Chapter 201: Chapter 144: All Give False Testimony

The Emperor frowned, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

Although Shen Ruoxi’s actions were for self-protection, now that the situation has been resolved, her placing Cheng Caiyun and Can Hu in that room was indeed inappropriate.

Even though it seems Shen Ruoxi is faultless in retaliation, at its core, now that she is unharmed, her actions could be viewed as a form of revenge.

Her actions mirrored Cheng Caiyun’s, and if scrutinized, it could easily be seized upon as a fault and lead to gossip.

Shen Ruoxi only smiled faintly, looking at Cheng Caiyun with cold eyes, “County Princess Cheng, even if someone was in that room, how can you be so sure it was me? In this vast Capital City, am I the only one capable of martial arts?”

Lan Jue, who had been silent for a while, slowly stood up, bowed respectfully to the Emperor, and calmly said, “Your Majesty, I can testify, the person in that room was definitely not Marquis Shen.

It’s because I knew Marquis Shen wasn’t there, so I went to find her, and at that time, she was tidying up wine glasses in the front hall.

From the front hall of the Prince Mansion in the south of the city to the backyard, it would take at least a quarter of an hour, and it is impossible for Marquis Shen to be in two places at once.”

Upon hearing this, Cheng Caiyun angrily retorted, “Prince Lan, you’re lying, she was definitely in the backyard at that time, not the front hall.”

Lan Jue curled his mouth in a mocking smile but said nothing, internally sneering, even if this princely heir is lying, what can you do? What evidence do you have?

Xu Jingwan also stood up and saluted the Emperor with a bow, then said, “I can also attest, when we went to the backyard, we did not see Ruoxi.”

Shen Ruoxi was somewhat surprised, not expecting Xu Jingwan to also help her, even if it meant lying.

After Xu Jingwan spoke, she turned to Cheng Caiyun, sincerely saying, “County Princess Cheng, for such an incident occurring in the south city Prince Mansion, I deeply apologize and will definitely offer Silver Taels as a gesture of consolation.”

At this point, Cheng Caiyun was fuming with rage, “Who wants your Silver? You’re all lying, Lord Chu…”

She pinned all her hopes on Chu Teng, desperately hoping he was the one who would speak the truth.

Currently, she feared nothing, so what if her actions were exposed?

She was determined to drag Shen Ruoxi down with her, viewing Shen Ruoxi as no better than herself—they were cut from the same cloth.

Revealing this matter, she too would be scorned by others.

Chu Teng bowed and reported to the Emperor, “Your Majesty, after careful investigation and examination by my people, based on the footprints and force on the beams, it does not appear to be the work of a weak woman, but rather a man. This is the conclusion reached by several competent officials of the Ministry of Justice.”

Hearing this, Cheng Caiyun was thunderstruck, collapsing to the ground in disbelief, looking at Chu Teng, muttering, “Lord Chu, you… you…”

How could even Chu Teng lie? Impossible? Cheng Caiyun was visibly in disbelief.

Shen Ruoxi had previously thought Cheng Caiyun wouldn’t implicate herself, so she didn’t deal with the traces when she fled via the beams, not expecting her to now try to bring her down together.

However, Shen Ruoxi hadn’t anticipated that the usually strict and impartial Lord Chu would actually cover for her this time.

Upon hearing Chu Teng’s words, the Emperor believed them without doubt and immediately shouted in anger, “Cheng Caiyun, you did wrong and yet refuse to repent, attempting to falsely accuse others. Do you realize your guilt?”

Cheng Caiyun was full of panic and hurriedly sought help from the Eldest Princess.

The Eldest Princess sighed lightly in her heart and stepped forward, saying, “Your Majesty, indeed Caiyun has done wrong.

But fortunately, both Marquis Shen and Prince Lan are unscathed. Since she brought this upon herself and received her punishment, let’s let us leave first, shall we?”

Before the Emperor could respond, Jun Moling spoke faintly, “Aunt, did you not hear clearly what I said yesterday?”

Every word Jun Moling spoke seemed courteous but carried a strong sense of oppression.

The Eldest Princess felt almost suffocated under his aura.

However, she was, after all, Jun Moling’s elder and believed she had always treated this nephew fairly, especially after the passing of his parents, believing she had shown the care a proper aunt should.

“Li, for your aunt’s sake, won’t you let your cousin go? She was just momentarily confused, and now she has received her punishment.” The Eldest Princess said, trying to stay calm.

Jun Moling’s eyes were as dark as water, his voice cold, “Aunt, I gave her a chance yesterday, but she didn’t cherish it.

And this morning she dared to accuse Ruoxi, it’s her own doing; she only has herself to blame!”

Cheng Caiyun was now extremely frightened; she hadn’t been in contact with Jun Moling for more than five years.

While she’d heard many rumors about his ruthless and unfeeling nature, not recognizing kin, she never believed he would actually punish her severely for Shen Ruoxi.

But at this moment, seeing the murderous aura emanating from Jun Moling, she truly felt he might have the intent to kill.

“Cousin, I was wrong, cousin, I’ll apologize to Marquis Shen, no, apologize to sister-in-law.”

Cheng Caiyun was genuinely panicking, clearly seeing the intense murderous intent in Jun Moling’s eyes.

Jun Moling, once he had murderous thoughts, could unhesitatingly sentence even the mightiest to death, and this was no idle threat.

“Too late.” His voice was as cold as frost, devoid of any warmth.

The Eldest Princess also panicked, watching her daughter desperately huddle by her side, her heart aching.

“Your Majesty, Caiyun knows her wrong, allow her to properly apologize to Marquis Shen. We are all family; let’s move past this issue.

When we return, I will ensure she reflects thoroughly and will not spare her lightly. If she targets Marquis Shen again, I will be the first to smack her.”

The Emperor sighed softly, “Aunt, since these words come from Prince Zhan, he will handle it.

You should know, the Emperor Grandfather’s dying wish was for the Father Emperor to handle court affairs and for the Uncle Emperor to oversee external matters, and it’s the same now with me.

Since Prince Zhan made this decision, it is not my place to interfere.”

The Eldest Princess was stunned by his words, then turned to Jun Moling, “Li, as your aunt, I am begging you; your cousin has acknowledged her mistake, and I will keep her confined for a year, no, two years.

Li, your father and mother passed away early, but your aunt has not been unkind to you! Li, I have only this one child.”

However, Jun Moling was like a man of iron, bowing deeply to the Eldest Princess, “Aunt, as a nephew, I pay my respects to you. Yet the law is the law; if my word doesn’t count, if I go back on my words, how can I earn everyone’s trust?

County Princess Cheng has committed a grave mistake and shall go to Jingci Temple outside the city for her practices, not to return to the Capital City. Pack a few garments, and there will be a carriage waiting to take her soon.”

The Eldest Princess, hearing this, almost collapsed, her legs going weak.

Cheng Caiyun was stunned on the spot and, after a moment, suddenly burst into manic laughter filled with despair and madness.

“Jun Moling, how ruthless you are to send me to a nunnery for that woman! Don’t forget, my mother is your own aunt; are you disowning your relatives?

She, that Shen orphan, brings harm to father, mother, and brother, and you still want to marry her? Aren’t you afraid she’ll bring you misfortune? Xiao Chengyi was wise enough, not wanting her even if she was beautiful.

Are you so desperate? Picking up second-hand goods, it’s no wonder her parents and brother are all dead, they deserve it, a woman like that doesn’t deserve to have a family.

Shen Ruoxi, your family line dying out is heaven’s blessing, deserved, you brought it on yourself, why didn’t you die with them!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep