Is It Forbidden to Bully the Heroine of the Novel? - Chapter 75
Chapter 75
Several people were led by Eunuch Hai into the Qinzhen Hall, where they saw not only the experienced Duke of the Nation and Prime Minister Jiang Heng, but also two men, the visibly resentful Murong Chun and the prefect of Luzhou, Meng Xia, who had fled for a long time and aged from thirty to fifty.
The moment Murong Qing saw Meng Xia, he knew something was wrong. However, he was always able to suppress those panicky emotions. How could Murong Chun possibly walk into a trap? Even if Meng Xia refused to identify him despite the Meng family’s instructions, there was no evidence. With the Duke of the Nation protecting him, he should be fine.
He would be fine.
Comforting himself thus, Murong Qing quickly calmed down, regained his composure, and walked to the center of the hall, performing a kneeling salute, “This son pays homage to Father Emperor.”
Jiang Yao, Song Muyun, and Li Xiting also paid their respects one by one.
The Emperor’s expression became somewhat complicated upon seeing Jiang Yao, but he was prepared. With a wave of his hand and a crisp voice, he said, “I guessed you would come too.”
People in the capital were slightly more open-minded than those in other places, but Jiang Yao was still the first person to make the matter of the polishing mirror widely known throughout the city.
The Emperor was wary and displeased with the Prime Minister, often amused at the thought of the Prime Minister’s green face during court sessions.
Therefore, he showed a bit more kindness and pleasure towards Jiang Yao.
Jiang Yao looked up at the Emperor, then bowed his head. Just as Li Xiting was guessing whether the Emperor would speak to her, a voice next to her spoke, “Replying to the Emperor, Miss Song has not entered the palace for a long time. This subject’s daughter is worried she might not know the rules and offend someone of high status, hence I accompanied her.”
Song Muyun’s cheeks flushed red. Jiang Yao, why use such an excuse?
How could she not know the rules?
It was clearly Jiang Yao himself…
The Emperor also felt that Jiang Yao was talking nonsense, but he didn’t want to expose him. However, his gaze cooled slightly as it swept over Murong Qing.
Murong Qing knelt on the ground, unable to see the Emperor’s expression, feeling increasingly uneasy.
Li Xiting stood up and went to stand next to the Duke of the Nation.
Her grandfather, who had not been out for a long time, looked serious. She wanted to ask what was wrong, but in front of the Emperor, she dared not ask and could only hold it in, occasionally stealing glances at Murong Qing with unmistakable affection.
Soon, another eunuch reported from outside the door that the Song family members had arrived. Following this, Song Muyun’s second and third uncles entered from outside, paid their respects, and stood aside to listen to the handling of the Song family case.
Song Muyun’s eyes lit up, but Murong Qing felt even more uneasy. Soon, they were called up by the Emperor.
They all stood below, and Murong Chun glared hatefully at Murong Qing.
Murong Qing pretended not to notice, maintaining a calm and elegant demeanor, as if today’s events had nothing to do with him.
Only when everyone had arrived did the Emperor gesture grandly and look at Murong Chun, who was under house arrest, with a cold face, “The Crown Prince can speak first.”
The reason the Crown Prince ended up here, despite being confined to his residence, was thanks to Murong Qing’s repeated schemes.
Murong Chun grew angrier the more he thought about it in his residence, but he had already realized the difference in intelligence between them; he was always outmaneuvered by Murong Qing!
He was in a state of helpless rage when the Meng family delivered Meng Xia.
It was Meng Xia who insisted on seeing the Crown Prince, saying he had something to say to him. If not brought along, it could affect the entire Meng family, which alarmed them enough to hastily send Meng Xia over.
The Crown Prince only then learned that Meng Xia had been found by the Meng family.
He immediately requested Meng Xia to identify Murong Qing before the Emperor, pushing all the blame onto Murong Qing, as he had made all arrangements through Murong Qing, leaving only Murong Qing’s traces behind.
Then, Meng Xia brought him a bolt from the blue.
