NOVPUBXu Zening tightly pressed his lips together.
Shen Roujia raised her eyebrows slightly, sobbing with a hint of gentle understanding, “Your Highness, do not blame yourself. Not all of this is your fault.”
Consort Jia trembled as she knelt, completely unaware of the current situation.
The Emperor rubbed his forehead in frustration. “A woman’s appearance is of utmost importance! The Crown Princess has endured so much for you, Crown Prince. How have you been as a husband?”
Shen Roujia looked at the Emperor with serene eyes. “Father Emperor, you have many worries, and you’ve recently suffered the pain of losing a child. This matter should not trouble you.”
Just as everyone was about to breathe a sigh of relief at her words, Shen Roujia smiled innocently at the crowd. “But I am not capable of making decisions. I caught the person who poisoned me, yet I do not know how to deal with them. This is the perfect opportunity to ask Father Emperor and Your Highness for a decision.”
The Emperor was at a loss for words. Even if he wanted to protect his inept son, he couldn’t.
His face darkened as he looked at Xu Zening. “Ning’er.”
Xu Zening seemed to snap out of his daze. “The imperial guards investigated for half a month without finding anything. Yet the Crown Princess mentions it so casually...”
He paused and nodded slightly.
“Very well, call them in and let’s ask.”
Consort Jia’s shoulders trembled, and she instinctively looked at the dazed Rong Shuyao.
Rong Shuyao clenched her teeth, staring at Xu Zening.
But Xu Zening’s expression was indifferent, not even sparing Rong Shuyao a glance.
Shen Roujia, supported gently by Xiao Fu, stood up gracefully.
She calmly called out toward the door, “Bai Wei, come in.”
Bai Wei entered with a pale face, eyes lowered in obedience.
“Your Majesty, this servant Bai Wei greets you.”
The Emperor waved his hand dismissively. “Did she poison you? Just a maid, drag her out...”
Bai Wei, trembling, knelt with a thud.
“Your Majesty! Please spare my life! I was coerced.”
She paused, pointing directly at Consort Jia without hesitation. “It was her, Your Majesty, it was her! The Zhao family threatened my family, forcing me to commit this unforgivable crime.”
As she spoke, she pulled out a package wrapped in leather.
“The poison is all here.”
Shen Roujia sneered lightly. “Father Emperor has always been compassionate. I feared he would be pained by this and had my brother rescue Bai Wei’s family.”
Consort Jia collapsed to the ground. “No, no, Your Majesty, I know nothing of this!”
She pointed crazily at Shen Roujia, gnashing her teeth. “It’s her, she’s a vile woman, she framed me!”
Shen Roujia remained calm, even pitying her. “Consort Jia, what else do you have to say?”
Consort Jia knelt, sobbing, “Your Majesty, you know me. I wouldn’t hurt a fly, how could I harm the Crown Princess?”
Suddenly, she seemed to have an epiphany and looked up sharply.
“Moreover, the Crown Princess and I have no grievances. I have no reason to harm her!”
Shen Roujia, feigning heartbreak, almost collapsed. “If Consort Jia is compassionate, then all the compassion in the world is tainted.”
Consort Jia trembled, pointing at Shen Roujia. “Crown Princess, who is behind you that you dare slander me like this!”
Shen Roujia, unbothered, bowed properly to the Emperor. “Father Emperor, please allow me to explain this situation.”
The Emperor, already irritated, felt increasingly trapped by this unexpected turn of events.
