325 Before I offer my assistance

“The Queen didn’t have to come here. She can go back,” Qiu Zedong stated, and asked Eunuch Gao Bing to escort the Queen.

Zhu Liling knitted her brows as the King sent her away. She wanted to see the face of Xiuying, who always tried to show off in front of her. However, Zhu Liling could not refuse the command of the King. She left for her manor, behind Gao Bing.

“Father, I think General Hei made a mistake in his investigation. My mother can never do that,” Qiu Mu stated, and glanced at Hei Chengxi.

Hei Chengxi walked up to the King and showed him the tassel that the man had handed them during the investigation. “Your Majesty, such a tassel cannot be copied. The design is intricate, and I confirmed it with the noble consort. She admitted that it was hers. Also, the man said that the Noble Consort gave it as the initial payment to them since it is made of jade and gold,” he affirmed.

Qiu Zedong took the tassel from Hei Chengxi and walked ahead. He asked the soldiers to open the wooden prison gates. He stepped in, followed by Hei Chengxi, Qiu Mu, and Huang Xi.

Xiuying was tied in shackles and her face was covered in tears.

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“Your Majesty,” Xiuying said, and dragged her feet forward. She got on her knees and held his leg. “I did not do anything. I have been wrongly accused by the man. Please believe my words, Your Majesty,” Xiuying stated.

Qiu Mu felt terrible to see the state of his mother. He looked at his father, wondering why he was not saying a word. “Father, my mother is speaking the truth. Please believe her,” Qiu Mu stated.

“This tassel,” Qiu Zedong extended his hand out and showed it to Xiuying, “The noble consort asked me to make it for her a few days back. How could this end up in someone else’s hands? The man has admitted that the noble consort hired them,” he affirmed.

.....

Qiu Mu was shocked to hear his father’s words. He also believed that Xiuying was behind those attacks. He stepped up and asked his father why he was believing the words of the man. “Father, someone is framing my mother,” Qiu Mu pronounced.

“Prince Mu, stay out of this. If you think that the noble consort is being framed, then bring me the evidence of it.” Qiu Zedong raised his voice at Qiu Mu. “General Hei will further look into it. For now, the noble consort has to stay in the prison,” he stated and moved back.

Xiuying glanced at the King with an unbelievable expression. Her husband didn’t trust her. This was the worst moment of her life. She had never imagined that there would be a day in her life, when the person whom she had given her entire life would also see her as the culprit. Tears poured down her cheeks and she pulled her hands back.

“I didn’t do anything, Your Majesty,” Xiuying stated with a stern tone and looked at her son. “Qiu Mu, you have to bring the truth out to prove that your mother is framed by someone. This tassel hadn’t with me since the morning, and I had asked my personal attendant to search for it. I do not know who stole it from my manor and then accused me of something I never did,” Xiuying said.

Qiu Mu nodded his head and assured her that he would bring the truth out at any cost. Qiu Zedong left the prison, and after him, the others walked out.

“Mother, I will find the truth soon. But can you tell me if someone unknown comes to your chamber?” Qiu Mu asked and got on his knees. He wiped the tears from his mother’s cheeks.

“It is tough to tell. I have so many servants around. I have forgotten where I put the tassel,” Xiuying asserted. “I have faith in you. You will definitely find out the person who framed me,” she said.

Lóng Wei clapped his hands to hear them and walked in with a smile on his lips.

They both looked at him, who was approaching them. Qiu Mu stood up and asked Lóng Wei why he was there.

“To see this emotional drama. Ahh, my eyes are filled with tears,” Lóng Wei said as he controlled his laughter.

Qiu Mu shouted for the soldiers to drag Lóng Wei out. “I took His Majesty’s permission to be here. There is no use of calling any soldiers here,” Lóng Wei stated. He glanced at Xiuying and showed his fake concern for her.

“What if your lovely son fails to bring out the truth?” Lóng Wei inquired. “You will be hanged to death. I would love to see that sight. You love to see other people’s pain and now, your own state has become too pitiful.” He didn’t stop himself from humiliating Xiuying.

Qiu Mu grabbed Lóng Wei by the collar and told him to shut his mouth.

“Does Prince Lóng Wei think that I am innocent?” Xiuying asked her. “Qiu Mu, let go of Lóng Wei,” she instructed her son. Lóng Wei showed him his white teeth smile. Qiu Mu complied with his mother’s command and removed his grip from Lóng Wei’s collar.

“I know that you weren’t behind this,” Lóng Wei said. “That’s why I am here. However, before I offer my assistance to your son in bringing you out of the prison, I require something,” Lóng Wei stated.

“What do you want?” Qiu Mu asked him.

“Can your mother give me the key to a special room of which the Queen is in charge?” Lóng Wei inquired.

“How am I supposed to do that?” Xiuying was confused. That key was with the Queen for years, and no one knew where she kept it. She briefed Lóng Wei about it.

“Then, should I step back from helpling you? There is a thin line between life and death. For you, that line can break at anytime,” Lóng Wei said and smirked. Qiu Mu urged him to be respectful to his mother.

“Why should I? She is the one who started disrespecting my wife. I am still kind enough to come here and give my help to her. You have three seconds to answer me,” Lóng Wei stated and started the countdown.

“I will do it,” Xiuying pronounced.