Chapter 232: Rectify the name! Restore the identity! !
Xi Qingtong was chatting and laughing with several officials' wives when she heard the eunuch summon her. The candied fruit in her hand clattered onto the table. She hurriedly straightened her clothes, her heart pounding as she followed Song Yunhe into the main hall with the eunuch.
As soon as he entered the hall, the tense atmosphere made Xi Qingtong's heart hang in the air, especially when he saw Xiao Ji Qingwu standing in the center, that bad premonition reached its peak.
Fortunately, Song Yunhe secretly squeezed her hand and whispered, "Hold steady." At this moment, Xi Qingtong suddenly felt that the man next to her was not without merit.
After the two knelt and bowed, Xiao Yuancheng went straight to the point: "Madam Song, Prince Ning accused you of switching identities with Princess Zhao. You are actually the eldest daughter of the Xi family. Is this true?"
As the words fell, Xi Qingtong's mind went blank. How could this happen? How could this matter have reached the emperor? She didn't even have time to look at Prince An or dwell on what happened that day before she was shocked by this sudden news.
Xi Qingtong shuddered, subconsciously glancing towards Qingwu. The sister she had once so disdainfully looked at was now far calmer and composed than herself. She was gazing at her with a calm gaze, devoid of resentment, but instead holding a hint of elusive depth.
This made Xi Qingtong feel extremely uncomfortable, but now fear prevailed. She looked at her father Xi Jianan in panic, only to see that her father had a frown on his face, his eyes full of anxiety and warning.
This glance made Xi Qingtong realize that if she admitted it in public, not only would she be guilty of deceiving the emperor, but the entire Xi family would be implicated.
Yes, she couldn't admit it! Even if she hated this sister, she couldn't admit it. If the Xi family fell, she couldn't live!
But under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Xi Qingtong was extremely panicked and trembling all over.
After comparing him with Qingwu standing on the side, countless people felt that King Ning had made a mistake. It was clear who was superior and who was inferior. Isn't it obvious who was raised in the capital and who grew up in the countryside?
The hall was so quiet that one could hear the sound of a silver needle falling to the ground.
"Your Majesty..." Xi Qingtong's voice trembled, her head lowered to the ground. She bit her lower lip, the taste of blood spreading in her mouth, and finally squeezed out a sentence: "Your Majesty...Your Majesty is the second daughter of the Xi family."
She admitted in front of the emperor that she was the second daughter of the Xi family. The moment she finished speaking, Xi Qingtong thought she would be extremely upset, but she seemed to feel relieved?
She told herself that, yes, she was the second daughter of the Xi family. She was the last born of the twin sisters. This was not a crime of deceiving the emperor...
Once he acknowledged this fact, Xi Qingtong seemed to have regained a bit of courage.
Prince Ning interrupted anxiously: "You are obviously the eldest daughter..." The little maidservant has served Madam Zheng for many years, how could she not recognize the two ladies?
"Father... Your Majesty... I want to bring the little maid into the hall..."
“That’s enough!”
Xiao Yuancheng no longer wanted to watch this farce. How could his birthday party be disrupted by such a thing?
"What else do you want? Madam Song is so timid and Princess Zhao is so graceful. Can't you see it?" The emperor pointed at the two girls below and shouted angrily.
Everyone nodded in agreement when they heard this. Indeed, her sword dance was stunning before, and now she is so calm in the face of adversity. Princess Zhao is indeed a noble lady who was raised in the capital.
Qingwu did not show any complacency in the face of admiring eyes. She was the disciple taught by her grandmother herself. So what if she had never read the Four Books and Five Classics, or learned piano, chess, calligraphy and painting?
She turned to look at Xiao Ji, then at her father Xi Jianan, and finally nodded slightly to Xi Jianan.
Xi Jianan met his gaze, took a deep breath, stepped forward, knelt beside Xi Qingtong and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I have something to say."
Xiao Yuancheng was still waiting for Xi Jianan's longevity tripod, so he was naturally friendly to him. "My dear, please speak."
Xi Jianan kowtowed, his voice heavy with grief: "I beg you to die! Your Highness Prince Ning's words do have a hidden truth, but it is not entirely true." He raised his head, tears in his eyes, "Prince Zhao's Concubine did grow up in the countryside."
The whole hall was in an uproar, and there was a lot of discussion. Xi Qingtong looked at his father beside him in surprise. Why did he suddenly admit it?
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Xiao Ji and Qing Wu silently dropped their robes and knelt down, a father, two daughters and two sons-in-law standing in neat rows.
