pdf-ebookys Chapter 157 The Prince's Judgment
Chapter 157 The Prince's Judgment
Ye Zhihui's maid also said, "Your Highness, my young lady fell into the water yesterday and caught a cold. I'm afraid she shouldn't stay by the lake today. Please let my young lady go back quickly!"
"I just asked the imperial physician this morning, and he said that Miss Ye is fine. What, the imperial physician said she's alright, but I need to call you for something, so you can't be out in the wind?" The Crown Prince's tone became stern.
Ye Zhihui could hardly believe her ears when she heard this.
During the time she stayed at the mansion, although the Crown Prince didn't have much contact with her, he was always very polite to her and never used his status as the Crown Prince to pressure her.
This was, to my recollection, the first time the Crown Prince had spoken to her in such a tone.
She sensed that the Crown Prince was different from before.
Ye Zhihui's gaze swept over Qin Wanying, a hint of hatred flashing in her eyes.
It's all her fault, it's all Qin Wanying's fault, that's why the Crown Prince treats her like this!
She quickly replied, "Zhihui wouldn't dare. It was the maid who was overly concerned. I hope the Crown Prince will forgive me."
The servants nearby were also surprised when they heard the crown prince's words.
This is the first time the Crown Prince has ever spoken to Miss Ye in such a tone.
Qin Wanying was also quite surprised.
Yesterday, he said he would get justice for himself.
Today, an eyewitness was found.
He also reprimanded Ye Zhihui.
It seems that what he said yesterday was true; the Crown Prince has no romantic feelings for Ye Zhihui.
The Crown Prince turned around and said to Abing in a gentle tone, "Abing, tell me what exactly happened."
When Abing saw the scene by the lake, he seemed to remember something and ran to the lakeside where Ye Zhihui had fallen into the water. "Yesterday, that sister was standing here," Abing said, pointing at Qin Wanying.
Then, Sister Ye walked up behind her.
"Then, that sister ran far away, so far away." As she spoke, she imitated Qin Wanying and darted twenty meters away.
"Then, Sister Ye jumped in herself!" she said, running to the lakeside and pretending to jump in.
A guard beside the crown prince reacted quickly and rushed to Abing's side, grabbing him and saying, "Abing, just explain yourself, there's no need to actually jump."
Qin Wanying couldn't help but smile. Ah Bing was a cute little silly kid.
Fortunately, the guards stopped him; otherwise, in such cold weather, he might have jumped.
"Then Sister Ye fell into the water with a 'plop,' and the maid shouted loudly."
After finishing his speech, Abing looked at the Crown Prince smugly, as if waiting for praise. I think I've made myself clear.
The prince smiled and looked at Abing, "Abing, you're right, good boy."
Ah Bing was overjoyed and jumped around on the spot.
All the servants were stunned.
If someone else had said this, they wouldn't have believed it.
However, it was Ah Bing who said these words.
Ah Bing is a child who simply cannot lie. You can't teach him, you can't bribe him, you can't coerce him, and you can't even be beaten.
So, it really was Ye Zhihui who jumped into the water herself and framed Qin Wanying!
Miss Ye is such a good person, could it be that she's just pretending?
Feiyu's pupils contracted sharply. How could this be!
Isn't Miss Ye a particularly kind person?
He even saved his sister, how could he do such a thing!
Fei Yu looked at Ye Zhihui and felt that the person in front of her was very unfamiliar.
No wonder His Highness wanted to hit him yesterday.
It seems the Crown Prince had sensed something was amiss long ago.
Ye Zhihui's face turned deathly pale. Pointing at A Bing, she said, "You...you're lying! You're framing me! Crown Prince, he's framing me! He must have been bribed by Qin Wanying!"
Upon hearing this, Abing's mother was displeased and rushed forward, pulling Abing into her arms: "Miss Ye, please be careful with your words. My Abing is the most honest man and would never falsely accuse anyone!"
When Ye Zhihui saw that the Crown Prince's wet nurse had come out, she stopped talking.
The Crown Prince usually treats this wet nurse with great courtesy and respect; how could I possibly criticize her?
The Crown Prince, his face cold, said, "Miss Ye, what else do you have to say? Everyone in the manor knows that Abing doesn't lie."
Then he looked at the maid behind her, who was now trembling with fear.
"You gave false testimony and framed the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Dingbei's family. What is your punishment?"
The maid's legs went weak, and she knelt down on the ground.
"Your Highness, I was confused for a moment! It was all Miss's doing, Miss instructed me!"
Ye Zhihui looked at the maid beside her in disbelief. This was the maid who had been with her since she was a child!
Moreover, the maid's confession only solidified her guilt!
After hearing the maid's words, all the servants, who had initially refused to believe that Ye Zhihui had framed Qin Wanying, now believed it.
Ye Zhihui stood there, stunned and at a loss.
The Crown Prince's face was icy, and his voice was devoid of any warmth: "Drag this maid away, give her fifty strokes of the cane, and throw her out of the mansion!"
The maid was not a martial artist, so fifty strokes of the cane was a very severe punishment, enough to take half her life.
I estimate I'll be left with a disability.
As soon as he finished speaking, someone dragged the maid away. The maid cried and begged for mercy, but the prince's expression remained unmoved.
The sounds of beatings and the screams of maids could be heard from not far away.
All the servants were terrified. Many of them had followed the Crown Prince for many years and had never seen him like this before!
The crown prince's gaze fell on Ye Zhihui, his expression complex.
Ye Zhihui felt the Crown Prince's gaze, shuddered, and knelt down.
She knew that even her maid had admitted it, so there was no point in denying it.
"Please forgive me, Your Highness! Please forgive me, Your Highness! I was confused for a moment! Please forgive me, Your Highness, for I saved your life before!" Ye Zhihui's eyes were brimming with tears.
She had once saved his life and was also a county princess bestowed upon him by his father, the emperor.
His father and brothers were both heroes who died in battle.
Although he was the crown prince, he did not have the authority to deal with her directly.
He fixed his gaze on Qin Wanying.
"Miss Qin, what do you think should be done about this?"
After all, Qin Wanying was the victim, so he should listen to her opinion before deciding what to do.
Qin Wanying's eyes darkened slightly.
[This person is nominally the Crown Prince's savior, but the Crown Prince is unaware of what happened back then; it was all orchestrated by her.]
Upon hearing this, the crown prince's pupils dilated in shock.
Ye Zhihui had taken a knife for him years ago. From then on, he was extremely grateful to Ye Zhihui.
Unexpectedly, this whole thing was orchestrated by Ye Zhihui herself.
Anger surged in the Crown Prince's eyes, but fearing his suspicions would be revealed, he lightly covered his dark eyelashes to conceal his expression.
They even said Fei Yu had mistaken his benefactor for someone else; it turns out he had been kept in the dark all along!
This happened many years ago, and it won't be easy to find out the truth. Without evidence, I can't just make things up.
Especially now that she has a conflict with Ye Zhihui, speaking out about this without evidence will be misunderstood as seeking personal revenge.