inspire-indiana Chapter 213: Choosing a Day for Execution
Chapter 213: Choosing a Day for Execution
The Emperor was equally shocked upon hearing this. During that period, he was unwell, and he had entrusted the marriage between Song Jinwan and Xie Yunqi entirely to the Empress. However, he never expected such a major oversight to occur!
The emperor hurriedly asked, "Is this true?"
Jiang Yuyue nodded solemnly and said, "I dare not speak rashly about the princess, but the marriage between Xie Yunqi and me is known to everyone in Jinling City. Your Majesty can send someone to investigate and then you will know whether what I said is true or false."
Upon hearing Jiang Yuyue's words, the emperor knew she wasn't talking nonsense, and his face turned ashen. He never expected his daughter to be so easily deceived!
Song Jinglan stepped forward at the opportune moment and reported to His Majesty that Xie Yunqi is in cahoots with Song Yunming and has assisted him in many transactions involving the buying and selling of official positions.
"How dare you, Xie Yunqi!"
The emperor was furious. "Immediately imprison this man and execute him that very day!"
After saying this, the emperor immediately stood up, and Eunuch Liu hurriedly stepped forward to help him leave the hall. Too many things had happened today, and he was no longer able to deal with them.
As the emperor departed, everyone knelt and bowed, saying, "Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty!"
The court officials had various expressions. Many of them had dealings with the Zhou family, and now they were all on edge, fearing that if Song Yunming's case were investigated further, it would implicate them. They all hurried away, after all, the situation was so turbulent, and they should go back and deal with it properly.
Song Jinglan turned to look at Jiang Yuyue and reached out to help her up from the ground. "I have fulfilled the promise I made to you."
Jiang Yuyue subtly avoided his hand, stood up on her own, and bowed slightly to Song Jinglan, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness Prince Jing."
Seeing her actions, Song Jinglan looked displeased, but considering the presence of many people, he didn't say anything. "Let Jixiang take you home."
Jiang Yuyue responded, bowed again, and then turned to walk towards the side hall. Jixiang was already waiting there. He led Jiang Yuyue away from the crowd in a carriage and left through the side gate of the palace.
Jiang Yuyue was extremely pleased at this moment. Xie Yunqi was already guilty of a capital crime and could not escape death. It was a pity that Song Yunming still had a dog's life, but he was demoted to a commoner and exiled to the remote Zhuzhou, which was barely enough to satisfy Jiang Yuyue.
As for Xie Yunqi's "son" Song Honglin...
Jiang Yuyue originally intended to reveal the whole thing, but seeing that the old emperor was dragging his ailing body to investigate the matter, and having heard that the emperor had always favored Song Jinglan, she swallowed her words when they reached the tip of her tongue.
If she were to reveal this matter in front of the entire court, where would the imperial family's reputation be? The old emperor was already furious about Xie Yunqi's deception of the emperor; if she were to tell him about this as well, he might be overcome with rage...
However, even without this incident, Xie Yunqi was already guilty of a capital offense, so there was no need for her to provoke the emperor further.
Even so, Jiang Yuyue still felt somewhat unhappy thinking about Song Jinwan's face, but the joy of revenge was overwhelming, and she quickly put the matter out of her mind, only hoping to go home soon to announce the good news.
Such a momentous event first reached the Empress's ears. She had no children, so she felt no pity for Song Yunming's fate. On the contrary, she felt a sense of relief when she heard that Consort Chun had been banished to the Cold Palace. However, there was one thing that the eunuch hesitated to say.
Seeing his appearance, the Empress frowned and immediately said, "Speak your mind. What kind of behavior is this, stammering like this?"
Upon hearing this, the eunuch hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, one of the people who came to the court today to accuse Ning...Song Yunming is the wife of the Imperial Son-in-Law Xie Yunqi. She revealed that the Imperial Son-in-Law had concealed the fact that he already had a family, and that this marriage was arranged by Your Majesty..."
The eunuch observed the Empress's expression and hesitated before saying, "I wonder if His Majesty will take his anger out on Your Majesty..."
These words caused the Empress's expression to change slightly. It was true that she had handled Song Jinwan's marriage, and she had also sent people to investigate Xie Yunqi's identity long ago. She was indeed well aware of Xie Yunqi's marriage.
Even so, she still agreed to the marriage, for no other reason than that Song Jinwan was the daughter of Consort Chun!
Consort Chun is currently the most favored concubine. She has given birth to a son and a daughter for the emperor, and she also comes from a prestigious family. Over the years, the empress has suffered a lot of mistreatment at her hands.
However, when Song Jinwan came to ask the emperor to grant her a marriage, she spoke highly of Xie Yunqi, and the emperor immediately agreed, only asking her to handle the matter. Therefore, even though the empress later found out that Xie Yunqi had problems, she still let the two of them get married smoothly, just so that Consort Chun's daughter could also taste the feeling of having her husband taken away!
Seeing that the Empress remained silent, the eunuch quickly probed, "Your Majesty? Would you like to explain this to His Majesty?"
"No need."
The Empress waved her hand, and after a moment of panic, she regained her composure. Now that Consort Chun, Song Yunming, and even the entire Zhou family and many officials in the court had committed serious crimes, the Emperor was currently bedridden and had no power to inquire about them one by one. Even if the Emperor asked, she could be deceived and given an explanation, and it would not involve her at all.
……
A courtyard house in the west of the city.
Ever since Jiang Yuyue left, Xiao Liu had been anxiously looking around at the door. Only when she saw Jixiang drive the carriage to the door did she quickly go forward to greet her. Seeing her young mistress return safely, a huge weight was lifted from her heart, and she hurriedly asked.
"Miss, how is the situation?"
Jiang Yuyue smiled and said, "It's done!"
After saying this, she quickly walked into the courtyard and called out loudly, "Father! Mother! Ah Xi!"
Hearing the shouts, the Jiang family members immediately came out. Jiang Yuyue stepped forward and grabbed her parents' hands, her eyes filled with tears of excitement, "Daughter has finally avenged our family!"
revenge?
Mr. and Mrs. Jiang exchanged a glance, both puzzled by Jiang Yuyue's meaning. The impatient Jiang Huanxi hurriedly asked, "What revenge? Sister, please explain yourself clearly!"
"With the help of Prince Jing, I was able to identify Prince Ning's crimes in court today!"
Jiang Yuyue immediately explained, "Prince Ning has been punished for numerous crimes and has been demoted to a commoner and exiled to Zhuzhou. I have also reported Xie Yunqi for deceiving the emperor and currying favor with the princess. He assisted Prince Ning in committing many evil deeds, and His Majesty has sentenced him to death and will execute him on a later date!"
Upon hearing Jiang Yuyue's words, Jiang's parents showed no joy on their faces, but instead gasped in shock.
"Moon! You have quite the nerve!"
Father Jiang's expression tightened. "You went to the imperial court to identify Prince Ning?! You didn't even tell your parents about such a big thing!"