Jiang Jinyue's eyes were full of panic. Her whole body trembled uncontrollably, and her voice stammered as she tried to explain:
"C-cousin... Yue'er, that was... that was... Oh, it was Zhui'er!"
An idea suddenly flashed through Jiang Jinyue's mind, and she pushed Zhui'er out again. "I remember hearing Zhui'er mention it the other day. Just now when we were talking about the Biansha Black Market, this term suddenly popped into my head. It seemed like I'd heard it somewhere. Y-yes... yes..."
"It was Zhui'er who said it!" Jiang Jinyue quickly defended herself. "I blurted it out just now. I didn't expect Zhui'er to know about the Biansha Black Market at that time. Now that you mention it, I find it strange!"
She gritted her teeth with hatred.
Anyway, Zhui'er couldn't escape. What difference did it make if there was one more or less crime on her?
Sheng Jiangli raised his eyebrows, looking at Jiang Jinyue with interest.
This vicious woman had her reasons for being so. She could sell someone out without hesitation in a blink of an eye, and her reaction was quick.
After shifting the blame, Jiang Jinyue felt relieved.
As long as she insisted that she knew nothing about Concubine Yao's poisoning, at most she would only be accused of poor discipline.
"Cousin, I really know nothing. I've been in the Prince's Mansion every day," Jiang Jinyue pleaded her innocence. "It's not just me who can testify to my activities in the mansion. Everyone in the mansion has seen me. Oh, and aunt... I've been accompanying aunt every day. Didn't General Zhu go to save someone with the antidote? When she wakes up, aunt can also testify for me!"
She glared fiercely at Sheng Jiangli and the Hu merchant. "Cousin, I think you should arrest this Hu merchant and torture him to find out who is trying to stir up trouble in our Yan Prince's Mansion!"
Facing Jiang Jinyue's fierce gaze, Sheng Jiangli shrugged noncommittally.
Song Yinghuai was extremely cold. There was no expression on his perfect face, and his black eyes were unfathomable.
Dawn had broken, and the envoy from the capital would arrive soon. The top priority was to deal with that eunuch. As for Jiang Jinyue...
He was not in a hurry to entangle with her for the moment.
Caiyu watched him casually rub the Buddhist beads on his wrist and guessed his plan.
Indeed, as the Prince of Yan, Song Yinghuai had wasted a lot of time just to seek justice for a little maid like her.
Even though there was an insurmountable gap of hostility between them, she was touched at this moment.
No matter whether they had caught Jiang Jinyue's handle this time or not, she should be content.
However... it was not Caiyu's style not to avenge herself.
At this time, Zhu Xiao came back. He pushed the door open and said, "The antidote is real. The old princess has woken up. After hearing the general story from me, the old princess sent a message to the prince—"
Zhu Xiao cleared his throat. "She was very close to Concubine Jiang when they were young. Later, she was fortunate enough to enter the palace to serve the emperor and was favored by him, rising rapidly in status. She had a noble son to rely on. But Concubine Jiang was unfortunate. She became a noble concubine in the Jiang family and only had one daughter in her life. Moreover, the culprit of this incident is Zhui'er. Miss Jiang was just negligent in discipline. The old princess said that the prince should, for her sake, deal with this lightly."
After he finished speaking, he sighed in his heart.
Once again, Miss Jiang had escaped unscathed.
Hearing this, Jiang Jinyue showed a relieved expression on her face.
Fortunately, aunt had woken up!
Caiyu sneered in her heart.
It seemed that the torture she had endured this time would be in vain.
She took a deep breath and said softly, "Your Highness, I heard that the envoy from the capital is about to enter the mansion. Your Highness should focus on the important matters. This small matter of mine can be settled like this. It doesn't matter to me."
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone in the room looked at Caiyu.
Everyone here was a shrewd person. Who couldn't understand what Caiyu meant?
What she meant was that she could temporarily not pursue the matter, but she must get an explanation for the torture she had endured last night!
Sheng Jiangli laughed softly, and the interest in his eyes grew stronger.
His third young lady still had the same temper, like a wild horse from Yanmen Pass.
