Ha, I must say, the Shen family and the Qiu family are truly united; they even deposit their silver in the same money house.

This Xu Chun’er is quick to betray; one wonders what Qiu Shiyi Niang is thinking right now.

Yu Qingwu’s eyes showed mockery as she leisurely looked at Qiu Shiyi Niang.

Qiu Shiyi Niang's face was ashen as she stared at Xu Chun’er in disbelief, her eyes a mixture of shock and anger.

After a moment of stunned silence, she suddenly pounced on Xu Chun’er like a madwoman, a sharp cry escaping her throat as she cursed, “Xu Chun’er! How dare you slander the Crown Princess! Do you know what crime this is?”

“I naturally know, but I also know that leniency is granted to those who confess,” Xu Chun’er said, kneeling in place without moving, showing no fear of Qiu Shiyi Niang’s threats. Instead, she mocked and humiliated her, “I lied, and I was forced to maneuver between men for self-preservation, but I wonder why the Qiu family’s Qian Jin (young lady) did what she did?”

A trace of mockery tugged at her lips, her eyes filled with contempt.

It seemed that all the humiliation she had suffered over the years was finally being vented.

Qiu Shiyi Niang had not expected Xu Chun’er to suddenly humiliate her, much less dare to do so.

She was so enraged that she forgot her image and wildly tried to claw at Xu Chun’er’s face, screaming and cursing Xu Chun’er for being a bitch, a slut, a cheap thing from a brothel.

Seeing her suddenly go mad, Emperor Wei Jing quickly ordered Yu Qi to take her away.

Qiu Shiyi Niang still wanted to argue, but her mouth was immediately stuffed, and she was dragged out of the Zichen Palace.

Xie Qiyun remained kneeling on the cold floor, watching Qiu Shiyi Niang’s departing figure in disbelief.

“Ha, so this is your virtuous and gentle talented side consort.” Emperor Wei Jing glared at Xie Qiyun. With a sigh, he secretly rejoiced that he hadn’t allowed this Qiu Shiyi Niang to be Xie Jin’an’s main consort; otherwise, wouldn’t the Crown Prince’s residence become a market?

However, although Qiu Shiyi Niang lacked manners, Yu’s murder could not be easily forgiven.

His eyes darkened, and Emperor Wei Jing turned his gaze to Yu Qi and ordered, “Yu Qi, take the Wang mother and daughter down and thoroughly investigate the Shen and Qiu families bribing them to slander Yu Liangdi. Also, make a trip to Shu to investigate what happened to Yu Liangdi back then.”

“Fifth, go and investigate the Shen and Qiu families’ embezzlement in detail.”

“As for you, you孽子 (ne’zi – good-for-nothing)! Stay in your palace and reflect on your actions!” In his anger, Emperor Wei Jing couldn’t resist kicking Xie Qiyun again.

Xie Qiyun, now caught red-handed, didn’t dare to say more. He repeatedly said a few flattering words to the emperor before retreating.

Having finished giving his orders, Emperor Wei Jing’s gaze finally fell on Yu Qingwu.

Feeling the cold, stern gaze, Yu Qingwu tensed up but stepped forward and kowtowed respectfully to Emperor Wei Jing, saying, “Father, although I was forced to on that day, I did commit manslaughter. I am willing to bear all the consequences, but before I am beheaded, I hope to see the culprits who harmed the Yu family fall from grace.”

The implication was that she wanted to wait until the cases of the Qiu and Shen families were resolved before going to her death.

That was only human nature…

Emperor Wei Jing raised his hand and said to her, “Granted.”

After thinking for a moment, he seemed to have thought of something else, lowered his eyes to look at Yu Qingwu, and added, “However, you did kill Yang Cheng, and no matter the reason, it was still taking a life. Killing someone should be paid with a life. Before that, you are allowed to stay in the palace first.”

Was he afraid that if she went back to the Crown Prince’s residence with Xie Jin’an, Xie Jin’an would let her go?

But considering her merits and suffering, he wouldn’t lock her up in Heavenly Prison.

Yu Qingwu’s eyes were filled with tears, and she knelt again, kowtowing to Emperor Wei Jing and saying softly, “Your daughter thanks Father for his grace.”

“Alright, go down.”

Although Emperor Wei Jing was reluctant, according to the law, killing someone should be paid with a life. Since she had admitted it, everything would be clarified in the future, and the law would be followed.

Taking a deep look at Xie Jin’an, Emperor Wei Jing got up and, supported by Empress Zhou, entered the inner hall.

Yu Qingwu stood in place and, guided and guarded by Yu Qi, went all the way to the palace that Emperor Wei Jing had arranged for her.

Xie Jin’an followed her all the way, not saying a word, his handsome face cold and devoid of emotion, making Yu Qingwu a little afraid.

With a bang, as soon as he stepped into the East Palace’s warm pavilion, Xie Jin’an heavily closed the door.

His phoenix eyes were stained with frost, and he questioned her with a strong, nervous, worried, and reproachful tone, “Shijie (senior martial sister), why did you admit that you killed Yang Cheng?”

“If I didn’t admit it, would the Shen and Qiu families let it go?”

“Since they dared to have someone file a lawsuit, they must have control of the evidence. In that case, what’s the use of me not admitting it?” Yu Qingwu smiled, her eyes a little sad. After a moment of silence, she raised her eyes to look at Xie Jin’an and sighed, “Besides, Your Highness must also have evidence of the Shen and Qiu families’ murders and embezzlement. They won’t have a good ending. Even if I die, I’ll die in peace.”

Ha, so this woman lived to take revenge.

Hadn’t she considered him when making such a decision?

Or rather, did she have no attachment to him at all?

Countless questions popped up in Xie Jin’an’s mind, and the expression on his face became even gloomier. He chuckled and looked at her, saying, “Shijie, didn’t you consider me? If you lose your life like this, what am I supposed to do?”

This time, he didn’t refer to himself as gu (I, used by royalty), but as wo (I).

This was merely a husband’s concern for his wife, as well as a Shidi's (junior martial brother) care for his Shijie.

He lowered his eyes, leaned back, and sat on the soft couch in the room, then smiled bitterly and said, “In your plan, I was never included, was I? You only wanted revenge, right?”

Only wanted revenge?

Yes, at first, she only wanted revenge, but later she had other ideas.

But today, things had reached such a point, a choice between two, and she could only choose revenge. Moreover, she had no choice.

Qingwu sighed, also sat down, leaned into Xie Jin’an’s arms, and sighed, “Your Highness, besides that, did I have a choice? Since the Shen and Qiu families are determined to put me to death, they must have a perfect plan. It’s better to admit it and die with more dignity.”

“You…” Xie Jin’an was frustrated, took a deep breath, raised her chin, and said seriously, “I won’t let you die.”

Hearing this, Yu Qingwu didn’t answer.

She just quietly looked at him, her heart full of thoughts.

She knew that Xie Jin’an liked her, but she never thought that he would protect her like this.

Especially today in the Zichen Palace, she had clearly admitted that she had killed someone, and he could have disassociated himself earlier, but he had still been protecting her all along.

Yu Qingwu suddenly felt that she might… be able to like Xie Jin’an.

“Jin’an…” She raised her head, suddenly reached out and hooked his neck, and softly murmured, “I think I… might like you a little.”