At this point, with both witness testimony and physical evidence present, how could the Western Bright Emperor believe that Qin Shuning was innocent?
It was just that these matters, originally completely unrelated, had suddenly all been linked together. He found it hard to imagine that all these were the step-by-step schemes of a single person.
Even more unimaginable was that the Princess Rong, who normally devoted herself to Buddha and appeared gentle and virtuous, was the mastermind.
Truly, one may know a person’s face but not their heart.
If others had come forward with these accusations, he would not have believed them. But now that Qin Shuning’s nephew and niece were testifying against her, the facts were already quite clear.
The Western Bright Emperor suddenly let out a long sigh.
Qin Shuning was now trembling violently. Seeing the expression on the Western Bright Emperor’s face, she seemed to catch the scent of death. The veins on her forehead bulged as she hysterically pleaded, “Your Majesty, Shuning has truly been wronged. The Insect Mother Gu is a product of the barbaric border regions. How would I, a secluded woman, come into contact with such a thing?”
“And as for the Fifth Princess, Shuning has had no dealings with her daily, so how could I incite her? Moreover, regarding the matters of the Mu family, Shuning truly knows nothing.”
“Your Majesty, please see clearly!”
…
…
The Western Bright Emperor was now unwilling to listen to any more explanations from Qin Shuning. He heavily slammed the table and angrily spoke, “You even dared to poison my mother. I see you’re tired of living!”
“The Qin family has served loyally for generations, protecting the country with undeniable merit. Yet why did they produce such a treacherous and vicious person as you? You have completely ruined the reputation of the Qin family!”
“Although I respect Old General Qin and would always give him some face in all matters, in this case, I absolutely cannot tolerate you!” After speaking, the Western Bright Emperor looked toward Prince Rong.
Prince Rong’s heart had already turned cold as water. Meeting the Western Bright Emperor’s gaze, he bowed deeply, “I will follow my royal brother’s decision!”
“No! Prince, this concubine has been wronged, wronged!” Qin Shuning was truly afraid now, experiencing for the first time the taste of being unable to defend herself.
Mu Yunjin slightly frowned as she watched this scene, her peripheral vision also glancing at Qin Muyue. She didn’t know what Qin Muyue’s intentions were, to suddenly push out her aunt Qin this time.
“According to the laws of Western Origin, Princess Rong Qin Shuning has plotted against the Empress Dowager, the Fifth Princess, and Concubine Mu, taking three lives. Her crimes are heinous and unforgivable! Now I sentence Qin Shuning to be executed tomorrow at the third quarter past noon…”
Chen Pu had intended to say “beheaded,” but before he could finish, he heard the Western Bright Emperor beside him say angrily, “She shall be drawn and quartered by five horses, her head suspended from the city gate for fifteen days as a sacrifice to the departed Empress Dowager.”
“By your command,” Chen Pu nodded in acknowledgment.
Upon hearing the words “drawn and quartered by five horses,” Qin Shuning’s entire body went limp, seemingly without any strength left to make further arguments. She only turned her head to glance sideways at Qin Muyue.
“Qin Muyue, you bitch, you will suffer retribution!” This was Qin Shuning’s only struggle now.
She had misjudged, being played around by this little bitch all along. But it didn’t matter; she believed in the cycle of cause and effect. Before long, this little bitch would join her, perhaps with an even more miserable end.
“Your Majesty, according to the laws of our country, Deputy General Qin knew and did not report…” After confirming Qin Shuning’s crimes, Chen Pu then looked toward the Western Bright Emperor.
The Western Bright Emperor’s brow was stern, “Strip him of his position as Deputy General, confine him to the Plum Blossom Courtyard in the palace to pray for the departed Empress Dowager’s soul. Without my permission, he is not to leave.”
“By your command,” Chen Pu nodded. This punishment was considered lenient.
After all the sentences had been pronounced, Chen Pu ordered the guards to come forward and take Qin Shuning and Wanqiu away. Qin Shuning had originally been completely without strength, but after the guards grabbed her arms, she began to struggle again as if she had gone mad.
