Chapter 329 Does Shen Ci'an Want to Die?
Xiao Yunheng spoke up from the side, "Crown Princess, you don't need to cover for His Highness the Crown Prince. His Majesty already knows about this matter, and the evidence is conclusive. Do you intend to deceive the Emperor?"
"Does the Crown Prince mean that Lady Shen has been confined to the Eastern Palace by the Crown Prince all along?" Li Jinyan asked, puzzled. "That's utterly absurd!"
"Your Majesty, please forgive me," Jiang Zhi finally spoke, "I am on good terms with the Crown Princess. Today, I entered the palace at her summons to chat with her. I have been with her the whole time and have never left her side. Why would the Prince of Xiang think that the Crown Prince would do something to me?"
She looked at Xiao Yunheng in disbelief, "How could the Crown Prince of Xiang be so well-informed, knowing that I am currently in the Eastern Palace, and finding me with his men so quickly?"
Faced with her questioning, Xiao Yunheng simply smiled knowingly, "I know that Princess Qinghe would say such things to protect her reputation. But now His Majesty is here to stand up for you, so you don't need to be afraid. It was Lord Shen who asked me to rescue you from the Eastern Palace."
His face showed a sense of certainty as he looked at Jiang Zhi kneeling below him.
Jiang Zhi blinked. "It's only been a few hours since we last met, and my husband misses me so much that he even went to find the Prince of Xiang's son."
"Enough!" Emperor Xuanzhao pinched his temples, his head throbbing with frustration. "What on earth is going on?"
Xiao Yunheng cupped his hands to Emperor Xuanzhao, "Your Majesty, the facts are now very clear. The Crown Prince, relying on his power, forcibly abducted Lady Shen and kept her in the Eastern Palace. So many people can testify to this."
"If this matter gets out, it will not only bring shame to the royal family, but also shake the foundation of the country, making the people think that all members of our royal family are such dissolute and shameless people. We beg Your Majesty to make a wise judgment and give Lord Shen and Madam Shen justice!"
Emperor Xuanzhao glared fiercely at Xiao Xuanyou, "Crown Prince, do you know your mistake?"
Xiao Xuanyou lowered his eyes, a hint of disappointment on his face. "Father, do you also believe what the Prince of Xiang said?"
"With so much evidence before me, including Princess Qinghe in the Eastern Palace, how can I not believe it?" Emperor Xuanzhao sneered. "If you didn't do this, why would the Prince of Xiang's heir accuse you, and where would all these witnesses come from?"
"If you're determined to find fault, you'll always find a pretext. I won't admit to something I didn't do." Xiao Xuanyou looked calmly at Xiao Yunheng. "The Crown Prince of Xiang is deliberately trying to frame me. What is your intention?"
On the surface, Xiao Yunheng remained respectful. "Your Highness, you are the heir apparent. If what I have done were not too outrageous, how could I dare to defy the world and do such a thing? Lord Shen lives a life of poverty and is in perfect harmony with his wife. How can you bear to separate them?"
Jiang Zhi kowtowed gracefully, “This morning I bid farewell to my husband and entered the Eastern Palace. All the servants of the Shen family can testify to this. Yet, in the words of the Prince of Xiang, it seems as if I have been in the Eastern Palace for a long time. Since the Prince is so confident in his words, saying that he was entrusted by Lord Shen, why not invite him to come and confront me?”
"Don't worry, Madam Shen, Lord Shen will be here soon," Xiao Yunheng said leisurely.
Did Jiang Zhi still think that Shen Ci'an would speak up for her and cover up the matter for her?
That's too naive.
Shen Ci'an had taken the poison. If he did not do as I said, he would surely die within seven days without the antidote I gave him.
Would Shen Ci'an really risk his life for a woman?
Moreover, it is a fact that Jiang Zhi was kidnapped by Xiao Xuanyou and taken to the East Palace. If Shen Ci'an does not take this opportunity to bring him down, he will never have another chance to rescue his wife.
He will surely weigh the pros and cons.
A clear and melodious voice soon rang out from the doorway, "Your humble servant Shen Ci'an requests an audience with Your Majesty."
