Chapter 179.2
This was obviously done to humiliate her. Everything was a deliberate humiliation from the very beginning. Having all these people come and make testimonies was just to show her words were true. This was why these people were so detailed when making their statements. These details were what won the others’ trust. The extra rumours also served to further nail Yaoniang to the pillar of shame for seducing the master and using dirty means to fight for favour.
In this case, the other party kept emphasizing Yaoniang but downplayed Jin Wang’s involvement. The other party was smart to do so. If the focus had been on Jin Wang, if the other party wasn’t careful with their words, they would be suspected and accused of deliberately framing him. But Yaoniang was different. What would a woman who had lived in a backyard all her life know? If she felt humiliated and annoyed, whatever she said in response to this attack could be further used against her.
Amongst everyone present, Consort Qing was probably the only one who looked at Yaoniang with worry in her eyes. She wanted to stand and speak up for Yaoniang several times, but she was stopped by Yaoniang.
Yaoniang stood up. Her chin was slightly raised while her gaze slanted down. Standing tall and straight, she looked neither humble nor overbearing.
“Today Madam Xu came to the palace to cry for justice. She didn’t come sooner or later but chose to come at this time. Anyone who has lived in the capital for a while would know the significance of today, and what is happening in Kunning Palace. After Madam Xu arrived, she first sang about the generosity and benevolence of the consort. Then she confessed her own wrongdoings before confronting this concubine. Although this concubine can only read a few words due to my background, this concubine is still well aware of the Spring and Autumn Annals style. It’s a pity that Madam Xu was born a woman.”
Although there was no slander in her words, she was clearly accusing Madam Xu of orchestrating the entire show today.
How could it be done without any planning in advance? After finding so many witnesses, it must take at least a month or two for them to journey from Jinzhou to the capital. This showed Madam Xu must have started her preparations well in advance.
As long as today’s show was proven to include deliberate planning, it would no longer be as effective. The presence of deliberation showed that this scheme was targeted at someone. Since people often shared conflicting interests, it wasn’t uncommon for people to slander and frame the other party. And Madam Xu obviously wanted to make this matter a big deal, so she deliberately chose to come at this time. No matt how much she schemed, there would definitely be traces left behind which couldn’t be erased no matter what,
Duchess Xuguo’s pale face turned red all of a sudden, making her appear angry.
But Yaoniang didn’t sympathize with her at all. Although this entire matter didn’t seem like anything at first, it was actually very sinister. Her accusations seemed to be targeted at herself, but they were actually aimed at Xiaobao and Jin Wang.
This was why Yaoniang accused Duchess Xuguo of using the Spring and Autumn Annals style. Duchess Xuguo hadn’t used a single word to criticize Jin Wang, and she even tried to shift the blame away from him. However, when taking her entire speech into context, she was just short of calling Jin Wang fatuous, incompetent, and bewitched by lust.
A fatuous and incompetent prince who tried to mix up the imperial family bloodline for the sake of a woman would not have a good ending, especially given the current political situation.
If Yaoniang hadn’t realized this, perhaps she would panic. But since she knew, she was able to force herself to remain calm despite her feelings of shame.
“Madam Xu has made such thorough preparations. Unfortunately, this concubine can only react on her feet. These individuals all swear they’re telling the truth, but who knows how many of them have been bought over by Madam Xu? Therefore, this concubine is unable to accept Madam Xu’s accusations. There’s only one more thing this concubine wishes to add: His Highness Jin Wang is not a fatuous and incompetent person, and I, Su Yaoniang, am not a shameless woman. Moreover, it is impossible for me to incite him to do something as presumptuous as muddling the bloodline of the imperial family.
“And Madam Xu doesn’t have to bear all the responsibility for the consort’s sake. Although I am a concubine, I have always been respectful and deferential to the consort. Yet for the sake of personal gain, you pair of mother and daughter plotted to murder people, disregarding the lives of both me and the children in my womb. Don’t you know that although my status is slightly poor, the child in my belly is of imperial blood? The consort tried to murder the emperor’s descendent and was punished to go to the countryside to recuperate. Today you deliberately tried to mix up black with white, purposely scheming against others out of your own selfish desires. I am very ashamed of you! “
Yaoniang’s words echoed through the hall. Duchess Xuguo didn’t expect that the other party wouldn’t panic, but would even try to confuse the others. She had clearly accused the other party of mixing up the imperial bloodline. Yet she was now nailed down by the other party for attempting to murder the emperor’s descendent and distorting the truth to frame her.
And none of what she said was wrong. Earlier, to show off her righteousness and grievances, she had deliberately exposed her wrongdoings. Now she couldn’t blame the other party for using it to attack her.
“What a glib tongue!” Duchess Xuguo sneered, and said, “This old lady already expected today to happen, so there is still one more person left to testify. Asking the empress to allow her to be summoned.”
“Allowed.”
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