Chapter 394 Evidence Points to the Cao Family!
Among the old clothes and bedding was a large bag of gold and silver.
“The witnesses say that this bag of gold and silver was given to me by a maidservant who serves the Crown Prince’s wife.” Wang Bao looked at Cao Shi with a cold face.
"Princess Consort, where are your maids?"
Cao froze, then hurriedly stammered an explanation: "They are all waiting outside the hall."
Wang Bao: "Bring the person in."
Don't bring in three palace maids in total. Wealthy families always prefer to have them in pairs and avoid having them appear alone.
"Is there still one palace maid missing?"
Cao shouted, "Where's Xiao Xi?"
The three palace maids were so frightened that they knelt on the ground.
"Xiao Xi just said her stomach hurt and went to the toilet. She's been there for a while."
Wang Bao's eyes sharpened: "Hurry up and go find them!"
The guard replied, "We didn't find any footprints of anyone else by the lotus pond, but there were some scratches. It's estimated that when they fell into the water, they tried to grab onto something to save themselves, but couldn't find anything to hold onto."
Shen Lanxi nodded; on the surface, the truth was already obvious.
Zhou Rulin's face was as black as iron, and Cao was filled with fear and unease.
A smug glint flashed in Shen Yuantang's eyes. It would be best if there were no witnesses left, so that the blame could be rightfully pinned on Cao Shi.
She deserved it, and of course, Consort Shu wasn't a good person either.
The baby in her womb is definitely going to die. She's so old, why does she need another child? Wouldn't it be better to dedicate herself entirely to helping the prince?
I hope that Consort Shu can remain bedridden, so that I won't have to summon her to the palace to set rules all the time.
The guards who had been searching for the person returned quickly, bringing with them bad news as well.
"When we found the palace maid, she had already committed suicide by poisoning herself."
"Also, we found musk, safflower, and a letter on that palace maid."
The guard presented the two items.
Shen Lanxi remained motionless. After Wang Bao opened the letter and read its contents, he immediately folded it up and put it into his sleeve.
"Lord Shen, please continue your investigation. This old servant has just remembered that I have some matters to attend to."
Shen Lanxi: "You're busy."
Wang Bao left quickly with two eunuchs.
Cao's eyes were filled with panic as she struggled to get up from the ground.
"I am innocent. I did not have anyone around me poison Consort Shu."
"Your Highness, you must believe me!"
“Shen Lanxi, I did have a grudge against you before, and I apologize to you now. You must investigate the matter impartially and clear my name.”
"Third Prince, I did not plot against Consort Shu. Why would I plot against her? I am not a concubine in the palace."
Zhou Rulin's face darkened: "How dare you speak such nonsense!"
With so many relatives here, is the Cao family trying to kill him?
This was done too carelessly. Zhou Ruyuan isn't stupid; how could he not see it?
But Cao's words just now really displeased him. Did she imply that his mother deliberately used her pregnancy to harm him?
He will not be lenient towards those who slander his mother.
Shen Lanxi knew perfectly well what was going on in today's situation, and the outcome was bound to be the same.
After that, she randomly picked a few questions to have someone verify, until Wang Bao came to deliver the imperial decree.
"All irrelevant persons have left the palace. The palace is peaceful today, and nothing has happened!"
The relatives hurriedly left, fearing that if they were even a step too late, they would be implicated.
Wang Bao: "Lord Shen, you should also go back. His Majesty has issued an edict. Lord Shen has worked hard. Once things have calmed down, you will be rewarded."
Shen Lanxi: "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."
The rest of the people followed Wang Bao to meet the emperor.
The next day, the informant reported that Cao's carriage had sprung a fright when she left the palace, and she had broken both her legs. Emperor Renxiao, being merciful, allowed Cao to recuperate at the imperial estate outside the city.
In the Hall of Mental Cultivation
Emperor Renxiao: "Your mother's death anniversary is just around the corner. You are about to be promoted, so Cao cannot be harmed now. Let Cao die of illness after your mother's death anniversary!"
This time, Zhou Rulin did not plead for Cao Shi again, and accepted his father's arrangement with a heavy heart.
Zhou Ruyuan stayed in Chaoyun Palace for more than an hour. When he left the palace, he was in a daze. As he walked, he somehow ended up at the Juding Duke's Mansion.
Looking at the magnificent mansion, which was in no way inferior to the Prince's mansion, Zhou Ruyuan's eyes were dark and his heart was unsettled. It wasn't until he tasted the rusty flavor in his mouth that he left dejectedly.
...
"My lord, the Tenth Princess and Shen Yuanxin are outside the door."
Shen Lanxi is off work today and, taking a rare break from official duties, is practicing martial arts in the courtyard.
"Let them in!"
"yes!"
This is the second time Shen Yuanxin has come here since Shen Lanxi moved here.
Last time, I came with my brothers to deliver things to her.
"Big sister," the two greeted each other.
Shen Lanxi was wiping her hands. After she finished, she led the two of them to sit in the pavilion.
“In the past, when a son or daughter got married, I would send them a separate betrothal gift and dowry.”
“Now that my family considers my status as a divorced woman unlucky, I don’t want to go back and provoke them, lest you blame my status as a divorced woman when you have arguments in the future.” Shen Lanxi quoted Shen Congwen.
A fleeting hint of embarrassment crossed Shen Yuanxin's face: "Elder sister, Father is sometimes too old-fashioned, please don't blame him."
Zhou Yunhui smiled and advised, "We're all family, no need to be so formal. Yuanxin and I don't care what your status is, as long as you're safe and well."
Shen Lanxi: "Princess, you are so magnanimous. I cannot show favoritism to one over the other."
"Bring up what I gave Yuanxin!"
The servants immediately went to do it.
A look of surprise flashed in Zhou Yunhui's eyes, but she quickly concealed it.
Shen Yuanxin said awkwardly, "Elder sister, the princess and I didn't come here to ask you for anything."
Shen Lanxi: "I know why you've come. You don't need to persuade me. Father was just speaking his mind that day. He's probably been holding those words in for a long time, and he just wanted to say them at your wedding."
Shen Yuanxin was caught in a dilemma. On the one hand, he felt that his elder sister's status as a divorced woman was shameful, and on the other hand, he felt that his father had made trouble for him at his wedding banquet, turning it into a laughing stock in the capital.
"Big sister, parents and children don't hold grudges overnight. Sometimes elders may speak harshly, but it's actually for our own good. We'll understand when we're older."
Shen Lanxi smiled and said, "It is Yuan Xin's good fortune to marry you. Although you came together by chance, it is still a good match."
Zhou Yunhui looked down on Shen Yuanxin. He had no official position, no academic achievements, and no family fortune. The only thing he had to offer was his face.
If that hadn't happened, she would have at least married the son of a prince or minister, and Shen Yuanxin wouldn't have even been able to touch the hem of her clothes.
With a princess like her as their protector, the Shen family, whether it's the Shen family or Shen Lanxi, will naturally flatter her.
Shen Yuanxin's eyes gleamed. On the day of his grandmother's birthday banquet, no one in the mansion paid any attention to them, the illegitimate children. He simply found a secluded place to stay, never expecting to stumble upon such a good opportunity.
Marrying the princess changed his status. From then on, even his father or older sister wouldn't dare to do anything to him easily.
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