"allow."
With Emperor Xuanzhao's permission, Shen Ci'an stepped into the palace from outside.
The afternoon sun shone through the vermilion palace gates, and his blue robe, stained with the smoke of pine needles, made his features appear even more refined and handsome, revealing a subtle air of aloofness and coldness.
After being released from the imperial prison, Shen Ci'an was thinner than usual, but his shoulders and back were straight and long.
After paying his respects to Emperor Xuanzhao, his gaze fell on Jiang Zhi, who was kneeling beside him. Seeing her head bowed and her slender figure, he couldn't help but frown slightly.
"Your Majesty, my wife is in poor health and is still recuperating. May she rise and sit down to speak?"
Emperor Xuanzhao didn't pay attention to these details and waved his hand, "Rise, all of you, and take a seat."
Li Jinyan and Jiang Zhi thanked her and sat down.
Shen Ci'an stood beside her, squeezed her hand, and frowned even more deeply. "Why are your hands still so cold? Were you frightened?"
Xiao Xuanyou leaned back, his phoenix eyes slightly narrowed as he looked at the two clasped hands, then subtly turned his gaze away.
Seeing so many people around, Jiang Zhi felt a little embarrassed and pulled her hand away from his palm, whispering, "I'm fine, teacher. Did you come to the East Palace specifically to take me back to my residence?"
"Yes, I came over right after I finished my shift." Shen Ci'an nodded.
Xiao Yunheng had no time to watch the couple's tender moments and couldn't help but interrupt, "Lord Shen, the matter you entrusted to me has finally made progress today..."
“Miss,” Xiao Yunheng was interrupted by Shen Ci’an’s cold voice before he could finish speaking, “Didn’t you clamor for sugar-coated fruit rolls when you came out this morning? I’ve already sent someone to instruct the kitchen to prepare them. If you’ve finished talking with the Crown Princess, then we’ll bid farewell to His Majesty and return home.”
Before Jiang Zhi could speak, Emperor Xuanzhao raised an eyebrow. "Does Shen Qing mean that Madam Shen met with you at the Shen residence this morning?"
Shen Ci'an looked puzzled, but still replied politely, "Yes, Your Majesty, why do you ask this?"
Emperor Xuanzhao's tiger-like eyes turned to Xiao Yunheng.
When Xiao Yunheng heard Shen Ci'an's words, he immediately thought to himself, "Didn't Lord Shen go to the Prince of Xiang's residence specifically to say that Madam Shen had been kidnapped by the Crown Prince and to ask me for help? What does this mean now?"
His tone carried an unconscious scrutiny and threat.
Does Shen Ci'an not want to live anymore?
Shen Ci'an remained calm and indifferent. "I have never said such a thing to the Prince of Xiang. Perhaps the Prince of Xiang has misheard? My lady has been recuperating at the Shen residence every day. She only came out for a rare moment of relaxation today. How could she have been kidnapped?"
Xiao Yunheng could hardly believe his ears.
"Shen Ci'an!" he gritted his teeth. "Do you know what you're saying?"
Shen Ci'an frowned at him. "Prince Xiang, with His Majesty here, I certainly wouldn't dare to deceive the Emperor. You and I are merely nodding acquaintances. Even if my wife were truly kidnapped, I could go directly to His Majesty to seek justice for me. Moreover, this matter concerns my wife's reputation. Why would I come to Prince Xiang, with whom I have no connection? If Prince Xiang continues to spout nonsense and insult my wife, I will not let this go."
His expression was cold and stern, exuding the imposing aura of someone deeply accustomed to officialdom.
"Lord Shen, you speak nonsense and go back on your word. Aren't you afraid of divine punishment?" Xiao Yunheng's face turned ashen.
This was a veiled threat that he had taken their drugs, and that if he knew what was good for him, he should do as they had agreed beforehand, or his life would be in danger.
Shen Ci'an chuckled lightly, "If the might of Heaven is to be feared, then it is not justice."
For a moment, the air inside the room seemed to freeze.
Xiao Yunheng now understands that Shen Ci'an is determined to help Jiang Zhi and Xiao Xuanyou.
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