Chapter 195: Her Hatred

Her Hatred

Nie Jinxuan's gaze was burning. But at this moment, upon hearing these words, Empress Duan at her side immediately spoke up.

"Nie Jinxuan, don't you dare stand out and preach every time something happens! This is the Imperial Palace. Justice resides in the Emperor's heart; there is no need for a girl like you, with no official rank or title, to be making irresponsible remarks here!"

Having seen things go wrong several times before, only to have this girl Nie Jinxuan turn the tables at the very last moment, Empress Duan was determined not to let her speak again this time, no matter what!

After all, Empress Duan knew clearly in her heart that, given Yin Fengzhan's temperament, he would never have dealt such a heavy hand if something hadn't happened. But now that the Crown Prince had been beaten to such a state, it was a perfect opportunity to completely take down Yin Fengzhan. Once Yin Fengzhan fell, Noble Consort Zhang would naturally lose her support, and dealing with her would be an easy matter. Therefore, for Empress Duan, she would absolutely not let this excellent opportunity slip by!

Yet, while Noble Consort Zhang understood her intentions, how could Nie Jinxuan not? Thus, immediately following Empress Duan's words, Nie Jinxuan spoke up, cutting in before Emperor Shuncheng could respond.

"Her Majesty the Empress is right. Jinxuan is merely a girl, and naturally, I have no place to speak in this Imperial Palace. However, there are two things Her Majesty the Empress has gotten wrong. First, I may have been meddlesome the previous times. But I swear to Heaven, if it weren't for the fact that I truly could not stand by and watch certain people with ulterior motives deceive the Emperor, I would never have stood out to say a single word!"

"Furthermore, Jinxuan considers herself to have a clear conscience before Heaven and Earth, and I have never uttered a single lie. So why can I not speak of reason? I speak of reason so that everyone may know the truth and the Emperor can make the most correct judgment. Yes, I am a girl with no rank or title, but I am a citizen of Dongling. The Emperor is the Emperor of Dongling, and all the people under Heaven are the Emperor's subjects. If a subject has words for the Emperor, does Her Majesty the Empress truly think there is something wrong with that?! Is the saying 'loving the people like one's own children' just empty talk?! Or does Her Majesty the Empress feel that the Emperor's listening to my words somehow diminishes his status?"

Nie Jinxuan spoke with righteous indignation, pinning several heavy labels on the Empress, which immediately made Empress Duan's eyes widen in anger.

"You, you are spouting nonsense! That is not what I meant at all!"

"Oh? So that is not what Her Majesty the Empress meant? If that is the case, then Her Majesty the Empress must agree that what I said before was correct. But since I was correct, why did Her Majesty the Empress say those things just now? Could it be that Her Majesty the Empress does not want me to reveal the truth?"

"You..."

Empress Duan had fallen into the trap Nie Jinxuan had set, and for a moment, she didn't know what to say. At this time, looking at the increasingly ferocious expression on Empress Duan's face, Nie Jinxuan spoke again.

"That was the first thing Her Majesty the Empress got wrong. The second thing is this: even if we take a step back and say I was meddlesome before, today I am a party involved in this matter, so why can I not speak?! Furthermore, now that His Highness the Crown Prince is so severely injured, does Her Majesty the Empress not want to know what actually happened? Or is it that Her Majesty the Empress only wishes to use the Crown Prince's injury to strike at His Highness Prince Chen and even Noble Consort Zhang, and therefore won't even give me a chance to tell the truth?"

If the previous Nie Jinxuan had been a figure of solemn seriousness that commanded respect, then today's Nie Jinxuan made people feel a clear, sharp edge beneath that overwhelming righteousness!

At this moment, hearing Nie Jinxuan put it this way, Empress Duan's expression changed instantly.

"Nie Jinxuan, you are spouting nonsense! The Crown Prince is my son; no matter what, I would never use my own son!"

"Is that so?! Then why, after discovering His Highness the Crown Prince was injured, did Her Majesty the Empress not immediately seek a physician to treat him, but instead came here?! I have no children, but if I were Her Majesty the Empress and encountered this, everything else would be secondary—saving the Crown Prince would be the absolute priority!"

"I, I was just muddled with anger!"

"Yes, it is understandable that Her Majesty the Empress was angry; anyone would be. But even if you were angry at the time and didn't think of it, why was it that later, after arriving at this Yongxin Palace, when Noble Consort Zhang twice urged you to have a physician treat the Crown Prince, you sternly refused? You even tried to strike the Noble Consort at the end... Your Majesty, everyone present just now saw these things with their own eyes. Do you still intend to deny it?!"

Nie Jinxuan knew that a tough battle lay before her! And since everything had started because of her, she absolutely could not let him suffer because of her!

Thinking of this, Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but grit her teeth in secret. At this moment, listening to Nie Jinxuan's words, Emperor Shuncheng narrowed his eyes slightly. Then, just as Nie Jinxuan was about to say something more, the Emperor's expression darkened.

"Enough!"

With that forceful shout, Nie Jinxuan immediately fell silent. Emperor Shuncheng quietly observed everything before him, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"Gao Caiyong."

"This old servant is here."

"Take the Crown Prince to the Kunde Hall, then call for a physician to treat him."

"Yes."

Responding respectfully, Gao Caiyong immediately led men to carry away the Crown Prince, Yin Fenghan. Once Gao Caiyong had left, Emperor Shuncheng spoke again.

"Everyone, withdraw."

At the Emperor's command, Empress Duan's expression changed. The people in the courtyard dared not say more and hurriedly filed out. Consort Li had originally wanted to stay, but upon meeting the Emperor's gaze, she couldn't help but tremble all over and quietly left as well.

In the blink of an eye, only five people remained in the vast Yongxin Palace: Empress Duan, Noble Consort Zhang, Yin Fengzhan, Nie Jinxuan, and Emperor Shuncheng. At this moment, the Emperor's expression turned stern as he looked at Nie Jinxuan.

"Nie Jinxuan, I will give you one chance. But remember, you are not allowed to say a single word of nonsense, nor a single lie; otherwise, I will certainly charge you with the crime of deceiving the Emperor!"

"Yes! Jinxuan understands."

"Good, then speak!"

"Yes!"

Nie Jinxuan lowered her eyes in acknowledgment, took a deep breath, and spoke directly.

"Your Majesty, in truth, today's events all started because of me. You surely remember my entering the palace today. After I left the Imperial Study, I intended to leave the palace and return to my residence. But unexpectedly, just as I reached outside the Jingde Gate, I suddenly ran into His Highness the Crown Prince, who was entering the palace. Recalling what had happened just yesterday, I did not want to get entangled with him, so I walked past without even greeting him. Who would have thought he would block my path!"

"You are lying! The Crown Prince entered the palace to see me; why would he block you?! Nie Jinxuan, do not go around slandering people!"

Perhaps sensing that things were going poorly, Empress Duan interrupted Nie Jinxuan. Nie Jinxuan turned her gaze toward her and said,

"Your Majesty the Empress, I am not lying! At that time, the Crown Prince not only blocked my path but was also highly disrespectful. In the end, he even cornered me against the palace wall. I was terrified and threatened to call for help, but the Crown Prince didn't care in the slightest and even attempted to force himself upon me..."

"You are lying! The Crown Prince would never do such a thing!"

"How can Your Majesty the Empress be so certain? Do you think I would use my own purity to frame the Crown Prince?! If you do not believe me, please look at this!"

Raising her voice in a way she couldn't control, Nie Jinxuan pulled back her sleeve in front of everyone, revealing a section of her arm, white as a lotus root! Everyone was startled and looked over, only to be shocked.

There, on Nie Jinxuan's fair arm, was a dark red mark. It was clearly a bruise from someone grabbing her!

Emperor Shuncheng's gaze darkened, and Empress Duan's face turned deathly pale.

"No, this is impossible! Besides, it's just a scratch; it doesn't prove it was the Crown Prince. You could have done it yourself to exonerate Prince Chen..."

