Chapter 200: Chapter 143: Death Throes

The next day, Ruoxi appeared in the Imperial Study Room as usual.

The Eldest Princess and Cheng Caiyun had already arrived, but the Fu family mother and son were absent today. After all, Fu Chao and Cheng Caiyun had divorced and were no longer connected.

Lan Jue and Shen Jingwan were present today, but Jun Moling and Chu Teng had not yet shown up.

Cheng Caiyun, compared to yesterday, seemed greatly diminished.

Her face was as pale as paper, with conspicuous dark circles under her eyes, and she appeared dispirited and listless.

Seeing this, Ruoxi’s lips slightly curled up, knowing well that this appearance was due to a guilty conscience. Presumably, she was anxious and sleepless last night.

However, the Eldest Princess saw her daughter’s wretched state as a sign of trauma, and felt even more compassion.

After all, no one would want such things to happen.

Still, the Eldest Princess secretly made a ruthless vow, that if Ruoxi was truly responsible for this, even with her two nephews protecting her, she would not let Ruoxi off easily, even if it cost her own life.

At this moment, Cheng Caiyun was cold all over, filled with fear and unease.

She was truly afraid that Jun Moling and Chu Teng would uncover the whole truth.

Yesterday, she sent people to gather information, but with Prince Zhan and the Ministry of Justice working together on the case, it was nearly impossible to uncover any information they wished to keep secret.

She could only place all her hopes on this one day.

In her thinking, in such a short time, they couldn’t possibly uncover everything.

As long as Jun Moling and Chu Teng hadn’t resolved the matter before the Emperor today, it would be considered a crime of deceiving the Emperor.

At that time, she would then propose that Jun Moling recuse himself, and perhaps there would still be room for negotiation in the matter.

Everyone waited quietly in the Imperial Study Room, time slowly passing, and the Emperor started to grow a bit impatient.

He was just about to send Qi Lin to inquire when Qi Lin reported that Prince Zhan and Lord Chu had arrived.

The Emperor’s slightly tense mind finally eased a little as he quickly let the two enter.

The two entered the Imperial Study Room, presented their respects to the Emperor, and Cheng Caiyun’s heart immediately raced wildly.

Sweat clung to her forehead in tiny, dense beads, and she felt as if her heart was lodged in her throat, ready to jump out of her chest at any moment.

With a serious expression, Chu Teng presented the dossier with both hands, and Qi Lin quickly stepped forward to take it and present it to the Emperor.

The Emperor quickly opened the dossier, initially full of astonishment, then with eyes sharp as knives, he looked directly at Cheng Caiyun.

Under that piercing gaze, Cheng Caiyun’s body wobbled, nearly fainting.

It was only when Cheng Caiyun was on the brink of collapse that the Emperor unhurriedly read through the dossier presented by Chu Teng from start to finish.

Upon finishing, the Emperor’s face turned dark, with anger written all over it.

He handed the dossier to Qi Bao angrily, saying, “Let the Eldest Princess have a good look!”

The Eldest Princess was full of bewilderment.

Her two nephews, one being the Emperor and the other Prince Zhan, had always shown great respect to her as their aunt.

Especially the Emperor, as both she and the former Emperor were children of the former Empress, and naturally closer compared to other nephews.

Seeing the Emperor furious in this manner, if it weren’t for others present in the Imperial Study Room, the dossier might have been directly thrown into her face.

She found it hard to believe that the Emperor would treat her in such a way.

Confused at heart, she quickly opened the dossier, and after reading a few pages, her hands began to tremble.

She grasped the dossier tightly, as if trying to crush it.

Glaring angrily, she yelled at Cheng Caiyun, “Cheng Caiyun, you actually plotted against Marquis Shen and Prince Lan!”

Cheng Caiyun’s face turned ashen, but she stubbornly bit her lip, refusing to admit it, arguing, “Mother, I don’t know what you’re talking about?

I was set up, you see Shen Ruoxi and Prince Lan sitting there unharmed, I am the victim.”

The Emperor listened and chuckled coldly, “Cheng Caiyun, this is the first time I’ve seen such a person falsely accusing others. Must I summon all the witnesses before you admit guilt?”

Cheng Caiyun risked everything, “Your Majesty, even if you gather everyone, I didn’t do it! Yes, I was resentful towards Ruoxi for being punished by my mother during her birthday banquet.

But on the day of Prince Lan’s wedding, I decided to give up on revenge and even stopped their misconduct.

How could I know that Marquis Shen held a grudge and plotted against me. Now, I beg Your Majesty for justice and to find the real culprit, so I can be vindicated!”

Ruoxi was somewhat impressed by Cheng Caiyun; even with facts laid bare, she could still smoothly avoid the focus and argue cleverly.

Whether it was her sharp mind or eloquence, it was exceptional, but unfortunately, used in the wrong places.

The Emperor’s lips twitched uncontrollably with anger, growling, “You’re entirely getting yourself in trouble and still dare to reverse the accusation!

Cheng Caiyun, this is self-inflicted! Is it so important to find out who framed you? Should others just stand by and be manipulated without striking back?”

“Your Majesty, I really dislike this sentence. If I plotted against others, it’s wicked, but what about her? She’s fine, but pushes me into doom; isn’t she the same?” Cheng Caiyun responded with resentment.

The Eldest Princess, from her initial rage, gradually calmed down.

At this moment, she suddenly felt her daughter’s words might not be entirely unreasonable.

Since Ruoxi remained unharmed, why couldn’t she let it go instead of driving her daughter to a dead end? Her heart seemed too ruthless, ruining her daughter’s life.

However, since her daughter was at fault initially, she couldn’t rightly criticize even if she harbored resentment.

She could only lament secretly, all being relatives, Ruoxi’s actions seemed a bit excessive, hoping the Emperor would administer punishment.

“County Princess Cheng, you keep saying it’s my doing, but do you have any evidence?” Ruoxi asked coolly, looking steadily at Cheng Caiyun.

Evidence? Cheng Caiyun indeed had none. However, Hong clearly saw her enter that room, and the doors and windows were locked tight, so how did she escape?

“Lord Chu, you’ve always been fair and just. What have you found regarding that room?”

Cheng Caiyun clung to Chu Teng as if clutching a lifeline.

Chu Teng nodded slightly and said earnestly, “Before the County Princess, indeed someone entered the room first.

The doors and windows were intact; I was initially puzzled as to how the person inside the room left.

After careful inspection, I found traces of dust being swept off the beams, inferring that the person must have left via the beams.”

Upon hearing this, Cheng Caiyun was overjoyed, exclaiming, “Your Majesty, see, my words are not unsubstantiated!

It must have been Ruoxi who meticulously planned this, ensnaring me in the trap while she made her escape.

It’s no secret in the Capital City that Marquis Shen is skilled in horse riding and swordsmanship; the only person capable of escaping via the beams and plotting against me is her!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep