Nangong Yi listened to these words, anxious, and asked in a low voice, "Fourth Brother, are you helping Xiao Man, or are you harming her? She couldn't have killed Fifteenth Sister."
Nangong Yu glanced at Nangong Yi, who immediately shut his mouth. Nangong Yu then continued, "Therefore, I had those who gave problematic testimonies re-interrogated, asking them why they falsified their statements."
"Why?"
"Because they were jealous of Xiao Man being too close to Wen Mohhan, the son of Prime Minister Wen, and deliberately framed her." Prince Qin looked at Wen Mohhan with a meaningful gaze. Wen Mohhan gritted his teeth, realizing Nangong Yu was trying to sow discord between him and Xiao Man, making her understand that he would bring her endless trouble!
The Empress frowned, "Does Prince Qin mean that Xiao Man is innocent?"
"I did not say that. I am merely stating the reasons why these people gave false testimony." Nangong Yu's voice was devoid of any emotion. "After subsequent investigations, only one person remained, steadfastly asserting that Xiao Man was the murderer."
Those kneeling below shivered. Nangong Yu's gaze landed precisely on that person's head: "Princess Consort Shang's personal maid, Baotong."
"Your Majesty the Empress, this servant saw it clearly with her own eyes. It was indeed Xiao Man who killed Princess Fifteen. Your Majesty, you must uphold justice for the Princess and punish the murderer, so that the Princess can rest in peace." Baotong cried out hoarsely.
The Empress looked at Xiao Man, who still knelt upright, her face swollen on one side, but remained silent.
"Xiao Man, did you or did you not kill my daughter?"
"No." Xiao Man's voice was clear and unwavering.
Nangong Yu stepped forward, gesturing for Nangong Yi to follow. Nangong Yi pointed at himself and then walked out, "Fourth Brother, what are you doing?"
"The coroner has already examined the body. Fifteenth Sister was killed with a single blow, the wound slightly slanted upwards. Xiao Man was standing opposite Fifteenth Sister at the time." Nangong Yu thrust a dagger towards Nangong Yi. Nangong Yi was startled but did not dodge. "If she were the killer, the wound would have been a straight thrust into the chest."
The Empress finally understood; the wound was inconsistent. "Xiao Man is not the killer, then who is?"
"The person standing beside Fifteenth Sister at the time was the killer." Nangong Yu stood shoulder to shoulder with Nangong Yi, one hand supporting Nangong Yi's arm, the other thrusting towards Nangong Yi's chest, the tip of the blade slanted upwards.
The Empress instantly understood. In such chaotic circumstances, the person supporting Nangong Qin must have been her personal maid!
"Baotong!"
"It wasn't me, it wasn't me! This servant did not kill the Princess. Your Majesty, this servant did not. There were too many people at the time, and this servant was nowhere near the Princess."
"Oh, is that so?" Nangong Yu sneered. Immediately, someone stepped forward and dragged Baotong to the front. They grabbed her right hand, her sleeve rolled up. A guard turned her sleeve back, revealing a few drops of blood, vividly red.
"This... this is from my nosebleed." Baotong stammered.
"How dare you still quibble." Nangong Yu gave a look, and someone stepped forward, prying open the hand of Princess Fifteen. In her palm, she held something, a pearl.
Baotong quickly looked at her skirt. A flower was embroidered on her skirt, its pistil made of a pearl, a gift from Princess Fifteen. Now, only threads remained, and the pearl was gone.
"You vile slave, how dare you plot against the Princess and frame another!" The Empress was furious. She had thought Xiao Man was the murderer, only to discover a traitor within. "Speak, why did you kill the Princess? Who instigated you?"
Baotong knew she had no way out once her plot was exposed. Her gaze fell upon the princes, and she bit down on the poison sac in her mouth, committing suicide.
"Detestable, utterly detestable!" The Empress was enraged. "To kill a princess is an unforgivable crime. Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you must seek justice for Qin'er! How could a mere palace maid dare to murder a princess? Someone must have instigated her from behind. Your Majesty, Qin'er died unjustly!"
"This matter, I will thoroughly investigate and find the killer, bringing them to justice." The old Emperor said coldly. "Baotong, for killing the Princess, shall be hanged at Meridian Gate, and her nine generations of kin executed, as a warning to others."
"As you command."
"Xiao Man, you have suffered injustice today. I bestow upon you a jade ruyi and one hundred taels of gold." The old Emperor looked at Xiao Man, her eyes red-rimmed, struggling to hold back tears. He then looked at Xiao Zhen, "Lord Xiao, take her back first. The child must have been frightened today."
"Your subordinate obeys."
"This humble subject thanks Your Majesty for your grace."
Xiao Man immediately followed Xiao Zhen and turned to leave. After they departed, the old Emperor's expression grew increasingly grim. "Falsifying testimony, framing others – is this the behavior of daughters from noble families? Thirty heavy slaps for each of them. Any further offense will result in immediate execution."
On the way back to the mansion, Xiao Zhen looked at Xiao Man's swollen cheek, his eyes filled with concern. "You have suffered injustice today. Rest assured, no matter who plotted against you behind the scenes, Father will not let them go."
"Father, I am fine. It was just a slap." Xiao Man comforted Xiao Zhen. "This matter, let it pass. If we dwell on it, it might displease His Majesty."
Xiao Zhen was a shrewd man, and he understood that Xiao Man intended to downplay the matter. However, given the scale of the incident today, even the Emperor would investigate it behind the scenes. Why did his daughter wish to let it go?
"Are you hiding something from Father?"
"Father, please do not concern yourself with this matter. Your daughter has it under control." Xiao Man hugged Xiao Zhen's arm. "However, it is indeed not appropriate for the mansion to be without a mistress. I heard that Imperial Censor Tan suddenly withdrew his agreement to this marriage."
Xiao Zhen's expression shifted. "Father has his own plans."
"Naturally, daughter believes Father has his own plans. But Grandmother is not someone who gives up easily. If she could force Imperial Censor Tan to break the engagement this time, she could force other young ladies to be afraid to marry into the family next time." Xiao Man persuaded him subtly. "Does the magnificent General's mansion have to remain in such disarray?"
"Rest assured, the General's mansion will have a new mistress." Xiao Zhen said gently. "I am more worried about you. Too many things have happened recently targeting you. I am very uneasy."
"Father, please rest assured. The more they fear our General's mansion and the more they target me, the more it will arouse His Majesty's suspicion. Our General's mansion is the victim. His Majesty will not stand by and watch us remain victims." Xiao Man said with a smile. Today's incident had crossed the Emperor's bottom line. No matter who was behind it, those involved would not fare well.
"Try not to go out. I have a feeling that a storm is brewing." Xiao Zhen said worriedly. He didn't know when he could return to the capital. With him in the capital, he could share some of the pressure on the General's mansion.
"Daughter understands."