"Esteemed wangfei, the old master would never do such a thing. How could that be possible? Ask everyone, which family would allow a married daughter to return to her maternal family to take care of matters? "
Lady Xu laughed coldly as she retorted Han Yunxi. The crowd began to discuss the matter as well. Lady Xu looked towards Grand Concubine Yi and asked, "Esteemed imperial concubine, do you believe such an excuse?"
"Lady Xu, what do you mean? Are you doubting this wangfei? "Han Yunxi demanded angrily.
"Yes!" Lady Xu threw caution to the wind.
Now that things had gotten to this point, she had no choice but to throw caution to the wind. Otherwise, this farce would not only fail to achieve her goals, but also bolster Han Yunxi's reputation.
No matter what, she not only had to get the storehouse key today, but see the old master as well. Once the truth was out, Han Yunxi's reputation would be ruined!
Lady Xu not only answered Han Yunxi's question, but repeated it again. "Grand Concubine Yi, do you believe it?"
In front of everyone, she was forcing Grand Concubine Yi to answer even if she didn't want to. After all, Grand Concubine Yi's status was special. Her reaction to such a question could cause a thousand ripples.
She didn't like Lady Xu at all. Han Yunxi had flattered her just then, but at a time like this, she was more willing to stand by Lady Xu's side.
If Han Yunxi really interfered with her maternal family's affairs for no reason and coveted her family's property, then this crime was no small matter. It was a perfect excuse for the Duke of Qin to divorce her.
Grand Concubine Yi looked at Han Yunxi, then at Lady Xu, feigning hesitation. She didn't answer for a long time while the crowd watched and waited.
Grand Concubine Yi's hesitation was detrimental to Han Yunxi. It would only increase the crowd's suspicions.
Murong Wanru was still standing by Grand Concubine Yi's side, looking as frail as ever, lovely and harmless. She took Grand Concubine Yi's arm and purposely lowered her voice. "Mufei, I think this matter should end here. Forget it, it's the Han Family's business, after all. We'll just have sister-in-law return the storehouse key."
Although she lowered her voice, it was only a little. It was obvious that she wanted everyone around to hear her.
It would have been better if she hadn't said anything. Now that she said it, Han Yunxi was even more suspicious. If she just let it go, wouldn't it mean that Han Yunxi was guilty and afraid?
The originally quiet surroundings immediately began to whisper. Han Yunxi saw everything and sneered inwardly. Was Murong Wanru trying to goad her?
Very well, she would beat him at his own game today!
Before Grand Concubine Yi could speak, Han Yunxi spoke up. "Mufei, it's no use even if you believe me. They've already made a ruckus at the gates. I promised her that I would take her to see my father, so let's go now! While you're at it, call the other members of the Han Family as well. "
No one expected Han Yunxi to be so decisive, especially Madame Xu. When Han Yunxi said she'd come in ten days, she didn't believe Han Yunxi at all. She felt that Han Yunxi was just stalling for time, and when she didn't see her yesterday, she was even more certain that Han Yunxi was lying.
Who knew that she'd dare to go to the justice courts in front of so many people?
Could it be that she had a way to suppress this matter in the Supreme Court?
Madame Xu had asked her father multiple times to make an exception and let her see Han Yunxi in secret, but the justice courts hadn't agreed. It was obvious that they feared Han Yunxi!
Thinking up to here, Madame Xu didn't dare to underestimate her enemy. She hastened to say, "Esteemed Imperial Concubine, this commoner may be so bold as to ask you to come with me."
"What, you're worried that I'll do something to you?" Han Yunxi laughed coldly.
Madame Xu didn't hold back, but mocked back, "If Qin Wangfei can block my Han Family's way to visit the prisons, what else can't she do in the justice courts?"
No matter how many privileges Han Yunxi had in the justice courts, as long as she invited Grand Concubine Yi over, Madame Xu refused to believe that Han Yunxi could hide the truth from the masses!
"Madame Xu, be more polite with your words for this wangfei!" Han Yunxi pretended to be angry.
Seeing this, Grand Concubine Yi assumed that she was lacking in confidence and nodded in agreement. "Alright, for the sake of justice, I'll go with you."
Hearing this, cheers rose from all around.
"Esteemed Imperial Concubine, you have to give the Han Family justice! The Han Family can't fall into the hands of outsiders! "
"Esteemed Imperial Concubine, I trust that you'll handle this matter impartially and have Qin Wangfei give an explanation!"
"Let's go, we'll wait by the justice courts' gates. The truth will come out soon enough. We can't wrong good people, but we can't let those shameless people off either!"
… …
These words came from different directions, full of incitement. The speakers were all hidden in the crowd, so it was obvious that someone had arranged this beforehand.
Anyone would lose their temper if they heard such harsh words, but Han Yunxi wasn't angry. Nobody knew that she was looking forward to the truth even more than Madame Xu.
Grand Concubine Yi ordered a carriage to be prepared on the spot. Together with Han Yunxi and Madame Xu, she headed for the justice courts' prisons.
With Grand Concubine Yi's personal arrival, the newly appointed justice courts official, Official Ouyang, hastened to greet them at the gates.
Hearing that Grand Concubine Yi was here for the Han Family, Official Ouyang's heart grew uneasy. On one side was the crown prince's lifesaver, Qin Wangfei, while on the other was his benefactor, Minister Xu's daughter. He never expected Madame Xu to really cause a ruckus. Now he was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Grand Concubine Yi had a golden body. How could she casually walk into the filthy prisons of the imperial prisons?
Official Ouyang welcomed them to the Supreme Court's office lobby and ordered the attendants to escort Han Congan here.
