“Stop talking, stop talking…”
Madam Jiang’s complexion grew worse and worse. Those widened pupils carried a resistant sense of fear.
No, it should be shame!
That noble air now appeared quite deranged!
Yet Ji Yunshu’s thin lips curved slightly upward, with no intention of stopping whatsoever.
She continued, “The reason you didn’t report to the authorities but buried the corpse with Li Zhao is because you knew very clearly that once you reported to the authorities and the yamen investigated the cause, they would know that Master Jiang he…”
Speaking to this point, Ji Yunshu choked up. Those hands curled in her sleeves clenched tightly, fingertips turning white, sharp nails already digging into her skin, as if determined to draw fresh blood before giving up.
She glanced at Sister-in-law Yu. The words in her throat stuck for a long time.
Should she say it? Or not?
She struggled for a long time!
Her eyes reddened once more. She moved her gaze back to Madam Jiang and slowly said, “Madam Jiang, you knew very early on that Sister-in-law Yu’s daughter A’Yu, at such a young age, had already… already been defiled by Master Jiang.”
Defiled?
Huh?
Everyone was shocked, discussing amongst themselves, speaking in low voices.
Jingrong on the side also finally understood why yesterday she had pushed him out of that room.
So the truth was actually this cruel and unbearable!
And that small little figure, nestled in her mother’s arms, motionless, breathless.
Ji Yunshu said tearfully, “Two years ago, A’Yu was only six years old. Her childhood should have been filled with laughter and joy. She should have gone fishing by the river, picking wild fruits in the forest, flying kites, making paper cuts. That delicate little face should have constantly worn an enchanting smile. But all of this was completely destroyed by a Master Jiang driven by desire, worse than a beast!”
At this moment, Sister-in-law Yu held A’Yu, her lips carrying a smile, gently patting A’Yu’s back.
“My good A’Yu, be obedient. Mother will take you home soon. We’ll go see the rapeseed flowers together, fly kites together. Mother will buy you your favorite candied hawthorn. Don’t be afraid. Mother is by your side. Mother won’t let anyone hurt you anymore. A’Yu, do you hear Mother speaking?”
Truly heartbreaking!
Ji Yunshu’s chest burned painfully like fire.
Avoiding that scene, she turned to Li Zhao sitting collapsed on the ground and said, “The reason you said only you buried the corpse was clearly to cover for Madam Jiang. You couldn’t say it, didn’t dare say it. You and Madam Jiang are the same—you both fear bringing shame to the Li family. Face is greater than heaven.”
Li Zhao said nothing, his complexion extremely ugly, somewhat wooden.
But Madam Jiang suddenly let out several cold laughs.
Full-blown mania!
She looked at Ji Yunshu, that gaze carrying provocation. “Master Ji, you’re truly formidable. The secret I hid for so long was completely unraveled by you one by one in just a few days.”
The county magistrate’s eyes brightened.
The meaning of these words—did Madam Jiang admit it?
The county magistrate leaned forward, pointing at Madam Jiang. “Madam Jiang, do you admit you saw Sister-in-law Yu commit murder? And afterward, you and Li Zhao buried the corpse?”
But Madam Jiang paid no attention to the county magistrate’s words.
She still looked at Ji Yunshu. Her originally weak legs now had steady strength. She actually walked two steps closer to Ji Yunshu, that dark brow carrying hatred.
“You’re right. I did see it.” As she spoke, she forcefully pointed at Sister-in-law Yu. “I saw with my own eyes as she killed that beast. I saw her stab not just once, but twice, three times, countless times. I watched wide-eyed yet didn’t stop her. I even hoped… hoped that beast would die without an intact corpse. I shouldn’t have buried him then. I should have thrown his corpse in the wilderness, letting wolves and tigers bite him beyond recognition, leaving no bones behind. But I hate myself—hate why I wasn’t more ruthless.”
Furious to the extreme!
Such a Madam Jiang was somewhat ferocious!
The husband in her mouth had now become a beast.
But how was he merely a beast?
Simply worse than an animal!
Then Madam Jiang laughed loudly several times, walked before Sister-in-law Yu, slowly crouched down, and reached out to touch Sister-in-law Yu’s pale face.
While saying, “Poor Sister-in-law Yu. Every time seeing your own daughter suffer humiliation, seeing that small little body pressed beneath that beast, clearly hearing your own daughter’s screams, yet still repeatedly swallowing your grievances. Even at the very end, still having to endure. Bitter-fated Sister-in-law Yu, pitiful A’Yu.”
Sister-in-law Yu seemed unable to see her, instead hugging A’Yu even more tightly.
Madam Jiang stood up and swept her gaze across the full hall, finally landing on the county magistrate.
The county magistrate was suddenly shocked by that gaze.
Madam Jiang’s hatred surged. Those hands hidden in her sleeves clenched into fists, trembling!
She spoke with sentence after sentence of resentment. “My Li family is an illustrious house, a family that received the late Emperor’s grace. But I married a hermaphrodite—neither male nor female. Having no sons for many years is already my Li family’s shame. So I could only keep enduring, concealing again and again that beast’s hermaphrodite identity. But how could I have imagined he would do such a thing, not even sparing a child? A’Yu wasn’t even ten years old, yet was…”
Her words paused.
She didn’t speak those unbearable words.