“I’ve been wronged! Why do you all want to harm me? Drawn and quartered, I don’t want it, I don’t want it!” Qin Shuning’s emotions suddenly became frenzied. With a glance, she reached out and pulled the sword from a guard’s waist, thrusting it toward Mu Yunjin.
“Mu Yunjin, join me in death!”
Seeing the flash of cold light, Mu Yunjin instinctively wanted to dodge, but before she could move, a figure had already blocked her way.
“Clang—”
Qin Munan quickly stood in front of Mu Yunjin, kicking Qin Shuning several meters away. He then turned around, looking at Mu Yunjin with concern, “Yunjin, are you alright?”
Mu Yunjin shook her head.
Seeing that she was unharmed, Qin Munan suddenly breathed a sigh of relief.
“Quick, take her away!” Chen Pu, seeing that Qin Shuning had already fainted, waved his hand.
The guards beside immediately came forward and dragged her out.
The interrogation hall instantly returned to peace.
Regarding today’s farce, everyone felt that Qin Shuning had lifted a stone only to drop it on her foot, attempting to harm others but ending up harming herself.
The Western Bright Emperor was also in a foul mood because of this matter. He rose to leave without saying a word, full of anger.
Prince Rong Chu Zhen also immediately followed the Western Bright Emperor’s steps.
Seeing that the important figures had left, Chen Pu took a sip of tea, walked down from the interrogation platform, and approached Mu Yunjin, comforting her, “Princess Ning, you have been frightened by today’s events.”
“It’s fine, I’m used to it,” Mu Yunjin spoke somewhat mockingly, not wishing to linger in this place any longer.
“Since everything is settled, I’ll be leaving first,” Mu Yunjin said.
Chen Pu nodded.
After speaking, Mu Yunjin turned and walked out. To think that on her way back to the mansion, such an incident could occur. She wondered if Chu Li knew about it now.
If he didn’t know, that would be fine.
But if he did know, she would probably have to endure his scolding again.
After Mu Yunjin left, Yan Lingshang looked at the Qin siblings and slightly raised the corners of her lips, “The matter has been taken care of, so Lingshang will also take her leave, farewell.”
After almost everyone had left, Qin Muyue and Qin Munan also exited the interrogation hall.
Halfway along the path, Qin Muyue finally turned her gaze languidly toward Qin Munan, hatred bursting from her eyes as she tightly clutched her sleeve, biting her lip.
“Qin Munan, are you satisfied now?”
Qin Munan naturally saw the hatred in Qin Muyue’s eyes and couldn’t help but frown tightly, feeling a deep sense of helplessness in his heart, “Muyue, brother is helping you.”
“Helping me? Put your hand on your conscience and say that. Who exactly are you helping?” Qin Muyue sneered.
“You and Yunjin are both the most important people to me,” Qin Munan’s tone was resigned. If he hadn’t heard the conversation between Qin Muyue and Qin Shuning last night, today’s events would certainly have been a difficult ordeal for Mu Yunjin.
“Hmph, save your breath. When will you give me the antidote?”
“In a few days.”
…
Mu Yunjin walked on foot back to the Ning Prince Mansion. Along the way, commoners passing by her side would show terror in their eyes upon seeing her, avoiding her from all directions as if fleeing from a plague.
The news of Mu Lingzhu’s death had spread throughout Diehua City, but the Ministry of Justice’s verdict had not yet been posted. Having heard the rumors, all the commoners thought that Mu Yunjin was the one who had killed Mu Lingzhu.
Originally, Mu Yunjin had found the surroundings somewhat noisy, but now seeing that people had all fled, she raised the corners of her lips in self-mockery and strutted down the center of the street.
Mu Yunjin walked for about half an hour before reaching the gate of the Ning Prince Mansion. At this time, Mamma Shen was standing at the gate, anxiously pacing back and forth. Upon seeing Mu Yunjin’s figure, she excitedly ran over.