Grand Concubine Yi sat on the high seat of honor while Official Ouyang sat on her left. Han Yunxi and Murong Wanru sat on her right, while Madame Xu stood by herself.
Before Han Congan was brought in, the Han Family had already heard the news and hurried over. Eldest young master Han Yuqi, Third Madame Li and Second Young Miss Han Ruoxue from the Third Branch, as well as Seventh Madame and Han Yunyi from the Seventh Branch.
After making their greetings, Grand Concubine Yi didn't give them a seat, but everyone stood to one side. Han Yuqi's injury on his butt had already healed, but he still looked like a brainless young man with a full head and belly. He seemed to have a card up his sleeve for today's events and retreated to one side to whisper in Madame Xu's ear. He didn't forget to shoot Han Yunxi a warning look.
Han Yunxi was too lazy to argue with an idiot. She looked towards Seventh Madame and little Yi 'er.
It was obvious that the mother and son pair had never seen such a grand scene before, especially Seventh Madame, who stood timidly at the very back, holding tightly onto little Yi 'er as she curled up like a little wife.
Of the group, Third Madame Li and her daughter were the most appropriate. They were neither servile nor overbearing as they waited quietly with their heads bowed.
Han Yunxi secretly sized up Third Madame Li, recalling the masked female assassin called Qingyi. She only felt that they were all about the same height, short, fat, and thin. The more she looked, the more convinced she became that Madame Li was the assassin.
Of course, intuition couldn't be used as evidence. They could only arrest the culprit after the tea leaves were found.
Han Yunxi pondered as she sized up Second Young Miss Han Ruoxue. Han Ruoxue was a very important suspect to begin with. Now that the tea leaves had appeared, Han Yunxi was even more certain that she was the culprit.
The Ten-Thousand Snake Poison should have been delivered from this Second Young Miss to Mu Liuyue's hands, then to the general's estate.
But did Han Ruoxue know the poison arts as well? Did she know martial arts? That young female assassin called Hei Sha didn't resemble Han Ruoxue at all.
Just then, there had been such a huge commotion outside the Duke of Qin's estate, but Long Fei Ye hadn't come out. Han Yunxi naturally didn't expect him to save the day, but she was curious as to what he was doing right now!
By now, Chu Xifeng should have delivered the report on the tea leaves to Long Fei Ye, right? Once it was confirmed to be poisoned, they could quickly arrest the culprit with Bilu as a witness.
Now that they were in the capital, it would be difficult for Qingyi to escape from Long Fei Ye's clutches no matter how skilled she was.
Han Yunxi dearly wanted to uncover the truth and ferret out the true culprit. She was silently waiting for Long Fei Ye to make his move!
Of course, Han Yunxi wouldn't beat the grass and startle Third Madame in the justice courts' courtroom. In any case, there were still three days until the bet. She could focus wholeheartedly on solving the problem in front of her.
There was some distance between the imperial prisons and the main hall, so they had to wait a while.
To everyone present, the wait felt like an eternity. Silence reigned in the room.
Suddenly, Han Yunxi spoke up. "Someone come, give the Han Family's Seventh Young Master a seat."
Everyone in the Han Family looked over at her at these words. The retainer on the side was in a difficult position. He glanced at Grand Concubine Yi, then at Official Ouyang, unsure whether to give him a seat.
After all, Grand Concubine Yi had the highest status. She hadn't even given him a seat just then, so it wasn't appropriate for Qin Wangfei to do so now, was it?
Seeing Grand Concubine Yi remain silent, Official Ouyang was in a difficult position as well. He didn't know what to do, so the retainer didn't move.
"Official Ouyang, the people here have quite the airs. They can't even order this wangfei around?" Han Yunxi asked unhappily.
Official Ouyang looked at Grand Concubine Yi again, but she still didn't move. Without a choice, he could only scold the retainer. "Are you an idiot? Didn't you hear esteemed wangfei's orders? Hurry up and give him a seat! "
With all the gods present, it was hard to serve them! The retainer was so scared that he broke out in cold sweat. Not daring to delay, he quickly brought over a chair for little Yi 'er.
Little Yi 'er secretly rejoiced as he struggled free of his mother's hand. He stepped forward and made a proper bow with hands clasped in front. "Thanks to Grand Concubine Yi, thanks to esteemed wangfei!"
Only then did Grand Concubine Yi glance over. She didn't pay them any mind, but drank her tea and flipped through the trial documents on the table with interest.
"Dispense with the formalities, sit," Han Yunxi's voice softened a few notches. Little Yi 'er was good, he didn't lose face for her.
Little Yi 'er sat down openly. There were so many people in the Han Family, but he was the only one sitting. Moreover, he was a concubine-born junior. In this world of strict hierarchy, this was a slap to everyone else's face!
Han Yuqi immediately lowered his voice. "Mother, what does Han Yunxi mean by this? She's going too far. Didn't you say that Grand Concubine Yi was on our side? "
Lady Xu was angry as well, shooting looks at Murong Wanru. When Murong Wanru glared back, Lady Xu looked over again, exchanging flirtatious glances. If this went on, someone would definitely pick up on the clues.
Murong Wanru was extremely displeased, but she couldn't reprimand her. She could only comply with Lady Xu's wishes.
"Mufei, how can you let the child sit while the elders are all standing? As I see it, they should all be given a seat, "Murong Wanru said.
Only now did Grand Concubine Yi lazily lift her head to look over. She only swept her eyes over the Han Family without a word.
Grand Concubine Yi seemed to have come to the justice courts to uphold justice for the Han Family, but she was actually here for Han Yunxi. She didn't put the Han Family in her eyes at all. Ever since they'd entered the court, she hadn't even spared them a glance.
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