Chapter 72.1 - Shu Xiang’s Fate (Part I) (1/2)
The tables seemed to have turned.
When Xia Cheng saw that the situation was not good, he immediately responded to the physician angrily, “Quack! How dare you lie to us! “
“No, my Lord.” The physician took a few steps back. He didn’t know what had gone wrong as everything was different from the expected scenario. All of a sudden, he broke out into a cold sweat.
“There’s no need for Old Marquis Xia to get angry. Perhaps, as Eldest Jiang Miss said, this poison had no effect on her.” Even though Xia Cheng had no idea what the Crown Prince meant, it sounded like random nonsense. Nevertheless, beads of cold sweat started to appear on Xia Cheng’s back.
No matter how muddleheaded and incompetent the Crown Prince was- having no talent and devoid of morals- he was after all a member of the royal family. How could he tolerate his subjects playing petty tricks before his very eyes?
At this very moment, Xuan Li’s voice rang out. “Since it’s the quack’s fault, just tie him up immediately. If they’re kept, such quacks will only harm people’s lives in the future.” Then, he ordered his attendants to bind the physician. The physician didn’t foresee this sudden misfortune and shouted, “It’s obviously Old…” However, before he could finish speaking, he was gagged and pinned down.
Jiang Su Su glanced at Xuan Li gratefully. However, a trace of fury crossed Jiang Li’s face. Jiang Ruan smiled, “Your Highness the Eighth Prince, why did you have the physician tied up? This way it’s still unclear whether the pastry was poisonous or not, or whether Ruan niang is guilty or innocent.”
She actually didn’t give Xuan Li a way out of this situation.
On hearing her say this, Xuan Li was disappointed. He thought that the Jiang family’s Eldest Miss was a smart person; when a wise man encounters this kind of situation, he should not continue to look into it.
Did she still think that the people here would grant her justice, especially as the Jiang family’s unfavoured daughter? It was better to settle the matter now, which would save a lot of trouble. Thinking along these lines, he glanced at Jiang Ruan. But he was stunned to see that Jiang Ruan was currently looking his way calmly. There was a kind of indescribable emotion in those beautiful eyes. He had seen that emotion many times. It was unforgettable. Hatred?
Hatred?
How could this Jiang family’s Eldest Miss hate him for no reason? Because he spoke on behalf of the Xia family? Xuan Li paused and then took another look at Jiang Ruan but she had already turned away. It was as if the emotions in her eyes were merely his illusion. But, Xuan Li knew for sure that it was not an illusion. The girl across from him did have an inexplicable hatred for him.
Just then, an indifferent voice suddenly broke the silence. “In that case, Ye Feng, take my official seal and go to see the Great Physician Qiu.” Everyone’s eyes were immediately focused on him, yet Xiao Shao’s expression remained unchanged as he continued, “We’ll bring the truth of this matter to light[1].”
[1] Shuǐluòshíchū ( 水落石出 ) – idiom, as the water recedes, the rocks appear / the truth comes to light
The Xia family couldn’t help but ponder. Did this represent speaking on behalf of Jiang Ruan? It was strange that both Jinying Wang and the Crown Prince came here suddenly today. The Jinying Wang rescued Jiang Su Su aboard the Ling Long Boat. How come he seemed to be an ally of Jiang Ruan now?
Jiang Ruan herself was also baffled. Xiao Shao suddenly helped her. What was his objective?
Xia Jiao Jiao had been looking at Xiao Shao either furtively or deliberately since the moment he came in. When she heard what Xiao Shao had said, her pretty face turned pale. She bit her lower lip tightly, looking like she was about to cry.
Xuan Li glanced at Jiang Su Su who was covered with a veil. Her eyes misted over with tears that wouldn’t fall. It was really pitiful. Looking at the other members of the Xia family, several daughter-in-laws had precisely the same expression as that of Xia Yan. They were panic-stricken- three points due to restlessness while seven points were due to weakness. It was truly unbearable for them.
Jiang Ruan, standing in the middle of the hall, had a completely different expression from them. Her face was wreathed in smiles while her gaze was cold and indifferent. Each movement was incomparably sharp. Unexpectedly, she wanted to put people to death cruelly.
Xuan Li finally started speaking, “Brother Xiao, why should you trouble Great Physician Qiu. It seems to me that the truth in this matter has been revealed. It’s only harm caused by the quack. He misdiagnosed Xia Furen’s illness. The pastries on the table are not poisoned, and Eldest Jiang Miss is also innocent. In the end, it was just a misunderstanding. You’re all one family. Our Emperor Father has taught us from an early age that if the family lives in harmony, all affairs will prosper.”
His words were really fortuitous. Jiang Ruan sneered inwardly. If the family lived in harmony, all affairs would prosper. But whose family was harmonious and whose affairs were prosperous? It had nothing to do with her. With Xuan Li’s words, Xia Cheng breathed a sigh of relief. Next he gave a meaningful glance to Xia Yan, who was momentarily taken by surprise. She then walked up to Jiang Ruan and said, “Ruan’er, it’s my fault. If Mother had been more careful, and not misled by the quack’s words, you wouldn’t have had to suffer this injustice. Now, Mother can only ask for your forgiveness by getting down on my knees.” With that, she bent down and knelt down to Jiang Ruan.
Jiang Ruan moved aside slightly to avoid Xia Yan’s grand ceremonial gesture and spoke with a smile, “Mother is joking.” If she accepted Xia Yan’s kowtow today, the reputation of disrespecting her father’s di wife would spread out in the capital city tomorrow.
She looked at Xia Cheng. “Everyone here is one family. If the family lives in harmony, all affairs will prosper. His Highness Eighth Prince spoke really well. I had no idea; it’s as if Eighth Prince is a member of the Xia family.”
Xuan Li’s expression turned stiff. Jiang Ruan spoke again, “But, it’s a small matter for Ruan niang to suffer a little grievance. On the other hand, Maternal Grandmother’s illness is a big matter. For no apparent reason, how could she lose consciousness after eating a piece of Ruan niang’s pastry? It’s really strange when you think about it. It’s so strange that everything is still unresolved after much deliberation.” She stood in the hall in the same posture and her face was wreathed with smiles. “But today, I would like to thank Wangye (Xiao Shao) for speaking out and giving clarification on behalf of Ruan niang. Otherwise, the quack would be at large and perhaps Ruan niang would have to go to prison. The crime of plotting to murder Maternal Grandmother is not small. Ruan niang couldn’t bear it even if I wanted to risk my life.”
In fact, this matter had nothing to do with Xiao Shao. It’s just that in the roomful of people, she highlighted that only Xiao Shao spoke fairly, which was like slapping everyone in the face. The Crown Prince suddenly laughed. “Eldest Jiang Miss is right. I too feel that this matter wouldn’t happen without any reason. In the imperial court, misjudgments and wrong verdicts also come at a price. From what I see, the young lady of Xia family, two daughter-in-laws, Jiang Furen, as well as Jiang family’s Second Miss and Second Young Master, all denounced Eldest Jiang Miss. Old Marquis Xia is advanced in age, so I’ll let it pass. The rest won’t be spared. Since Eldest Jiang Miss wanted me to make the decision for her, I will do this one thing. Since you have all accused her wrongly, let’s have each one of you take 20 lashings as corporal punishment.”
“What?!” Xia Jiao Jiao cried out. “Your Highness, how can you do this?”
Shen Rou pinched her arm in a hurry and spoke in dismay, “This child is not sensible and only babbling nonsense. Your Highness, please spare her this time.”