Chapter 176 Found (New Announcement)

On the night when Xue Huaiyuan sued Princess Yongning, a major incident occurred in Yanjing City. Early in the morning, the princess's mansion was surrounded by soldiers and officers. Although it was the same before, the servants had counted and dealt with the property in the princess's mansion during the day, and there was nothing inside. However, the noise at night still attracted the attention of the people living nearby.

Even the early morning sunlight could not hide the bloody smell at the entrance of the princess's mansion. Soldiers carried out bodies one after another from time to time. Some were already dead and their bodies began to stink. Some were still alive, but their flesh and blood were so blurred that their true appearance could not be seen clearly. There was not a single piece of good skin on their bodies.

More and more people gathered around, and the soldiers could not drive them away. Therefore, before noon, the whole city of Yanjing had spread the news. The sister of King Cheng, Princess Yongning, actually set up a private prison in her princess mansion, and the prison was full of people who had offended Princess Yongning. Princess Yongning imprisoned these people in her mansion and tortured them with all kinds of cruel means. The messenger described it vividly, and even brought out the torture instruments. The listeners felt a chill down their spines.

I heard that some of those imprisoned by Princess Yongning were actually officials of the imperial court. Of course, their official positions were not too high, otherwise they would not be so unknown. The most important thing is that among those imprisoned by Princess Yongning, there was actually the daughter of the prime minister, the third daughter of the Jiang family.

As soon as this rumor came out, the matter became a big deal. It spread almost immediately and could not be stopped. Although Miss Jiang's mother Ji Shuran may have had an affair with someone and gave birth to Jiang Youyao, Jiang Yuanbo himself did not admit it, which shows that Jiang Youyao is still the third lady of the Jiang family. The daughter of the prime minister is different from ordinary people. No matter how brave Princess Yongning is, she must be cautious about the prime minister. But when Miss Jiang was rescued, she was already crazy and one of her eyes was dug out. It was a horrible description.

People were discussing this matter. First, they said that Princess Yongning's methods were really cruel and she didn't take the emperor seriously. When the previous emperor was alive, he didn't allow any ministers to set up private prisons. Princess Yongning, as a princess, behaved like this, which showed that she didn't take Emperor Hong Xiao seriously. Secondly, I don't know how the third daughter of the Jiang family provoked Princess Yongning to be treated so harshly by Princess Yongning? It seemed like an ordinary conflict, but digging out a woman's eyes like this clearly meant that she didn't want her to live.

It is said that after Prime Minister Jiang Yuanbo learned about this, he personally rushed to the princess's residence and took Jiang Youyao back to the residence. At the same time, he immediately went to the palace to see the emperor.

Prime Minister Jiang was not an ordinary person. He would definitely seek an explanation for his daughter being harmed to such a state. Not to mention that it was just Princess Yongning, even if it was a prince who harmed Jiang Youyao like this, Jiang Yuanbo would still seek an explanation.

Xue Huaiyuan sued Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong for conspiring to murder his wife and destroy his heir. Later, Jiang Yuanbo asked the emperor to seek justice and avenge his daughter. One was the princess who was demoted to a commoner, and the other was a former top scholar who had lost his official position. The people were talking about it, and they all thought that this time, these two would never get away with it. Of course, if they could really get away with such a heinous crime, which was too numerous to mention, even God would not tolerate it.

No matter what the rumors were outside, Jiang Li remained calm and composed in the Jiang Mansion.

Last night, someone from the Duke's Mansion placed a smoke stick in the room of the Princess's Mansion where the private prison was hidden, which alarmed the officers and soldiers on guard. The officers and soldiers thought there was an assassin, so they rushed over to take a look, but saw the private prison with the door wide open. They were immediately shocked and reported to the court overnight. This morning, the court sent people to check again and saw all kinds of torture in the private prison, as well as prisoners who were tortured to death.

