Chapter 143 I’m glad I’m not pregnant
When Prince Rui shouted, all the civil and military officials present who had eyes could see the miserable state of Princess Rui who was held by Madam Zheng, and they cursed in their hearts: What a beast.
Many of the officials of the Rui Wang Party lowered their heads and dared not speak out to remind people, but they were shouting in their hearts: Ancestor, please stop shouting!
The person was lying there, and just to let His Majesty see the injuries on her body, the girl even rolled up her sleeves. If the Zheng family had not been extremely wronged, why would they use the reputation of their own women to frame Prince Rui? Wouldn't that be crazy?
In fact, Prince Rui did not see it because he was blocked by the emperor's body.
The emperor's expression changed visibly. He turned around and looked at his son kneeling before him. "Jingyu, why did the Zheng family frame you?"
Prince Rui gritted his teeth and said, "Father, it must be my brother who instigated..."
Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by the cold-faced emperor, "You married the daughter of the Zheng family, and abused her. Were these two things also instigated by your royal brother?"
Prince Rui was speechless and looked up in surprise, "Father...Father?"
At this moment, the emperor looked at his son in front of him and was disappointed. He had not done anything great and often left handles for him. Whenever something happened, he would only beg for mercy from him or push the blame onto his other son.
He had devoted so much effort to this youngest son, after all, he was born to him and his beloved concubine.
But now, everything proves that this youngest son is far inferior to the eldest son in every aspect.
"Look up and see what you've done to people!"
Prince Rui stood up tremblingly and looked in the direction the emperor pointed. He saw that the princess, who was usually docile and allowed herself to be beaten and scolded by him without resistance, was now lying there, with scars all over her body, allowing people to see her.
Dozens of officials were kneeling there, and the Zheng family members stared at him with hatred, especially Mrs. Zheng, who seemed to be about to rush over and fight him to the death.
Prince Rui never thought that Zheng Qingrong would tell this matter, and that the Zheng family, who had always been loyal to him, would actually come to his father and bite him!
The Zheng family is really ungrateful and deserves to die!
This is not a big deal. Do they, a group of outsiders, expect the emperor to do anything for his own son for them?
It's really ridiculous.
Prince Rui knelt on the ground to explain himself, "Father, I did have an argument with the princess today and accidentally pushed her, but I had no intention of hurting her. Please understand."
Lord Zheng's eyes were filled with anger. "Your Highness, Prince Rui! My daughter has been abused by you for two years, and her old injuries haven't healed yet. How dare you lie like that?"
King Rui sneered, "Old wounds still unhealed?"
"Where is the old wound that hasn't healed? How come I didn't see it? Lord Zheng, words are not enough!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the surroundings became quiet for a while.
The officials looked at each other in confusion. Yes, they indeed didn’t see any old injuries.
Chen Niao was so angry that she wanted to rush forward. She saw the injuries on her friend's body clearly, but now King Rui said that there was no evidence!
Does Arong have to take off his clothes to prove himself?
Yu Qinghuan held her hand and whispered, "We've done everything we can to help. The rest depends on whether she can take the risk herself."
Ultimately, this matter depends on Zheng Qingrong herself.
She married the wrong man. If she wants to get rid of all this completely, especially when the man is Prince Rui, how can she not suffer a lot?
Lord Zheng and his wife were so angry that they nearly fainted. Zheng Qingrong slowly regained consciousness, opened her eyes with difficulty, kowtowed to the emperor, and said weakly, "Your Majesty, I may undress and examine your injuries."
The emperor's throat rolled as he looked at Zheng Qingrong in front of him. How could he not know what kind of temper his youngest son had?
Once the injury is examined, things will not end well.
He glared at his youngest son, signaling with his eyes that he should apologize quickly and not make a bigger deal out of it.
But King Rui didn't understand the meaning of this look, let alone the thought of apologizing. "Father, please stand up for me. Don't let anyone frame me!"
Hearing this, Zheng Qingrong's face turned pale. It had come to this. If the emperor really showed partiality, it would be the end of her and the Zheng family after today...
She had come this far, there was no turning back.
Thinking of this, and what Yu Qinghuan had said before, Zheng Qingrong gritted her teeth, forced herself to stand up, and reached out to untie her belt in front of everyone.
As long as Xiao Jingyu saw the wounds on his body, he would be speechless. There were also the concubines in the palace who were also brutally beaten, and the maids who were beaten to death... As long as he had this wound, there would be nothing he could not find if he continued to investigate.
Mr. and Mrs. Zheng's eyes turned red and they hurriedly held their daughter's hand.
Zheng Qingrong's face was filled with tears. "Father and mother, I am an unfilial daughter. I really can't bear it anymore. If I continue to marry this man, I am afraid that one day I will be beaten to death by him like those maids in the mansion..."
Upon hearing this, the faces of all the civil and military officials changed. Prince Rui actually beat a maid to death in his mansion!?
The Minister of Revenue suddenly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty! I daresay that over a dozen concubines and maids have died of illness in Prince Rui's mansion over the past six months. One of these concubines was the daughter of the head of the Qingli Division, under my jurisdiction. When her body was brought back, it was covered in wounds!"
"Your Majesty, I submitted this matter to the emperor earlier this month, and I have all the witnesses and evidence."
Those maids and concubines had no background and died quietly, so they could not be used against Prince Rui.
But Zheng Qingrong is different. She is not only the princess consort of Prince Rui, but also has the entire Zheng family behind her. Now that she has spoken up, these little things that the emperor has deliberately favored can no longer be brushed aside as before.
Censor Chen took the opportunity to kneel and say, "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness Prince Rui is abusive and unworthy of his position. The disasters of the previous dynasty are still before us!"
The emperor looked at Zheng Qingrong, whose clothes were untied and who was being held down by the Zheng couple, and he suddenly didn't want to see his son anymore.
This son whom he had loved for more than ten years had now brought shame upon himself.
"Issue the decree." The emperor closed his eyes, his voice tinged with fatigue. "Prince Rui Xiao Jingyu has committed misconduct. His double salary is revoked. Upon his return to the capital, he must reflect on his mistakes for a year. Princess Rui... grants a divorce letter. Zheng Qing will take him home to recuperate. He will also be awarded a thousand taels of gold."
The night wind suddenly blew, and the Zheng family felt relieved. Zheng Qingrong cried with joy and knelt on the ground to express her gratitude.
The voice of King Rui defending himself was still floating in the wind, but it soon faded away.
All the civil and military officials knew that after what happened tonight, Prince Rui's situation was hopeless and he would not be able to cause any more major troubles. The Crown Prince's position as the heir to the throne was secure.
The emperor looked tired and coughed heavily a few times. He was helped back to the dragon tent by the eunuchs. His back was hunched, as if he had aged by ten years.
Chen Niao almost cried. She held Yu Qinghuan's hand tightly and wanted to say some words of thanks, but she was afraid that if others heard it, it would cause trouble for Yu Qinghuan.
Yu Qinghuan's eyes met Xiao Jinghe who was not far away.
Now that Prince Rui has been sentenced to solitary confinement, the situation is hopeless, and the emperor is in poor health. I believe it won't be long before this man will sit on the throne.
She suddenly felt fortunate that she was not pregnant.
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