On the very night that Xue Huaiyuan filed his accusation against Princess Yongning, a major incident occurred in Yanjing City. Early the next morning, the Princess’s mansion was once again surrounded by soldiers so tightly that not even water could trickle through. Although this had happened before, during the daytime they had already cleared out and inventoried all the property and servants in the Princess’s mansion, leaving nothing inside. However, the commotion during the night still attracted the attention of families living nearby.
The morning sunlight could hardly mask the bloody stench at the entrance of the Princess’s mansion. Soldiers continuously carried out body after body from inside—some had long since died, their corpses already beginning to rot. Some were still alive, but their flesh was mangled beyond recognition, their true faces indiscernible, not a single patch of intact skin remaining on their entire bodies.
The crowd of onlookers grew larger and larger, and the soldiers couldn’t disperse them no matter how hard they tried. As a result, before noon had even arrived, word had spread throughout all of Yanjing City. That Princess Yongning, the younger sister of Prince Cheng, had actually set up a private prison in her own Princess’s mansion, filled entirely with people who had displeased Princess Yongning. Princess Yongning had imprisoned these people in her mansion and tortured them using all manner of cruel methods. Those spreading the word described it vividly, not forgetting to mention even the torture devices that had been carried out. Their accounts were so chilling that even the listeners felt their spines turn cold.
It was said that among those imprisoned by Princess Yongning, there were actually some court officials. Of course, their ranks weren’t particularly high, which was why they had remained so obscure. Most importantly, among those imprisoned by Princess Yongning was actually the precious daughter of the current Chief Minister—Third Miss Jiang of the Jiang Family.
Once this rumor emerged, the matter escalated immediately, spreading like wildfire and becoming unstoppable. Although Third Miss Jiang’s birth mother, Ji Shuran, might have conceived Jiang Youyao through an illicit affair with another man, Jiang Yuanbai himself had never acknowledged this, which showed that regardless of everything, Jiang Youyao was still Third Miss of the Jiang Family. The daughter of the Chief Minister was different from common people. No matter how bold Princess Yongning was, she should have shown at least some consideration for the current Chief Minister. Yet it was said that when Third Miss Jiang was rescued, she had already gone mad and had one of her eyeballs gouged out, her appearance terrifying to behold.
People discussed this matter from every angle. First, they said Princess Yongning’s methods were truly brutal, and that she had no regard for the Emperor. When the late Emperor was still alive, he had forbidden any official from setting up private prisons. Princess Yongning, despite being a princess, had behaved in this manner, which showed she had no respect for Emperor Hongxiao. Second, they wondered how that Third Miss of the Jiang Family had offended Princess Yongning to be treated so harshly by her. For an ordinary conflict, a small punishment would suffice—to gouge out a woman’s eyeball like this clearly meant she didn’t want the other party to survive.
It was said that Chief Minister Jiang Yuanbai, upon learning of this, personally rushed to the Princess’s mansion and had already taken Jiang Youyao back to the mansion. He also immediately entered the palace to see the Emperor.
Chief Minister Jiang was no ordinary person. With his own daughter harmed to such an extent, he would naturally demand an explanation. Let alone if it were just Princess Yongning—even if it had been an imperial prince who had harmed Jiang Youyao to this state, Jiang Yuanbai would still demand an explanation.
First there was Xue Huaiyuan accusing Princess Yongning and Shen Yurun of conspiring to murder his wife and eliminate his heir, then there was Jiang Yuanbai petitioning the Emperor to uphold justice and avenge his daughter. One was a princess who had been demoted to commoner status, the other a former top scholar who had long lost his official position. The common people discussed it fervently, all believing that this time, these two could not possibly escape unscathed. Of course, having committed such heinous crimes, too numerous to record, if they truly could escape, even Heaven itself would not stand for it.
No matter what rumors spread outside, inside the Jiang mansion, Jiang Li remained calm and unhurried.
Last night, it seemed that people from the Duke’s mansion had set off a smoke bamboo in the room where the private prison was hidden in the Princess’s mansion, alerting the soldiers on night watch. The soldiers had thought there were assassins and rushed over, only to see the wide-open door of the private prison. They were immediately shocked and reported to the court overnight. Early this morning, the court sent more people to investigate. They saw all kinds of cruel tortures in the private prison, as well as prisoners who had been tortured to the brink of death.
