The more a couple in love is opposed by their families, the more they feel that they are truly in love.
Gu Xiuxiu outwardly complied but inwardly defied him, pretending to break off her relationship with the scholar while secretly continuing to see him.
However, Gu Xiuxiu had her own bottom line: she would not have any physical intimacy with the scholar before gaining her parents' consent.
The scholar promised to study hard and pass the imperial examination as soon as possible before formally proposing marriage. However, in their subsequent interactions, he always made probing physical advances.
Seeing that Gu Xiuxiu was unhappy, he explained that he couldn't help himself and made a heartfelt confession. The naive girl believed him.
Until a few months ago, the scholar used the excuse of being sick to lure Gu Xiuxiu to his rented courtyard and dragged her there until dark before letting her go home.
But just as Gu Xiuxiu was about to leave, he chased after her and hugged her tightly, making an excuse that he couldn't bear to part with her and wanted her to stay overnight.
Gu Xiuxiu refused, so the scholar planned to use force.
Realizing his true colors, Gu Xiuxiu naturally dared not stay. The scholar lost his patience, slapped Gu Xiuxiu twice, and threatened to kill her if she did not comply. In the struggle, Gu Xiuxiu accidentally killed the scholar.
Since then, Gu Xiuxiu has been unable to speak. She was so frightened that she developed aphasia.
Upon learning the truth, Gu Yucheng and his wife were both angry and afraid. They were worried that their daughter would be sued and were also angry at the scholar for his lack of humanity, so they secretly disposed of the body.
The scholar was from out of town, and no one found him after he disappeared. Just when the Gu family thought the matter had passed peacefully, Li Heng made a request.
Although Gu Xiuxiu could no longer speak, she saw her parents' distress and became aware of it. She then realized that her father had been blackmailed by Li Heng because of her.
After much thought, she decided to go to Ye Zhen herself and seek his help.
"It was my fault for misjudging people and causing trouble for my parents. I don't want them to continue making mistakes because of me."
If I hadn't killed the scholar that night, he would have killed me. I acted in self-defense. My parents loved me and were afraid I would go to jail, so they covered for me.
With tears streaming down her face and pleading in her eyes, Gu Xiuxiu wrote, "I've heard that the princess is a good person. Please help me."
I don't want to die, and I dare not die. My parents only have me; if I die, they will surely suffer for the rest of their lives.
It's all because she's immature.
Unfortunately, she realized it too late.
Ye Zhen never expected that Li Heng could still cause trouble even after being imprisoned.
If things are as Gu Xiuxiu said, the scholar certainly deserves to die, but it is a fact that Gu Xiuxiu committed murder.
Ye Zhen was not an official in charge of the law, and he knew that he could not believe Gu Xiuxiu's one-sided story.
Furthermore, how exactly did Li Heng know about this? Who else besides him knows? This matter needs to be clarified.
"I want to meet your parents."
The fact that the Gu family now knows the royal secret is no small matter.
In the past, if Xie Tingzhou was not present, and the matter concerned royal secrets, she would have reported it to the Emperor, but she had just had a disagreement with the Empress.
Ye Zhen was unwilling to enter the palace again.
The Gu couple arrived quickly.
Upon discovering that her daughter was not at home, Madam Gu was afraid that her daughter might do something rash, so she panicked and hurriedly sought out Master Gu to help her search.
Upon learning that their daughter had sought out Ye Zhen, the couple hurried over.
Upon entering the room, Prison Magistrate Gu knelt down, saying, "I have never done anything for Li Heng, so please, Princess, show leniency."
On the way here, he realized that he should trust Princess Zhaoning rather than Li Heng.
What exactly happened between Gu Xiuxiu and the scholar?
Before questioning her, she had already sent someone to investigate the Gu family.
Gu Yucheng dared not conceal anything, and his account was the same as what Gu Xiuxiu had said.
He pleaded, “Xiuxiu is a woman. Although she accidentally killed him while resisting, if this matter is exposed, not to mention whether the law will punish her, her reputation will be completely ruined. A woman without a reputation is worse than dead in this world.”
"This humble official begs Your Highness to save my daughter. This humble official is willing to serve Your Highness like a slave. I beg Your Highness."
Ye Zhen knew all too well what would happen to a woman whose reputation was ruined, so she asked, "Where is the scholar's body?"
"He was buried by your subordinate at the foot of the mountain outside the city."
Ye Zhen remained silent, telling the three members of the Gu family to wait in the side hall.
When the scouts returned and learned that the Gu family of three were all honest people and were telling the truth, Ye Zhen instructed Xing Ze to follow Gu Yucheng to dig up the remains and dispose of them secretly.
Without the remains, even if the matter is exposed, it will be difficult to verify.
“I will clean up this mess for you, but neither of us needs to investigate the truth of what Li Heng told you. Keep it to yourselves, or I will be the first to make things difficult for you.”
It would be best if the background of the Prince of Yan's heir were not revealed; otherwise, if he were to develop ambitions, Xie Tingzhou would be the one in trouble.
This is one of the reasons why Ye Zhen decided to help the Gu family.
As for Li Heng, she could not tolerate him causing any more trouble.
After dealing with the Gu family's affairs, Ye Zhen returned to the Marquis's residence.
She did not hide anything and truthfully told Shi Yan about everything that happened in the palace and with Li Heng.
Upon hearing this, a storm suddenly raged in Shi Yan's eyes.
He had no intention of breaking up their relationship, yet the Empress still disliked his daughter.
In this generation of the Shi family, Ye Zhen is their only precious daughter, and she is as valuable as gold and jade. How could they allow the Empress of Dayuan to be picky about her?
Ye Zhen shook his sleeve. "Father, this matter has nothing to do with Xie Azhao. He is fine."
The father's anger was forcibly suppressed by his protective daughter.
"Yes, Father won't hold a grudge against him."
But we have to teach Ooyuki a lesson.
He patted the woman's head gently. "Your great-grandmother was once the Crown Princess. If you are willing, the Shi family's empire can also be given to you. Xie Azhao can become a son-in-law of the Shi family. My Shi family can afford to support him and will not mistreat him."
This is the source of her daughter's confidence.
After saying that, he asked Ye Zhen, "What are your plans regarding Li Heng?"
Ye Zhen thought for a moment, then took out the jade whistle. "Father, will you accompany me to the death row tonight?"
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