Among the prisoners, one person stood out because she was wearing bright jewelry around her neck. It was obvious that she was not something that ordinary people could afford. She seemed to be a tribute from the palace. The official in charge of the search was surprised and thought that this was an important person. He quickly rescued this person and wiped her face clean. A guard who was accompanying her recognized her. Although one of her eyes had been dug out, the woman rescued was actually the former jewel in the palm of Prime Minister Jiang, the third daughter of the Jiang family, Jiang Youyao!

The officials knew about Jiang Youyao's disappearance some time ago, and Jiang Yuanbai had never given up sending people to look for her, but unfortunately they all returned empty-handed. The officials who knew the inside story thought that Jiang Youyao was either in danger or had already left Yanjing City. They didn't expect to see her in the private prison of Princess Yongning's mansion. This matter was of great importance, so they dared not neglect it and immediately sent someone to inform the Prime Minister's Mansion.

Jiang Yuanbai heard the news and rushed over. When he saw Jiang Youyao, he actually cried in front of everyone. He took Jiang Youyao back home. People heard that he had found a doctor, and then they heard that Jiang Yuanbai went into the palace with a gloomy face, probably to ask Emperor Hong Xiao for an explanation.

God have mercy on me. Even if the third young lady of the Jiang family gets better in the future, I'm afraid her life will be ruined.

"Let's go see her." Jiang Li stood up and said.

"Didn't the old lady forbid you to go?" Tong'er said, "She said that the third young lady is not feeling well now and she is afraid that she might scare you."

"Nothing." Jiang Li said, "If I don't go, it will attract gossip."

Jiang Li heard Zhao Ke say that Jiang Youyao's eyes were dug out on the first day Princess Yongning threw her into the private prison. Jiang Li had thought that if she hadn't been too ruthless and told Jiang Yuanbo earlier, Jiang Youyao wouldn't have ended up like this. After hearing what Zhao Ke said, Jiang Li realized that even if she had told Jiang Yuanbo the first time she knew about this, she couldn't save Jiang Youyao.

Princess Yongning wanted Jiang Youyao to despair, so she dug out her eyeballs at the beginning. What can she do after losing an eyeball? This despair alone can destroy Jiang Youyao. Having experienced the viciousness of Princess Yongning, Jiang Li can almost feel Jiang Youyao's pain at that time. But if she didn't follow Li Lian back to the Li family from the beginning, or if she thought it through and took the initiative to find a way to contact the Jiang family, she wouldn't have ended up like this.

Who could have known that after so many twists and turns it would end up like this.

Jiang Li and Tong'er went to Yaoguangzhu.

Yaoguangzhu has been uninhabited for a long time. Although there are maids sweeping the yard every day, the flowers in the garden have withered. Even with the arrival of spring, there is not a trace of life here, as if all hope has been exhausted, and there are signs of decadence everywhere.

Jiang Li couldn't help but think of herself as the second Miss Jiang. When she first returned to Yanjing City, she came to the Jiang family. Yaoguangzhu was the best piece of land in the Jiang family's main house. Even the maids in Jiang Li's yard looked longing when they talked about Yaoguangzhu. They all wished they could serve Jiang Youyao.

Who could have imagined this would happen?
When we walked outside the courtyard, we found Mrs. Jiang, Mrs. Lu, and Mrs. Yang in the hall. Jiang Jingrui and Jiang Jingyou were at the other end. Jiang Bingji was crying the whole time, and the nanny was trying to comfort him. The whole room was filled with sorrow.

"Ali, why are you here?" Mrs. Lu saw her coming.

"I'm here to see my third sister."

"You'd better not go in." Mrs. Lu glanced around the room. "Youyao is probably not well now. I feel uncomfortable seeing you. You'd better not go in."

Jiang Li looked at Old Lady Jiang, who was staring outside in a daze. Accidents happened one after another in the Jiang Mansion. This shrewd and strict old lady began to age rapidly, and began to show a feeling of powerlessness. She didn't see Jiang Li coming, probably because she was in a daze. It was also true. Although because of Ji Shuran's incident, Old Lady Jiang no longer loved Jiang Youyao as much as before, and Jiang Youyao's subsequent actions were always disappointing, Jiang Youyao was, after all, the granddaughter who grew up in front of Old Lady Jiang. Maybe she no longer loved Jiang Youyao, but seeing her family become miserable and painful, as an elder and relative, Old Lady Jiang felt bad in her heart.

