Chapter 113 Fall Into Disgrace (Part Two)

As expected, Xiu Xin hurriedly made a kowtow before Emperor Ning, "Your Majesty, please don't get angry. I planned the whole thing. It has nothing to do with Her Majesty. Her Majesty asked Princess Hui Guo to celebrate the birthday of Lady Shun Qing, but she was afraid that Princess Hui Guo wouldn't have any presentable gift, so she gave Princess Hui Guo the precious jadeite peach-shaped carving. I have never liked Princess Hui Guo. She isn't Her Majesty's daughter, but you treat her much better than Princess Hua Jing. Her Majesty has been a nice Empress, wife, and mother since she entered the Imperial City, but only I know her suffering, so I felt vengeful. I thought if I eliminated Princess Hui Guo, Her Majesty would be relieved. So I made a decision without authorization, and asked someone to make a fake peach-shaped carving. Then I went to ask Lady Gao for help."

The Empress's palms sweated so much that her handkerchief became wet. Why didn't Xiu Xin think properly at this critical moment? It was obviously a trap. Lady Shun Qing was fine, which shed doubt on the plan. Moreover, the others had no idea of the sachet Lady Gao mentioned just now. The Empress was sure that she had never asked Xiu Xin to do that.

However, the Empress could do nothing to turn the tables now. Lady Gao had pleaded guilty and even Xiu Xin had taken responsibility. What else could she do? What was worse, Emperor Ning would never trust her again. He wouldn't change his mind even if her father interceded on her behalf. Sweat dripped from the Empress's face. She even found it hard to defend herself. After a long time, she knelt on the ground and said weakly, "Please punish me for my negligence."

Emperor Ning closed his eyes and looked pale. How dare his Empress try to harm his daughter? Moreover, Xiu Xin had taken responsibility, and the Grand Councilor dominated the court. Even if the Empress was behind all this, Emperor Ning couldn't punish her. At the thought that he couldn't even protect the daughter of his beloved woman, Emperor Ning felt more helpless.

"Xiu Xin intended to murder Princess Hui Guo. Guards, drag her out and club her to death. As pun

make an order?"

Qin Yi and Qian Yin stood still nervously.

Prince Jing sighed and tried to please Yun Shang. "It was just a joke. I didn't expect that you would get angry. Vent your anger on me if you like."

Qian Yin and Qin Yi were taken aback. They usually stayed with Yun Shang all day long. But they didn't know that she and Prince Jing had such an intimate relationship. It occurred to Qian Yin that Yun Shang slept in Prince Jing's tent at the frontier some time ago. Yun Shang was Prince Jing's junior, and Prince Jing had slept somewhere else, so Qian Yin didn't think it improper. Did they get close with each other in those days? This thought astonished Qian Yin. Furthermore, Yun Shang was terribly worried upon hearing that Prince Jing was in trouble that day and personally gathered as many as people she could to save Prince Jing.

Emperor Ning approved of their marriage soon after they came back. This was indeed a wise decision as Yun Shang's reputation would have been ruined as many people in the camp had met her.

Prince Jing obeyed Yun Shang in every way. Qian Yin didn't know why Yun Shang was angry, but she felt relieved as Prince Jing made an abject apology.

Yun Shang didn't notice that Qian Yin was lost in thought but felt sick of Prince Jing who had no shame. She gave a brittle laugh and said to Prince Jing, "There are no other people here. Don't pretend to be nice. Qian Yin, show Prince Jing out."