Even a cursory listen to Jiang Si’s words revealed many unusual aspects.
How could a princely mansion’s carriage simply break down? And if that weren’t enough, the other carriage encountered startled horses, with both Princess Qi and Princess Yan unable to move and escape…
Emperor Jingming listened with a growing headache and asked the Empress: “How is Fourth Son’s wife?”
The Empress’s expression was grave: “She’s still unconscious—”
“Is she seriously injured?”
The Empress frowned: “The head maid has examined her. There are only some abrasions on her body, but—”
“But what?” Emperor Jingming had an ominous feeling.
The Empress sighed: “Princess Qi has deep wounds on her face. It’s very likely her appearance will be marred…”
Emperor Jingming’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
A marred appearance was undoubtedly a huge matter for a woman, but in Emperor Jingming’s mind, the truth of the situation was more important.
“Then why hasn’t she woken up?”
The Empress shook her head: “The Imperial Physicians haven’t determined the cause yet.”
Emperor Jingming turned back to Jiang Si: “Seventh Son’s wife, what’s your opinion?”
Since Seventh Son’s wife had come to the palace to report the situation to him and the Empress, she must have some thoughts.
“Daughter-in-law feels the startled horses were not an accident; it’s more likely to have been deliberate. However, these are just my conjectures. The truth will require careful investigation.”
Emperor Jingming nodded heavily: “Indeed, it must be thoroughly investigated! Pan Hai—”
“This servant is here.”
“Convey my imperial edict. Order Prefect Zhen Shicheng of Shuntianjing Yamen to investigate the incident of the two princesses’ startled horses immediately.”
Matters concerning the imperial family’s reputation were usually investigated by the secret police rather than the Shuntianjing Yamen. However, this Prefect was different. After all, Old Zhen even knew about the former Crown Prince cuckolding the Emperor, so Emperor Jingming felt there was nothing to hide from him.
Compared to the secret police, who were more skilled in torture and interrogation, Zhen Shicheng’s investigative abilities were more trusted by Emperor Jingming.
After Emperor Jingming gave his orders, Jiang Si quickly said: “Father Emperor, Prefect Zhen has likely already begun the investigation.”
“Oh?”
“After returning to the city, daughter-in-law ordered the guards to report to Shuntianjing Yamen, and they took Prince Qi’s coachman along.”
Hearing Jiang Si’s words, both the Emperor and Empress twitched their mouths.
Princess Yan’s actions were indeed swift and decisive.
“Pan Hai, send two people to check on Shuntianjing Yamen.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Emperor Jingming looked back at Jiang Si, his tone somewhat complex: “Seventh Son’s wife, in the future when you encounter such matters—”
He initially wanted to say not to rush to report to officials but changed his mind as he spoke.
“Zhen Shicheng is indeed reliable. If you encounter any trouble, feel free to seek his help.”
Well, what could he do with a son and daughter-in-law who didn’t act according to convention? After all, Old Zhen already knew so much about his affairs, a few more wouldn’t matter.
Jiang Si concealed the smile in her eyes and curtsied to Emperor Jingming: “Daughter-in-law understands.”
After another moment of silence, Emperor Jingming couldn’t help but ask: “Seventh Son’s wife, do you think the coachman was behind this?”
Jiang Si smiled: “Daughter-in-law dares not make wild guesses.”
“Speak freely,” Emperor Jingming said mildly.
Jiang Si paused for a moment, then spoke frankly: “Actually, there’s not much to guess. My carriage broke down on the way, My Fourth Sister-in-law invited me into her carriage, then the carriage lost control, and we both couldn’t move. We survived by sheer luck. When I ordered the guards to take Prince Qi’s coachman to Shuntianjing Yamen, he immediately tried to run away. It would be strange if there wasn’t a problem…”
Emperor Jingming’s expression grew increasingly grim.
