Chapter 179.1
Following these words, all eyes were on Yaoniang.
Yaoniang clenched her hands under her sleeves, took a deep breath and said, “Duchess Xuguo’s words are not false, but some of them are only hearsay. Back then, it was true that I did not enter the palace until after giving birth to my child. It was also after I entered the palace that I met His Highness again. Actually, I had an affair with His Highness earlier that year, but he soon received news of an emergency at the border and neglected to settle me down. After His Highness left, I found out I was pregnant. However, I couldn’t find His Highness at that time, so I could only give birth to Xiaobao in secret. Later, because it was difficult to raise a child, I entered the manor to work and reunited with His Highness again. Asking Your Majesty to judge clearly.”
“Bengong has heard His Majesty mention a word or two of this matter. Side Consort Su has suffered,” said Empress Wei as she nodded with a hint of sympathy in her voice.
Yaoniang held her handkerchief and cried, “Thanking Your Majesty for your benevolence. This concubine was young and ignorant and did the wrong thing. I was also punished back then as I suffered the consequences of my actions…”
Her words were suddenly interrupted. It was Duchess Xuguo.
“Just because you said you had an affair then you had an affair? This is just you seducing His Highness Jin Wang and having him make an excuse to explain to the outside world. You said that His Highness Jin Wang was not able to find you afterwards, so the two of you missed out on each other and it wasn’t until you entered the manor that you two reunited. This old lady just wants to ask, how can a woman who doesn’t usually leave the house have an affair with His Highness Jin Wang and conceive a child?! You were obviously defiled by someone and gave birth to a child out of wedlock. Then you seduced His Highness Jin Wang into recognizing that bastard under his own name.”
Then without giving Yaoniang a chance to defend herself, she said to the empress, “Your Majesty, this servant has witnesses. Please grant them an audience “
The people were soon brought up. Not only was there Mama Liu who brought Yaoniang into the manor back then, but also Aunt Wang who delivered the baby for Yaoniang back then. There were also several other familiar faces. Yaoniang recognized them as the neighbours of the Yao Family and the Su Family in Linyun County.
These ordinary women were seeing so many nobles at once for the first time and were so frightened that they didn’t even dare to lift their heads. As soon as they came in, they knelt down as their legs softened.
Hong Rang, the Chief Eunuch of Kunning Palace, interrogated them on behalf of Empress Wei. He first questioned Mama Liu, who explained in detail how she brought Yaoniang into the prince’s manor.
Then it was Aunt Wang’s turn, and Aunt Wang also spoke in great detail.
“Yaoniang from the Su Family has lived a hard life. According to what my son said, she seemed to have been tainted by some evil person. The only valuable skill I have is midwifery. My son Daniu also works under Team Leader Yao and he came to my house… At that time, he warned me not to tell others of this matter, saying that his sister-in-law still wants to get married in the future and that he would marry her off after the child was born and given away…
Hong Rang then questioned the rest of the people—
“I didn’t hear about Su Family’s Yaoniang giving birth to a child. I only know that she is married, and her husband is a street vendor.”
“That’s right, that’s right. Back then, since the Su Family didn’t hold a wedding ceremony, I was curious and asked them about it. Her family said that the wedding ceremony was held at her sister’s and brother-in-law’s house.”
“The Yao Family didn’t hold a wedding ceremony. They said they did it at the Su Family’s house… I only met her husband once. He was a dark-skinned man and when he smiled you could see his large white teeth.”
Hong Rang nodded then said again, “Lift your heads to take a look. Can you recognize her?”
Following Hong Rang’s words, the women raised their heads cautiously to take a look. When their eyes reached Yaoniang’s face, they made varied sounds of surprise.
“Isn’t this Yaoniang from the Su Family?!”
“She’s Team Leader Yao’s sister-in-law, but she has changed so much that I almost didn’t dare to recognize her anymore.”
Hong Rang looked at Empress Wei, who nodded. Then he asked someone to take these women out.
In an instant, Yaoniang felt like she was criticized by thousands of people. All sorts of gazes landed on her. Some were contemptuous. Some were treating this as a show. Some were full of malice. All these stares pressed on Yaoniang and they felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.
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