PNB Chapter 98 Her Trump Card
Chapter 98 Her Trump Card
Empress Shen knew Qin Wan wouldn't admit it, but she had heard about what happened last night. Xiao Jingyu had carried Qin Wan to the clinic in public. What was that if not deliberate seduction?
She summoned Qin Wan today not to question her, but to condemn her.
"Insolence!" Empress Shen roared, her voice sharp and piercing, startling everyone in the palace.
"You say you never seduced Yu'er, but last night you plotted to lure her into a trap. This was witnessed by everyone in Fengdu City. Your shamelessness and refusal to admit it is a serious crime. Since the Marquis of Pingding can't teach you a lesson, then I will teach you a lesson on behalf of the Marquis's mansion!"
"Someone come here..."
"Your Majesty, everything I have said is true. Last night was the Ghost Festival, and I was seen strolling through the lantern festival with the Fifth Prince. I never imagined that I would be kidnapped and abducted."
"When I woke up again, I was in a room. I was terrified, but thanks to the Fourth Prince, I was rescued." Qin Wan knew that Empress Shen would not let her off easily this time, but she was not unprepared.
She continued, "I am grateful for the Fourth Prince's rescue. Last night at the lantern festival, there were many people and many eyes. Someone saw me being kidnapped. Those people can identify the person who kidnapped me. As long as the person who kidnapped me is found, my innocence can be proven!"
Ignoring the broken teacup pieces in front of her, Qin Wan threw herself on the ground and buried her entire body in them.
"Your Majesty is wise. I have already captured the person who abducted me, but Your Majesty summoned me in time, and I have not yet interrogated him. If Your Majesty does not trust me, I can hand him over to Your Majesty for you to interrogate him personally, so that you may prove my innocence!"
After she finished speaking, Qin Wan's heart nearly jumped out of her throat.
This was her trump card. She hadn't been idle last night; she had Wan Shuang take her savings to the Ghost Market and find an organization called the 'Nine Stars Society'.
She told them what she needed, and they searched and caught the person who had kidnapped her that very night.
Qin Wan knew that if she didn't find that person, no matter how she explained herself today, it would be to no avail, and she might even repeat the same mistakes she made in her previous life.
So she made preparations in advance, even if it cost her nearly half of her money, to ensure her safety before leaving the Marquis's residence.
Upon hearing this, Empress Shen was taken aback, not expecting that she had evidence.
"Could this person be someone you randomly picked up?"
"Before Her Majesty the Empress, I dare not lie, nor do I have the guts!" Qin Wan said.
She really didn't dare. Empress Shen had been in the palace for many years and was no ordinary person to have risen to the position of Empress. She could tell at a glance whether it was real or fake.
Qin Wan wouldn't risk her life.
Empress Shen snorted coldly. She wouldn't fool her so easily. Since she wanted to die, she would let her die knowing why.
"I will definitely investigate this person. If this matter is true..."
"Mother!" A hurried voice from outside the hall interrupted Empress Shen's words.
The next second, Xiao Jingyu strode in. Seeing Qin Wan kneeling on the ground, he looked worried, stepped forward, and bowed.
"Your Majesty, I failed to consider the matter last night, which caused discussion among the outside world. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"
Xiao Jingyu rushed over, not only because he was worried about Qin Wan, but also for another reason: his guard Yuan Song reported early this morning that the person who kidnapped Qin Wan last night had been caught.
He originally intended to eliminate him directly, but he was a step too late.
The investigation revealed that it was the Nine Stars Society that had intervened. He was somewhat surprised, as the Nine Stars Society claimed to only handle matters of the martial arts world and never interfere in official matters. How could they be involved in the affairs of the Marquis's mansion?
He immediately sent people to search, but they couldn't find where the man was being held.
He only realized that Qin Wan had found the Nine Star Society after he overheard her words.
That's why he was in such a hurry.
Last night's events were orchestrated by him, not Qin Wan. He had intended to leave a lasting impression of being a hero who saved a damsel in distress in Qin Wan's heart, but now it seems he has made a mess of things.
Empress Shen glared at Xiao Jingyu. She had repeatedly warned him not to focus his attention on Qin Wan, but he just wouldn't listen.
Now that this matter has been spread, she received a letter from the Shen family early this morning. She doesn't know how to explain it; it's all the work of her foolish son.
"Last night's events caused quite a stir, and you will naturally be punished. However, before that, I need to conduct a thorough investigation..."
"Mother, last night's events were urgent, and I acted rashly. Miss Qin is the younger sister of the Crown Prince Qin, and the Crown Prince Qin and I have been friends for many years. Naturally, I would not stand by and watch Miss Qin be in danger without helping her. Fortunately, Miss Qin was not injured, which is a stroke of luck amidst misfortune!"
Empress Shen frowned. Xiao Jingyu kept interrupting her, and she wasn't stupid; she naturally noticed.
Did he not know that the person who kidnapped Qin Wan was arranged by him?
Thinking of this, Empress Shen felt a thin layer of sweat appear on her forehead, and dared not think too deeply about it.
Xiao Jingyu lifted his outer robe, knelt on both knees, and said, "Mother, your son is investigating the person who kidnapped Miss Qin Si last night. This person is despicable for kidnapping the daughter of an official in public. If your son catches that person, he will not let him off easily, and he will also prove to the people of Fengdu City that there was indeed a reason for what happened last night!"
After hearing this, Empress Shen looked at Xiao Jingyu. This was her son, and she knew him well. His subtle movements revealed his nervousness, which made her even more certain that what happened last night was orchestrated by Xiao Jingyu himself.
This made her feel ashamed. She had worked her way up to this position, while her son had made such a big fuss over matters of love that he almost ruined her reputation.
If this matter were to spread, or reach His Majesty's ears, his chances of becoming Crown Prince would be further diminished.
Why can't he understand his own good intentions?
Did she make him marry Shen Siyi just because she's also a member of the Shen family? Wasn't it because the Shen family could help him?
Empress Shen looked down at Xiao Jingyu, her eyes filled with disappointment and frustration.
However, Empress Shen ultimately failed to vent her anger on Xiao Jingyu in public.
Instead, she looked at Qin Wan and said, "I have heard about what happened last night, but the truth still needs to be investigated. If it is as Miss Qin said, then I will definitely clear her name. Otherwise, I will punish her severely!"
Lying on the ground, Qin Wan smiled where no one could see her; she knew she was safe.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. This person is in the innermost courtyard of Taihe Lane on Qinglong Street. Please send someone there!"
"Have you interrogated this person?" Empress Shen asked again, still not entirely at ease.
Qin Wan replied, "No, I haven't had time to interrogate her yet!"
"Then there's no need for interrogation; I will interrogate her myself!"
"Yes!"
Qin Wan wasn't lying; she really didn't interrogate him. Even without interrogating him, she had already guessed that the person was arranged by Xiao Jingyu.
Empress Shen had originally intended to take this opportunity to teach Qin Wan a lesson, but now she couldn't.
"I will investigate this matter myself. You may leave!"
"This humble woman thanks Your Majesty the Empress!"
After saying that, Qin Wan got up and left, without ever glancing at Xiao Jingyu.
Meanwhile, Xiao Jingyan, who was waiting outside Cining Palace, was getting anxious.
Fei Peng, standing beside Xiao Jingyan, kept peering inside and asked, "Your Highness, Miss Qin Si hasn't come out yet. Should Your Highness devise a plan to invite His Majesty over?"