The death squads Murong Qing had been training all bore tokens with the character “Chun.” Every death squad member knew their true master was Murong Chun; they obeyed Murong Qing’s face but all claimed their master was Murong Chun.
At that moment, Murong Chun’s face changed drastically, and after cursing Murong Qing for a full quarter of an hour, he collapsed into a chair, exclaiming that everything was over.
Meng Xia, with his head full of white hair, also had a face full of sorrow. Murong Qing’s schemes were deep, and they had all fallen into his trap!
Although he was cowardly and feared death, escaping alone when death approached, he couldn’t sleep at night after escaping, thinking of his loving wife, young daughter, and his son, who was known for his talents, proud of him. He couldn’t just live for himself.
The Prime Minister promised that if he could persuade the Crown Prince to come forward and trap Murong Qing, he would protect his family.
He had no choice but to come here. In fact, at this point, other than both of them coming forward together, there was no other way to convince the Emperor. Waiting any longer would mean the blame would fall solely on the Crown Prince!
Murong Chun was not very smart to begin with, but with a little guidance from Meng Xia, his hatred for Murong Qing reached its peak, and he refused to let Murong Qing benefit from the situation.
He immediately wrote a blood letter, using Meng Xia’s blood, and had it sent into the palace.
Upon seeing the blood letter and hearing he wanted to come clean, the Emperor reluctantly allowed Murong Chun to be brought into the palace. To his surprise, Murong Chun spoke of the Song family case and claimed it was a conspiracy between him and the Seventh Prince, Murong Qing!
No matter how the Emperor thought about it, he could not have anticipated such an outcome. He immediately ordered people to summon everyone involved in the case to the palace.
This led to the current scene.
Now, the Emperor sat at the head, looking at them with a majestic aura, but inside, he was cursing them as fools. Such a mess had been made, so many people had died, not even the King of Heaven could save them now!
Murong Qing was stunned, wondering why Murong Chun was allowed to speak first, but immediately had a bad feeling, which was soon confirmed.
Murong Chun bowed to the Emperor, his eyes wide with anger, and said, “This son has committed a heinous crime and has come to confess to Father Emperor!”
At that moment, Murong Qing felt as if he had been struck by lightning. What?
Murong Chun had actually come to confess?
Why, did he no longer care for his life?
Did he think that because his mother was a noble concubine, he could escape death?
Murong Qing felt
a chill run through him, and this shocking scene caught the Emperor’s eye, darkening his gaze.
“What do you wish to confess to?” the Emperor asked.
Murong Chun clenched his teeth and suddenly looked up, saying, “The breach of the Luzhou riverbank, causing many deaths and injuries, was a crime committed by this son and the Seventh Brother, Murong Qing. I beg Father Emperor to spare my life, and I am willing to do everything in my power to make amends to the people of Luzhou!”
Murong Qing’s face turned deathly pale. He had calculated everything, but he had never expected Murong Chun to come forward to confess.
Why, just to drag him down?
But initially, wasn’t he planning to push everything onto him? Why would he sacrifice himself just to expose him?
The hall fell silent at his words. The first to speak was actually the granddaughter of the Duke of the Nation, Li Xiting.
She looked at Murong Chun in disbelief and immediately retorted, “Impossible, the Seventh Prince would never do such a thing. Crown Prince, you must not falsely accuse others!”
The Duke of the Nation’s head throbbed with pain. It was true he had saved the Emperor’s life, but that favor was meant to save the lives of the Li family’s descendants, not for Li Xiting to recklessly use.
The Emperor had specifically summoned him because of the imperial decree arranging Li Xiting’s marriage to Murong Qing.
The Duke regretted it. He shouldn’t have softened his heart because of his granddaughter’s tears and agreed to let her marry Murong Qing.
At that time, Murong Qing had seemed the very image of a gentleman. Who could have guessed he would do such a thing?
As for whether the Crown Prince was slandering Murong Qing, no one in the room thought so.
Considering the Crown Prince’s status, was he really going to risk his own reputation to slander Murong Qing?