"Second Aunt, the doctor came. What did he say?" Jiang Li asked softly.

Mrs. Lu shook her head and said, "There is no cure." Then, a trace of pity flashed in her eyes, "How pitiful."

Lu had never liked Ji Shuran and her daughter, but facing Jiang Youyao, she seemed to no longer feel the same disgust as before, and was replaced by deep sadness. Jiang Jingrui and Jiang Jingyou were also silent, except for Yang. Jiang Li noticed that Yang was still silent as always, like a foil for the Jiang family. Only her eyes did not have a trace of sadness, only indifference, as if she was isolating herself from the Jiang family.

Even though Jiang Li couldn't feel any sympathy for Jiang Youyao, she wouldn't gloat over all the misfortunes that Jiang Youyao had suffered. But Yang looked as if she was somewhat happy, and although she concealed it very well, her clothes and appearance were extremely exquisite.

Compared with Old Madam Jiang and Mrs. Lu who came in a hurry, it was really abrupt.

Realizing that Jiang Li was looking at her, Yang looked up in confusion. Jiang Li looked away and said, "I'd better go in and take a look."

Lu Shi failed to stop Jiang Li, and Jiang Li walked into the house. Two maids were serving Jiang Youyao in the house, but they just stood aside at a loss, unable to do anything.

Jiang Youyao sat in a corner of the bed, without taking off her shoes and socks. She sat there blankly, not saying a word, which was unusually quiet. There were whip marks on her face and hands, and the most terrifying thing was the eye socket of her left eye, which was empty without an eyeball, which was shocking at first glance.

The two maids were a little frightened by Jiang Youyao's face, and they lowered their heads and dared not look directly into Jiang Youyao's eyes. Jiang Li walked in front of Jiang Youyao, and Jiang Youyao just stared at the pattern on the quilt, motionless.

"Did she speak?" Jiang Li asked the two maids in the room.

One of the maids replied, "No, the doctor said she was given a mute drug."

"Is she just sitting there?"

The maid nodded: "Yes, she didn't talk or make any noise, she was very quiet, just sitting there in a daze."

Jiang Li sighed silently, and looking into Jiang Youyao's eyes, Jiang Li knew that Jiang Youyao was really crazy, not pretending to be crazy. Princess Yongning had indeed completely destroyed her, but even if Jiang Youyao, who was rescued, was not crazy, sooner or later she would no longer be sober. When Ji Shuran's affairs were spread, the rumors made Jiang Youyao unbearable, and she even ran away from home. If she knew that she had lost an eye, how could she bear it?
Every evil person will be punished by his own evil. Jiang Youyao is not a good person, but when she faces Princess Yongning, Princess Yongning's methods are a hundred times more vicious than Jiang Youyao's.

Since Jiang Youyao was already crazy, she couldn't tell the reason why Princess Yongning imprisoned her in the private prison, and Princess Yongning's words might not be believed. On the contrary, no one cared.

Jiang Li couldn't tell what she felt. Perhaps Ji Shuran didn't expect that her daughter would end up like this before she left. However, Jiang Youyao had been sent to the Jiang family for half a day. The Ji family naturally knew about the ups and downs in Yanjing City. But until now, no one from the Ji family had come to take a look, which was chilling. Chen Jishi, who had always argued for Jiang Youyao, didn't say a word, just as if the Ji family didn't have this granddaughter. Jiang Li walked out of the house.

Old Madam Jiang was still there. She seemed to have finally come to her senses and looked at Jiang Li.

Jiang Li walked up to Old Madam Jiang, who seemed extremely tired. She only said, "Second girl, do you think this is retribution?"

Is this retribution? Jiang Li didn't know. She held Madam Jiang's hand and said, "If there is retribution, the one who deserves it the most in the world is Princess Yongning. Don't worry, grandma." She seemed to be talking to Madam Jiang, but also to herself. She said, "Father will ask for an explanation for my third sister."