Among this group of prisoners, one person was particularly conspicuous because this person wore gleaming jewelry around her neck that clearly wasn’t something an ordinary household could afford—it seemed to be tribute from the palace. The official in charge of the search was startled, thinking this must be some important figure. He quickly had this person rescued separately. After wiping her face clean, one of the accompanying guards recognized her. Although one eyeball had been gouged out, this rescued woman was actually Chief Minister Jiang’s former beloved pearl, Third Miss Jiang Youyao of the Jiang Family!
The government officials privately knew about Jiang Youyao’s disappearance some time ago. Jiang Yuanbai had never given up sending people to search for her, but unfortunately all had returned empty-handed. Those in the government who knew the inside story all believed that either Jiang Youyao had met with misfortune, or she had long since left Yanjing City. They never expected to find her now in the private prison of Princess Yongning’s mansion. This matter was of grave importance, so they dared not be negligent and immediately sent word to the Chief Minister’s mansion.
Upon receiving the news, Jiang Yuanbai rushed over in haste. When he saw Jiang Youyao, he actually shed tears in front of everyone and brought Jiang Youyao back to the mansion. Shortly after hearing that he had summoned a physician, word came that Jiang Yuanbai had entered the palace with a stern face, presumably to demand an explanation from Emperor Hongxiao.
Heaven have mercy—even if Third Miss of the Jiang Family recovered in the future, this lifetime was likely ruined for her.
“Go see her,” Jiang Li stood up and said.
“Didn’t Old Madam tell you not to go?” Tong’er said. “She said Third Miss isn’t in good condition right now and is afraid of frightening you.”
“It’s fine,” Jiang Li said. “If I don’t go, it will actually invite gossip.”
Jiang Li had heard from Zhao Ke that on the very first day Jiang Youyao was thrown into the private prison by Princess Yongning, her eyeball had been gouged out. Earlier, Jiang Li had been thinking that perhaps she had been too harsh, and if she had told Jiang Yuanbai earlier, Jiang Youyao wouldn’t have ended up in such a state. After hearing Zhao Ke’s words, Jiang Li understood that even if she had told Jiang Yuanbai the moment she learned of it, she still couldn’t have saved Jiang Youyao.
What Princess Yongning wanted was Jiang Youyao’s despair, which was why she had gouged out her eyeball from the very beginning. What could she do in the future after losing an eyeball? Just this despair alone could utterly destroy Jiang Youyao. Having experienced Princess Yongning’s malice, Jiang Li could almost feel Jiang Youyao’s pain at that time. But if she hadn’t followed Li Lian back to the Li Family from the start, or if she had thought things through and proactively found a way to contact the Jiang Family, she wouldn’t have ended up in such a state.
Who could have known that after all the twists and turns, it would end up like this?
Jiang Li and Tong’er went to Yaoguang Residence.
Yaoguang Residence had been unoccupied for a long time. Although maids swept and cleaned the courtyard every day, the flowers in the garden had all withered. Even though spring had arrived, there wasn’t the slightest trace of life here. It was as if all hope had been exhausted, with signs of decay everywhere.
Jiang Li couldn’t help but think of when she had become Second Miss Jiang and had just returned to Yanjing City. When she arrived at the Jiang Family, Yaoguang Residence was the best piece of property in the first branch of the Jiang Family. Even the maids in Jiang Li’s courtyard, when they talked about Yaoguang Residence, wore expressions of longing, each one wishing they could serve before Jiang Youyao.
Who could have imagined it would come to this?
As they walked to the outside of the courtyard, inside the hall, Old Madam Jiang, Lu Shi, and Yang Shi were all present. Jiang Jingrui and Jiang Jingyou were on the other side. Jiang Bingji kept crying, with a nanny comforting him. The whole room was filled with grief and sorrow.
“Ah Li, why did you come?” Lu Shi saw her arrive.
“I came to see Third Sister.”
“Better not,” Lu Shi glanced inside the room. “Youyao isn’t in good condition right now. I felt uncomfortable just looking. You’d better not go in.”
Jiang Li looked toward Old Madam Jiang. Old Madam Jiang stared blankly outside. With the Jiang mansion experiencing one incident after another, this shrewd and stern old madam was also beginning to age rapidly, starting to show a feeling of having the will but not the strength. She hadn’t noticed that Jiang Li had arrived—she was probably lost in thought. This was understandable. Although because of Ji Shuran’s affair, Old Madam Jiang no longer doted on Jiang Youyao as before, and Jiang Youyao’s subsequent actions had always been disappointing, Jiang Youyao was after all a granddaughter who had grown up before Old Madam Jiang’s eyes. Perhaps she no longer loved Jiang Youyao, but seeing her own family member become so miserable and suffer such pain, as an elder and relative, Old Madam Jiang’s heart was not at ease.
