Chapter 61 "In your heart, this is how I am..."
“Cousin Xingtai?” Zhao Ying asked curiously, “What happened to him?”
"That person said that in the afternoon, the Dali Temple sent someone to invite my brother to the yamen for questioning. After my brother left, he did not return for a long time. Later, people from the Dali Temple came again, saying that my brother was involved in a murder case and they had to temporarily detain him in jail."
Zhao Ying was taken aback. "How could there be a murder case?"
Xue Mingyao said with a pained expression, "I'm totally confused too!"
The servant who brought the news was unaware of the details and spoke vaguely. Xue Mingyao dared not think about what trouble Xue Xingtai had gotten into.
“Yingniang, I’m afraid I won’t be able to have dinner with you and the Prince Consort. I have to go back to the manor to ask.”
“Of course,” Zhao Ying hesitated slightly. “Actually, the Prince Consort also invited General Xie tonight. He’s in the second hall. Why don’t you go and discuss it with him first?”
......
Inside the second hall, several dishes of snacks and two cups of wine were placed on the table, the wine shimmering with an amber luster under the candlelight.
"General Xie, let's have a few drinks first. The princess will be joining us later, and then we'll move on," Chen Liangzheng said with a smile.
Xie Zhuo nodded and raised his glass, his gaze drifting almost imperceptibly toward the door.
He didn't have to wait long.
Xue Mingyao arrived with the princess. Her emerald green skirt rippled like spring water, and suddenly caught his eye.
"Your Highness." Xue Mingyao greeted Chen Liangzheng simply, then looked directly at Xie Zhuo.
Xie Zhuo looked back at her quietly, his eyes filled with turbulent emotions.
"Come with me, I want to talk to you privately," Xue Mingyao said in a low voice, pulling his sleeve.
Xie Zhuo remained silent, letting Xue Mingyao lead him by the sleeve to the corridor.
Xue Mingyao released him and asked directly, "Someone from the Xue family said that my elder brother has been imprisoned in the Dali Temple prison. Does this have anything to do with you?"
Xie Zhuo was taken aback. "What do you mean? What happened to your brother?"
"You didn't plot against my brother in secret, and you didn't use him to blackmail me?" Xue Mingyao asked again.
"Of course not!" Xie Zhuo slowly realized what was happening, his face turning ashen. "Is that how you see me? Xue Xingtai is my brother-in-law, why would I want to harm him?"
"That's good," Xue Mingyao said. "You have a criminal record, so I have to be careful."
She knew that the possibility of Xie Zhuo doing this was very small, but since he had used Xue Xingtai against her before, and their relationship had become so strained, she couldn't feel at ease unless she asked him.
"It's alright, go back and have dinner with them." Xue Mingyao quickly said this, gracefully went into the house to say goodbye to Zhao Ying and her husband, borrowed a carriage from them, and immediately set off for the Xue residence.
Xie Zhuo was left standing to the side, chugging his wine, showing no intention of following Xue Mingyao.
Zhao Ying and her husband exchanged glances. Xie Zhuo put down his wine cup, smiled wryly, and cupped his hands in greeting. "It's really unfortunate tonight. I'll take my leave now. Princess, Brother Liangzheng, I'll come again another day."
The couple had no objections, and it would be awkward for them to force Xie Zhuo to stay in this situation.
......
Meanwhile, Xue Mingyao arrived at the Xue residence at top speed.
Upon entering the house, her sister-in-law looked distressed, and Xue Mingyu was shedding tears; both of them seemed completely lost.
"What happened to my brother? How did he suddenly get involved in a murder?" Xue Mingyao asked anxiously.
"I don't know!" The woman shook her head. "The people from the Dali Temple said the deceased was a boy from the Feng family, and that your brother should be held responsible for his death!"
"The Feng family boy? Is he Yuniang's fiancé, Feng Sheng?" Xue Mingyao asked suspiciously.
