Chapter 066: Defending With Reason

She truly hadn’t expected that someone would use the most underhanded and despicable tactics of palace intrigue against her.

In her previous life, Jiang Xuening married and became the Princess Consort of Linzi. The Shen household was clean; in the early days of her entry into the palace, her position was stable, and she managed the harem. Who would dare to harm her openly? It wasn’t until Xiao Shu entered the palace that she faced a real and powerful crisis.

But the struggle for the position of Empress was never just a harem battle.

Both she and Xiao Shu knew that the petty tricks of the harem couldn’t affect the overall situation and were quite lowbrow. Therefore, their focus was on the front court, where the battles were bloodier and more brutal, without those small, sinister tricks.

She hadn’t expected that what she didn’t experience in her previous life would be made up for in this one.

Jiang Xuening suddenly found it extremely ironic.

But on second thought, if someone wants to harm you, there are countless ways to do so. Whether you expect it or not, the disaster will come.

Caught in this sudden crisis, she instead felt an extreme calmness settle over her.

Jiang Xuening withdrew her gaze from the crowd and looked at Wang Quan, who was holding the paper, saying, “This is not mine.”

Wang Quan sneered, “It was found in your room, and it’s not yours?”

Jiang Xuening replied calmly, “According to your logic, my room is in the palace, and this paper was found in my room, so it was found in the palace. Who should it be attributed to?”

“Twisting words and forcing logic!” Wang Quan didn’t expect her to become so sharp-tongued at the brink of death and was immediately furious, “I see you won’t cry until you see the coffin! Today, I’ll make you understand that the palace is not a place where you can act recklessly! Take her away!”

Jiang Xuening suddenly questioned coldly, “What right do you have to take me away?!”

Everyone around was initially frightened, but hearing Jiang Xuening openly challenge Wang Quan, they couldn’t help but show expressions of terror, thinking she was crazy: Wang Quan was the chief eunuch of the inner palace!

Wang Quan himself didn’t expect her to say he had no right and sneered, “This search is under the Empress Dowager’s decree. I already said that all suspicious persons in the palace are to be arrested! Stop talking and take her to the Department of Punishments. The Empress Dowager will deal with her tomorrow!”

Jiang Xuening replied, “I am not a palace person.”

Her voice was so calm and flat that it carried a chilling authority, causing the eunuchs who were about to take her away to hesitate.

Wang Quan was also stunned.

Jiang Xuening looked at him steadily and said, “I entered the palace as a companion reader for the Princess, the legitimate second daughter of Jiang Boyou, a third-rank official. I am neither a concubine nor a palace maid. If the Department of Punishments wants to take me, as a weak woman, I cannot resist. But I ask you to consider carefully, if it is later proven that I am innocent, yet I suffer any harm in the Department of Punishments…”

How could she not know about the Department of Punishments?

Entering alive meant losing half your life.

Now that “rebel” items were found in her room, who knew what would happen once she entered the Department of Punishments? If she got injured or disfigured, even if she came out safely, who would she turn to for justice?

So, she absolutely couldn’t go there.

Wang Quan had been in the palace for many years, handling matters for many influential figures, and he knew some tricks.

But as a new official, he wanted to make a strong impression.

Finally, with the misfortune of the Internal Affairs Office, it was his turn to rise. He wanted to take this opportunity to impress the Empress Dowager, hence the grand display.

But Jiang Xuening was right.

She wasn’t just any palace maid or concubine without background; she was the daughter of the Assistant Minister of Revenue.

If she were truly a rebel, there would be no argument, and she would be thrown into the Department of Punishments. But if this was a power struggle among higher-ups, and he rashly imprisoned Jiang Xuening, he would be the one to take the fall if things went wrong.

Wang Quan wasn’t foolish. He quickly understood and narrowed his eyes at Jiang Xuening, like a snake, “Fine! I’ve been serving the Empress Dowager for many years, and this is the first time I’ve seen someone as tough as Miss Jiang. Since you don’t want to go to the Department of Punishments and think I have no authority to deal with you, then I apologize.”

He waved his hand, and surprisingly, had Jiang Xuening released.

Jiang Xuening stood still.

Wang Quan then called over a young eunuch and said, “Go, inform Kunning Palace that we found evidence of rebellion. The person is a companion reader for the Princess, but she resisted and refused to be temporarily detained in the Department of Punishments. Ask the Empress Dowager to decide.”

The young eunuch hurried out.

Wang Quan smiled meaningfully, walked in, and sat in a chair on the left, glancing at the frightened companions, “Don’t be afraid, everyone. Sit down.”

Who dared to sit?

Hearing Wang Quan’s words, they stood even more rigidly, heads bowed lower.

Only Jiang Xuening lowered her eyes, expressionless, lightly brushed her wrinkled sleeve, and sat directly opposite Wang Quan.

The companions were stunned.

Fang Miao’s eyelid twitched, thinking Jiang Xuening must have taken the wrong medicine today.

