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Ning Wang would definitely face consequences, but the exact charges still depended on the Emperor's decision.
Family shames shouldn’t be made public. Naturally, the secret relationship between Ning Wang and the Crown Princess had not been disclosed.
However, the fact that both Wen Yang and Xiao Heng had fallen victim to Ning Wang's schemes had been revealed to the world.
The declared motive was to undermine the Crown Prince.
One was the Crown Prince's brother-in-law, and the other was the Crown Prince's cousin. No matter how one looked at it, Ning Wang was indeed targeting the people around the Crown Prince.
Wen Yang was someone with a poor reputation, but Little Marquis had been renowned in the State of Zhao back then and was considered the shining star in the eyes of many.
Learning that he had supposedly died at the hands of Ning Wang stirred up public outrage.
Naturally, there were also those defending Ning Wang, believing that the current Emperor had been misled by false information.
"Could His Highness Ning Wang, a man of such high moral standing, really commit such a heinous act? Perhaps someone is plotting against him?"
"I hope His Majesty doesn't believe in these rumors and does not let Ning Wang be wrongfully accused."
"Could it have been the Crown Prince? Think about it, the Crown Prince married the Little Marquis's fiancee. If the Little Marquis hadn't died, could he have married Young Miss Wen from the Wen Family? As for that guy Wen Yang, he's the Crown Princess's brother, but he's technically not a good fella! Killing him is helping the Crown Princess vent her anger!"
The number of people in the streets and alleys seeking justice for Ning Wang continued to grow. Whether it was the genuine sentiment of the people or the result of deliberate influence remained unclear.
What was certain, however, was that regardless of public opinion, the Emperor showed no intention of pardoning Ning Wang.
Grand Preceptor Zhuang requested an audience with the Emperor but was directly declined.
He then went to Renshou Palace, hoping that Empress Dowager Zhuang would command the Emperor to pardon Ning Wang.
"Command?" Empress Dowager Zhuang laughed wryly, "Since when can Aijia command the Emperor?"
Grand Preceptor Zhuang snorted, "Hasn't Empress Dowager always done that? Over the years, how many times have you gone against the Emperor? How come when it comes to Ning Wang, Empress Dowager's influence suddenly falters?"
Empress Dowager Zhuang fixed her piercing gaze on him, "You know better than me how Ning Wang got into his present situation."
Grand Preceptor Zhuang said in a cold voice, “Ning Wang possesses the ambition and the power of a monarch. There is no reason why we cannot support him!"
Empress Dowager Zhuang's expression turned icy, "The power of a monarch in your mouth is to take another man's wife and shed innocent blood?"
After all, Grand Preceptor Zhuang was Ning Wang's maternal grandfather. There were certain matters that might not be known to the public, but how could he remain ignorant of them?
Instead of absolving Ning Wang, he tightened his fists and said, "Those who achieve great things do not dwell on trivial matters. Empress Dowager, these were your words. Now, is Empress Dowager planning to contradict herself?"
Empress Dowager Zhuang remained indifferent, "So what if I am?"
Grand Preceptor Zhuang felt choked.
Then, his gaze gradually turned disappointed, "Empress Dowager, you've changed. Ever since you got close to Xiao Liulang, you no longer prioritize the Zhuang Family in your heart."
This kind of provocation was useless on Empress Dowager Zhuang. She said sternly, "Stop trying to link everything to Xiao Liulang! Do you want Aijia to feel guilty or something? This tactic won't work on Aijia! Whom Aijia chooses to favor or neglect is Aijia’s business! Don't think that by accusing Aijia a few times, Aijia will suddenly be filled with remorse and apologize to the entire Zhuang Family! Aijia has done enough for the Zhuang Family in these years! Furthermore, didn't Aijia warn you long ago? The towering building behind you would eventually collapse, and the wise choice would be to make a timely exit. But you insisted on going your own way! Who emboldened Ning Wang? Who bolstered Ning Wang's power? And who was dead set on pushing Ning Wang into the vortex of vying for the throne? Did you ever think about how you would harm him when you pushed him to fight for the throne?
"Plainly put, Empress Dowager simply wants to ignore Ning Wang’s plight!" Grand Preceptor Zhuang coldly smiled. "I'm curious, if the person being demoted today were Xiao Liulang, would Empress Dowager also stand by and do nothing?"
Empress Dowager Zhuang, with an imposing air, replied, "What a coincidence, Aijia also wants to know."
Grand Preceptor Zhuang: “...”
Empress Dowager Zhuang was always difficult to engage in a conversation.
As Grand Preceptor Zhuang left, he cast a deep glance at Empress Dowager Zhuang, "I hope that in the future, Empress Dowager won't regret everything she has done."
Empress Dowager Zhuang's gaze turned icy, "That statement, Aijia sends it right back to you."
……
The judgment on Ning Wang came down in the ninth month. He was stripped of his status as an imperial prince and demoted to a commoner. However, he was not exiled in the end. Instead, he was assigned to a residence outside the capital, effectively a form of house arrest.
This was the result of Empress Dowager Zhuang's leniency. If Grand Preceptor Zhuang, Ning Wang's maternal grandfather, genuinely cared for him, he could visit him regularly.
However, if Grand Preceptor Zhuang persisted in attempting to incite Ning Wang further, Empress Dowager Zhuang's dark guards would not show mercy.
Since ancient times, when a prince was demoted, it also affected his family members. Surprisingly, Ning Wang issued a letter of divorce to his Wangfei.
Ning Wang asked the Rui couple to deliver the letter of divorce.
Rui Wang, being a man, didn't know how to approach Ning Wangfei, let alone console her.
Rui Wangfei simply asked him to wait outside while she spoke to her sister-in-law alone.
"Sister-in-law."
She entered the room.
Ning Wangfei was sitting by the window, reading a book.
Her eldest sister-in-law had the habit of reading, so Rui Wangfei didn't find it unusual. She figured that her sister-in-law might not be in the best mood at the moment and didn't dare to approach her as she usually did. Instead, she quietly stood at the door, waiting for her sister-in-law's response.
Ning Wangfei's reaction today seemed a bit slow. She turned her head after a while, and upon seeing Rui Wangfei, she didn't show much surprise. "You're here. Come and have a seat."
Rui Wangfei walked over and sat across from Ning Wangfei.
It had been a while, but no servant came to offer tea.
Ning Wangfei finally realized what was happening and chuckled self-deprecatingly, "I forgot that all the servants in the mansion have been dismissed." She picked up the teapot and decided to pour tea for Rui Wangfei herself.
"I'll do it, sister-in-law!" Rui Wangfei quickly stood up to take the teapot from her.
"No need. I can still pour a cup of tea." Ning Wangfei pushed away her hand and poured a cup of lukewarm tea for Rui Wangfei. "Forget it, don't drink it. It's already cold."
"It's alright, sister-in-law." Rui Wangfei blocked Ning Wangfei's attempt to take her cup, "I don't mind cold tea."
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