“Second Aunt, the physician came—what did he say?” Jiang Li asked softly.
Lu Shi shook her head. “There’s no cure.” After saying this, a trace of pity flashed in her eyes. “So pitiful.”
Lu Shi had never liked Ji Shuran and her daughter, but faced with Jiang Youyao in this state, it seemed she could no longer despise her as before. Instead, there was only deep sorrow. Jiang Jingrui and Jiang Jingyou were also uncharacteristically silent. Only Yang Shi—Jiang Li noticed Yang Shi. She was still as always, not speaking, like an ornament of the Jiang Family. Only her eyes held not a trace of sorrow, only indifference, as if isolating herself from the Jiang Family.
Even Jiang Li, although she couldn’t muster sympathy for Jiang Youyao, wouldn’t gloat over everything Jiang Youyao had suffered. But Yang Shi appeared to be somewhat pleased, though she concealed it extremely well. Her dress and adornment were all exquisitely refined.
Compared to Old Madam Jiang and Lu Shi who had rushed over hastily, it was truly quite jarring.
Noticing that Jiang Li was looking at her, Yang Shi raised her head in puzzlement. Jiang Li shifted her gaze away and said, “I should still go in and take a look.”
Lu Shi couldn’t stop Jiang Li. Jiang Li walked into the room. Two maids were serving Jiang Youyao inside, but they were just standing to the side at a loss, unable to do anything.
Jiang Youyao sat in a corner of the bed, not having removed her shoes or socks. She just sat there dully, not saying a word—rarely so quiet. Her face and hands bore whip marks. Most terrifying was her left eye socket, which was empty without an eyeball. At first glance, it was shocking to behold.
Both maids were somewhat frightened by Jiang Youyao’s face, keeping their heads lowered and not daring to look directly at Jiang Youyao’s eyes. Jiang Li walked before Jiang Youyao. Jiang Youyao only stared at the floral pattern on the quilt, motionless.
“Has she spoken?” Jiang Li asked the two maids in the room.
One of the maids answered, “No. The physician said she was fed muting medicine.”
“Does she just sit like this?”
The maid nodded. “Yes. She doesn’t speak or make a fuss, very quiet. She just sits there in a daze.”
Jiang Li sighed silently. Looking at Jiang Youyao’s eyes, Jiang Li knew that Jiang Youyao had truly gone mad—she wasn’t pretending. Princess Yongning had indeed utterly destroyed her. But even if the rescued Jiang Youyao hadn’t gone mad, sooner or later she would lose her clarity. Back when word of Ji Shuran’s affair had spread, the rumors alone had been unbearable for Jiang Youyao, to the point where she had even left the mansion. If she understood that she had lost an eyeball, how could she bear it?
Evil people have their own evil to grind them down. Jiang Youyao was no virtuous person, but facing Princess Yongning, whose methods of malice were far more vicious than Jiang Youyao’s cruelty a hundredfold.
Since Jiang Youyao had already gone mad, she couldn’t say exactly why Princess Yongning had imprisoned her in the private prison. And Princess Yongning’s explanation wouldn’t necessarily be believed. The truth was something no one cared about anymore.
Jiang Li couldn’t describe what she felt in her heart. Ji Shuran probably hadn’t anticipated before she left that her own daughter would end up like this. However, it had already been half a day since Jiang Youyao had been sent to the Jiang Family. With all the turmoil spreading through Yanjing City, the Ji Family naturally couldn’t be unaware. But until now, no one from the Ji Family had come to take even a single look—it was truly chilling. Old Madam Chen of the Ji Family, who used to always argue forcefully on Jiang Youyao’s behalf, also said nothing, treating it as if the Ji Family had no such granddaughter.
Jiang Li walked out of the room.
Old Madam Jiang was still there. She seemed to finally come to her senses and looked at Jiang Li.
Jiang Li walked before Old Madam Jiang. Old Madam Jiang seemed utterly exhausted and only said one sentence: “Second girl, do you think this is retribution?”
Is this retribution? Jiang Li didn’t know. She grasped Old Madam Jiang’s hand and said, “If there is retribution, the one in this world who most deserves it is Princess Yongning. Grandmother, rest assured.” She seemed to be speaking to Old Madam Jiang, but also to herself. “Father will demand justice for Third Sister.”