……

When Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong were blocked by soldiers at Shen's house, Princess Yongning couldn't believe her eyes.

She and Shen Yurong had never left the Shen residence because the rumors were too strong. Therefore, she didn't know that the rumors had changed. They were no longer about the relationship between her and Shen Yurong, but about Xue Huaiyuan accusing her of conspiring with Shen Yurong to kill Xue Fangfei, and Jiang Yuanbai accusing her of imprisoning and torturing his legitimate daughter.

When the soldiers came to tie her up, Princess Yongning shouted, "What are you going to do? How dare you treat me like this! Don't think that you can do whatever you want now that I have lost my power. Wait until later, wait until later..."

The leading soldier interrupted her impatiently: "Don't talk about the future, save your life first!"

Shen Yurong was sensitive enough to notice that the man's tone was not right, and asked, "Excuse me, what happened?"

Even now, he was still dressed cleanly, spoke gently, and even had a calm smile on his face. If they didn't know who this man was and why he was hanging out with such a vicious woman, I'm afraid it would be difficult for the officers and soldiers to have a bad impression of Shen Yurong. One of the officers and soldiers said, "Xue Huaiyuan and Prime Minister Jiang are suing you two together."

"Sue?" Princess Yongning sneered, "What are you suing me for?"

"Of course, I am suing you two for colluding with each other to murder Xue Fangfei and Xue Zhao, and for imprisoning the third daughter of the Jiang family in a private prison and digging out her eyes. Now Prime Minister Jiang is fed up and is asking His Majesty for an explanation. As the saying goes, blood debts must be paid with blood..."

The officers and soldiers were very rude. In fact, Shen Yurong had a good reputation in Yanjing City, and few officials did not know him. It was shocking that such a gentle and kind man was suddenly accused of such a terrible crime. In addition, what happened to Jiang Youyao this morning made people all over the world feel horrified. The sting of a wasp is the most poisonous, and the heart of a woman is the most poisonous. Princess Yongning's methods were really cruel and outrageous. And Shen Yurong actually had a secret relationship with such a woman, and even killed his wife and children for her. It can be said that snakes and rats are in the same nest, and everyone is spitting.

Princess Yongning said, "...You mean a private prison?" She was shocked and knew something was wrong. Shen Yurong didn't know about the private prison in the princess's mansion, and even King Cheng didn't know she had such a place. Over the years, many people have offended her, and Princess Yongning made them pay the price one by one. At first, there were only a few people, but later more and more people were imprisoned. In the court, people are not allowed to set up private prisons. Once discovered, it is a crime to lose one's head. What's more, there are many court officials in the private prison. Even if they are small officials, if there are two or three of them, she will be sentenced to death.

Seeing Princess Yongning's face suddenly change color, Shen Yurong suddenly had an ominous premonition in her heart and asked her, "What private prison?"

"No, nothing." Princess Yongning forced a smile, calmed herself down, and said, "Shen Lang, it's okay. Xue Huaiyuan's charges are clearly nonsense. What Xue Fangfei, what Xue Zhao, I didn't even know about them. They want to throw dirty water on us, how can it be so simple! What about Jiang Yuanbai? My eldest brother and mother will definitely find a way to come back and save us. Shen Lang, you have to believe me!"

She kept talking, and Shen Yurong's eyes flashed with disgust, unwilling to talk to her. The soldiers pushed them out of the house, and Shen's mother, who heard the news, cried out: "What are you going to do? Why are you taking my son away? You are trespassing. I can sue you!"

The soldier who was walking suddenly saw a fierce woman standing in front of him. He was impatient and pushed Shen's mother aside. Shen's mother staggered and fell to the ground. She pointed at Princess Yongning and howled, regardless of her image: "It's her! It's all this woman's fault! It was this woman who seduced Yurong. She used her status as a princess to threaten my son. Yurong knew nothing. Everything was caused by this woman. You have such a cruel heart. You have brought misery to our Shen family. You are so black-hearted that you will go to hell after you die..."

