Chapter 15: Fierce Protection of His Wife
Xiao Xuanyin’s brows were stern and solemn as he seemingly glanced casually at the striking Fu Jinhe. From her delicate, flawless complexion and slender, fragile neck to her graceful waist, his gaze wandered with a subtle, invasive longing, lingering unwillingly.
The jade pendant she had given him rested over his heart, where a small flame ignited, spreading warmth through his entire body. It was burning hot.
He lowered his eyes, concealing the deep desire shimmering beneath his gaze.
Jiang Manxue watched Fu Jinhe laugh so freely and felt her hatred deepen, accompanied by an unprecedented sense of danger. Since the spring banquet, she had suffered many silent losses at Fu Jinhe’s hands. This was no longer the Fu Jinhe she knew.
She fixed her stare on Fu Jinhe as if willing to bore a hole through her. Could it be that Fu Jinhe had changed at her core as well?
Shen Minglan was so furious at Fu Jinhe that smoke seemed to pour from her seven orifices. Her eyes reddened as she pulled the Eldest Princess aside. “Mother, Fu Jinhe is surely framing me and Miss Jiang!”
What a cruel scheme! A woman serving two husbands—if this scandal were to spread, no matter how noble Eldest Princess’s daughter was, no one would dare marry her.
But how could Fu Jinhe have anticipated A Lan’s plot and struck back so swiftly?
The Eldest Princess’s face darkened to an extreme as she scolded Fu Jinhe, “Fu Jinhe, why must you stir such trouble in the Eldest Princess’s residence? You are no longer young, yet your heart is venomous beyond measure! I will not spare you!”
A heavy wave of oppressive authority descended upon Fu Jinhe.
But Fu Jinhe met the Eldest Princess’s glare with an even colder and more detached gaze.
If she was persecuted, it was her own fault; if she retaliated, it was because of her cruel heart.
Where in this world is such logic fair?
Her tone was icy, like snow flying in December: “The Eldest Princess and Princess Qingping accuse this humble servant of framing without cause. I have ten thousand objections.”
Suddenly, she curled her lips slightly and glanced at the sordid scene inside, speaking with deep significance: “To catch a thief, one must catch the stolen goods; to catch an adulterer, one must catch both parties.”
How dare Fu Jinhe speak so disrespectfully to her mother! And now she even dared to mock her, implying that A Xue was entangled with that despicable servant!
Shen Minglan wished she could tear Fu Jinhe apart and sneered coldly, “Fu Jinhe, stop your lies! You and the Eldest Princess’s maid went to Qingfeng Pavilion to change clothes and did not return for a long time, while that maid’s fate inside remains unknown. If this evil deed was not yours, then whose could it be?”
“Guards, seize this wicked woman and attend to her well, or this princess’s deep hatred will not be appeased!”
Fu Jinhe’s complexion and gaze remained dispassionately shallow as she spoke with precision: “The Eldest Princess’s household is trying to cover up a scandal by forcing a false confession!”
“First, your maid accidentally spilled tea on my clothes and kindly suggested that I change at Qingfeng Pavilion.”
“Second, after changing, I saw the beautiful Chinese flowering crabapple trees and told the maid I would pick some, and then we parted.”
“Third, I am but the daughter of a subject and possess none of Princess Qingping’s overwhelming power. I could never coerce that man into such a shameless act.”
A gentle breeze stirred Fu Jinhe’s black hair against her pale cheeks. Dressed plainly beneath the blossoms, her brows lively and eyes resolute as if the goddess of Luo was plunging into a lake without hesitation, she declared, “To be falsely accused before all is utterly unreasonable.”
Everyone’s hearts skipped a beat as they turned to the composed figure in simple attire.
She seemed to carry a great weight of indignation and grievance, a thousand-fold unwillingness, breaking all bonds just to seek justice.
Yet, they shook their heads—this time Fu Jinhe might be innocent, but her previous misdeeds were undeniable.
