Abandoned Woman Busy Farming-Chapter 1655: Former Allied Turncoat

The surroundings were exceedingly quiet, and those who had left with the Grand Princess earlier all lowered their heads in shame, while those who stayed throughout couldn’t help but wipe their eyes.

Someone stood out and said, "We believe in Minister Bai. If it weren’t for her, we wouldn’t have recovered so quickly. Not listening to the doctor’s advice and letting the condition worsen, is it really the doctor’s fault?"

"That’s right, if Doctor Bai could save, she would have. That’s why she desperately stopped you from eating whatever you wanted. You all thought she was threatening you, even talking about finding another doctor. Why don’t you go now?" The person who said this even sneaked a glance at the Grand Princess.

Flames appeared in the Grand Princess’s eyes, but she quickly collected herself, putting on a look of guilt, "I said those words earlier. I thought too simply of the matter. I am here to apologize to everyone."

As she spoke, she even carried thorns on her back and bowed to everyone!

Now, even those who spoke against her felt a bit embarrassed, wondering if they had been a bit harsh.

Bai Ruozhu watched coldly, understanding that the Grand Princess was setting a trap for her. If she didn’t accept those who had left earlier, she would be seen as narrow-minded and vengeful. But if she accepted them, there would be quite a few troubles, although not everyone would end up like the troublemakers, their conditions would surely worsen.

And whether the Grand Princess had meddled with anything remained unknown.

Bai Ruozhu took a deep breath and said to everyone, "Alright, let’s not waste words. Those returning should go to their original rooms, and I’ll treat each of you. We must make up for the time you’ve lost, don’t we?"

People obediently returned to their arranged rooms, leaving only the Grand Princess and a few servants behind.

Bai Ruozhu sneered at the Grand Princess, "The matter concerning the princess is finished, please leave now. You bear a valuable status, don’t catch cold in this freezing weather."

The Grand Princess rolled her eyes and turned to leave.

"Princess, shall we take off these thorns?" the nanny beside the Grand Princess asked.

"Do not take them off; I will enter the palace as I am." The Grand Princess said.

Her coarse clothing and thorns on her back attracted quite a bit of attention as she entered the palace, so she hadn’t even met the Emperor before word reached him.

When the Emperor saw her, he was not particularly surprised.

"Aunt, what is this?" Tang Yin deliberately asked.

The Grand Princess had a guilty look on her face, "Emperor, I went to plead for pardon from the disaster victims and Bai Ruozhu with thorns on my back."

Tang Yin oh-ed indifferently, "Aunt has learned wisely."

"My temper is too straightforward and unpleasant; the late Empress Dowager always told me I was ignorant, and now I truly know my mistakes." The Grand Princess spoke with reddened eyes.

Mentioning the late Empress Dowager softened Tang Yin’s facial expression. That elderly lady was a warm color in his childhood, kind and charitable. He loved playing in her palace as a child.

The Grand Princess was indeed born of the Empress Dowager, and she was her only daughter.

After a while, Tang Yin sighed slightly and said, "Aunt, even though you mentioned the Empress Dowager, this wrongdoing must still be penalized. Your actions this time were excessive, with countless deaths and injuries. If it weren’t for you, anyone else would have long been beheaded."

The Grand Princess dropped to the ground with a thump, "I do not dare to seek forgiveness, willing to accept any punishment."

Tang Yin nodded, realizing regardless of the situation, the Grand Princess’s attitude was good; it seemed she truly understood remorse.

At this moment, a eunuch reported from outside that Officer Li from the Department of Justice requested an audience.

"Let him in," Tang Yin said while giving the Grand Princess an eye. Officer Li’s visit at this time undoubtedly pertains to the Duke Zheng’s death and the Grand Princess’s arson case.

Officer Li entered, momentarily startled seeing the Grand Princess, then bowed to both before stating the purpose of his audience.

"Reporting to the Emperor, there have been some new discoveries in the case of Duke Zheng." Officer Li said, "Someone testified that Female Chief Doctor Bai once gave her uncle Bai Yibo a type of liquor at Mountain Village. That night, her uncle became excessively drunk, displaying ugliness and doing things he would never do normally."

"Oh? What kind of things?" Tang Yin showed interest.

"He wrote a considerable amount of curses against his brother’s family on the fence outside, namely against Bai Ruozhu’s family, which incited much discontent among the villagers the next day. Bai Yibo’s reputation was tarnished, subjected to scorn from villagers." Officer Li conveyed.

He paused, "The informer accused Bai Ruozhu of using a type of liquor for cleaning wounds; I just visited the Medical Alliance to find that liquor. Minister Bai calls it alcohol, and indeed, the concentration is very high, even diluted with water, it remains strong liquor."

"Who is the informant?" Tang Yin asked coldly.

"It is from a recent defamation case in the Capital. Minister Fan captured two prisoners, but busy settling fire victims, he has not yet interrogated them. Among them, one named Du Zhongshu claims to be Bai Ruozhu’s fellow villager and former business partner, knowing many of her secrets, volunteered to accuse her." Officer Li explained.

Mentioning Du Zhongshu brought a smug expression across the Grand Princess’s face.

Du Zhongshu was formerly Bai Ruozhu’s best friend and closest ally, but now he served as a sharp sword in her hands.

"He said Bai Ruozhu was dissatisfied with the favoritism her grandpa and grandma showed towards her uncle’s family, so employed such a method to disgrace her uncle thoroughly. Now, Duke Zheng’s manner of death resembles Bai Yibo’s drunken madness; I dared not overlook it, immediately sending messages to the officers in the Northwest for verification." Officer Li further elaborated.

The Grand Princess, who hadn’t spoken until now, suddenly burst into tears, dropped to the ground again and while sobbing, she pleaded, "Emperor, I beg you to seek justice for Duke Zheng, he died unfairly! I know he shouldn’t have sent two dancing girls to Jiang Yichun, provoking Bai Ruozhu’s wrath, but he sincerely wished to restore goodwill with Bai Family, offering friendship to Jiang Yichun without ulterior motives."

Officer Li frowned beside her, "Thus, Female Chief Doctor Bai is suspected of having a motive for murder?"

"My poor husband, he was just forty years old, now he’s gone; what else is left for me..." The Grand Princess didn’t wail loudly but murmured soulfully while kneeling, her voice plaintive and lonely, making the Emperor’s heart ache.

She was ultimately his aunt; regarding the arson, he would not let her go, but the sudden loss of a husband distressed him for this aunt.

"I implore the Emperor to approve prohibiting Female Chief Doctor Bai from leaving the Capital City before the case is clarified. I heard her family plans to return to Northwest for ancestral worship during the New Year." Officer Li added.

Tang Yin’s eyes darkened slightly, "Investigate thoroughly. If someone intentionally committed murder, no matter who, they must be sentenced!"

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Guests visited at home today, and I’ve been busy. Will continue updating later; at least three Chapters. Also requesting monthly votes~

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