Chapter 662: Bullying
Taking a deep breath, Zhong Mingxin slowly told Nangong Xin about how he had been under house arrest in the Princess's Mansion for the past ten years.
After he finished speaking, he continued, "Your Majesty, I have no intention of committing any crime against Princess Mingyue, but the princess has been unwilling to let me go. Please, Your Majesty, make the decision and give me my freedom!"
Listening to Zhong Mingxin's narration, Nalan Deyi couldn't help but blush for Nangong Xin's behavior. In anger, he picked up the teacup on the table and smashed it directly on Nangong Xin.
"Look at what you have done. You have brought shame upon our royal family."
Although Nangong Xin was not a member of their royal family, she was also a princess appointed by the court.
If outsiders knew that Princess Mingyue had placed a man under house arrest and poisoned him in order to forcibly keep him, then not only would the reputation of the royal family be damaged, but the credibility of the court would also be reduced.
Nangong Xin knelt on the ground, kowtowed, and began to defend herself, "Your Majesty, I really like Zhong Mingxin. Moreover, I have been by his side for so many years. Even if he was a stubborn stone, I would have warmed him up long ago. He clearly agreed to marry me, but now he is stabbing me in the back. Your Majesty, you have to help me seek justice!"
"I didn't," Zhong Mingxin immediately retorted, "I never promised to marry you. Don't talk nonsense here."
As he spoke, he looked towards Zhong Nian Yao from time to time, fearing that Zhong Nian Yao would really misunderstand the relationship between him and Nangong Xin, and then go back and tell Le Yao about it, then he would really not be able to clear himself even if he jumped into the Yellow River.
"You're talking nonsense. You clearly agreed." Nangong Xin's eyes were red. "Zhong Mingxin, how could you be so ungrateful? If I hadn't saved you, you would have died long ago. Now you're saying you didn't agree to marry me. Are you really going to force me to death before you're satisfied?"
After hearing Nangong Xin's accusatory words, Zhong Mingxin's eyes darkened, his lips pursed tightly, and he said no more.
He was indeed going to leave, but he never thought of taking Nangong Xin's life. Although Nangong Xin had kept him under house arrest for so many years, there was one thing that was true: if it weren't for Nangong Xin, he would have died long ago.
Seeing Zhong Mingxin's silence, Zhong Nianyao's eyes flashed with a faint light. Then she looked at Nangong Xin and said, "So, according to you, because you saved my father, he must marry you, right?"
"Does that mean that if someone saves your life, you must repay them with your life. Otherwise, the person who saves you can arbitrarily control the freedom of the person you save, even their life or death?"
Listening to Zhong Nianyao's question after question, Nangong Xin was unable to answer for a moment.
Nalan Deyi ignored Nangong Xin and looked at Zhong Mingxin. He said directly, "Tell me the truth, have you ever agreed to marry Nangong Xin? Also, is it true what you just said, that Nangong Xin has kept you under house arrest in the Princess's Mansion for all these years?"
Nangong Xin looked directly at Zhong Mingxin, her eyes filled with determination. As if she would surely die if Zhong Mingxin answered yes. At the same time, her eyes held accusations, accusing Zhong Mingxin of being ungrateful to her.
For a moment, Zhong Mingxin hesitated.
Seeing Zhong Mingxin's hesitation, Zhong Nianyao couldn't help but frown. He stepped forward, blocking Nangong Xin, and then spoke directly, "Be a man, don't be so shy. Also, regardless of whether she saved your life or not, these ten years of house arrest have offset everything. If you still want to go back to see your wife and parents, then quickly explain everything clearly."
These words suddenly made Zhong Mingxin feel enlightened.
Yes! Although he was grateful to Nangong Xin for saving him, Nangong Xin even poisoned him in order to keep him under house arrest. A woman like this, even if she was really his savior, was not worthy of his protection.
If Nian Yao hadn't appeared here today, would he still be under house arrest in the Princess's Mansion? Or even, would he be imprisoned in the Princess's Mansion for the rest of his life?
After thinking it through, I realized that the life-saving grace I once received was offset by the ten years of house arrest.
Taking a deep breath, Zhong Mingxin didn't even glance at Nangong Xin again, and directly replied, "Your Majesty, I already have a wife and have never agreed to marry the princess. Moreover, for the past ten years, the princess has been poisoning me in order to keep me under house arrest in the princess's mansion."
"Your Majesty, please make the decision for me."
After receiving Zhong Mingxin's affirmation, Nalan Deyi looked at Nangong Xin with a cold look in his eyes. "Mingyue, what else do you have to say now?"
Feeling the chill emanating from Nalandeyi, Nangong Xin couldn't help but shudder, "Your Majesty, I...I really didn't do it."
A simple statement of rebuttal seems particularly pale and powerless in the face of facts.
"Mingyue, even now, you're still trying to argue." Nalan Deyi said directly, "If you still insist on your statement, then I will summon the imperial physician now. Once the imperial physician examines Zhong Mingxin's body, we will know whether what he said is true or false."
Upon hearing this, the color drained from Nangong Xin's face, and she lost all her strength and collapsed to the ground.
This situation clearly explains everything.
"Your Majesty, now that everything has been clarified, isn't it time to draw a conclusion?" Zhong Nianyao glanced at Nangong Xin and spoke directly, "Princess Mingyue relied on her status as a princess to keep my father under house arrest for many years. Shouldn't she also be punished?"
Nalan Deyi nodded and immediately announced, "Nangong Xin, you abused your power to bully others and imprisoned Zhong Mingxin for ten years, causing him to be separated from his family for so many years. This is truly a heinous crime. Since you relied on your status as a princess to act arbitrarily, I will abolish your status as a princess today—"
Before she could finish her words, Nangong Xin's face turned even paler. She immediately begged for mercy, "Your Majesty, I truly know I was wrong. Please forgive me this time! Just for my father's sake, let me go this time!"
When Nalandeyi heard Nangong Xin mention General Nangong who died for his country, a trace of emotion flashed in his eyes and a trace of embarrassment appeared on his face.
General Nangong sacrificed his life for his country, but now he has to deal with his only daughter. This is indeed a difficult matter.
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