Chapter 169

Chapter 169

Fang Yuaner did not believe in oaths or vows.

Just as she was about to respond, she saw Xie Run staring coldly at her, and said in a deep voice, "Do you dare to swear that if you have ever harmed Taotao, you and the Third Young Master will surely face retribution?"

Not to mention Fang Yuaner, everyone present drew in a sharp breath at these words.

Fang Yuaner met Xie Run's dark, cold eyes, and the words she was about to say simply would not come out.

Fang Yuaner did not believe in oaths, but she had no choice but to believe in spirits and deities.

Otherwise, how else could she have ended up in this world?

That brief hesitation was all it took for everyone present to sense something was off.

But before Fang Yuaner could find a way to salvage the situation, Prince Jing had already snapped coldly, "Enough!"

Xie Run restrained the anger on her face and calmly bowed to Prince Jing.

"This concubine was overcome with worry for her child and spoke out of turn. I beg Your Highness to punish me."

Prince Jing was displeased to hear his son being cursed.

But faced with Xie Run's calm demeanor, he couldn't bring himself to punish her.

After all, her anger was justified.

Prince Jing choked back his fury, with nowhere to vent it, and glanced at Fang Yuaner, whose expression was grim, and immediately found an outlet for his anger.

"Fang Shi schemed against the prince's progeny, her intentions worthy of death, and she shows no remorse. She is hereby confined to her quarters for six months, with her monthly allowance suspended for the same period."

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Qiulu kneeling on the ground, and Prince Jing said casually, "As for this maid, have her beaten until she dies."

Fang Yuaner and Qiulu both looked up at Prince Jing, disbelief written all over their faces.

Fang Yuaner never imagined Prince Jing wouldn't believe her at all and would punish her so harshly!

But before Fang Yuaner could beg for mercy, Qiulu was already crying and crawling forward on her knees, clutching at Prince Jing's robes.

"Please spare me, Your Highness, please spare me! This servant really didn't harm the young master!"

"This servant has been loyal to you with all her heart. You can't do this to me!"

At that, everyone present looked utterly shocked.

"Your mistress is Concubine Fang," Mama Li said with disgust. "What's this about you being devoted to the prince?"

"No wonder they found a sachet embroidered with mandarin ducks in your room. So you were harboring such dirty thoughts. How revolting!"

"A lowly maid, daring to covet the prince!"

Mama Li added, letting her own spite show, "Truly, like mistress, like maid—both don't know their place!"

Prince Jing had just found Mama Li's aggressiveness off-putting, but now he found the old woman's words quite pleasing.

Was he someone just anyone could set their sights on?

A personal maid of a secondary consort, shouting about being devoted to him?

Completely lacking in decency!

Eunuch Shi'an noticed Prince Jing's expression and immediately signaled a young eunuch to gag Qiulu.

Fang Yuaner had initially planned to plead for Qiulu, out of regard for their bond as mistress and maid.

But hearing Qiulu's words, she realized Qiulu had feelings for Prince Jing, and a wave of inexplicable disgust swept over her, so she kept quiet.

Just then, Zi Hu came in and said, "Your Highnesses, Yueyao, who tends the flowers in the corridor, says she has something to report about Yuezhi."

The Princess raised an eyebrow. "Before Yuezhi's even been questioned, someone's already reporting on her?"

Prince Jing looked confused. "Who are Yuezhi and Yueyao?"

Xie Run explained softly, "Reporting to Your Highness. Taotao's illness wasn't just because of the Chinese fleeceflower added to the wet nurse's meals, but also because cassava flour had been added to the water used to make Taotao's supplementary food."

"Yuezhi is the maid in charge of Taotao's water, and she's being questioned right now."

She glanced sideways, taking in everyone's expressions.

Shufei Li had always kept a cold, aloof look, and upon hearing this, her expression didn't change.

Fang Yuaner kept her eyes lowered, her emotions unreadable, a faint, elusive smile playing at the corners of her lips.

Whether it was smugness or mockery, no one could say.

Prince Jing stepped forward and sat down. "Bring her in. Let's hear what she has to say!"

The Princess glanced at Fang Yuaner. "Your Highness, should we send Concubine Fang back to begin her confinement?"

Fang Yuaner seemed to snap back to reality. "I'm not going back!"

Prince Jing and the Princess looked at her.

Fang Yuaner sneered, "Looks like this is far from over. At least let me watch the rest of the show before I go, so I can accept my fate."

Prince Jing frowned and was about to say no.

But the Princess said, "Your Highness, since Concubine Fang is curious, let her stay a bit longer."

"Once she's confined, she won't have many chances to go out."

Fang Yuaner said nothing, only feeling a tightness in her chest and a faint metallic taste of blood in her throat.

Soon, Yueyao, who tended the flowers, was brought in.

She was young, only thirteen or fourteen.

Yet she had grown into a striking beauty, with delicate, gentle features and watery, misty eyes.

When frightened, she looked like a startled sparrow, evoking pity.

Xie Run had liked her obedient, adorable nature, which was why she had promoted her from a rough servant to a third-class maid.

As soon as Yueyao stepped forward, many inwardly remarked that Xie Run was bold to keep such a pretty maid by her side.

Were she not afraid the maid might one day seduce the prince?

Unaware of others' thoughts, Yueyao simply stepped forward and paid her respects.

Prince Jing remained expressionless, while his consort beside him spoke first, asking, "You said you have something to report about Yuezhi—tell us in detail."

Yueyao said timidly, "Your Highness, this servant is in charge of the flowers and plants along the corridor. Five days ago, I went to the flower room to pick up some flowers, and as I passed the Flying Crane Pavilion, I saw..."

Her voice trailed off as she spoke.

Xie Run knew she was naturally timid and said gently, "Don't be afraid. Just tell the Prince and Consort what you saw."

"If the culprit who added the cassava flour is found, you'll have earned merit, and rewards will not be lacking."

"Even if what you say doesn't help, just having the courage to speak up deserves praise."

Yueyao, comforted by Xie Run's words, finally spoke a little louder.

Still barely a whisper, but at least it was audible.

"This servant saw Yuezhi and Sui Ci, Shiqie Wan's maid, seemingly arguing about something, both looking upset."

"After a while, this servant saw Yuezhi leave the Flying Crane Pavilion, tugging at her sleeve... Later, while I was working, I kept an eye on her sleeve and noticed a delicate gold bracelet had appeared on her wrist."

Yueyao was timid but observant, and she gave a detailed account of when and where she'd seen Yuezhi.

The Flying Crane Pavilion was also in a clever spot.

Its location was somewhat secluded, but it was built with a certain artistic flair, surrounded on several sides by rock formations draped with green vines.

If you wanted a quiet place to talk, it was perfect.

Thus, it was also a great place for scheming in secret.

Zi Hu chimed in as well, "At that time, Yuezhi was supposed to be on duty, and no one had told her to go out. I wonder why she appeared at the Flying Crane Pavilion?"

After hearing this, Prince Jing only said, "Send someone to fetch Shiqie Wan first, then bring that girl in for questioning."

"Yes!"

Xie Run, helped by someone, returned to her seat.

She cast her eyes down, seeming lost in thought.

Prince Jing watched her and felt his heart soften inexplicably.

Then he thought of Taotao, who had suffered two misfortunes in a row for no reason, both from such subtle schemes that they were hard to guard against. He felt even more pity for the mother and child.