mtlumby2d Chapter 158 Deadlock
Chapter 158 Deadlock
The three families mentioned by the shopkeeper were all related to the Xie family, but the Xu family was not among them.
At this point, Xu Jiaojiao had already been cleared of most of the suspicions.
The expressions of Marquis Xuanping and Minister Hu, who were mentioned by the shopkeeper, changed and became subtle.
Marquis Xuanping immediately stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, “Your Majesty is wise. Yiwenxuan is a property of my household. Naturally, most of the Xuan paper produced each year is sent to my household. However, I was unaware of this matter!”
Hu, who was not far away, became anxious and immediately stood up: "Your Majesty, please understand that these one hundred sheets of Xuan paper were purchased by your humble servant for his child to paint. As for this letter, your humble servant knew nothing about it!"
"Ah…"
After Vice Minister Hu finished speaking, the hall was silent for a moment, then a cold laugh rang out.
Everyone turned to look at the source of the sound.
Prince Chen smiled faintly, a sharp, cold glint in his eyes: "So, you mean... this matter is related to me...?"
The deliberately drawn-out syllable, like a saw slowly cutting through the heart, sends chills down one's spine and makes one unconsciously panic.
The two immediately explained in unison, "That's not what we meant!"
Zhao Yunzheng chuckled, his sharp gaze sweeping over Marquis Xuanping and Vice Minister Hu before finally settling on Xie Peining, who remained meek and submissive, as if none of this concerned her.
His eyes grew even colder, and his disgust for Xie Peining intensified.
Seeing this, the Emperor slowly spoke: "Prince Chen, what do you think of this matter?"
Zhao Yunzheng withdrew his gaze, stood up and replied, his tone calm but with a hint of coldness: "Father, this matter is strange. Although the Xuan paper from Yiwenxuan is precious, it is not unique. If someone deliberately framed someone, they only need to tamper with it a little to frame someone else. I believe that this matter should be thoroughly investigated. We must not wrong the innocent, nor let the real culprit go unpunished."
These words were spoken tactfully, neither shifting blame to any particular family nor failing to show any leniency towards the real culprit.
The Emperor nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall again before finally settling on Xie Peining. He murmured meaningfully for a moment before asking, "Princess Consort Chen, do you have anything to say?"
Xie Peining, who was called out, looked up in surprise, her eyes filled with confusion.
After a brief moment of distraction, she slowly rose, obediently bowed, and then replied in a gentle tone, "Father, please forgive me, I was completely unaware of this matter..."
She paused, then glanced with a troubled expression at the Marquis of Xuanping and his wife not far away, and slowly said, "Although Yiwenxuan is a property of my maternal family, I have long since married into the Prince Chen's residence, and have had very little contact with the Marquis of Xuanping's family in recent years..."
This weak, bewildered, and hesitant expression, as if trying to draw a line, is just like a cat that hasn't been properly cared for by its owner, so cautious that it's pitiful.
Many people, especially those wives who have been estranged from their husbands for years, saw themselves in Xie Peining at this moment, and their hearts swayed, subconsciously feeling that Xie Peining was innocent.
Princess Consort Chen is so timid; she would never do something so audacious and vicious.
Xu Jiaojiao saw this and sneered inwardly.
It seems her acting skills aren't good enough; at least in front of Princess Chen, she's not even worthy of carrying her shoes!
Prince Chen also frowned slightly, and the disgust in his eyes was almost impossible to hide.
If he hadn't already seen through Xie Peining's ugly face, he might have actually believed that Xie Peining was innocent.
He glanced slightly at the eunuch beside him and then nodded.
The eunuch understood and immediately withdrew quietly.
The emperor nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Xie Peining for a moment, seemingly unsurprised by her answer.
After a moment's hesitation, he turned to look at Xu Jiaojiao, his gaze deep and unfathomable, carrying a probing and unyielding pressure unlike anything he had ever done before: "Miss Xu, what about you? What's your opinion on this matter?"
Xu Jiaojiao was not surprised that the emperor kept testing her and asking her questions.
She rose slowly and calmly, bowed respectfully, and said in her usual calm tone: "Your Majesty, I know nothing about this matter. Although I have some dealings with the Prince Chen's residence, I have never been involved in Yiwenxuan's business, nor have I had any dealings with the Marquis of Xuanping's residence or the Hu Minister's residence."
"I reiterate my stance: I am willing to accept any investigation to prove my innocence!"
Her tone was frank and her expression was calm, as if she really had nothing to do with the matter. Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall looked back and forth between the women, each with their own thoughts.
Everyone claimed to have no connection to the matter and knew nothing about it. Coupled with insufficient evidence, the situation reached a stalemate.
The hall was silent, the atmosphere tense.
Just then, a guard who had gone out to investigate rushed into the main hall. The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The moment the guard entered, everyone turned to look at him.
The guard felt a chill run down his spine for no apparent reason. He forced himself to kneel down and replied, "Your Majesty, the old woman the maid mentioned has been found. She is currently in the side hall. Should we summon her?"
The appearance of the guard at this moment was like sending charcoal in snowy weather, providing new clues to the case and giving hope to everyone who had been sitting idly all night.
The emperor immediately waved his hand: "Summon them!"
The guard obeyed and left, soon bringing in a middle-aged woman, about fifty years old, dressed in plain clothes.
From the moment she entered the main hall, the old woman kept her head down and knelt tremblingly on the ground, never daring to show her true face.
Even so, Xie Peining, Xu Jiaojiao, Zhao Yunzheng and other acquaintances recognized her at a glance as Granny Wang.
Xie Peining's hands, which were resting on her lap, suddenly tightened.
She glanced at Prince Chen without making a sound, and seeing his calm expression, as if he had expected it, Xie Peining instantly understood.
As expected, Wang Mama was detained by Prince Chen!
Damn!
Since Prince Chen detained Granny Wang in the main hall, he must have prepared sufficient evidence to thoroughly prove her crimes.
Fortunately, Granny Wang was extremely loyal and would not betray her even if her life was in danger.
It's just a pity about this loyal servant who has been with her for so many years; she will never have such a loyal right-hand man by her side again.
On the throne, the emperor frowned slightly and commanded in a deep voice, "Raise your head!"
Wang Mama, who was kneeling on the ground, trembled. After hesitating for a long time, she silently raised her head, revealing an old and haggard face, her eyes filled with fear and unease.
Her cloudy gaze swept across the hall, finally settling on Xie Peining. A complex look flashed in her eyes, but she quickly lowered her head, not daring to look at her again.
Her movements elicited several gasps and a small commotion in the hall.
"It was her! She's the one who gave me the silver to steal the jade pendant!"
"I remember her! She came to buy Xuan paper!"
"This person looks familiar..."
"Isn't this the old nanny who serves Princess Consort Chen?"
"It really is Princess Consort Chen..."
"My God, that's incredibly audacious..."
"..."