Chapter 346: Chapter 346: If It Weren’t for Me, How Could You Have Today’s Glory?

Song Lianhe stood before the Injustice Bell, only letting Xuan Mei lower the mallet when Jing Ye emerged with his men.

According to the law, the striking of the Injustice Bell necessitated an immediate court hearing.

As the case involved royalty and high-ranking ministers, the presiding official was elevated from the Temple Chief to the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Zhen Yongming.

In the courtroom, Ah Jun recounted the various tortures he had endured. As he spoke of the worst of it, his voice choked with sobs, and his thin shoulders trembled uncontrollably.

Song Lianhe gently stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Ah Jun, don’t be afraid. I’m here.”

Zhou Cangyan, seated to Zhen Yongming’s right, raised a single eyebrow. His cold, dark gaze fell upon her slender, pale hand.

Ah Jun lifted his head and looked at Song Lianhe gratefully. “With you here, I’m not afraid.”

Zhou Cangyan lowered his gaze and suddenly spoke. “Princess Consort, I suggest you refrain from disrupting the court proceedings.”

“Oh! Right!”

Song Lianhe quickly retreated to the side with an air of obedience. Xuan Mei brought her a chair, and she sat down right beside Zhou Cangyan.

Song Xilan and Zhou Junlin were seated to Zhen Yongming’s left. She appeared serene on the surface, possessing a gentle, delicate beauty that seemed almost otherworldly. But when her gaze slowly shifted to Song Lianhe, it was filled with cold hatred.

’Song Xilan already knew all about Ah Jun. He was a master at raising horses. Zhou Cangyan’s future warhorses, which would be invincible on the battlefield, were all thanks to his efforts.’

’Song Lianhe must have known this, too, which was why she’d snatched Ah Jun away so early. All of this should have been mine! I should have been the one to save him!’

’And this time, with the storyline getting back on track, she had only just learned that Zhuang Qiaoyue had kept Ah Jun imprisoned for half a year!’

’Compared to saving Zhuang Qiaoyue, Ah Jun—the boy who could raise and master horses—was clearly far more valuable to her.’

She made her decision in that instant. ’This time, I absolutely cannot let Song Lianhe get her way!’

And so, she offered a faint smile. “Young man, you needn’t be afraid. This is the Ministry of Justice. Whatever grievances you may have, someone here will see that justice is done for you. And if not, I, your Princess Consort, will see to it myself…”

“Princess Consort Ling,” Song Lianhe said in a slow, measured tone. “The presiding official here is Lord Zhen, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice. He will naturally handle this matter with impartiality. And even if he were unable to render a decision, we still have King Qing and Prince Ling present. Are you implying, Princess Consort Ling, that their authority combined does not measure up to yours? Heh. If you were so concerned with justice, you should have been properly supervising your dear friend, Miss Zhuang. Perhaps then she wouldn’t have gone so far as to throw her weight around and illegally imprison a citizen. Now that her crimes have come to light, you’ve rushed here to play the hero. Aren’t you afraid you’ll break Miss Zhuang’s heart?”

Song Lianhe’s words were like poisoned darts. In just a few sentences, she had exposed Song Xilan’s relationship with Zhuang Qiaoyue and laid bare her true motives for coming to the Ministry of Justice, causing Song Xilan to flush with humiliation.

Zhou Cangyan casually swirled the tea in his cup, his eyes downcast as if he hadn’t heard a thing.

He understood the underlying situation perfectly well.

At the very least, Song Lianhe wasn’t wrong.

Zhou Junlin, however, frowned, a clear look of displeasure appearing on his handsome face.

Song Xilan’s loss of face was not just her own; it was his as well.

When he looked over at Song Lianhe, she lifted her chin and met his gaze without a shred of fear.

Song Xilan secretly gripped the arms of her chair. Forcing down her rage, she spoke slowly, “Doctor Song! What is the meaning of this? I was merely trying, out of the goodness of my heart, to help this young man find justice, yet you’ve twisted my intentions into something so vile! Yes, I was acquainted with Miss Zhuang before my marriage, but how can her transgressions be blamed on me?”

Song Lianhe smiled, propping her chin on her hand and blinking at her rival. “So, in what capacity are you sitting here today, Princess Consort Ling? As Prince Ling’s accompanying family? Or as the cavalry Miss Zhuang called for? My dear… nephew’s… wife!”

’As for her status as an Imperial Aunt, Song Lianhe was quite pleased with it.’