Certainly not.
The Duke of the Nation roared, “The Emperor is present, you have no right to speak out of turn, be silent!”
“Grandfather!”
Li Xiting stamped her foot, unwilling and tearful, almost crying, “The Seventh Prince would never do such a thing. It must be someone trying to frame the Seventh Prince!”
As for who that someone was, she didn’t say, but others could guess who she was implying.
Murong Chun nearly laughed, “I’m framing Murong Qing? Such a cunning man, with evidence against him piling up, doesn’t need me to personally slander him!”
Li Xiting was intimidated by the Duke of the Nation’s gaze and looked hesitantly at her beloved fiancé. Murong Qing was not one to admit defeat easily. Even if Murong Chun accused him and everyone believed it was him, as long as there was insufficient evidence, he would never admit guilt.
Murong Qing kowtowed deeply to the Emperor, the sound so loud that even Jiang Yao could hear it. It was a genuine kowtow.
She heard Murong Qing’s unwillingness to confess, heard his eloquent defense.
Tears involuntarily filled Song Muyun’s eyes. She had waited too long for this day. In her previous life, when Murong Qing became Emperor, she couldn’t let everyone know he was responsible for her family’s death. She could only attempt to assassinate him to avenge her family, but even that failed.
This life, she finally had the chance to avenge her family.
Song Muyun’s eyes were red as she was pulled into an embrace and comforted. Jiang Heng glanced at them, unable to resist pulling the two behind him to avoid dirtying the Emperor’s eyes and, more importantly, to avoid embarrassing himself.
It was truly unbearable to watch.
Song Muyun, held by Jiang Yao, looked over her shoulder at the Emperor sitting on the throne.
The Emperor’s expression was cold and unyielding. He knew the Crown Prince had ambitions, and in this matter, he would definitely implicate Murong Qing. What he said couldn’t be a lie.
As for Murong Qing’s denial, it felt insubstantial and unconvincing to him. There had already been several incidents linked to Murong Qing.
Though there was no concrete evidence, it was too coincidental.
How could it always be someone else’s fault?
Murong Qing, with sincere and tearful eyes, looked up at the Emperor, only to meet those sharp, penetrating eyes. He paused, then turned to Murong Chun, “Royal Brother, our relationship has always been good. Why do you slander me and lead me to death?!”
Murong Chun smiled, “Our relationship is good? If it were, you wouldn’t have pinned the kidnapping of Song Muyun on me alone. It’s my folly to have been used by you!”
Before entering the palace, He told Meng Xia about the two times he was framed by Murong Qing. After Meng Xia analyzed it, he admitted for the first time that it was his own foolishness to believe Murong Qing wouldn’t betray him based on his superficial understanding of him.
This incident had passed, but Murong Chun brought it up again, clearly not wanting to take the blame alone.
A flicker of panic passed through Murong Qing’s eyes, but he still denied it firmly, “I have never done such a thing. Everything must be based on evidence. Do you have any, brother?”
“Heh, Miss Song is standing right here. Do you still want to be stubborn?”
Without saying a word, the Emperor watched the two argue.
Murong Qing said, “There has been some misunderstanding between Miss Song and me. She has never liked me and has never shown me a kind face. Her words cannot be taken as evidence!”
“That’s because you went to the Moon Up Brothel every day to insult her! Everyone knows this if you ask around. I never insulted Song Muyun. Why would I kidnap her?”
Murong Chun’s words left Murong Qing momentarily unable to respond, only able to glare at him darkly before turning around and kowtowing again, leaving a blood mark on the floor, “Father Emperor, I have never done these things. Please believe me!”
Li Xiting felt heartbroken seeing Murong Qing bleeding from his forehead. If not for her grandfather’s stern gaze, she would have rushed over already.
Only Jiang Yao and Song Muyun felt a sense of justice being served, with Jiang Yao barely suppressing a smile.
Then… she was noticed by the Emperor.