Jiang Xuening didn’t look at them, even calmly picked up the unfinished cup of tea and drank half of it.

In less than two quarters of an hour, a young eunuch returned, panting, “Wang Quan, the Empress Dowager has ordered you to bring the person to Kunning Palace immediately. The Empress Dowager wants to question her personally. Also, all the companions in Yangzhi Zhai must follow to be questioned by the Empress Dowager.”

Wang Quan replied, “Good.”

Jiang Xuening then looked at the others: hearing they were also to be questioned at Kunning Palace, most were panicked. The timid ones like Yao Rongrong and You Yue trembled, almost unable to stand; Yao Xi and Fang Miao were also uneasy, trying to stay calm; only Xiao Shu remained the most composed, merely frowning slightly.

Wang Quan now treated Jiang Xuening with a bit more respect, gesturing to her with a forced smile, “Miss Jiang, please?”

Jiang Xuening thought, two quarters of an hour was about right.

She put down the teacup and stood up, walking out the door without needing anyone to escort her.

The sky had darkened, and lights were lit throughout the palace.

However, there was no sound at all.

The group walked along the path, feeling oppressed and deathly silent.

At this moment, Kunning Palace was brightly lit. Empress Dowager Xiao sat high in the main hall with a cold expression, and Empress Zheng, who had come upon hearing the news, sat below her, occasionally looking towards the palace gate.

Zheng Bao stood behind her with his hands down.

Finally, the people arrived.

If one ignored the somewhat murderous and terrifying atmosphere, the scene at this moment was not much different from when Jiang Xuening and the others first entered the palace to pay their respects.

Everyone bowed and greeted in unison.

Empress Dowager Xiao’s face was gloomy, and she didn’t even call Xiao Shu to rise. She just extended her hand to Wang Quan below.

Wang Quan immediately bowed and stepped forward, handing the “rebel words” found in Jiang Xuening’s room to her, reporting, “According to the Empress Dowager’s decree, I have been cleaning and searching the palace, especially those who have recently entered. Today, when searching Yangzhi Zhai, I found this item in Miss Jiang’s room, hidden in a book on her desk. If not for a thorough search, it would have been hard to find.”

In the past few days, Empress Dowager Xiao had become familiar with the words on this paper.

She was not as furious as when she first saw the jade ruyi.

But this calmness often meant more danger.

She even laughed and said, “Rebellious words have even infiltrated the palace, impressive. Jiang Xuening, do you have anything to say?”

The old witch was still the same as in her previous life, convicting people without asking for the facts.

Jiang Xuening knew her nature well and was not surprised. She bowed again, neither humble nor arrogant, and said, “I am just a young girl from the inner chambers, how could I be involved with rebels? Moreover, the handwriting on this paper is clearly not mine. The words I wrote today in Fengchen Hall can be used for comparison. Please, Empress Dowager, investigate thoroughly. Although I do not know how this paper ended up in my room, it was definitely not my doing.”

Empress Dowager Xiao said, “You push the blame cleanly.”

Jiang Xuening replied, “The innocent are innocent; I have a clear conscience.”

“……”

Empress Dowager Xiao suddenly noticed that this girl’s demeanor was very different from when she first entered the palace to pay her respects.

She pinched the paper, her gaze deepening.

After a pause, she asked, “Is your father Jiang Boyou?”

Jiang Xuening sensed something was wrong from Empress Dowager Xiao’s demeanor and answered, “Yes.” Empress Dowager Xiao continued, “Then your Jiang family must be close to the Marquis of Yongyi’s family, right? After all, there’s no smoke without fire. You and Yan Lin are almost engaged.”

Jiang Xuening was shocked!

She suddenly raised her head and stared directly at Empress Dowager Xiao, clearly seeing the sudden ruthlessness in her eyes!

Empress Dowager Xiao swept the jade cup off the table and shouted, “Take her away and beat her until she confesses. Let’s see if her mouth is harder than the rod!”

At this moment, Jiang Xuening finally confirmed—

Something had happened to the Marquis of Yongyi’s household!

It was unclear who had framed her, but Empress Dowager Xiao’s actions were clearly aimed at eliminating anyone connected to the Marquis of Yongyi.

The old witch was still the same old witch!

Jiang Xuening had died in her previous life. Forced into a desperate situation by these events, she became fearless and no longer hesitant. She directly pulled the gold hairpin from her head and held it in her hand, shouting coldly, “Who dares to touch me?!”

The eunuchs who came to grab her were startled by her shout.

Seeing the gold hairpin in her hand, pointed at them one moment and at her own neck the next, they almost broke into a cold sweat!

Yao Rongrong and the others screamed in shock!

The companions who had come with her all hurriedly retreated!

Even Empress Dowager Xiao had never seen such a bold scene and was frightened: “How dare you, what are you doing!”

Jiang Xuening knew that the situation was extremely dangerous today.

This predicament brought out a long-buried fierceness in her nature, not to mention that she had disliked this old witch in her previous life!