Jiang Jinyue's face turned green and then white. Now that she had Concubine Yao as her backer, she grew bolder again. Angry and furious, she said:
"What if you don't settle it? If you have the ability, go to the dungeon and force Zhui'er to death! But if you want to force me, there's no way!"
"Miss Jiang, you're overreacting. I'm just a lowly maid. How dare I force you, Miss Jiang? What I just said was that this matter can be settled like this," Caiyu said calmly.
"You..." Jiang Jinyue was so angry that she was speechless.
Who couldn't hear her sarcasm?
Song Yinghuai looked at Caiyu's stubborn face. He knew that she was not willing to be framed. If he hadn't avenged her in time, this girl would probably take action on her own.
Although such a fiery temper might put her in danger again, it had to be said that it suited his taste.
Suddenly, he let out a low laugh. A wild interest spread across his handsome face. His fingertips gently rubbed the coagulated blood bead on her neck again, and his voice was slightly hoarse:
"Okay, I know you're sensible. But..."
He looked at the blood bead on Caiyu's neck that looked like a cinnabar mole. His cold black eyes suddenly narrowed slightly:
"But that Yaojiu dagger was for your self - defense. If you ever use it to cut your own neck again, I will surely give you a lesson you'll never forget!"
Was he worried that she had hurt herself just now?
Did this also mean that he had agreed to avenge her another day?
Caiyu was immediately overjoyed. The anger in her heart subsided, and she obediently nodded. "I know my mistake, Your Highness."
Song Yinghuai looked at Sheng Jiangli. "General Sheng, go and welcome the guests."
Sheng Jiangli laughed heartily. "Your Highness, please!"
Song Yinghuai led the way out of the study. Jiang Jinyue hesitated for a moment but finally followed.
In fact, she was almost desperate about being able to stay in the Yan Prince's Mansion.
Song Yinghuai's sudden early return to Yanjing had completely ruined her plan.
The only thing she could do now was to act obediently, hoping to delay things and marry later.
Maybe there would still be a chance for a turnaround.
Zhu Xiao made a gesture of deference to Sheng Jiangli, but the latter took a step back and moved closer to Caiyu. His eyes sparkled:
"Wanna go and watch the fun?"
Caiyu was stunned. She quietly took a step back to keep a distance from him. Bowing her head, she said respectfully, "I dare not, General Sheng."
But Sheng Jiangli was like a rascal, pushing her towards the door. "What are you afraid of? Afraid the prince will eat you? Don't worry. With me here, he can't do anything to you!"
It was precisely because of him that the prince might do something to her!
Caiyu was no match for Sheng Jiangli's strength. She was pushed and her feet left the ground.
Brother A'li was still as rascal and overbearing as he was when he was a child!
Strangely enough, although Song Yinghuai was also overbearing, Caiyu didn't feel as embarrassed when facing him.
As Caiyu was being forced to move forward, she anxiously said:
"General Sheng, I don't want to go..."
Sheng Jiangli whispered in her ear with a smile, "Shu'er threatened me with her life just now. Can't you even give me this much face now?"
Hearing this, Caiyu felt a twinge of guilt in her heart. Finally, she gave up struggling and obediently followed Sheng Jiangli forward.
Sheng Jiangli was delighted. He walked side by side with Caiyu and slowed down his pace.
Unexpectedly, Song Yinghuai in front suddenly stopped, turned around, and said unhappily:
"Why aren't you coming up to serve?"
Caiyu quickly responded and walked forward quickly, leaving Sheng Jiangli behind.
She trotted quickly, overtaking Zhu Xiao, and followed behind Song Yinghuai.
The man's broad and tall shoulders in front of her were like a mountain, majestic and silent.
But at the same time, they were so reassuring.
At this time, the main gate opened. There was a commotion outside, and a shrill voice that made one want to block their ears sounded:
"I've told you not to be so hasty! Not so hasty! Oh, General Fang! You're going to make me fall off, aaaah!"
Everyone's attention was drawn to the people at the main gate.
Fang Kuan's bear - like figure flashed in from outside, carrying a thin, fair - faced, beardless middle - aged man on his back.
With a "thud", he jumped over the half - foot - high threshold.
He stood still in front of everyone.