What a remarkable Jiang Wan!
He pretended to be compliant and cooperative, but wrote a confession full of errors, which attracted the attention of the Prefect of the Capital. He then orchestrated this whole thing to make him suffer a great humiliation in front of everyone.
He really underestimated her!
"My lord! That's not how it is!"
“I have witnesses! They saw it with their own eyes and can prove that what I said is true!”
Two civilians were brought up. They had long been bribed by Song Ziyu, so naturally they would agree with him in everything.
He Xingyun remained silent.
Although he was biased towards Jiang Wan, Song Ziyu's plan had brought the situation to a stalemate again.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Wan spoke up at this moment.
“My lord, these two were not the only ones who witnessed the ambush that day. I also have witnesses.”
Her face looked disheveled, but her tone remained calm and composed.
"My identification is on its way, please wait a moment, sir."
She guessed that Song Ziyu would give false testimony, so she asked Old Madam Sheng to hide several eyewitnesses in the Duke's mansion so that the Song family could not find them.
She had just seen Old Madam Sheng leave, so she figured the person would arrive soon.
Jiang Wan sat quietly and waited.
But after an incense stick had burned, there was still no movement.
At this moment, in the backyard of the General's Mansion.
Looking at Song Lin in front of her, Old Madam Sheng asked doubtfully, "Child, are you telling the truth? Your mother wants me to come over?"
"yes!"
Song Lin's eyes darted around, and remembering that Gu Yurong had asked him to hold off the old lady, he spoke up again.
"Mother, he has an urgent matter, a very urgent matter. Please come with me quickly, I'll show you a shortcut!"
Madam Sheng recognized Song Lin; Jiang Wan had fallen off a cliff to save him years ago, demonstrating the deep bond between mother and son.
Therefore, she had no doubts and followed him on what she called the "shortcut."
…
They walked and stayed in the courtyard.
The crowd waited for a long time, but the witness Jiang Wan had mentioned did not appear.
Gu Yurong relaxed and sighed softly, "Sister, you should admit your own mistakes. Your husband has treated you well, so why do you have to slander him?"
Song Ziyu also gave a disdainful smile.
"That's right, no one can testify for you, which shows you've been lying all along!"
He stood up and said angrily.
"Guards, bring the family discipline!"
Jiang Wan's eyes flickered slightly: "You dare to hit me?"
He Xingyun stood in front of her, frowning, and said, "General Song, this case has not yet been concluded, and you have no right to use torture."
“Jiang Wan, as a wife of the Song family, slandered her husband, causing unrest throughout the household. She should be punished according to family rules and given thirty strokes of the cane.”
Song Ziyu said coldly.
"Although Lord He holds a high official position, this is a private matter within this general's household. It is not appropriate for you to interfere."
“This…” He Xingyun was speechless.
Gu Yurong chuckled, "Lord He has been protecting my sister at every turn today. Could it be that the two of you... have some kind of secret affair?"
He Xingyun's expression changed slightly: "Outrageous! You, you're insulting someone's reputation!"
"Gu Yurong, if you have a problem, come at me." Jiang Wan's expression was cold. "Lord He is upright and selfless, why drag others into this?"
"Then please accept the punishment, sister," Gu Yurong said with a gentle smile.
The guards rushed forward and pushed Jiang Wan down onto the bench.
Thirty strokes of the cane would nearly kill a man, let alone a frail woman like Jiang Wan.
Biluo came to stop her, crying, but was firmly stopped.
Just as the torture tablet was about to fall on Jiang Wan, someone suddenly shouted, "His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"
Everyone was shocked and knelt down in unison.
A man in a purple robe walked in through the courtyard gate. He had black hair, wore a jade crown, and had a handsome appearance.
This is the current emperor's eldest son, Crown Prince Yongning, Pei Xuan.
Pei Xuan had a noble bearing, but his clothes were dusty, as if he had been traveling in a hurry.
Song Ziyu stepped forward with delight.
He hadn't expected that someone as distinguished as Crown Prince Yongning would accept the invitation. Could it be that the Crown Prince appreciated him?
He bowed deeply, extremely respectfully: "Your Highness's personal visit is an honor to our humble abode..."
Pei Xuan interrupted his flattery.
He looked around at everyone, his gaze settling on Jiang Wan: "So you are from the Jiang family?"
Pei Xuan sized her up, his cold eyes unreadable.
"Three years ago, you risked your life to save your young son. His Majesty praised your benevolence and bestowed upon you the title of Fourth Rank Lady. Accept the decree."
Everyone was shocked when these words were spoken.
Song Ziyu stood there dumbfounded, while Gu Yurong gritted her teeth even harder. She tried to remain calm, but the handkerchief in her hand was almost torn to shreds.
Jiang Wan returned to the capital for only five days, yet she managed to persuade Crown Prince Yongning to speak on her behalf?!
How is that possible?
Now that Jiang Wan has become a fourth-rank noblewoman, let alone being disciplined by the family, the entire General's Mansion will probably have to defer to her!
"In addition, when I passed by just now, I saw a young boy leading Old Madam Sheng around the artificial hill, which delayed her from calling the witness. I have sent someone to meet her, and the witness will arrive shortly."
With a glance from Pei Xuan, the guards brought Song Lin over.
"But the old lady is already quite old, yet she has been mocked like this. I wonder how the General's Mansion raises its young children?"
"This..." Gu Yurong was terrified and was about to make a fuss when Song Lin burst into tears, "Mother made me do it! Mother, save me!"
Pei Xuan glanced at Jiang Wan and said quietly, "I just heard General Song say that the family rules of the General's Mansion are very strict. I wonder how such a bad deed should be punished?"
Jiang Wan smiled slightly, understanding the unspoken message.
"Your Highness, the youngest son is unruly and shall be punished with twenty strokes of the cane. Gu Shi's instigation was improper and shall be punished with thirty strokes of the cane."
Gu Yurong's face turned pale, and she gritted her teeth, saying, "Jiang Wan, you!"
Jiang Wan curled her lips: "This is His Highness's will. Do you dare to disobey?"
The guards immediately dragged Song Lin and Gu Yurong away and sent them to the backyard to be executed. Soon after, painful screams could be heard.
Pei Xuan seemed not to hear, signaling He Xingyun to continue the interrogation, and then turned to Jiang Wan.
"You, come with me."
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