"Your Majesty the Empress, even if I wanted to help Prince Chen, I would not smear the Crown Prince without cause! And if you still do not believe me, please look at my face!"

As she finished speaking, Nie Jinxuan reached up and pulled off the veil covering her face. As the veil fluttered down, the few people in the courtyard were stunned once more.

On Nie Jinxuan's fair, beautiful cheeks, there were clear red marks. Following the line of her chin down to her neck, the red marks were even more obvious—clearly the result of someone grabbing and even mauling her!

Now, Empress Duan was speechless. Yin Fengzhan, who had been standing silently to the side, felt a flash of sharp light in his eyes, accompanied by a faint hint of killing intent. Only Noble Consort Zhang let out a secret sigh of relief and turned to look at Emperor Shuncheng.

Noble Consort Zhang was clever enough to remain silent. Nie Jinxuan, having removed her veil, knelt down with a thud and raised her voice.

"Your Majesty, I know that His Highness Prince Chen should not have struck anyone today! I was terrified at the time. But the Crown Prince was the one who lacked virtue first. Although I am not royalty, I am the daughter of a high-ranking official. In broad daylight, within this grand Imperial Palace, for the Crown Prince to commit such a base and despicable act is truly outrageous!"

"If His Highness Prince Chen hadn't happened to pass by and save me, no one could imagine what would have happened! The Crown Prince is the future successor to our Dongling throne, yet he is so morally bankrupt. If this were to spread, wouldn't it be a slap in the face to you, Your Majesty? If it reached neighboring countries, it would make us a laughingstock to our allies!"

By the end, Nie Jinxuan was trembling with anger, her emotions becoming agitated.

"Furthermore, Your Majesty, that is not all! Last night, I was attacked at home. The assassin was on the roof, firing arrows in the dark. Fortunately, my maid stepped in, allowing me to escape, but she was shot through the shoulder blade and is still lying in bed! Today, the Crown Prince personally asked me if I liked the 'gift' he sent last night... So, Your Majesty, if you must punish Prince Chen for striking someone, then please also severely punish the Crown Prince! Prince Chen striking someone was a breach of etiquette and disrespectful to his elder brother. But the Crown Prince harbored evil intentions and wicked desires, and even within the Imperial Palace, attempted to force himself upon the daughter of your official. He is not only morally bankrupt but also shows no regard for your dignity or the decorum of the Imperial family! He has even forgotten his own noble status as Crown Prince. I ask you to decide which is more serious!"

Nie Jinxuan was never a pushover. Empress Duan wanted to use this opportunity to take down Yin Fengzhan; she naturally couldn't let the matter pass as easily as usual!

If you make me bleed, I will make you lose half your life!

Hearing this, Empress Duan's face turned deathly pale. Emperor Shuncheng, meanwhile, was already burning with rage!

After all, Nie Jinxuan was right. She was not royalty, but she was the daughter of the current Prime Minister. Nie Wenhao held high prestige in the court and was usually a model for all officials. If this matter were to spread and no explanation were given, Nie Wenhao's dissatisfaction would be a minor issue—it would certainly chill the hearts of all the officials! This was the last thing Emperor Shuncheng, as the Son of Heaven, wanted to see.

Furthermore, Yin Fengzhan's temperament was known to everyone in Dongling: he was usually silent but never did anything reckless. And now, there was Nie Jinxuan's face-to-face testimony...

The truth was self-evident. Thinking of this, Emperor Shuncheng's body trembled slightly with anger. But he was, after all, Emperor Shuncheng. After a brief moment of intense rage, he calmed himself slightly and said in a deep voice,

"It is true that the Crown Prince lacked virtue first, but the Fourth Prince struck too hard, which is disrespectful to his elder brother. Therefore, I punish you to kneel at the Imperial Ancestral Temple for seven days to cool your head! As for the Crown Prince, to dare commit such an act in the palace in broad daylight is truly hateful! However, considering he has already been severely injured by the Fourth Prince, I will not punish him further. But from this day forward, he is to reflect on his mistakes behind closed doors for three months! Without my order, he is not to take a single step out of the Crown Prince's residence!"