Xue Mingyu's sobs grew louder.
“He’s not my fiancé anymore,” my sister-in-law explained frantically. “The Feng family sent a matchmaker to our house to exchange betrothal gifts, which was considered to have settled the marriage. But a few days ago, your brother was eating out and overheard Feng Sheng bragging to someone in the next room. He found out that this man was keeping a mistress. Keeping a mistress before marriage? That’s unacceptable! Your brother quickly called off the engagement.”
Xue Mingyao slapped her thigh and exclaimed, "I knew the Feng family was unreliable! Yuniang can't marry someone like that. Good thing she backed out!"
Xue Mingyu sobbed, "I'd rather cut my hair and become a nun."
"What nonsense are you talking about? It's just a broken engagement. My husband was fine even if I died." Xue Mingyao then looked at her sister-in-law, "And then, how did Feng Sheng die? What did my brother do to him?"
“Your brother didn’t say that,” his sister-in-law said, tears welling up in her eyes again. “He couldn’t possibly have actually killed someone; he must have been framed.”
Xue Mingyao frowned. "With your status, Brother, the Dali Temple wouldn't detain you rashly. They probably have evidence in their hands."
The woman cried out in a trembling voice, "Yao Niang, don't scare me. Your brother may be a bit of a fool, but he would never harm anyone. At most, he'll beat Feng Sheng up!"
Xue Mingyao herself was also flustered, but she forced herself to comfort her, "I know, sister-in-law, don't worry."
"How can I not be anxious? That's the Dali Temple! If the murder is confirmed, will your brother... will he ever come back?"
"I'll come back, I'll definitely come back," Xue Mingyao said firmly, holding her sister-in-law's hand.
Her sister-in-law murmured, "Yao Niang, you must save your brother. If he doesn't come back, I can't live either."
The Xue family only had a few masters in the capital. Sister-in-law was a few years older than Xue Mingyao, but she had less experience. Xue Mingyu was still a child at heart, so only Xue Mingyao, as a princess, could make decisions.
She composed herself and said, "Don't worry, my brother is my only brother, of course I have to bring him back. Sister-in-law, I'll stay here tonight. You pack some of my brother's clothes, and I'll try to visit him in prison at Dali Temple tomorrow and send them over to ask him what happened."
Upon hearing Xue Mingyao's words, her sister-in-law seemed to have found a pillar of support and nodded vigorously, "Alright, I'll listen to Yao Niang. It's wonderful that you're willing to stay."
At this point, he seemed to remember something else. "Yaoniang, the messenger couldn't find you at the Xie residence. Why are you staying at the princess's place? Did you and General Xie have a falling out?"
Xue Mingyao forced a smile, "There's no conflict. I just miss Yingniang, so I'm going to stay with her for a few days."
The woman was skeptical, and whispered, "If only General Xie could help, but you're just a woman, it's not appropriate for you to step forward..."
Xue Mingyao lowered her head and drank a large cup of tea without saying a word.
......
The following morning, Xue Mingyao went to Dali Temple to visit the prisoner.
Her sister-in-law was emotionally unstable, so Xue Mingyao, being cautious, did not let her go with her. Instead, she ordered Lüzhi to carry two baskets of food, clothing, and daily necessities and accompany her to the Dali Temple government office.
Since it was her first time there, Xue Mingyao wasn't intimidated at all and readily announced her title as a princess.
The Dali Temple often detained countless officials, both high and low, during investigations. They were used to this kind of situation. Unless it was a major or special case, they would usually make exceptions for the families of the deceased. Moreover, Xue Mingyao was a princess, so it was not easy to offend her. Therefore, after waiting for a while, an official came to check the items on the green ribbon. After confirming that there were no problems, he led them to see Xue Xingtai.
In broad daylight, the prison was damp and desolate, with only the dim candlelight.
Xue Xingtai's cell wasn't far away; it was just a few steps from the door. Perhaps considering his status, the cell conditions were acceptable, with a couch, a stool, and a table. Although the lighting was dim, it looked clean and tidy.
Xue Mingyao breathed a slight sigh of relief. Fortunately, it wasn't a nasty place infested with insects and rats, otherwise her brother would have definitely fallen ill.
Xue Xingtai sat cross-legged on the couch, looking listless. When the jailer opened the door, he saw her, and his dull eyes lit up.
“Yao Niang, I knew it was you,” Xue Xingtai said with a wry smile. “I’m sorry to have troubled you, brother.”
Xue Mingyao sighed, "It's alright, I've caused you a lot of trouble too."
The brother and sister were troublemakers who gave General Xue a headache from a young age. They didn't learn any skills but only developed bad tempers. They were carefree and caused trouble, thinking that their father and reliable older brother would take care of them if the sky fell. However, their father and brother passed away one after another, and there was no one left in the Xue family's direct line. The two of them took turns cleaning up each other's messes.
"What did you do to Feng Sheng?" Xue Mingyao asked.
Xue Xingtai rummaged through the things his wife had prepared for him, pulled out a brocade blanket and wrapped it around himself, put on his daughter's little socks, and recounted what had happened with a dejected expression.
It turned out that the breakup with the Feng family had been extremely unpleasant. When Feng Sheng saw that the marriage was hopeless, his attitude changed drastically. He made many derogatory remarks about Xue Mingyu and mocked the Xue family for their decline and fall in status. Although Xue Xingtai cursed back on the spot, he still felt that he couldn't swallow his anger afterward.
Two days ago, he had been drinking with some people and, fueled by alcohol, wanted to beat up Feng Sheng to vent his anger. He went to Feng's residence to inquire, but Feng Sheng wasn't there, so he went to his outer residence to look for him.
The outer courtyard was empty. Feng Sheng lay on the couch, also reeking of alcohol, fast asleep.
Xue Xingtai punched him three times, but he didn't wake up. Feeling bored, Xue Xingtai left on his own.
When the Dali Temple came knocking, Xue Xingtai learned that Feng Sheng had died that afternoon, on that very bed.
"So you killed Feng Sheng with three punches?" Xue Mingyao asked in surprise.
"Impossible!" Xue Xingtai denied categorically. "I'm very careful when I beat people. I don't hit vital organs, I only leave external wounds and not internal ones. I just make them feel a little pain, but I never kill them."
Xue Mingyao remained silent, recalling the beating Xue Xingtai had inflicted on Xie Qinglang, which had indeed resulted in external injuries that had caused considerable pain.
"Besides, it was just three punches, how could anyone die? In my opinion, Feng Sheng might have died from drinking too much, otherwise, it's strange that he didn't react at all after I punched him three times. He was probably already dead then. It's a pity I was too drunk to notice, sigh!"
Xue Mingyao thought for a moment and asked, "Brother, do you know what the coroner said about Feng Sheng's cause of death?"
"The coroner said it was a sudden death, but he couldn't see anything else. There are many things that can cause a sudden death: drinking, falling, or even a person dying suddenly without doing anything. In the end, he blamed me. I was stupid; I even admitted that I punched him three times, one of which was in his chest. Now, I can't explain whether he's dead or alive."
Xue Mingyao looked distressed. "No wonder the Dali Temple wants to imprison you. Brother, you really sound like a murderer."
Xue Xingtai said urgently, "It was definitely not me, Yaoniang, really. I felt something when I was beating Feng Sheng; he didn't seem like a living person!"
“You have a feeling, but you have no proof.” Xue Mingyao rubbed her head. “By the way, what about the mistress in that house? What about the servants? Feng Sheng is drunk and sleeping, is no one taking care of him?”
"When I went there, I didn't see anyone. It's said that his mistress ran away with her maid and valuables, and they haven't found her yet. When the Feng family went to look for Feng Sheng, the place was empty, and Feng Sheng was lying dead on the bed."