Ji Yunshu asked her, “Since you discovered this early on, why didn’t you immediately stop it? Instead, you allowed him to do such things to A’Yu again and again and again?”
“Stop it? How to stop it? That man was a beast. You couldn’t stop him.” Madam Jiang turned her gaze to look at Sister-in-law Yu again. “In order to continue living in the Jiang household, even Sister-in-law Yu herself could endure. What more could I say?”
Ji Yunshu finally understood why Sister-in-law Yu’s guilt toward A’Yu was so intense!
A woman’s forbearance brings results she herself can never predict!
Just like Su Yun—endure! Endure! Endure!
Enduring until the end, the child in her womb was gone, and even her own life was gone!
Wasn’t Sister-in-law Yu the same!
Now the case had come to light.
The county magistrate took a deep breath.
The gavel struck forcefully.
“Someone, Madam Jiang knew but didn’t report, and conspired with Li Zhao to bury the corpse. Temporarily imprison her. After this official submits a memorial to the Ministry of Justice, her crime will be determined.”
Hearing this, Li Zhao panicked and sat up from the ground.
“No! I didn’t kill anyone! You can’t imprison me.”
“Take them away.” The county magistrate shouted.
Several bailiffs stepped forward, restraining both Li Zhao and Madam Jiang, escorting them to prison.
“You can’t arrest me.” Madam Jiang shouted, her expression extremely sinister. Facing the county magistrate, she said, “We’re still members of the Li family. So what if we buried the corpse and concealed it? If you dare arrest me, I dare guarantee the Li family will ensure you lose your official position.”
“Outrageous!”
Jingrong, who had been silent all along, raised his hand and struck. The teacup on the table rattled from the shock.
Everyone’s gazes shifted over.
Jingrong had already stepped forward, standing before Madam Jiang. His hawk-like eyes held cold frost, like icy needles, making one’s chest tremble.
“Would you also defy this prince’s order?”
His voice was震慑!
Madam Jiang nearly forgot that Prince Rong was still here.
“Though the Li family are descendants of military generals, could it be your Li family also wants to overshadow the sovereign? Even wanting to remove this prince’s title?”
“…”
“Do you know this is the crime of treason? Severely punished—execution of the entire family!”
Madam Jiang’s legs went weak, her pupils dilating suddenly.
Now even her natal family couldn’t be brought up. Wouldn’t that mean…
She accepted it!
Lowering her head, she no longer struggled in vain.
The bailiffs, seeing her become “obedient,” escorted her to prepare for prison.
But Madam Jiang’s steps stopped before Ji Yunshu.
She spoke in a bleak tone. “Master Ji, things ending up like today, I accept it. But some matters are unavoidable. Killing, or concealing—not necessarily crimes. I believe you’re also a person of sentiment. You should understand the principle that some people deserve to die while others don’t, right?”
“What are you trying to say?”
She smiled. “Aren’t you very clever? Then I’ll wait and see whether you’re truly clever.”
“…”
What did those words mean?
“What do you mean?” Ji Yunshu asked her.
On Madam Jiang’s originally miserable appearance, full provocation appeared again. “I hope Master Ji won’t disappoint me.”
Having said that, Li Zhao and Madam Jiang were taken away.
Ji Yunshu’s heart gave a small thump. In her mind, a buzzing sound resonated.
At this time, the county magistrate looked at Sister-in-law Yu on the ground, repeatedly shaking his head and sighing. He simply averted his gaze and waved his hand.
He said, “Someone, also take Sister-in-law Yu to prison. A life for a life—no leniency.”
“Yes.”
The bailiffs stepped forward but hesitated, asking, “My lord, this little girl…”
“Take her away, take her away.” He still waved his hand.
The bailiffs who received the order tried to pull Sister-in-law Yu up from the ground while snatching A’Yu from her arms.
“Don’t take my A’Yu, don’t take my A’Yu. You’re all bad people. All of you go away, go away…”
Sister-in-law Yu struggled, her hands clutching tightly, absolutely unwilling to let go.
And with the amplitude of movement, the foul stench emanating from A’Yu’s body became even more intense.
Two bailiffs covered their noses and stepped back several paces. Sister-in-law Yu wouldn’t let go, and with that smell so strong, they were truly at a loss.
The county magistrate glanced and could only say, “Forget it, forget it. Take them together.”
Sister-in-law Yu held A’Yu, still humming a tune in her ear.
Finally, as if she’d lost her soul, she followed the bailiffs away.
The county magistrate also announced, “Court dismissed.”
In a few moments, the bailiffs in the hall all withdrew.
But Ji Yunshu was lost in thought, her expression tightly knit!
She didn’t know if it was because of her attentiveness, but she always felt Madam Jiang’s words just now clearly held some meaning?
Could it be just playing psychological warfare with her?
After all, Madam Jiang was also a clever person.
“Master Ji.” Jingrong at the side suddenly called to her.
Her emotions pulled away. She met Jingrong’s gaze. “Does Your Highness have something to say?”
Jingrong spoke seriously. “This prince only wants to tell you—don’t be too emotional.”
In that moment, Ji Yunshu found him terrifying.
Those eyes seemed able to see through her in an instant. Her thoughts, her emotions—all seemed to be completely seen through by him!
Yes, Sister-in-law Yu had indeed killed someone. But the law doesn’t exclude human sentiment!
She instinctively avoided his gaze and pressed her lips together. “This humble one understands.”