The Emperor looked straight at her, ignoring Murong Qing’s kowtowing, and after a while, called out, “Jiang Yao.”
“Uh, yes?”
After being reminded by her father, Jiang Yao turned around to see the aged Emperor with eagle-like eyes staring at her.
“Emperor, are you looking for me?”
After being kicked by Jiang Heng, “Mind your manners.”
“Oh.”
Jiang Yao replied softly and straightened up, looking more spirited.
Seeing the Emperor speak, Murong Qing and Murong Chun stopped arguing and knelt down properly, each thinking about how to drag the other down or escape the situation. Murong Qing couldn’t help but look at Li Xiting, pale-faced.
Li Xiting, heartbroken, was silenced by a stern look from her grandfather.
The Duke of the Nation’s sharp gaze towards Murong Qing seemed to say, “With me here, don’t even think about putting my granddaughter in danger.”
Murong Qing bit his lip, realizing he had to rely on himself, and lowered his head with a cold expression.
The Emperor asked Jiang Yao, “I heard you often went to the Moon Up Brothel to find Song Muyun?”
“Replying to the Emperor, yes.”
Hearing their conversation, Song Muyun felt a bad premonition. What did the Emperor mean?
Did they know each other not because Murong Qing brought her to the Jiang residence, but because they met while she was still trapped in the Moon Up Brothel?
Recalling Jiang Yao’s question about when they met…
Her answer was wrong, but why did Jiang Yao say it was right and even praised her?
Song Muyun’s face showed shock and doubt as she thought deeper.
“When did you meet Song Muyun? Did you know her long before?”
“No, it was by chance that I followed the Seventh Prince into the Moon Up Brothel. Seeing him spend money on Muyun, I shamelessly wanted to join him. That’s when I met Muyun.”
“Oh, is that so? Then, what the Crown Prince said about the Seventh Prince bullying Song Muyun, do you know about that?”
Murong Qing felt a chill, knowing his relationship with Jiang Yao was poor, and she wouldn’t side with him.
Indeed, Jiang Yao’s strong voice followed, “Of course, I know. If the Seventh Prince hadn’t lacked the demeanor of a gentleman, bullying a weak woman, and even inviting me to join in the bullying, which I resolutely refused, I wouldn’t have specifically opposed the Seventh Prince, nor would I have developed a compassionate heart for Muyun, protecting her day by day and gradually developing feelings for her.”
The Emperor: …
Others: …
Thank you, the last sentence wasn’t necessary; no one cared.
Jiang Heng felt utterly embarrassed.
It was the first time he saw someone boasting about grinding mirrors so openly. Really…
Alas!
A family misfortune indeed.
Jiang Heng wished he could bury his head in the ground to avoid the Emperor’s mocking gaze.
Song Muyun stared blankly at Jiang Yao, finally understanding where things started to differ.
So, they knew each other that early.
How envious she was of that version of herself, so early taken under Jiang Yao’s wing, carefully protected without suffering much. How nice.
Song Muyun thought, lowering her head.
She didn’t say it, but her body language of suppressed loss was unmistakable, reminding the Emperor of the days she was bullied by the prince and unable to fight back!
When the Song family’s issue first came to light, although he disliked Song Yunqian, he hadn’t intended to make things difficult for a young girl. What the Seventh Prince did was dishonorable.
If he could do such a thing, then the rest…
Almost without needing evidence, the Emperor had already decided that these matters were related to Murong Qing.
He looked at Murong Qing, “Do you have anything else to say?”
“I, I…”
His lips trembling and pale, he couldn’t utter a word.
Jiang Yao glanced at him disdainfully, then, without looking, took Song Muyun’s hand, whispering comfortingly, “Don’t be afraid, today will surely fulfill your wish.”
She thought Song Muyun’s wish was for the truth to be revealed, for Murong Qing to fall from grace.
But she didn’t know that what Song Muyun most wanted was to personally end Murong Qing…
The young girl’s face showed worry, thinking about how to avoid everyone and kill Murong Qing without exposing herself, to avenge herself and her family.
