Chapter 596: Accusing the Township Lady of Indirectly Causing Jiang Ying’s Death

Chapter 596: The Township Lady Stands Accused in Jiang Ying's Death

Xingxing never expected things to unfold this way.

She could only explain that she was merely a humble physician and couldn’t guarantee anyone’s pregnancy.

As for the Crown Princess’s pregnancy? That wasn’t really her doing and had little to do with her.

Yet the more Xingxing downplayed her role, the more people believed she was being modest, and they became even more eager for her help.

Xingxing sighed.

Still, with her medical skills, she did manage to help several couples who'd long been childless finally conceive.

Of course, there were also those with physical ailments, and Xingxing could only be honest with them.

For instance, one day, the Third Madam of the Duke of Xinguo’s household brought a young woman to the General of the Western Garrison’s residence, trying to be discreet.

Out of regard for the Dowager Duchess of Xin, Xingxing agreed to see the woman the Third Madam had brought.

After taking the woman’s pulse, Xingxing sighed and gently said, “Madam, did you have a serious illness in your youth that harmed your health? It may be difficult for you to conceive.”

Though Xingxing phrased it delicately, the young woman understood immediately and burst into tears.

In her youth, she had been taken in by a scoundrel and was taken advantage of. From just that one time, she became pregnant.

Her family had no choice but to get her abortion medicine to end the pregnancy.

As a result, the abortion medicine caused her severe hemorrhaging, nearly costing her life.

Afterward, she went to live with her aunt in another province for several years to recover before returning. To the outside world, she was simply known as a young widow.

Two years ago, her family arranged another marriage for her. Her new husband was a widower, making them a suitable match in terms of social standing.

However, since his late wife had not given him any children, she was still expected to bear children after marriage. She had always believed her body to be in good condition, but even after two years of marriage, she still hadn’t become pregnant. Around the time Lady of Blessed Peace was gaining fame, she begged her cousin—who had married into the household of the Duke of Xinguo, specifically Third Madam—to help arrange an introduction through Third Madame.

Unexpectedly, Xingxing bluntly told her that she would struggle to conceive.

The young woman, named Jiang Ying, wept and then pleaded with Xingxing for help. Xingxing reluctantly shook her head: “Madam, your condition stems from deep internal damage. I truly cannot do anything about it.”

Jiang Ying looked pained: “Lady of the Township, please keep this confidential…”

Xingxing nodded and comforted her: “Of course. That’s basic doctor-patient confidentiality.”

Jiang Ying left in a daze, accompanied by Third Madam of the Duke of Xinguo’s household.

Yet, unexpectedly, a few days later came tragic news—Jiang Ying had hanged herself from a beam.

Her parents, who still loved their daughter deeply, caused a scene at her husband’s home. That’s when they found out someone had spread the news of Jiang Ying’s infertility everywhere—even her own husband had quarreled bitterly with her over it.

It seemed that heartbroken and hopeless, Jiang Ying had taken her own life with a single rope.

Jiang Ying’s family traced the rumor back to the Third Madam of the Duke of Xinguo.

Third Madam, who was actually Jiang Ying’s cousin, turned pale upon hearing this: “…A few days ago, I only brought A-Ying to see Lady of Blessed Peace, hoping to gain some blessing for her to conceive. Who could have guessed it would end up being a death sentence?!”

Upon hearing this, both Jiang Ying’s natal family and her husband’s family backed down.

Everyone knew that Lady Fu Sui was currently the hottest topic in the capital.

Yet, within a single night, Jiang Ying’s husband’s family had gone to beat the petition drum, accusing Xingxing!

The constables of Shuntian Prefecture didn’t dare delay. When summoning Xingxing for questioning, they used the word “please.”

Xingxing had just begun taking Li Chunhua’s pulse when she heard the news. She remained calm and simply stood up, saying, “Gentlemen, please wait a moment while I change clothes and then I’ll go with you.”

She conducted herself with integrity. Being called in for questioning at the yamen was no big deal—she had nothing to fear.

But the Yu family was dumbfounded.

Who?!

For no good reason, who would falsely accuse their Xingxing?!

In no time, several servants from General Yu’s residence were dispatched with messages.

Some went to the military camp outside the city, some to the shops on the street, some to the Hanlin Academy, and one whose movements were ghost-like—who knew where he was headed?

In short, not long after Xingxing left, Yu Yonghuai, Yu Yongbai, Yu Yongliu, and even the rarely seen Yu Yonggui all returned.

The four brothers quickly huddled together, exchanged glances, and hurried off to the yamen.

As a township lady, Xingxing was exempt from kneeling in court.

The Prefect of Shuntian addressed her respectfully: “Lady Fu Sui, this lowly official has invited you here to ask about a certain matter.”

Xingxing nodded. “Your Honor, please proceed.”

The Prefect briefly briefed Xingxing on Jiang Ying’s death by hanging and pointed to Xiao Qiang, who knelt on the ground: “…My Lady, Xiao Qiang, Jiang Ying’s husband, accuses you of indirectly causing her death. Do you plead guilty?”

Naturally, Xingxing did not.

Nor did she brush off the absurd accusation with contempt. She replied earnestly, “…Your Honor, I simply informed the lady of her condition truthfully. How could that be considered causing her death? If that were the case, who would dare practice medicine?”

The Prefect nodded repeatedly, clearly convinced.

Many onlookers among the crowd also nodded. This made no sense.

Xiao Qiang, still kneeling, grew agitated. “If that were the case, how would a commoner like me dare accuse a township lady!… I accuse Lady Fu Sui because she gossiped about my wife’s illness as a laughingstock, and my wife, unable to bear the shame, took her own life!”

Xingxing frowned and studied Xiao Qiang more closely.

He had rat-like features, his eyes darting nervously as he reeled off prepared lines.

It was as if he had memorized every word beforehand!

Xingxing reasonably suspected someone had coached him.

She remained calm and composed, unshaken by Xiao Qiang’s false charges.

She asked him directly, “You claim I spread your wife’s condition. I ask you—what evidence do you have?”

Xiao Qiang was caught off guard, flustered.

He hadn’t expected this young girl to be so cool-headed—shouldn’t she be trapped in a self-incrimination trap now, trying to prove her innocence?

Why was she flipping the script and demanding proof instead?

Thinking of the cold hard cash promised by that person, Xiao Qiang gritted his teeth. “My wife visited you for treatment with the Third Lady of Duke Xin Guo’s household. Not long after returning, she took her own life because others found out about her condition! If not you, then who else?!”

He turned to the watching crowd and shouted, “Fellow townspeople! My wife was only in her twenties, in the prime of her life! Yet because her private medical condition was turned into gossip by this Lady Fu Sui, she was driven to her death! I, Xiao Qiang, will stake my life to get justice for my wife!”

His passionate words stirred the hearts of the onlookers.