Ch 140: As Expected

Indeed, as expected, Wang Qishen only heard Mu Xia, in a near whisper, softly recount: “Sir, the mansion’s financial power is actually in the Princess’s hands, and the Princess… she… seems unwilling to use the mansion’s silver to apologize.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Wang Qishen’s expression instantly froze, his eyes full of disbelief. “Does the Princess know what happened?”

Mu Xia nodded very slowly.

Wang Qishen’s heart suddenly sank, as if an invisible hand had choked his breath, and his body involuntarily trembled slightly.

If Mu Xia hadn’t been quick-witted and reached out to support him in time, he would have stumbled and lost his composure.

Wang Qishen kept stroking his chest, trying to calm his inner anger, muttering to himself: “What kind of mind does the Princess have? At this moment, she is still clinging to that paltry silver, truly a short-sighted person!”

Mu Xia’s expression mirrored Wang Qishen’s, full of worry, as if tears were about to fall the next moment: “Sir, what should we do now?”

Wang Qishen looked painfully and wearily at the person lying quietly on the bed, his voice low and heavy: “No matter what, we must beg the Princess to produce the silver to quell this immediate turmoil. As for the rest, let’s wait until the Prince wakes up to make calculations.”

Upon hearing this, Mu Xia gently nodded, his eyes full of helplessness and worry.

Afterwards, one after the other, they left the room with heavy steps.

On the bed, that person’s cheeks were tinged with a faint blush, forming a stark contrast with their pale lips, their brows furrowed, as if enduring endless pain and struggle.

Their lips moved slightly, and whispers as thin as silk echoed in the silent air.

If, at this moment, someone could quietly approach and place their ear close to the murmuring, they could surely catch a few intermittent words:

“I… was wrong…”

“Yue’er…”

“Wrong…”

…

Outside Jingdu, in a simple farmhouse.

Meng Tingyue stood beside the bed, looking at Erquan, who had not yet woken up.

“Princess, please sit down and wait for a while.” Yan Hong whispered softly, then moved a delicate small stool, gently placing it beside Meng Tingyue.

Meng Tingyue glanced at her and gracefully sat down.

Just now, Yan Hong sent someone to report that the remaining toxins in Erquan’s body had been completely cleared under the careful treatment of the physician. Barring any accidents, he should wake up today.

Upon hearing this news, she hurried here without stopping, worried that something else would happen.

Hearing this good news, Meng Tingyue was anxious, immediately setting off, fearing any further mishap.

Last time, it was when Erquan’s condition was gradually improving and he was about to wake up that he was unfortunately attacked again.

This time, she would wait personally; she wanted to see if anyone could poison him under her nose.

“Have all the silver needles used to test for poison been retrieved?” Meng Tingyue tilted her head slightly, her gaze sharp as an eagle’s, fixed on Yan Hong, her eyes flashing with inquisitive light.

Yan Hong bowed, her tone carrying a hint of self-blame, slowly saying: “Reporting to Miss, I have retrieved them all, but one is still missing.”

“Have those silver needles been carefully examined for any remaining traces of poison?” Meng Tingyue’s voice carried a chill.

“I have had people examine each one, but none showed any trace of poison.” Yan Hong replied.

Hearing this, Meng Tingyue’s expression grew colder, “Meaning, to this day, the culprit hasn’t been found?”

Yan Hong felt the chill in her tone, her heart trembled, and she suddenly knelt down, “I am incompetent.”

As soon as these four words were spoken, Meng Tingyue’s face became even colder, like ice formed in winter, “Hundreds of people in the Crown Prince’s Mansion, and they can’t even catch a petty thief who uses poison, it’s truly chilling.”

Yan Hong knelt on the ground, her body trembling slightly, repeating, “I am incompetent, please punish me, Crown Princess.”

Meng Tingyue stared at Yan Hong, her eyes full of deep disappointment and helplessness.

“Go, find the maid servant who was responsible for testing the poison last time.”

Azhao was brought in.

“I am Azhao, I greet the Crown Princess.” Her voice was as thin as a mosquito’s, with an undeniable tremor.

Meng Tingyue sat upright, her gaze sharp, her voice devoid of warmth: “Speak, who administered the poison? If you are willing to identify the mastermind, This Palace might show mercy and spare your family’s lives.”

Upon hearing this, Azhao’s body stiffened, her head bowed so low it was almost buried in the dust, her shoulders slightly twitching.

“I… I really don’t know when or by whom the poison was placed!” Her voice was choked with sobs, every word dripping with tears.

Seeing this, Meng Tingyue’s eyes grew even colder, “Bring her away, this person neglected her duty, almost causing a great disaster, causing the death of innocent people. Immediately drag her away and execute her according to the law, to serve as a warning to others.”

As soon as the order was given, the atmosphere in the hall instantly froze.

Upon hearing this, Azhao’s despair was evident; she pleaded desperately, tears and sweat mingling, crying and begging for mercy, her voice shrill and desperate.

However, Meng Tingyue’s face was cold and impassive, like a statue, unmoved.

Yan Hong watched Azhao being dragged away mercilessly, her heart burning with anxiety, but helpless.

In the courtyard, the sound of wailing and the dull thud of sticks hitting flesh intertwined, each wail conveying endless agony, piercing the heart, causing a chill, making one’s blood run cold.

Meng Tingyue gently lowered her eyelids, her face calm, as if the cruelty of the outside world had nothing to do with her, showing a detached demeanor in her composure.

After a moment, the sounds outside the courtyard stopped abruptly, replaced by a trembling plea.

“I’ll… ah… I’ll tell…”

Qingdian entered the room, her steps steady, slowly bending down, whispering: “Crown Princess, she has confessed, it was Zheng Steward who ordered her to poison.”

In Meng Tingyue’s eyes, there was no surprise.

“Such treachery, attempting to harm innocent people with poison, the Crown Prince’s Mansion has no place for her. Go, release her indenture and send her back to her hometown, do not let her set foot in this place again.”

Qingdian nodded slightly and then quietly withdrew.

Meng Tingyue’s gaze shifted to Yan Hong, a gaze that seemed to penetrate the heart.

She caught the lingering fear and shock in Yan Hong’s eyes.

“This Palace will tell the Crown Prince that you are not suitable to serve in This Palace’s courtyard anymore. At that time, the Crown Prince will arrange you elsewhere.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Hong’s heart tightened, her terror evident; she hurriedly knelt down, her forehead repeatedly striking the ground in supplication.

She was carefully selected to enter the mansion to specifically serve the future Crown Princess. If the Crown Princess refused to keep her, she would have nowhere to go and be driven out of the mansion.

Once driven out, how could she find a job as easy as in the Crown Prince’s Mansion?

If her father and brother found out, they would beat her to death.

However, Meng Tingyue’s resolve was firm; no matter how much Yan Hong pleaded, it was all in vain.

Yan Hong was finally taken away, and the surroundings became much quieter.