The Double-Chapter 615 - 179: Abandoning the Car_2

Xue Huaiyuan discovered that in the corners of Jiang Li’s eyes, there seemed to be a glimmer of tears, as if she had cried. But Xue Huaiyuan still did not understand why Jiang Li, to their Xue Family, could almost be considered a savior reborn. However, many strangers upon seeing others struggling in dire straits reach out to help, perhaps out of kindness or perhaps for other reasons. Yet what Sister Jiang Li exhibited seemed as natural as if it were her duty.

Why? She is the Second Miss of the Jiang Family, and originally had no ties with the Xue Family at all.

Xue Huaiyuan said, "Before, Miss Jiang mentioned that one day she would tell me why she had offered her hand to the Xue Family. Now, the evil doers have received their punishment. Is it that time now?"

His tone was very gentle, as if he was earnestly inquiring, which caused Jiang Li to pause, and a sense of bleak sadness suddenly rose in her heart. Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong this time indeed did not escalate their roles. The real culprits responsible for the deaths of Xue Fangfei and Xue Zhao had finally been revealed to the world. The justice she had sought for so long had not disappeared without a trace, but that justice, perhaps at the cost of a life, was not easy to achieve.

She still could not tell her father the truth, for her own future was uncertain.

"Now is not the time," Jiang Li swallowed the sadness in her belly and said, "But there is something the County Magistrate Xue may want to know."

"What is it?" Xue Huaiyuan asked.

"About Xue Zhao’s grave," Jiang Li said, "When Xue Zhao passed away, Hai Tang had already been expelled from the Shen family, so she did not know where Xue Zhao was buried. Moreover, because it was just when Xue Fangfei was being talked about, the arrangements for Xue Zhao’s funeral were made very secret, unknown to others. I have already asked someone to find out the place." She looked at Xue Huaiyuan, "Now that the real culprit has been exposed, County Magistrate Xue can share this good news with Xue Zhao. As for whether Xue Zhao should be brought back to his hometown, it is entirely up to County Magistrate Xue."

Jiang Li wanted to see Xue Zhao’s spirit returned to his homeland, rather than lying unknown in Yanjing City. Apart from herself, there was no one to offer sacrifices or burn paper money—so desolately quiet. Her father had already learned of Xue Zhao’s death... it was time for them to gradually let go of Xue Zhao.

"Very well, thank you Miss Jiang for your concern," Xue Huaiyuan said, his voice containing a barely perceptible tremble, "Ah Zhao, knowing this, must be very happy, very happy indeed."

Jiang Li turned her head away.

Happy? She felt only deep sorrow and helplessness.

...

The decisions regarding Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong had spread throughout the entire Yanjing City.

The common people all clapped and cheered, but the only ones who were angered and discolored by this were Empress Dowager Liu in the palace and Prince Cheng.

Empress Dowager Liu’s eyes were already red from crying. At her age, she had always commanded others with a proud air, never having experienced such a humiliating moment. She grabbed Prince Cheng’s sleeve, saying, "Ying’er, you must help Yongning, save your sister, your sister must not die like this!"

When Empress Dowager Liu first learned that Xue Huaiyuan had accused Princess Yongning, she didn’t take it seriously. Even if Princess Yongning was demoted to a commoner, Xue Huaiyuan was still a nobody. Crushing Xue Huaiyuan would be simpler than crushing an ant. Besides, those pieces of evidence, who knows whether they were real or fake; a few words to the officials below would be enough to suppress the matter. The only concern was the gossip of the common folk, but even that was not without solutions.

Who would have thought that Jiang Yuanbai would also be dragged into it? The establishment of a private prison in Princess Yongning’s mansion was unknown to Prince Cheng and Empress Dowager Liu. When they learned that Princess Yongning had imprisoned Jiang Yuanbai’s daughter, Jiang Youyao, in her own private prison, Empress Dowager Liu nearly fainted and immediately realized the gravity of the situation.

With the Grand Secretary involved, no matter what, the case could not possibly be suppressed. Indeed, everything came so quickly and unexpectedly that Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong were soon arrested, with Emperor Hongxiao personally ordering a joint trial by the three judicial offices to thoroughly investigate the case.

Usually, as long as Emperor Hongxiao’s interests were not touched, this emperor with little power turned a blind eye to many things. However, it was known to all that their relations had grown increasingly strained over the years. With the case brought before Emperor Hongxiao, he would certainly not mind portraying the image of a "just and clear ruler who prosecuted his kin" Furthermore, Jiang Yuanbai would definitely not spare any effort to ensure that Princess Yongning had no chance to turn over a new leaf.

Empress Dowager Liu tried to seek help from the Empress Dowager, but after listening, the Empress Dowager simply said, "I can’t help," and dismissed Empress Dowager Liu. Despite pouring out all her words, the Empress Dowager remained indifferent. Empress Dowager Liu had no choice but to turn to Emperor Hongxiao, but to her dismay, she could not even get an audience with him.

As the execution of Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong drew near, Empress Dowager Liu finally realized that this time, there might truly be no one who could save her daughter. All she could do was weep and plead with Prince Cheng.

"Stop crying, Mother Consort," Prince Cheng was annoyed by Empress Dowager Liu’s crying. He said, "It’s not that I don’t want to save Yongning, but now no one can save her! Yongning was too bold, to actually set up a private prison in her mansion and imprison Jiang Youyao, offending Jiang Yuanbai. He will certainly be relentless; how could he let her off with a way out? If only Yongning had been a little cautious, she wouldn’t have ended up in this mess!"

Empress Dowager Liu retorted angrily, "How can you talk about your sister like that?" Afterwards, she resumed crying, "I have always said that Shen Yurong wasn’t a good match, not a good thing. Your sister has been dragged down by her! And you, knowing what kind of person Shen Yurong is, how could you not stop your sister from associating with that person! You are also responsible for your sister’s downfall!"

"Enough!" Prince Cheng shouted, also feeling frustrated and unsettled. Just at the critical moment of his plans, he could not afford the slightest mistake. Unfortunately, Yongning was dragging him down, first by breaking with the Li Family, causing Li Xian to resign his post and Li Zhongnan to waver in loyalty toward him. Then, her relations with Shen Yurong became public, causing him to lose another ally as Shen Yurong also resigned. Now, the Jiang Family was eyeing him like a tiger watching its prey, Yongning’s reputation was ruined, and he too was implicated. Having such a sister was truly a stroke of bad luck for Prince Cheng.

Empress Dowager Liu stopped crying when Prince Cheng yelled at her, as if she had sobered up. She looked at Prince Cheng with despair, saying, "Ying’er, is there really no way to save Yongning anymore?"

Prince Cheng looked at Empress Dowager Liu with some reluctance before finally saying, "Mother Consort, I am powerless to help. However," he changed his tone, "the Emperor’s actions are too extreme. Dragging this out is not a solution; it might be better to move the timeline forward. Once I storm the palace and take the high seat, everyone who humiliated Yongning will be made to pay, and by then... Yongning can rest in peace."

His words were filled with dark resolution, echoing in the empty chamber, sinister and chilling. Empress Dowager Liu, stunned for a moment, seemed to finally accept her fate; with the resignation of one giving up a cherished possession, she said, "Very well."