“Princess, are you alright?” Mamma Shen grabbed Mu Yunjin’s arm, feeling her up and down, checking if she was injured.
“I’m fine,” Mu Yunjin smiled calmly.
“Really? Are you really alright? Did they torture you?” Mamma Shen had heard the rumors and didn’t believe that Mu Yunjin would return unharmed.
Mu Yunjin winked at Mamma Shen, “The matter has been cleared up, they found the real culprit, so I’ve returned.”
“That’s good.” Mamma Shen immediately breathed a sigh of relief, then pulled on Mu Yunjin’s sleeve, speaking softly in her ear, “The Prince has returned and is waiting for you in the front hall!”
Mu Yunjin’s eyes showed surprise.
When she reached the front hall, Mu Yunjin indeed saw Chu Li sitting inside. He had changed into a moon-white brocade robe and was maintaining a stern face, glancing at Mu Yunjin’s entering figure with cold eyes.
“Didn’t you say you would stay at Shuiyun Temple for a few days? Why have you come back?” Mu Yunjin sensed a pressure in the surrounding air and spoke with feigned ease.
Chu Li pressed his lips together in silence.
In this situation, from Mu Yunjin’s understanding of Chu Li, this guy was probably angry.
Well, it was better to be honest.
“Today’s events were also unexpected for me. How would I know they had arranged such a scene waiting for me on the way? I didn’t even cry injustice, yet Qin Shuning dares to do so!” Mu Yunjin pouted.
After she spoke, Chu Li’s tightly pressed lips loosened, his expression no longer as tense as before. He beckoned to Mu Yunjin, “Come here.”
Mu Yunjin approached Chu Li, and was immediately encircled by his arms around her waist, placing her on his lap and embracing her. He sighed lightly, “Always like this, how can I be at ease?”
Ding Xian and Huang Yan were both in the front hall at this time. Seeing this intimate scene, Huang Yan couldn’t help but tease, “Princess, you don’t know, our master heard the news of your trouble at Shuiyun Temple and rushed to the Ministry of Justice…”
“Oh? The Ministry of Justice? Why didn’t I see you?” Mu Yunjin shifted slightly, raising an eyebrow as she looked at Chu Li.
Chu Li’s arms around her tightened a bit, but he didn’t answer.
“He was hiding in the shadows, watching the whole time! Even Master Huaiyuan was brought along to serve as a witness for you, but then that little bitch Qin Muyue appeared!”
“Even I didn’t understand what happened after that,” Huang Yan scratched his chin.
When Mu Yunjin heard Huang Yan say that Chu Li had been watching her from the shadows at the Ministry of Justice, her heart suddenly felt warm. At that time, she had felt like she was fighting a lone battle, not realizing that someone had been accompanying her.
“Then if you came to the Ministry of Justice, why didn’t you wait to leave with me?” Mu Yunjin’s eyes were full of questions.
Hearing this, Huang Yan again couldn’t help but speak up, “Someone wanted to pretend to be angry, so he returned first, wanting to scare you a bit and teach you a lesson. Who knew that as soon as he saw you return, he couldn’t maintain the act…”
Mu Yunjin smiled, pressing her lips together.
Chu Li held Mu Yunjin, unwilling to let go for a moment. His eyes emanated a hint of coldness, revealing a heavy killing intent. It seemed that certain people and certain matters needed to be dealt with ahead of schedule.
“Master, that little bitch Qin suddenly turning on her aunt this time, her purpose isn’t simple,” Huang Yan thought for a moment and still felt that a top-tier bitch like Qin Muyue wouldn’t suddenly become kind-hearted.
At the mention of Qin Muyue, Mu Yunjin pouted, “Then what was her purpose in suddenly taking down Qin Shuning?”
Everyone fell silent.
Just as they were speaking, Mamma Shen ran in again, “Prince, Princess, Old General Qin has come to the mansion, saying he wants to apologize to the Princess. Young General Qin has also come…”