When Princess Yongning and Shen Yurun were cornered by soldiers at the Shen Family residence, Princess Yongning still couldn’t believe her eyes.
She and Shen Yurun hadn’t left the Shen mansion, mainly because the rumors outside had spread too fiercely. Therefore, they didn’t know that those rumors had long since changed. People were no longer discussing the relationship between her and Shen Yurun, but rather Xue Huaiyuan’s accusation that she had conspired with Shen Yurun to murder Xue Fangfei, and Jiang Yuanbai’s accusation that she had imprisoned and tortured his legitimate daughter.
When the soldiers came to bind her, Princess Yongning shouted loudly, “What are you doing? How dare you treat me like this! Don’t think that just because I’ve lost power now, you can do whatever you want. Wait until later, wait until later…”
The lead soldier impatiently interrupted her words. “Stop with the ‘later, later’—first worry about keeping your life!”
Shen Yurun keenly sensed something wrong in this person’s tone and asked, “May I ask what has happened?”
Even at this point, he was still cleanly dressed, his tone gentle, and his face still wore a composed smile. If one didn’t know what kind of person he really was and that he had entangled himself with such a malicious woman, the soldiers would find it difficult to feel disgust toward Shen Yurun. One of the soldiers said, “Xue Huaiyuan and Chief Minister Jiang have jointly filed accusations against you two.”
“Filed accusations?” Princess Yongning sneered. “Accusing me of what?”
“Naturally accusing you two of colluding together, conspiring to murder Xue Fangfei and Xue Zhao, brother and sister, and also imprisoning Third Miss Jiang in a private prison and gouging out her eyeball. Now Chief Minister Jiang won’t let this go and is seeking an explanation from His Majesty. As the saying goes, blood debt must be repaid in blood…”
The soldiers spoke very impolitely. In fact, Shen Yurun had a very good reputation in Yanjing City, and few officials didn’t know him. For such a refined and gentlemanly good person to be suddenly accused of such terrible crimes was shocking in itself. Combined with this morning’s matter regarding Jiang Youyao, it made everyone under heaven feel a chill to their bones. The wasp’s sting is in its tail—the most venomous are women’s hearts. Princess Yongning’s methods were truly cruel beyond words. And Shen Yurun had actually had feelings for such a woman in private, even going so far as to murder his own wife and children for her. They were truly a nest of snakes and rats, cursed by ten thousand people.
Princess Yongning said, “…You said private prison?” Her heart jumped in alarm, and she immediately knew things had gone terribly wrong. Shen Yurun didn’t know about the private prison at the Princess’s mansion—even Prince Cheng didn’t know she had such a place. Over these years, quite a few people had offended her, and Princess Yongning had made each and every one of them pay the price. At first, it was just a few people, but later the imprisoned grew more and more numerous. The current dynasty did not permit anyone to set up private prisons—once discovered, it was a capital offense. Moreover, in that private prison were many court officials. Even though they were minor officials, having two or three of them meant she could hardly escape death.
Seeing Princess Yongning’s face suddenly change color, Shen Yurun’s heart suddenly filled with an ominous premonition. He asked her, “What private prison?”
“Nothing, nothing.” Princess Yongning forced a smile, steadied herself, and said, “Shen Lang, it’s fine. Xue Huaiyuan’s accusations are clearly nonsense. What Xue Fangfei, what Xue Zhao—I don’t know anything about any of this. They want to throw mud on us—how could it be that simple! What about Jiang Yuanbai? My older brother and Mother Consort will surely find ways to come rescue us. Shen Lang, you must believe me!”
She chattered on incessantly. A flash of disgust crossed Shen Yurun’s eyes, and he was unwilling to speak further with her. The soldiers pushed and shoved them toward the mansion gates. Madam Shen, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, wailed, “What are you doing? Why are you taking away my son? This is trespassing—I can report you!”
That walking soldier suddenly saw a shrewish woman blocking his path. Impatiently, he shoved Madam Shen aside. Madam Shen was pushed and stumbled, then fell to the ground. Without caring for her dignity, she pointed at Princess Yongning and wailed, “It’s her! It’s all this woman’s fault! This woman seduced Yurun, she used her status as princess to threaten my son. Yurun knows nothing—it’s all this woman’s doing. You have such a cruel heart—you’ve ruined our Shen Family. Someone as black-hearted as you will go to hell after death…”
Her cursing and scolding reached Princess Yongning’s ears word for word. Princess Yongning looked at her in shock, probably never expecting that this woman who had always been so amiable, pleased, kind, even fawning and obsequious toward her would one day curse her with such vulgar and venomous words. Before she could respond, the soldiers were already pushing her forward. The woman’s cursing gradually grew more and more distant. Princess Yongning suddenly came to her senses—she had been insulted like this, yet Shen Yurun hadn’t said a single word? He didn’t need to rebuke his own mother for her sake, but why was he so stingy as to not even offer a single word of comfort?
