PDLP Chapter 42 A small flower that has weathered many storms yet stands strong
Chapter 42 A small flower that has weathered many storms yet stands strong
A commotion broke out in the banquet hall.
It seems someone wants to make the evidence impossible to find!
Zhao Yunzheng frowned slightly, a fierce look flashing in his eyes.
Upon noticing his expression, Marquis Ningde's heart began to pound.
Just when they were at their wits' end, Yingyi led two maids in with his men.
Upon seeing who the two people Yingyi was holding captive were, Cheng's breath caught in her throat, and only one thought remained in her mind.
Finished!
She subconsciously looked at Lady Yongkang, who remained calm and gestured for her to remain patient.
Lady Cheng was flustered, her hands were trembling, and she was sweating profusely, but she still chose to believe in Lady Yongkang.
In the past, whenever she plotted something, Lady Yongkang would always come up with ideas to help her get away smoothly. This time will probably be the same as before!
Cheng comforted herself, calmed herself down, and looked at Yingyi and the two maids.
Marquis Ningde recognized Yingyi, knowing that he was Prince Chen's bodyguard and deputy general.
His expression changed slightly when he saw Ying Yi carrying someone in.
When did Shadow One leave?
Hopefully, they won't find anything they shouldn't be looking for!
Marquis Ningde was furious, but dared not show it. He forced a smile and said stiffly, "What is General Yingyi doing?"
Ying Yi slightly raised his hand, and his subordinates immediately picked up a basket from the front.
The contents of the basket were the bowls and spoons that the servants of the Marquis of Ningde's residence had searched for but failed to find.
Yingyi cupped his hands in greeting to Marquis Ningde: "Didn't Your Excellency ask for bowls and spoons? This humble general has found them for you, no need to thank me!"
Marquis of Ningde: "..."
Who said I needed to thank them!
Marquis Ningde's cheeks twitched slightly as he forced a smile: "Thank you, General Yingyi."
He raised his hand and pointed to the other two maids: "Then what is the purpose of these two?"
Ying Yi gave a forced smile and said, "When I found these bowls and spoons, I saw these two maids preparing to hide them."
These two women were acting suspiciously, so I brought them along as well. It was just a small favor, so there's no need for thanks, Your Excellency.
Marquis of Ningde: "..."
This time, however, he couldn't even manage a laugh.
Xu Jiaojiao couldn't help but smile, her eyes filled with gratitude as she looked at Prince Chen, her gaze deep and tender, making the man's heart flutter.
In the main seat, Marquis Ningde, not knowing what to do to Yingyi, lowered his eyes to look at the two kneeling maids.
One of the maids was dressed in the uniform of the Marquis of Ningde's household, while the other looked unfamiliar and was clearly not from the household.
His brow furrowed, and he vented all his dissatisfaction on the two maids, shouting sternly, "Speak! What happened?"
The two of them shuddered in fright.
Among them, the maids in the Ningde Marquis's mansion were rather timid and fearful of the Marquis's authority, and they were so frightened that they burst into tears.
She was only after money and had no idea what was going on.
Seeing how angry the Marquis is now, she must have made a huge mistake.
She's still young, she doesn't want to die!
Thinking of this, she pointed fearfully to the maid beside her and sold her out without hesitation: "Reporting to the Marquis, this man gave me some silver and asked me to apply the medicine to these bowls and spoons."
She took out a small porcelain bottle from her bosom and held it tremblingly above her head: "This is the medicine she gave me. She only said that there was nothing wrong with the medicine and that it would not harm anyone, so I was bewitched and agreed."
The servant took the small porcelain bottle and handed it to Marquis Ningde.
The doctor immediately stepped forward to examine the patient.
After a short while, the doctor concluded: "The bottle contains the 'heartbreak powder'!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the maid from the Marquis's mansion collapsed to the ground, all color draining from her face.
It's a poison that breaks your heart!
That's deadly poison!
The maidservant quickly came to her senses. She knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly, sobbing uncontrollably: "My lord, I know I was wrong! I will never do it again! They deceived me! I knew nothing!"
As she spoke, she pulled out two money pouches from her bosom and threw one at the maid beside her: "Waaah, here's your money back!"
As she spoke, she pointed to another maid kneeling in the banquet hall.
This is the one who previously accused Xu Jiaojiao of poisoning him.
She threw another money bag back in front of the maid: "My lord, this person came to see me before the banquet and gave me the same bottle of medicine! She told me to smear this medicine on some of the guests' bowls and chopsticks!"
"My lord, they tricked me, saying the medicine was fine, that's why I agreed to help!"
She kowtowed repeatedly, hoping to atone for her crime by pointing out the guilty party and thus save her life: "My lord, I know I was wrong! I really know I was wrong! I am willing to be punished, I only beg you to spare my life!"
As the maid from the Marquis's mansion pointed out the suspect, an uproar erupted in the banquet hall.
"These two maids seem to be Madam Cheng's people."
"What do you mean 'seems'? It's clearly true!"
"No wonder Madam Cheng was so eager to convict Xu; she was looking for a scapegoat!"
"Why would Mrs. Cheng do this? Has she gone mad?"
"This is absolutely outrageous! Luckily I didn't go to the garden, or I would have suffered this undeserved misfortune..."
"..."
Hearing the murmurs of the crowd, Madam Cheng became extremely anxious.
She hurriedly looked at Lady Yongkang, only to find her eyes downcast, seemingly indifferent to the matter.
Cheng's heart skipped a beat.
Is Lady Yongkang planning to abandon her?
She grew increasingly anxious and began to stammer, "It wasn't me! Don't talk nonsense! I don't know anything! I didn't do anything!"
Zhao Yunzheng's sharp gaze fell on Cheng Shi, his voice as cold as a frozen pool: "This maid didn't identify you, what are you panicking about?"
Cheng was terrified by Prince Chen's murderous aura, her heart skipped a beat, and she dared not utter a sound for a long time.
Now that things have come to this point, the truth is naturally clear.
However, when dealing with a person, one must be based on evidence and cannot act arbitrarily.
As was customary, the Marquis of Ningde had the doctor examine the bowls and chopsticks used by the poisoned person.
There was indeed poison on the bowls and chopsticks!
At this point, Xu Jiaojiao was completely cleared of suspicion of poisoning.
She exhaled a soft breath, turned to look at Prince Chen, and smiled through her tears.
The woman before me had tears in her eyes, yet she smiled happily, like a small flower that had weathered many storms but stood strong, swaying gently with water droplets, making her seem pitiful.
Zhao Yunzheng felt a pang of heartache and gently touched her soft, dark hair.
"Would you like to go back and rest?"
Thinking of the injustice Xu Jiaojiao had suffered, and how she must be feeling distressed and aggrieved, Zhao Yunzheng lowered his voice and asked with concern.
Xu Jiaojiao shook her head, her watery eyes filled with anger and resentment: "Your Highness, I want to see who is trying to harm me."
Zhao Yunzheng nodded slightly: "It's worth taking a look."
Let's see who has the audacity to attack his people.
Zhao Yunzheng sat down next to Xu Jiaojiao, took her cold little hand in his palm, and continued watching the Marquis of Ningde interrogate his servants.
On this side, Marquis Ningde raised his hand and ordered his servants to take his maid away: "Such a wicked servant cannot be kept in my manor. Men, drag her away and beat her to death."
As the screams of the maids in the Marquis's mansion faded into the distance, the Marquis of Ningde looked at the two maids surnamed Cheng on the ground.
Knowing that disaster was imminent, the two trembled like leaves, unable even to kneel.
Marquis Ningde spoke coldly: "Why did you two poison him? Who instructed you?"