"Did the mistress run away before you arrived, or after you left?"
"I don't know, I only know that no one stopped me when I went there," Xue Xingtai said honestly.
Xue Mingyao's heart sank to the bottom, and she murmured, "This is going to be difficult."
A life for a life. Feng Sheng died at the hands of Xue Xingtai, and there wasn't enough evidence. Xue Xingtai was the late Empress's nephew and the son of a prince, so he wouldn't have lost his life for that.
But if we can't exonerate my brother and the Dali Temple decides the case this way, he will definitely be dismissed from his post and punished with imprisonment or caning. That won't do either!
"It's alright, Yaoniang." Xue Xingtai forced a smile. "We're the Xue family, we call the Emperor 'Uncle,' how could we let the Dali Temple bully us? Look, they don't dare to mistreat me, the food they prepare is a cut above the rest."
"Anyway, I know I didn't kill Feng Sheng, so I won't confess, and they won't dare to force a confession."
"Yao Niang, go and beg the Emperor, and also ask your brother-in-law to think of a way. He holds a high position and has more power than you or I!"
Seeing Xue Xingtai's expectant gaze, Xue Mingyao forced a smile, "Yes, brother, don't worry, I will do my best to get you out of here and won't let you be wronged. Just stay here and I'll have my sister-in-law come to see you tomorrow."
Xue Xingtai readily agreed and even told her to try bringing in a pot of wine the next day.
When Xue Mingyao returned home, she told her sister-in-law what had happened. Her sister-in-law was in tears, and Xue Mingyao had to comfort her.
"I'm going to the palace this afternoon, sister-in-law, don't worry."
Several hours later, Xue Mingyao boarded a carriage adorned with small lanterns from the Xue family mansion and rode rumbled into the street.
After leaving the palace, she pondered for a long time in the carriage before ordering the driver to turn towards the Forbidden Garden adjacent to the palace.
That was the location of the Jade Unicorn Guard. Xue Mingyao had come to see her elder brother before and found the place easily.
The guards at the gate stopped her, saying, "This is a heavily guarded area; please wait, sir."
Xue Mingyao remained calm, while Green Branch stood in front of her and said sweetly, "My mistress is Princess Yongning."
The guard said sternly, "Neither princess nor noblewoman are allowed to enter this gate."
Xue Mingyao sighed inwardly that the Jade Unicorn Guard under Xie Zhuo's command was indeed different. In the past, when she came, she could just swagger in and no one dared to stop her.
Green Branch coughed lightly, "Your mistress is General Xie's wife. Can't even the general's wife come in?"
The guard hesitated for a moment, then, a beat late, connected Princess Yongning with the General's wife. His face fell, for the General hadn't said whether the wife could enter.
I don't know if this lady is real or not; what if she's an imposter?
Thinking of this, the guard couldn't help but glance at the richly dressed woman in front of him. He was met with a sharp yet alluring glare from the beauty, which made him shudder and his heart pound a few times.
"Are we allowed in or not?" Xue Mingyao asked sweetly, a smile playing on her lips as she looked at the guard's reddened ears.
The guard dared not look up again and whispered, "Madam, please wait a moment. I will send someone to inform her."
Xue Mingyao returned to the carriage without saying a word.
Half a cup of tea's time passed, and still no guard came to invite her. Xue Mingyao's already uneasy mind became even more anxious. Could Xie Zhuo be putting on airs and refusing to see her? If so, she would have no choice but to force her way in. This little guard might not be able to stop her.
Thinking this, he suddenly heard a series of steady footsteps. The carriage door opened from the outside, the curtain was lifted, and Xie Zhuo, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, stood in front of him, as handsome as a jade tree with striking features.
Xue Mingyao was momentarily stunned.
Xie Zhuo gazed at her with his clear, aloof eyes, as dark as ink, and then slowly extended his hand towards her.
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