The sound of her cursing reached Princess Yongning's ears without missing a word. Princess Yongning looked at her in shock. She probably didn't expect that this woman who used to be kind, cheerful, loving, and even flattering would one day abuse her with such vulgar and vicious words. Before she could reply, the officers and soldiers had already pushed her forward, and the woman's abuse gradually became farther and farther away from her. Princess Yongning suddenly came to her senses. She was insulted like this, but Shen Yurong didn't say a word? There was no need to scold her mother for her, but why was she stingy with even a word of comfort?
She turned to look at Shen Yurong.

But Shen Yurong was walking in a daze with a numb expression, as if she didn't see her anger, nor did she hear the scolding and crying of Shen's mother behind her, as if she had already withdrawn from it.

Shen Yurong was indeed detached.

He only wanted wealth and fame, and he only wanted to climb up the social ladder. He lost his son, and watched his wife being imprisoned on unnecessary charges, struggling and suffering, and finally dying. He thought that all of this was worth it, and that one day, when he got everything, it would all be worth it.

But at this moment, Shen Yurong knew that there was no turning back. What was the point of starting over? Even if Princess Yongning was the sister of King Cheng and the daughter of Concubine Liu, they would not be able to escape. Emperor Hong Xiao finally got hold of this handle, and he would never give up.

Everything he did was in vain in the end.

Shen Yurong walked along unsteadily. Outside the gate of the mansion, a crowd of onlookers had already gathered. They pointed at him and looked at him with disgust and contempt, but he seemed unaware of them.

In a trance, he seemed to see Xue Fangfei. She was standing in the crowd, extremely beautiful, but no longer the familiar gentle and graceful look. She looked at him coldly, as if looking at a stranger, as if laughing at his embarrassment.

He was indeed in a very sorry state.

……

In the Ye Mansion, Ye Shijie was talking to Xue Huaiyuan.

Regarding the Xue family case, Xue Huaiyuan's daughter now lives in the Ye family. Although Ye Mingyu is loyal and brave, he does not understand the interests in the officialdom and cannot help much with the case. Ye Shijie happens to know a little bit.

Ye Shijie told Xue Huaiyuan about the current events in the court of Yanjing City. In the conversation with Xue Huaiyuan, Ye Shijie also benefited a lot. Ye Shijie was willing to talk with Xue Huaiyuan. The closer he was to Xue Huaiyuan, the more Ye Shijie admired Xue Huaiyuan. Therefore, for the Xue family's case, Ye Shijie also spared no effort to help.

"Mr. Xue, please rest assured," Ye Shijie said, "As for the Xue family case, it seems that it is almost certain to be solved. The truth about the death of Xue Fangfei and Xue Zhao will soon come to light, and those false charges will be cleared."

Xue Huaiyuan said: "That's good, but she was once a princess after all. Even if she is not a princess now, King Cheng and Concubine Liu will not give up easily."

Ye Shijie was silent. Hearing that Concubine Liu had heard the news, she went to the Golden Palace to find Emperor Hong Xiao early in the morning, and Prince Cheng was there too. This case involved too many people, and both Prince Cheng and Concubine Liu realized the importance of the matter. It was for this reason that Jiang Yuanbai even sent some guards to the Ye Mansion to protect the entire Ye Mansion. If Prince Cheng wanted to kill someone to silence him, he would most likely sneak into the Ye family and kill Xue Huaiyuan.

"It's okay, Mr. Xue," Ye Shijie said, "My cousin said that we have Miss Haitang as a witness, and Princess Yongning is accused of more than just this one crime. Even the Jiang family will not let this matter come to an end so easily."

"I'm worried about Fang Fei's crime," Xue Huaiyuan said sadly, "Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning won't admit it easily."

Ye Shijie smiled slightly: "My cousin has already thought of this, so in addition to Haitang, my cousin also arranged a witness."

"Who?"

"Mingyi Hall's zither artist, Xiao Deyin."

　Let me tell you all, I will recommend it on the bookstore tomorrow, and update 100,000 words at a time. I hope you will cherish the 100,000 words saved for five months... There will be no more drafts left after that 〒▽〒

(End of this chapter)