Chapter 308 Stripping the Title of Lady Yunxiu
That day.
Under the sycamore tree in the courtyard, wisps of smoke rose from the burning paper money.
Lu Zhaoruo had just thrown the last stack of paper money into the brazier when she whispered a prayer: "Lü'er, you can rest in peace now. Your younger brother Pang Hong has been found. He is doing very well in the second branch of the Marquis's mansion in Xiang'an County. His master and mistress treat him like their own son."
Dongrou, who had been standing guard by her side, spoke with indignation: "My lady! That day at the princess's residence, they treated you and Abao so badly, and General Xiao is still unconscious... So much time has passed, why is there no movement from the palace? Just because she is the Grand Princess, does she think she can get away with murder and lawlessness? Is there no law in this world anymore!"
Lu Zhaoruo gently stirred the paper money in the basin that was about to burn out, turning it completely to ashes.
She did not answer immediately, but slowly stood up, her gaze passing over the courtyard wall and looking towards the direction of the palace.
"What's the rush?"
Her voice was soft, yet resolute: "Evidence must be verified piece by piece. The net must be tightened inch by inch."
She withdrew her gaze and looked at Dong Rou, who was still sulking: "Who do you think His Majesty was rewarding us for over three days? It'll be soon. The imperial decree summoning us will arrive soon."
Sure enough, three days later.
Late at night, Shu Heng secretly summoned the Grand Princess Shu Linglang and Lady Yunxiu.
After taking his seat at the imperial desk, before the two women were even fully seated, Shu Heng calmly looked at them and cut to the chase: "Imperial Aunt, Yunxiu. I have summoned you here today to clarify one matter. Half a month ago, Lady Lu was diagnosed with a rare poison called 'Five-Day Consumption' at the Princess's residence, 'Tingzhu Pavilion.' The Imperial Hospital has confirmed the diagnosis. I want to know where this poison came from and how it ended up in Lady Lu's residence?"
…………
The underground secret room of Yingxiang Pavilion.
Lin Yingyu was preparing a secret medicine for Lady Qi, Jiang.
Lady Jiang was over forty years old, her beauty had faded and her favor had waned. She relied entirely on this medicine to secretly make Marquis Weibei submit and maintain his favor.
She never imagined that the batch of medicine that Li Nian had stolen and used on the emperor's brother-in-law had already caused a major disaster.
Suddenly, the door to the secret room was kicked open!
Several imperial guards rushed in with knives and captured Lin Yingyu on the spot.
"Who are you? How dare you arrest me! Do you know that I am from the Marquis of Xiang'an County? Lady Yunxiu is my close friend!"
Lin Yingyu struggled and screamed, her fierce exterior masking her inner weakness.
The Imperial Guard leader said coldly, "We are acting on imperial orders to arrest him."
Jiang's face was ashen, and she was taken away along with them.
Using prohibited drugs is a serious crime.
When Lin Yingyu was escorted out of the dark room, she witnessed "Yingxiang Pavilion" being sealed off.
Qinzhengzhai.
Inside the hall, Yunxiu, Shiliu, and Pucao all knelt on the ground, trembling.
Only Linglang remained upright and composed, even after all the conspiracies were exposed.
Yunxiu wept bitterly, crying out, "Cousin Emperor! It was really that Lin Yingyu who seduced me! I was blinded by hatred... I've admired General Xiao since I was little, and seeing Lu Zhaoruo gain the General's favor, I was bewitched by Lin and committed a terrible mistake..."
Shu Linglang suddenly stood up, raised her hand and delivered a crisp slap, scolding, "You wicked child! How could you be so easily deceived and cause such a disaster!"
She then turned to Shu Heng, curtsied, and said in a sorrowful yet dignified tone, "Your Majesty! I have failed in my duty to educate my daughter, which led to her being used by treacherous people and disturbing Your Majesty's presence. I have failed Your Majesty's grace and willingly accept the responsibility for my oversight!"
Just then.
Two imperial guards escorted Lin Yingyu into the hall. Her hair was disheveled. When she saw the situation inside the hall, especially Yunxiu kneeling and trembling, and the Grand Princess with a somber expression, she instantly understood that what happened that day had been exposed.
However, to her surprise, Yunxiu and Shulinglang actually pushed her out as a scapegoat.
A surge of anger at being utterly betrayed, mixed with the superiority complex of a modern person, caused her to lose her mind in an instant. She suddenly looked up and laughed shrilly: "Your Majesty! Don't believe their one-sided story! What do you mean I seduced the Princess? It's clearly Princess Yunxiu who was jealous of Lu Zhaoruo's favor with General Xiao and wanted to kill Lu Zhaoruo, agreeing to use that 'five-day consumption' to take her life."
"And Her Highness the Grand Princess knew all about it! That Tingzhu Pavilion was a place she personally arranged for incense to be lit!"
She revealed the entire conspiracy, intending to drag Yunxiu and her daughter into the mess.
Shu Heng sat high behind the imperial desk, his face hidden in the shadows of the candlelight, revealing neither joy nor anger.
He naturally knew that what Lin Yingyu said was closer to the truth.
But as an emperor, he could not possibly shake the foundation of the two-dynasty princess over a "failed" poisoning case.
In today's trial, the truth is important, but balance is even more important.
"Utter nonsense!"
Shu Heng's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable air of authority, instantly suppressing Lin Yingyu's madness. "Falsely accusing a member of the royal family is an even greater crime!"
This sentence set the tone for today's interrogation—Lin Yingyu must be the mastermind.
Lin Yingyu was struck dumb, collapsed to the ground, and felt utterly hopeless.
She finally realized that in this era of absolute imperial power, her modern ideas were utterly insignificant in the face of absolute authority.
The hall was deathly silent.
Shu Heng abruptly changed the subject, posing another crucial question: "Lin Yingyu, let me ask you again. Back in Jizhou, you were reported to the authorities by Lu Zhaoruo and sentenced to imprisonment. Why did you reappear unharmed in the capital in less than a month?"
Upon hearing this, Yunxiu trembled violently, and cold sweat poured down her back.
Shu Heng's gaze swept across Yun Xiu's pale face like a sharp sword as he continued to press Lin Yingyu: "Who got you out of the Jizhou prison?"
Knowing she was doomed, Lin Yingyu hated Yunxiu for abandoning her and cried out without hesitation, "It was Lady Yunxiu! She sent people to rescue me!"
"oh?"
Shu Heng's voice was icy cold, "When did you and Yunxiu meet? Why would a noble lady like her go to such lengths for a mere fisherwoman like you?"
Yunxiu trembled like a sieve, almost collapsing.
Linglang also turned her head abruptly, her sharp gaze turning to her daughter with surprise and scrutiny for the first time.
Getting someone out of prison? She knew absolutely nothing about it!
Shuheng gave her no chance to catch her breath, questioning, "I have confirmed that three years ago, Yunxiu, you secretly went to Guiyu Island overseas. What was the purpose of your trip there?"
Yunxiu clenched her fingers in terror, her nails digging deep into her palms.
The surprise and doubt in Linglang's eyes had turned into shock; her daughter had been hiding so many secrets from her!
Seeing this, Lin Yingyu quickly replied, "Your Majesty! Three years ago, the Princess visited Guiyu Island and met me. We hit it off immediately and became friends..."
She deliberately dragged out her words, looking at Yunxiu meaningfully, "Before parting, the Lady gave me a hairpin as a token, which I have treasured to this day! When I was sentenced to prison, it was with that hairpin that I pleaded with the Lady, and she helped me out of consideration for our friendship."
Yes! That's exactly it!
Yunxiu hurriedly echoed, her voice trembling.
Shu Heng looked at the flawed lie before him and a smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
However, he really didn't know why Yunxiu went to Guiyu Island.
at last.
Shu Heng pronounced the sentence: "Lin Yingyu, you are already a criminal, yet you show no remorse. Instead, you colluded with members of the imperial family to poison and murder a third-rank lady. The evidence is conclusive! Furthermore, you falsely accused a member of the imperial family, so your crime is compounded! You are hereby imprisoned in the Imperial Prison. Three days later... you are to be ordered to commit suicide with a white silk ribbon. All properties of Yingxiang Pavilion are to be confiscated and sealed off!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Yingyu felt as if all her strength had been drained away instantly, her vision went black, and she collapsed to the ground like a limp rag.
"Yunxiu".
Shu Heng turned his gaze to her, his tone heavy and cold, "As a noblewoman of the imperial family, you lack understanding of the bigger picture, cannot distinguish between loyalty and treachery, easily trust wicked people, and even dare to interfere in local criminal cases, releasing serious criminals privately! I will spare you the death penalty because you are young and may have been misled, but you will not escape punishment!"
"Effective immediately, the title of Lady Yunxiu is stripped, she is demoted to a commoner, and confined to the Buddhist hall of the Grand Princess's residence. She is not to leave except by death. Without my decree, she is forbidden from ever entering the palace again!"
Finally, he looked at the silent Shu Linglang and softened his tone: "Imperial Aunt, I know you love your daughter dearly, but you have been lax in managing your subordinates and neglected their discipline, leading to today's disaster. You cannot escape blame. I hereby deduct your salary for three years and send you to the palace to reflect on your mistakes. I hope that you will strictly discipline your daughter in the future to prevent any further trouble that could damage the royal reputation."
Shu Linglang took a deep breath, stood up, and bowed deeply according to custom, her posture still impeccable: "This old woman... accepts the decree and thanks you. I will certainly keep a close watch on her."
"Step down."
Linglang helped the nearly unconscious Yunxiu up and they left the main hall.
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