Controlling her remaining rationality, Jiang Xuening stared at Empress Dowager Xiao and said, “According to the laws of this dynasty, the harem must not interfere in politics! Although the Empress Dowager and the Empress are the rulers of the six palaces and the mothers of the nation, I am not a palace person. According to the law, any case involving rebels should be investigated by the front court! Moreover, I am the daughter of a minister. Any case involving high-ranking officials should either be reported to the Jinyiwei for detention or to the Ministry of Justice for investigation. The Empress Dowager wants to punish me based on this piece of paper alone. I am not afraid of suffering, but I worry that the Empress Dowager will be accused of extracting confessions through torture, causing unrest among the civil and military officials of the court!”

As she spoke, her hand was extremely steady.

The sharpest end of the gold hairpin was always pointed at her neck. If anyone dared to approach her at this moment, blood would be spilled immediately!

Empress Dowager Xiao, having experienced the rise and fall of two dynasties, knew that if a minister’s daughter died inexplicably in the palace, it would be a troublesome matter. Even if it could be covered up, the front court would not let it go easily.

Jiang Boyou, having lost a daughter, who knows what crazy things he might do?

She originally intended to use severe torture to make Jiang Xuening confess, but didn’t expect her to be so fierce, threatening with her life and invoking the court’s laws to pressure her!

Recently, there were rumors in the palace that the Emperor intended to appoint his brother, Prince Linzi, as the Crown Prince, but it was not ruled out that other princes might be chosen as well. The Emperor’s mind seemed undecided.

If a prince became the Crown Prince, Empress Dowager Xiao would only retain her superficial glory, as the prince was not her son;

But if Shen Jie were appointed as the Crown Prince, he was still her own flesh and blood, and she would remain the most prominent Empress Dowager.

Naturally, she wanted Shen Jie to be appointed as the Crown Prince.

But her son, the Emperor, might not think the same.

Although Empress Dowager Xiao felt that Shen Lang was usually filial to her, in matters related to the throne, even family ties were delicate.

After hearing Jiang Xuening’s words, she thought more about the implications than the words themselves.

She didn’t speak for a long while, then suddenly laughed, relaxed, and sat back on her high throne, saying, “What a silver-tongued girl, but you are right. Since you are a minister’s daughter, palace punishments cannot be applied to you. I will grant your wish!”

There was a cold cruelty in her eyes as she instructed Wang Quan, “Send someone to the Ministry of Justice. They should be working through the night these days. If Chen Ying is there, bring him to me!”

Chen Ying had played a significant role in the case against the Marquis of Yongyi.

He was very perceptive.

It was just a matter of putting on a show, and Empress Dowager Xiao didn’t mind the time. After speaking, she looked at Jiang Xuening and said, “Chen Ying has been the Assistant Minister of Justice for less than half a year and has already concluded many major cases. He won’t wrong you!”

Jiang Xuening didn’t dare to relax at all.

Her gaze subtly shifted to where Empress Zheng was sitting, glancing at Zheng Bao standing behind her.

At this moment, Wang Quan’s gaze also fell on Zheng Bao.

He naturally made a “go” gesture to Zheng Bao.

Jiang Xuening slowly lowered her eyes—

Such was the palace.

For a case in the inner palace to involve the Ministry of Justice, especially one related to rebels, it was a significant matter and would not be handled by an ordinary eunuch.

Therefore, there was no one more suitable than Zheng Bao.

Hopefully, he would be perceptive enough to understand her intentions.

After sending Zheng Bao, the entire Kunning Palace fell silent.

Empress Dowager Xiao then glanced at Xiao Shu, calling her to rise and come to her side, and also allowed the others to stand.

Only Jiang Xuening remained, putting down the gold hairpin and kneeling on the ground.

It wouldn’t take long for a fast horse to reach the Ministry of Justice from the palace, and with the urgent decree from the Empress Dowager, they would not delay.

After a short while, Zheng Bao returned with someone.

Jiang Xuening’s legs had gone numb from kneeling, knowing that the most difficult moment was approaching. She also knew that Chen Ying was a notorious harsh official. If the old witch dared to summon him, she must have confidence in him. If she fell into his hands, her fate would be even more miserable.

She closed her eyes slightly.

She heard footsteps passing by her, followed by the sound of someone greeting Empress Dowager Xiao—

“Minister of Justice Chen Ying, paying respects to the Empress Dowager!”

“Rise.”

Jiang Xuening’s heart grew colder, forcing herself not to tremble.

Then she heard Empress Dowager Xiao’s voice, tinged with some doubt: “Who came with you?”

The person stood slightly behind Chen Ying, dressed in a dark official robe with red cloud and thunder patterns on the edges, exuding a cold and austere presence. He bowed calmly and said, “Minister of Justice, Department of Clean Government, Zhang Zhe, paying respects to the Empress Dowager.”

“……”

At that moment, Jiang Xuening’s mind roared as if a dam had burst, obliterating everything around her.

She looked up.

And saw the figure standing diagonally in front of her, cold and tall, as if from another lifetime.