chen Fenghe's face flushed red upon hearing this. If someone were to take her directly to the room, wouldn't that be telling others that she couldn't even get out of bed...
This is so embarrassing!
She was about to sit up in a hurry: "I'd better go out and eat with everyone... Ugh!"
As soon as she sat up, her little face wrinkled into a ball. The pain in her waist was even worse than she had imagined.
Xiao Yunshuo supported her in time, saying with a mixture of amusement and affection, "Don't try to be so arrogant. Are you really going to limp out to eat with everyone in your current state?"
"But if we do it in the room, won't everyone know...it's so embarrassing!"
Xiao Yunshuo couldn't help but glance away from her, looking at her with an expression that said, "Do you think that if you leave, no one will know?"
Chen Fenghe: “…”
Okay...
After all, they had been in the room all afternoon and night, and she suspected that she couldn't help but scream loudly...
Chen Fenghe couldn't help but cover her face.
Check out the large-scale social death scene.
She had never missed the modern world's soundproof buildings as much as she did now...
Finally, breakfast was eaten in the room.
The only good thing was that Xiao Yunshuo did not let the nanny who came to deliver the food in, but instead brought it to the door and took it away.
Chen Fenghe could still hear the nanny say in a fearful voice, "Master, let me take him in. How can we let the master personally serve food and water? Wouldn't that be a dereliction of duty for us servants?"
Fortunately, Xiao Yunshuo still forcefully sent the nanny away and took the food box.
When Chen Fenghe heard and saw him coming in with a food box, she felt somewhat touched and emotional.
Not to mention the noble princes, even the young masters from slightly more aristocratic official families were served by servants and maids.
Not to mention personally carrying the food box, even tying a sweat towel belt, or wearing a waist pendant or jade pendant, there are special people to do it.
It was also hard for Xiao Yunshuo to do this for her personally because he took her into consideration and thought that she might be embarrassed if others saw her.
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