“I am here as…”

Song Xilan was desperate to defend herself, but Zhen Yongming, wiping sweat from his brow, quickly intervened.

“My ladies,” he pleaded, “If you have disagreements, I beg you to discuss them later. Hearing the case is what’s most important now.”

“But—”

Song Lianhe cut Song Xilan off with a smile, turning to Lord Zhen. “Lord Zhen is absolutely right. Here in this courtroom, you are the highest authority, Lord Zhen. Your word is law.”

“Thank you for your understanding, Princess Qing.”

“Not at all.”

Song Lianhe showed not the slightest hint of aversion or discomfort at the title “Princess Qing.” She accepted it with perfect composure.

A flicker of irrepressible smugness danced in Song Lianhe’s eyes. The corners of her lips remained curved upwards as she rested her hands on her knees, her fingers tapping a leisurely rhythm.

Zhou Cangyan lazily lifted his light-colored eyes, taking in every one of her small, triumphant gestures.

He couldn’t help but let out a soft snort of amusement.

Song Lianhe shot him a sidelong glance. ’I just finished putting Song Xilan in her place; I couldn’t care less what he thinks. All that matters is that I’m happy and I’ve had my fun.’

Zhou Junlin paused in thought before turning to comfort Song Xilan in a low voice. “Don’t worry. The truth will speak for itself.”

Song Xilan gave a slight nod. ’Even if I’m seething, what can I do?’

’I can’t possibly get into a real argument with her in open court, can I?’

After that, the trial proceeded smoothly. Xuan Mei brought the household guards who had overseen the dungeon into the courtroom, and all the testimony pointed directly at Zhuang Qiaoyue.

Throughout the proceedings, Zhou Junlin kept his eyes lowered, his face devoid of expression.

When Zhuang Qiaoyue was brought into the courtroom, she was so terrified by the intimidating scene that she dropped to her knees with a THUD.

“My Lord, I’ve been framed!”

Zhen Yongming had seen countless people like her. Once all the witnesses and material evidence were presented, Zhuang Qiaoyue had no choice but to confess.

After seeking an indication from Zhou Junlin, Zhen Yongming announced the verdict on the spot. According to the laws of Da Cheng, Zhuang Qiaoyue was sentenced to two years of penal servitude.

“No! I don’t want to go to a place like that! It’s filthy and miserable!”

For a pampered young lady like her, being imprisoned and forced to labor alongside common criminals was a fate more unbearable than death.

Sobbing, Zhuang Qiaoyue scrambled on her knees toward Song Xilan, clutching desperately at the hem of her dress.

“Xilan! Xilan, you have to save me! I can’t go to a place like that… I’ll die! I… I’ll pay him! Isn’t it enough if I pay him with silver? I’ll give him as much as he wants! Please, I’m begging you, save me!”

Ah Jun stared at her in a rage. He might be poor, but no amount of silver could ever make up for the six months of humiliation and torture he had endured!

In an instant, all eyes were on Song Xilan. She struggled to maintain her composure; in a situation like this, she had to distance herself from Zhuang Qiaoyue! This was especially true when she saw Zhou Cangyan’s gaze fall upon her, making her desperate to sever any connection. Moreover, the man beside her—Zhou Junlin—wore an equally cold expression as he called out, “Gu Ha.”

“Yes!”

Gu Ha stepped forward and began to drag Zhuang Qiaoyue away.

“No! Xilan! Save me! Xilan… Song Xilan! You ungrateful snake!” Zhuang Qiaoyue shrieked, her desperation turning to fury. “You’re nothing but the daughter of a second wife! Remember when the high-born ladies of Ling’an City wouldn’t give you the time of day? You begged me, you flattered me, and I was the one who helped you get a foothold in their circle! The ’Number One Talent of Ling’an’? Ptooey! Without me, would you have the glory you enjoy today? Now that you’re finally Princess Consort Ling, you’re ready to just cast me aside now that I’m no longer useful? Song Xilan! If you don’t help me, I’ll spill every last one of your dirty little secrets! If I’m going down, you’re coming with me!”

Song Xilan’s face went deathly pale, and her delicate frame swayed as tears instantly welled in her eyes. Then, with the air of someone who had seen the very worst of human nature, she shook her head and sighed. “Qiaoyue, I don’t blame you.”

Watching the drama unfold, Song Lianhe had to restrain herself from applauding.

’TSK TSK,’ she thought. ’Such adaptable acting skills. Truly second to none.’

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep