Consort Cheng had just turned around when Yue Jiang suddenly called out to her, and she turned back in shame.
"Your Highness, I may have been deceived by evil people as well. Please don't hold it against me. I will not let this sorcerer off easily. I will find his Taoist temple and smash his Taoist practice to vent my anger."
Consort Cheng was overcome with grief, the gold hairpins on her crown jingling loudly, and even her usually slightly raised eyebrows were much more subdued.
"Your Majesty, all the blame lies with me. I was blinded by concern for the Empress Dowager. I will return to the palace and reflect on my mistakes."
Although this sorcerer was found by Consort Cheng's family, they were very careful in keeping quiet about his words.
However, Consort Cheng did not want any unexpected events to occur. Not only did she clearly show her willingness to yield to Yue Jiang, but she also secretly begged Jing Huaixu to end the matter.
Jing Huaixu remained solemn and silent for a long time, seemingly lost in thought.
Empress Dowager Cheng coughed twice, breaking the silence in the hall, and said meaningfully, "Is it enough to just face the wall and reflect on your mistakes? Don't you think about how many people you mobilized today?"
"Empress Dowager Zheng has never been able to stand the sweltering heat. Look at her today, she actually came to check on me personally. If you don't go to Empress Dowager Zheng's palace to apologize for an hour every day, you'll be letting down your recklessness and ignorance."
Empress Dowager Zheng looked displeased. She hadn't accomplished her goal, yet she was being dragged down with her. She gave a forced smile and said, "Sister Cheng, you flatter me. Isn't it only right that I come to see you?"
"Your Majesty, I am already having a headache. Since the late Emperor gave a good omen, let's not add any more bad luck today."
Most people in the palace would pretend to be confused. When Empress Dowager Cheng fell ill, all the palace staff who could cause trouble gathered here.
Yet they allowed a "useless" imperial physician to treat their illness and a "mysterious" sorcerer to spout nonsense.
Even Empress Dowager Zheng and Empress Dowager Cheng, longtime enemies, made a rare reconciliation. Yue Jiang could not possibly handle so many complex and intertwined relationships.
Before Jing Huaixu could speak, she said, "Your Highness has misunderstood. I do not intend to interfere in Your Highness's handling of the sorcerer, nor do I intend to hold any grudge against Your Highness. It is for the sake of Princess Cheng."
Yue Jiang's sudden remark drew everyone's attention to Cheng Suyun; none of those present were ordinary people.
Even though Cheng Suyun had grown up in the palace and often saw the emperor's face, she had never received so much attention, especially today's plot to scheme against the concubine of the crown prince.
Unsure of Yue Jiang's intentions, she panicked, her eyes darting away: "Your Highness, Su Yun is perfectly fine. Why can't she understand you?"
Yue Jiang gently took two steps toward Cheng Suyun, forcing her to look up at herself and everything around her.
“Princess Cheng, I’ve thought about what happened yesterday for a long time, and I still think it should be dealt with seriously, for your sake and for His Highness’s sake.”
She explained to the unsuspecting crowd: "Father, Mother, two grandmothers, Princess Cheng came to see me yesterday, saying that she and His Highness have been spreading many rumors in the palace, which has greatly troubled her."
When Empress Dowager Cheng heard Yue Jiang mention this matter, she straightened her back slightly and secretly gave Consort Cheng a look.
Consort Cheng smiled nonchalantly and said, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, what is it? Suyun and His Highness grew up together. Why not just let them be together? Then the rumors will be dispelled."
Rong Ying interjected, her voice laced with mockery: "Your Highness, the yamen must first and foremost adhere to the facts in its trials. His Highness cannot tolerate any flaws. What you have done is to confirm the rumors, leaving no chance for reversal."
Empress Ye glanced at Consort Cheng with displeasure and said, "Consort Cheng, take the sorcerer away and deal with your own affairs. You don't need to interfere in this matter."
Before Consort Cheng could speak again, Jing Huaixu said sternly, "Get out!"
Consort Cheng was directly reprimanded. She glanced at Empress Dowager Cheng with disappointment, and finally walked out reluctantly.
Yue Jiang took a deep breath, her voice becoming even more sharp and articulate: "That's right. Princess Cheng is still young and has not yet been betrothed, while His Highness is the Crown Prince, a matter of national dignity. This is not just a romantic affair."
"There may also be a group of rebellious people hiding behind the scenes who are not in favor of Your Highness. If we don't expose them, how can we know that they won't do things that harm Your Highness in the future?"
"I beg Your Majesty to issue an edict to send people to investigate and clear Princess Cheng and His Highness's name."
Cheng Suyun panicked slightly and stammered, "No...no need."
She was trembling with anger. Was Yue Jiang determined to investigate thoroughly to prove that she and His Highness had no romantic relationship whatsoever, thus cutting off her escape route?
Cheng Suyun knelt down with a thud and cried to Jing Huaixu and Empress Ye, saying that she was determined to take a desperate gamble and confirm the rumors.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, Suyun's feelings are genuine..."
“The Crown Princess is right. The royal reputation is not to be trifled with. This matter must be investigated,” Jing Huaixu interrupted Cheng Suyun, his eyelids twitching, and he wholeheartedly agreed.
“Suyun, investigating this matter will be good for both you and the Crown Prince. But if we don’t investigate and you have to accept the rumors, one of you will have to take full responsibility.”
Cheng Suyun sobbed through teary eyes, "Suyun can suffer injustice..."
Jing Huaixu shook his head and sneered: "This is not something you can resolve by complaining or bear. If you admit it, you will be stigmatized. Don't expect the royal family to take responsibility for your mistakes."
"You are not qualified to enter the Crown Prince's Palace either. You will be sent to become a nun."
"Suyun, I have watched you grow up. It is not worth it. Do not be persecuted by rumors."
"Empress Dowager Cheng, wouldn't you agree?"
Jing Huaixu stood with his hands behind his back and looked at Empress Dowager Cheng.
Empress Dowager Cheng guessed that Jing Huaixu must have figured it out, and in order to end things smoothly, she waved her hand wearily.
"Do as Your Majesty wishes. It would be a pity for Suyun to become a nun at such a beautiful age."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Suyun burst into tears and staggered to the ground.
Jing Huaixu's gaze passed over the fallen Cheng Suyun, and as he pondered, his eyes kept glancing at Rong Ying: "Then this matter..."
Rong Ying readily accepted the task: "Your Majesty, leave it to me. I will certainly do my best to find out a few people who are spreading rumors."
Jing Huaixu nodded: "I'll leave it to you. Suyun is not young anymore. After the rumors are investigated, she can go back to the Cheng family and wait for her marriage. If Empress Dowager Cheng is lonely, I will have the Cheng family find a five or six-year-old girl to keep you company and relieve your boredom."
Empress Dowager Cheng closed her eyes and said with gratitude: "I thank Your Majesty."
After handling all matters, Jing Huaixu did not linger any longer and left with Empress Ye.
After the Emperor and Empress walked away, Empress Dowager Zheng stood up expressionlessly and left Yongshou Palace without saying a word.
Yue Jiang had Qing Ke leave a small gift for Empress Dowager Cheng, and soon after, she prepared to leave as well.
When Cheng Suyun arrived, she sat on the ground, looked up, gritted her teeth, and swallowed her tears, saying, "Your Highness, Suyun is truly grateful for your great kindness."
Yue Jiang lowered her head and smiled faintly, showing exceptional magnanimity: "You're welcome!"
As soon as Yue Jiang left Yongshou Palace, Rong Ying caught up with her after only a few steps: "Crown Princess, please wait."
Upon hearing this, Yue Jiang stopped and sincerely thanked Rong Ying, saying, "Thank you so much for today's events, Military Advisor Rong Ying."
Rong Ying humbly replied, "Your Highness's request is of no concern to the Crown Princess. I will certainly expose the dishonest members of the Cheng family to serve as a warning to others. I also hope that the Crown Princess will not worry, as His Highness will absolutely not have any interest in the girls from the Cheng and Zheng families."
Yue Jiang found it amusing, but unintentionally met Rong Ying's gaze and discovered that he was thoughtfully sizing her up. This man was the most shrewd.
She tested him on the very first night Jing Yan captured her.
Is he deliberately saying this now to test her, to see if he is testing her magnanimity, or to see if he is testing his own attitude towards Jing Yan?
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