Chapter 328 Witnesses and Physical Evidence Abound
Lin Qiyun barely suppressed her nervousness. "Back then, at the Frost Festival in Yaocheng, Princess Qinghe, as a saintess, walked onto the altar with His Highness the Crown Prince to bless the people. However, the altar collapsed, causing His Highness the Crown Prince to be seriously injured and fall into a coma."
"I know about this." Emperor Xuanzhao's voice was unreadable.
"But Your Majesty is unaware that this was actually the work of the wicked woman, and Father was implicated entirely because of her. The wicked woman initially targeted Princess Qinghe, and it had nothing to do with His Highness the Crown Prince. When the altar collapsed, His Highness the Crown Prince was seriously injured while protecting Princess Qinghe. Furthermore, it was Princess Qinghe who took care of His Highness's injuries in the General's Mansion afterwards."
Lin Qiyun originally wanted to say more, including the matter of the Crown Prince and Xie Qi fighting over Jiang Zhi.
But the Crown Prince also instructed that Lord Shen loved his wife dearly and that no one else should be involved except the Crown Prince, otherwise he would not be able to get the antidote.
Even if Lin Qiyun were killed, he would never have imagined that the orphan girl who had no power or influence in Yaocheng and could only stand on her own by relying on Xie Qi's love would actually be the daughter of a high-ranking official, the Princess of Qinghe County personally appointed by the Emperor, and would even be married in the capital.
She couldn't understand why a married woman could make Xie Qi so obsessed, why the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard would serve her so diligently, and why the Crown Prince would risk his life to save her.
Xiao Xuanyou remained calm and composed, leaning back on the couch. "Father, these are just baseless speculations. Although I am acquainted with Princess Qinghe, I have always kept to my proper place and have never overstepped my bounds. I beg the Prince of Xiang not to listen to slander."
"Your Majesty, I swear on my life that Lady Shen is currently in the Eastern Palace. I beg Your Majesty to allow me to search the palace. If I cannot find her, I am willing to accept punishment without hesitation."
His spies kept a close eye on Jiang Zhi to make sure she stayed in the East Palace.
Emperor Xuanzhao frowned, glanced at the physician, then at Lin Qiyun, and said in a deep and authoritative voice, "The search of the palace is no small matter. Does the Prince of Xiang have any other evidence?"
“Of course there are.” Xiao Yunheng smiled, and then a third person was brought in.
"This is the second young lady of Minister Jiang's household. As the younger sister of Princess Qinghe, her words are certainly more credible than those of others."
Xiao Yunheng looked at Jiang Yunqian and said, "Please tell me what you saw and heard that night, Miss Jiang."
Jiang Yunqian stepped forward and gracefully bowed.
She has had a difficult time lately. Her mother was executed, and her reputation was ruined, so she couldn't find a good family to marry into, and it has been dragging on until now.
He had initially thought Jiang Zhi was dead, and he was happy about it for a long time.
Unexpectedly, she returned to Kyoto and resumed her role as Lady Shen unharmed.
This made Jiang Yunqian unable to swallow her anger no matter what.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. No one knows that His Highness the Crown Prince has always coveted my elder sister. He even tried to steal her away on the very day Lord Shen and my elder sister got married."
Emperor Xuanzhao glared at her fierce eyes, "Miss Jiang, do you know what you're saying? You're slandering the Crown Prince, and you're damaging his reputation. Can you bear the consequences?"
Jiang Yunqian was terrified by Emperor Xuanzhao's imposing presence and broke out in a cold sweat, but she still mustered her courage and said, "Every word I have said is true, and I would never dare to deceive Your Majesty. It is just that my elder sister had anticipated the Crown Prince's actions that day and had me disguise myself as a bride and sit in the bridal sedan chair. Therefore, the person Your Highness abducted that day was not my elder sister, but me."
Emperor Xuanzhao had also heard about the incident on the day of Shen Ci'an's wedding, where someone tried to snatch the bride in public. However, Shen Ci'an later brought Princess Qinghe back to his residence, and the two married smoothly, so the matter was left unresolved.
I never expected there to be such a hidden story.
"I don't know what the purpose is of the Prince of Xiang gathering these people together to slander me. But since you insist on searching the palace, as long as Father Emperor approves, then search."
He rubbed his temples, looking exhausted and clearly lacking energy.
Emperor Xuanzhao's gaze shifted between Xiao Xuanyou and Xiao Yunheng.
The Crown Prince is usually composed, respectful, and upright, and he is also proud of his status. He doesn't seem like the kind of person who would forcibly take a subject's wife.
But Xiao Yunheng spoke with absolute certainty, and even gathered so many witnesses, making it impossible for anyone not to believe him.
Moreover, this matter concerns Lady Shen's reputation and the honor of the royal family, so it cannot actually be tried in court at the Dali Temple.
It was truly difficult for him to make a decision unilaterally.
"Since the Crown Prince has said so, then Prince Xiang should send someone to look for them. Remember, it's just a search; don't make a big fuss, and don't frighten anyone in the Eastern Palace, understand?"
Xiao Yunheng was overjoyed, but he didn't show it on his face. He immediately accepted the order with pleasure, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will obey your decree."
After saying that, he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Xiao Xuanyou, saying, "Your Highness, please forgive me."
Xiao Xuanyou, on the other hand, looked calmly at his father, whom he had respected since childhood.
His father was strict by nature and raised him as his heir from a young age, often being harsh and rarely showing him a smile. He originally thought that this was his father's nature and never complained.
Unexpectedly, when facing Xiao Yunheng, he showed such a indulgent and helpless fatherly heart.
It's chilling to even think about.
The imperial guards brought by Xiao Yunheng quickly surrounded the Eastern Palace.
Although the Imperial Guards knew it was the Crown Prince's residence and took precautions, they still couldn't avoid causing a disturbance.
The once quiet and solemn Eastern Palace suddenly became noisy.
Xiao Yunheng was confident of victory and leisurely sipped his tea.
Soon, a well-dressed woman was pushed and shoved in by the Imperial Guards, who frowned and scolded, "How dare you! Do you know where you are? How dare you act so violently here?"
It was Jiang Zhi.
Behind her followed closely by Crown Princess Li Jinyan, who was being supported by palace maids. "Who gave you permission to be so rude to Princess Qinghe? Let her go at once!"
But soon after the two entered, they saw Emperor Xuanzhao sitting at the head of the table. After a brief moment of surprise, they immediately bowed and said, "Your subject and your son pay their respects to Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty, I was right. Princess Qinghe is in the Eastern Palace. Does Your Highness have anything else to say?" Xiao Yunheng's lips curled slightly, and the frustration he had felt for many years finally found some relief at this moment.
He could almost see Xiao Xuanyou being trampled under his feet.
"Father, what does this mean?" Li Jinyan and Jiang Zhi knelt together, asking in confusion.
Emperor Xuanzhao looked at Jiang Zhi in front of him and was so angry that his chest heaved violently, and his imperial face was filled with rage.
He had thought the Crown Prince wouldn't do such a thing, and that today's search was just to reassure the Prince of Xiang. He never expected the Crown Prince to actually be so absurd!
He said with a stern face, “The Crown Prince of Xiang has reported that the Crown Prince forcibly abducted Lady Shen into the palace and has kept her here for a long time. Now that we have both witnesses and physical evidence, Your Highness, what else do you have to say?”
Li Jinyan looked surprised, glanced at Xiao Xuanyou, and then at Jiang Zhi, "Your subject does not understand what Your Majesty means."
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