Song Junyao pressed his lips tightly, suddenly recalling Fu Jinhe’s icy questioning about whether A Xue was truly innocent. He dared not meet her gaze and avoided the topic.
She had also coldly reproached him for his hypocrisy.
His heart felt hollow. Had Fu Jinhe truly changed her feelings for him? She had once been so devoted—how could she just let go so easily?
How much did she know of him and A Xue?
Suddenly, Song Junyao clutched his head, aching as if it might split.
Before his eyes flashed a scene: Fu Jinhe’s clear eyes streamed with tears as she bitterly accused him, “Song Junyao, we grew up together as childhood sweethearts. You swore at Star-Picking Tower never to betray me.”
“But for Jiang Manxue, you treated me with such cruelty and heartlessness—you have no heart at all!”
Though spring shone brightly outside, cold sweat poured from his body, soaking his robe.
“You, you…” Shen Minglan pointed angrily at Fu Jinhe but could find no words.
Fu Jinhe’s words were airtight, leaving no flaw to be found.
With a thud, Jiang Manxue knelt, tears shimmering in her alluring eyes.
She drew a jade hairpin and stabbed it into her chest, crying out loudly, “I ask the Eldest Princess and all present to witness—I swear by death that I have no illicit affair with Princess Qingping and that man!”
Blood gushed forth, dripping onto the ground.
Jiang Manxue, once radiant and enchanting, now bore a fragile, touching beauty.
The assembly was moved. Such a fierce spirit resorted to stabbing her heart to prove her innocence.
Surely, she was innocent of any liaison with that man—she was being framed.
But who was the mastermind behind this?
Their gazes turned to Fu Jinhe, whose expression was equally resolute, yet somehow different.
For a time, no one could reach a conclusion.
“A Xue! Palace doctors, quickly! Save her!” Shen Minglan cried, heartbroken as she rushed to Jiang Manxue’s side, tears falling freely.
Soon, several palace doctors hurried over and took Jiang Manxue away for treatment.
Shen Minglan suddenly lifted her head and sneered fiercely, “Fu Jinhe, are you satisfied now? You just wanted to drive A Xue to death, didn’t you?”
Fu Jinhe glanced at the barely breathing Jiang Manxue and laughed bitterly to herself.
No wonder the heroine of this story had such a special fate—she could strike so ruthlessly.
Turning back, she said, “Princess Qingping, be cautious with your words. Though I pity Miss Jiang for resorting to such a tragic act to prove her innocence, this matter has nothing to do with me.”
“I say again, if you wish to convict me, you must present solid evidence.”
Shen Minglan was breathless with rage; she had gained nothing from today’s confrontation with Fu Jinhe.
The Eldest Princess narrowed her phoenix eyes at Fu Jinhe. They had underestimated this girl. She was fully prepared; her words and actions flawless.
Yet how could she tolerate Fu Jinhe challenging her absolute authority? This was her Eldest Princess’s mansion, after all!
“Miss Fu, what you say may seem plausible, but since the maid ended up with you, suspicion cannot be escaped.”
“I ask that Miss Fu cooperate fully with the investigation!” The Eldest Princess signaled to several servants behind her.
They stepped closer toward Fu Jinhe.
Her gaze was as cold as freshly fallen snow.
At this point, the Eldest Princess still hoped to suppress her by power.
Suddenly, Fu Jinhe gracefully bowed to Xiao Xuanyin. “Your Highness the Crown Prince, the Eldest Princess wishes to detain me without cause. I beg Your Highness to rule in my favor.”
She took a deep breath, her fingers curling slightly.
Perhaps because of some inexplicable connection from her past life with him, she felt a faint hope. She was gambling that the Crown Prince was a man of integrity and would not stand idly by if she sought his help.
Xiao Xuanyin’s brows furrowed deeply. It was as if a shadow of bitterness darkened Mingxue’s jade-like face.
He was tall and upright, like an unapproachable mountain peak, his voice cold and harsh: “Who dares lay a hand on Miss Fu?”