She turned to look at Shen Yurun.
She saw Shen Yurun walking in a daze, his expression numb, as if he hadn’t seen her anger or heard his mother’s cursing and crying behind them, as if he had long since detached himself from all this.
Shen Yurun had indeed detached himself.
He had single-mindedly pursued wealth and glory, single-mindedly wanted to climb upward. He had lost his own son, watched helplessly as his wife was imprisoned under false charges, struggling and suffering, until she finally died. He had thought all of this was worth it—that one day, when he obtained everything, it would all have been worth it.
But in this moment, Shen Yurun’s heart was clear—this matter would never turn around again. What fresh start, what comeback—even if Princess Yongning was Prince Cheng’s younger sister, Consort Liu’s daughter, they were still doomed. Emperor Hongxiao had finally gotten hold of this leverage—how could he possibly let it go?
Everything he had done had come to nothing in the end.
Shen Yurun stumbled forward. Outside the mansion gates, a crowd of onlookers had already gathered. They pointed at him, their gazes filled with disgust and contempt, but he seemed oblivious to it all.
In a trance, he seemed to see Xue Fangfei. She stood in the crowd, incomparably beautiful, but no longer in her familiar gentle and graceful appearance. She looked at him coldly, as if looking at a stranger, as if mocking his wretchedness.
He was indeed utterly wretched.
At the Ye mansion, Ye Shijie was speaking with Xue Huaiyuan.
Regarding the Xue Family’s case, Xue Huaiyuan was currently staying at the Ye Family. Although Ye Mingyu was loyal and righteous, he didn’t understand the intricacies and stakes of the official world, and couldn’t help much with the case. Ye Shijie, however, happened to understand such matters.
Ye Shijie explained to Xue Huaiyuan the important changes currently happening in the Yanjing City court. Through his conversations with Xue Huaiyuan, Ye Shijie also benefited greatly. Ye Shijie was very willing to speak with Xue Huaiyuan. The more deeply he associated with Xue Huaiyuan, the more Ye Shijie admired him. Therefore, regarding this case of the Xue Family, Ye Shijie spared no effort in helping.
“Master Xue, please rest assured,” Ye Shijie said. “Regarding this case of the Xue Family, from the current perspective, it’s a sure thing. The truth about the deaths of Xue Fangfei and Xue Zhao, brother and sister, will soon come to light, and those false charges will also be cleared.”
Xue Huaiyuan said, “That would naturally be good, but she was a princess after all. Even though she isn’t a princess now, Prince Cheng and Consort Liu won’t easily admit defeat.”
Ye Shijie fell silent. He had heard that upon learning the news, Consort Liu had gone to the Golden Throne Hall early in the morning to find Emperor Hongxiao, and Prince Cheng was there too. This case implicated too many people. Prince Cheng and Consort Liu had both realized the gravity of the situation. It was precisely because of this that Jiang Yuanbai had even sent some guards to the Ye mansion, protecting the entire Ye mansion with full force. If Prince Cheng wanted to eliminate witnesses, it was very possible he might break into the Ye Family to kill Xue Huaiyuan.
“It’s fine, Master Xue,” Ye Shijie said. “Cousin said that with Miss Haitang as a witness, and moreover, Princess Yongning’s crimes aren’t limited to just this one—even the Jiang Family won’t let this matter end easily.”
“What I’m worried about is clearing Fangfei’s name,” Xue Huaiyuan said wistfully. “Shen Yurun and Princess Yongning won’t easily admit to it.”
Ye Shijie smiled slightly. “On this point, Cousin already thought of it long ago, so besides Haitang, Cousin arranged another witness.”
“Who?”
“The qin instructor from Mingyi Hall, Xiao Deyin.”
Author’s Note:
Let me tell you all, tomorrow there’s a recommendation on the book app, so I’ll update 100,000 characters all at once. I hope everyone treasures these 100,000 characters I’ve saved up over five months… Once they’re gone, there won’t be any saved chapters left 〒▽〒