If what Seventh Son’s wife said was true, Prince Qi’s household couldn’t be uninvolved in the incident with the startled horses. But now Princess Qi was also in danger—how to explain that?
After experiencing the incidents of Third Son Prince Jin ordering someone to push Chun’er into the water and the former Crown Prince using a voodoo doll to curse him, Emperor Jingming didn’t think Princess Qi incapable of harming Princess Yan.
But how could someone intending harm end up endangering themselves?
It was for this reason that Emperor Jingming silently persuaded himself not to think the worst, at least until Princess Qi woke up.
Soon, the two Imperial Physicians came out and bowed to the Emperor and Empress.
Emperor Jingming asked them: “How is Princess Qi?”
“Your Majesty, the Princess is still unconscious,” one of the physicians replied.
Emperor Jingming frowned: “Wasn’t it said there were no serious external injuries? Could there be internal injuries?”
The two physicians exchanged glances, and the one who had spoken earlier said: “After our examination, the Princess’s internal organs show no severe damage.”
“Then why is she still unconscious?” Emperor Jingming was increasingly puzzled.
The other physician said: “The Princess nearly fell off a cliff. We speculate she may have suffered extreme shock—”
Emperor Jingming shook his head slightly.
So, Fourth Son’s wife remained unconscious due to fright?
Jiang Si stood with lowered eyes, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly.
Of course, Princess Qi couldn’t wake up now, lest she blurt out the truth and ruin her arrangements.
In Jiang Si’s view, it would be best for Princess Qi to wake up after everything had settled, just in time to know the outcome.
When offering a grand gift, she never merely paid lip service.
“Your Majesty, Prince Qi requests an audience,” an attendant came to report.
Emperor Jingming gestured for the attendant to bring Prince Qi in.
After a short wait, Emperor Jingming saw the anxious-looking Prince Qi.
“Father Emperor, Mother Empress, how is Li?”
The Empress spoke: “She’s still unconscious. Your Highness can go in and see her.”
Prince Qi hurriedly went inside, appearing very distressed.
The Emperor and Empress exchanged glances but said nothing.
Prince Qi entered the room and nearly lost his composure when he saw Princess Qi lying on the bed.
Was that ghastly woman with the gaping facial wound Li?
Prince Qi quickly suppressed his look of disgust, replacing it with a grief-stricken expression: “Princess, wake up!”
Unable to wake Princess Qi, Prince Qi secretly felt relieved.
He truly had no mood to comfort this ugly woman at the moment, and feared she might say something she shouldn’t in her confusion.
Staring at that horrifying face, Prince Qi suddenly had a thought: Perhaps it would be better if Li just died like this. Even if Zhen Shicheng discovered that someone had tampered with the carriage, all of this could be pinned on Li, since her animosity towards Princess Yan was well-known. As for himself—
Heh, he hadn’t been involved in this matter from start to finish anyway.
Prince Qi put on a show of calling out a few times, then walked out with a grief-stricken expression.
“Father Emperor, Mother Empress, is Li seriously injured?”
Li must be severely hurt, otherwise she wouldn’t still be unconscious.
Before the Emperor and Empress could speak, Jiang Si said considerately: “Fourth Brother, don’t worry. I heard that aside from her facial injury, her Fourth Sister-in-law only has minor abrasions. She could wake up at any moment.”
Prince Qi’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Jiang Si.
Jiang Si returned his gaze calmly, the corners of her mouth slightly curved.
Prince Qi’s heart sank as he realized: Princess Yan knew everything!
After the initial shock, Prince Qi reasoned it out.
It wasn’t strange that Princess Yan had figured it out. If she were just an ordinary woman, her first reaction wouldn’t have been to order the guards to take Prince Qi’s coachman to report to the officials.
Emperor Jingming spoke up: “Fourth Son, stay here and wait with us. Let’s see what Zhen Shicheng’s investigation reveals.”
The waiting time seemed shorter than expected, as news came that Zhen Shicheng had arrived at the palace requesting an audience.