Filled with past hatred, her body leaned honestly against Jiang Yao, relying on her completely.
Jiang Yao’s heart softened, her hand gripping Song Muyun’s smooth shoulder, kneading it.
Like kneading dough.
Song Muyun’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, silently standing up straight and pushing Jiang Yao away. There were many people around…
The Emperor’s chief eunuch, accustomed to observing everything, caught their small movements. At first, he blinked in disbelief, then smiled, lowering his head to focus on serving the Emperor.
Murong Qing, unable to articulate a response in the hall, was interrupted by Murong Chun’s impatience, “I have evidence. The women of the Moon Up Brothel can testify for Miss Song. Whether Murong Qing bullied Miss Song or not can be easily verified!”
Murong Qing clenched his teeth, “That brothel is your property; of course, they would side with you.”
“Are you suggesting the Emperor cannot discern their truthfulness? The Minister of Justice is best at interrogating suspects. Father Emperor, I request you summon the Minister of Justice!”
The Emperor’s lips twitched, surprised by Murong Chun’s eagerness to convict Murong Qing, not having thought to summon the Minister of Justice himself.
Since it was mentioned, he indeed summoned him, but not just the Minister of Justice. The guards reported that Consort Meng and Imperial Concubine Ning had also arrived.
Consort Meng was Murong Chun’s mother, and Imperial Concubine Ning was Murong Qing’s mother.
Presumably, they came to plead for their sons.
The Emperor didn’t call them in, only summoning the Minister of Justice and then calling for the women from the Moon Up Brothel. Coincidentally, those who came were from the same courtyard as Song Muyun, including Yanyan, who almost captivated the Emperor with her charm. It took a stern cough from Jiang Heng to bring him back to his senses and start interrogating the women.
The result was that Murong Qing had indeed frequently bullied Song Muyun in the Moon Up Brothel, as if they had a deep-seated hatred. They often heard the sound of whipping from Song Muyun’s room, and sometimes, she couldn’t even walk due to the severity of her injuries.
The Emperor hadn’t expected his seventh son, who appeared gentle and jade-like, to commit such cruel acts in private. Li Xiting couldn’t believe it either, staring blankly at Murong Qing.
The Duke of the Nation snorted in disdain at Li Xiting’s lack of judgment and at himself for being deceived despite having lived decades longer. He had truly thought Murong Qing was a gentleman. If not for the Emperor’s specific summon, he too would have been kept in the dark.
After rigorous questioning by the Minister of Justice, it was determined that the women from the Moon Up Brothel were not lying; each spoke the truth.
The Emperor, with his jade ring tapping the dragon throne, asked Murong Qing with a frown and cold voice, “Do you have anything else to say?”
Murong Qing, perhaps realizing the situation was beyond salvage and that no one in the hall sided with him, looked significantly haggard.
After a moment, he looked at Song Muyun beside Jiang Yao.
Song Muyun, meeting his gaze, couldn’t hide her disgust and dodged behind Jiang Yao, who stepped forward protectively, shielding her completely.
Murong Qing didn’t understand why he still cared about Song Muyun at this moment, the woman who had discarded his sincerity like worn-out shoes.
The woman who would rather be with another woman than spare him a glance.
It took a while before he straightened up, sweat trickling down his forehead, admitting only to one charge.
“I indeed harbored hatred out of love for Miss Song and committed many wrongdoings, but I absolutely did not partake in the breach of the Luzhou coast. Please investigate thoroughly, Father Emperor!”
“What?!”
A sharp cry suddenly filled the hall, from Li Xiting, whom even the Duke of the Nation couldn’t suppress. She rushed over in disbelief, tears in her eyes, kneeling beside Murong Qing, her face twisted as she asked, “You harbored hatred out of love for Song Muyun?!”
Author’s note:
Murong Qing: Confession
Yunyun: I refuse
Murong Qing: You actually discard my sincerity like worn-out shoes!
Sorry for the late update, I wrote nine thousand words today! Whew, so tired.