"As for today's events, I do not wish to hear them mentioned again. If I hear even a whisper of this, do not blame me for being ruthless!"

Emperor Shuncheng spoke every word clearly, his majestic imperial aura leaving those present unable to utter a sound. Upon hearing that Yin Fengzhan was only to kneel at the Imperial Ancestral Temple for seven days, Noble Consort Zhang, whose heart had been in her throat, finally let out a breath. Nie Jinxuan, kneeling on the ground, closed her eyes slightly and let out a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness, thank goodness!

Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but sigh inwardly, sweat trickling down her forehead. Only Empress Duan, hearing that Yin Fengzhan was only punished with seven days of kneeling while the severely injured Crown Prince had to reflect for three months, suddenly raised her head.

"Your Majesty, this is unfair! Han'er has been beaten to such a state, and you..."

Empress Duan was angry, heartbroken, and incredulous. Before she could finish, Emperor Shuncheng narrowed his eyes and glared at her, shouting,

"Shut up! What else do you want?! Do you want the whole world to know that our Dongling has produced a beast who is morally bankrupt and dares to attempt to force himself upon the daughter of a high-ranking official within the Imperial Palace?! Or do you want me to strip him of his Crown Prince title right now as a warning to others?!"

Emperor Shuncheng's voice was stern. Upon hearing that he might strip Yin Fenghan of his title, Empress Duan's eyes widened, and she couldn't say another word!

Looking at her stunned expression, Emperor Shuncheng let out another cold snort.

"Hmph, a fine son you've raised!"

With that, not waiting for Empress Duan to react, Emperor Shuncheng stormed out in a rage!

The Emperor had left, and the crisis had finally passed!

Seeing the Emperor walk away, Noble Consort Zhang was the first to stand up and help Nie Jinxuan to her feet.

"Oh, Jinxuan, you have truly suffered. But it's alright now, it's all over."

As she spoke, Noble Consort Zhang squeezed Nie Jinxuan's hand comfortingly. Feeling the warmth, Nie Jinxuan smiled slightly and turned to look at Yin Fengzhan.

Yin Fengzhan stood up and looked at Nie Jinxuan.

Their eyes met, and neither spoke, but Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but feel an indescribable warmth in her heart.

Just then, as they were gazing at each other, Empress Duan stood up, trembling slightly.

Seeing this, Noble Consort Zhang's eyes flashed, and she stepped forward, saying softly,

"Your Majesty the Empress, are you alright?"

Noble Consort Zhang's face was filled with concern. Empress Duan glared at her, but in an instant, she regained her composure and brushed the dust from her clothes.

In the blink of an eye, the dejection was gone, and Empress Duan had returned to her usual arrogance. She looked coldly at Noble Consort Zhang.

"Zhang Jingya, this account is not settled!"

Calling Noble Consort Zhang by her name, Empress Duan turned her gaze to Nie Jinxuan.

"As for you, Nie Jinxuan, I have noted this debt as well!"

With that, Empress Duan glanced at Yin Fengzhan, who had remained silent, and turned to walk away...

The storm had finally ended. Noble Consort Zhang was naturally very satisfied with the Emperor's punishment. She kept Yin Fengzhan and Nie Jinxuan behind, only letting Yin Fengzhan go to the Imperial Ancestral Temple later, while Nie Jinxuan was kept in the palace.

While the Yongxin Palace was peaceful, Empress Duan, having returned to her own quarters, was trembling with rage. As soon as she entered, she smashed all the furnishings in the room to pieces!

Empress Duan was furious. After smashing everything, she sat down and called out.

"Xiangyi."

"Yes."

"Send word to him: I want to see him at the hour of the Rat tonight!"

"Yes!"

Responding respectfully, Xiangyi left. Watching her back, Empress Duan's eyes turned sharp.

"Zhang Jingya, Nie Jinxuan, Yin Fengzhan... Hmph, just you wait, none of you will escape!"

Second update uploaded, see you tomorrow~! ===== CHAPTER 196 =====