Xi Jianan ignored the surrounding discussions and continued, "But she is the true eldest daughter of the Xi family! Fourteen years ago, the eldest daughter Qingwu unfortunately became homeless, and for many years I believed she was no longer alive. Therefore, the second daughter Qingtong has been raised as the eldest daughter... and was also mistakenly regarded as the eldest daughter..."
He pointed at his two daughters and said, "But Your Majesty, please look, my two daughters are Qingwu and Qingtong. The order of Wutong and Wutong is clearly marked, and there is also a family tree to prove it. It was only because I was too sad back then that I did not correct it..."
Having said that, Xi Qingtong was still shocked that her father dared to admit it, but the following words made her terrified.
"As for the matter of the arranged marriage," Xi Jianan kowtowed again. "When Your Majesty was selecting a concubine for Prince Zhao, I knew Your Majesty was referring to Qingtong, who grew up in the capital. However, your second daughter Qingtong and Song Tanhua were childhood sweethearts, so she came to me with her plea... I simply couldn't bear to separate them, so I resorted to this desperate measure and let my eldest daughter marry into the Eastern Palace... All the blame lies solely with me. Your Majesty, please punish me!"
These words were spoken with such sincerity that they saved the royal family's reputation and explained the reason for the sisters' exchange. Only Song Yunhe and Xi Qingtong were deeply stunned. They were clearly swapped after the wedding, so how could they be swapped before the wedding?
At this moment, Xiao Ji also spoke at the right time, "This son has already known this. Madam was very frank with me when we were in the palace. I don't mind that I grew up in the countryside. On the contrary, I am grateful for it. If it weren't for Madam's resilience and wisdom from the hardships she has experienced, how could you have helped me not give up in my most dangerous time and persevered through the lowest point?"
He looked at Qingwu firmly, his peach blossom eyes full of affection. He wanted to tell others that he really didn't mind!
"The countryside nurtured your kindness and wisdom, and the suffering of the people sharpened your broad mind and sense of responsibility. I am fortunate to have such a virtuous wife."
Qingwu met his eyes, and even though she knew that these had been discussed long ago, her eyes couldn't help but tear up again.
The words were spoken with such sincerity that all the officials in the hall were moved. Several senior officials nodded in approval, secretly praising Prince Zhao for his broad-mindedness and discernment.
At this moment, the Grand Princess of Anyang, who had been sitting silently at the head of the table, suddenly spoke up. "Prince Zhao's Concubine first arranged for her sister's marriage, helping the sisters to marry, demonstrating her kindness. Later, she stayed with Prince Zhao when he was exiled to the temporary palace, demonstrating her righteousness. Today, she handled the situation calmly in front of the palace, showcasing her wisdom. Her sword dance astonished everyone, demonstrating her talent. Such kindness, righteousness, wisdom, and talent are all present. How can an ordinary boudoir compare to her?"
She slowly stood up and nodded slightly towards the throne. "I think a woman like this is worthy of the title 'noble lady'. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
These words were so powerful that everyone in the palace nodded in agreement. Qing Wu looked at the princess he had never met in surprise, but saw a kind look in her eyes. He couldn't help but feel touched and surprised. Could it be that Grandma had told her?
Little did she know that Princess Anyang had not known this before, but she had seen signs of familiarity in her sword dance.
Xiao Yuanben didn't want to make this matter awkward at all, so he immediately stroked his beard and smiled, "Aunt is right. Now it seems that a combination of circumstances has led to a happy marriage. Although the Sixth Brother's wife grew up in the countryside, who wouldn't praise her beauty and talent today? As expected, a pearl is a pearl..."
He looked at Xi Jianan and said, "I can forgive Xi Aiqing's love for his daughter, but the crime of deceiving the emperor must be punished. However, since I did write the name of the Xi family's eldest daughter on my imperial edict, I will fine you three years' salary as a warning to others."
This decision not only saved the royal family's reputation but also gave them a way out. Prince Ning, Prince An, and the others stared wide-eyed. Their carefully planned plan had been shattered just like that?!
They could only watch helplessly as the emperor looked at Qingwu and said gently, "Good child, from now on you will be your Princess Zhao. As the royal jade disc has not been completed yet, I will record it with your real name."
As soon as the words fell, everyone looked at Qing Wu. Amidst the gazes, tears gleamed in Qing Wu's eyes, and he knelt solemnly: "Your Highness, I bow to you and thank you for your grace!"
When she raised her head again, the girl's lips were covered with the brightest smile. Although there were tears in her eyes, no one could fail to see her joy.
She can finally use her own identity. She is Qingwu, not Xi Qingtong!
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