583 Scandal (2)
Thinking of how Song Jingchen addressed this person, she quickly explained, “But I didn’t know his identity before.”
Not everyone would listen obediently after entering the Fragrant Teahouse. Some chose to escape or hang themselves, while others pretended to be obedient and secretly asked for help when they received guests. However, those so-called guests were all in cahoots with them, so no matter which one it was, they had never succeeded.
Then, those people would be sent to the backyard to receive punishment.
In order to warn the others, every time this happened, they would take turns to be tortured. The so-called criminal law was to be tortured to death by one or more men.
She had seen the old prince because after every woman who made a mistake was sent over, he had to choose first. He would choose before giving the rest of the women to others.
Seeing that she didn’t seem to be lying, Song Jingchen waved his hand and got someone to bring her away.
“That’s slander! I don’t know her at all.” The old prince had already finished reading the confession. He flew into a rage out of humiliation and said, “Song Jingchen, don’t think that you can convict me just because you spouted nonsense to a random woman.”
“I have both witnesses and evidence. Do you think His Highness will believe you?” Song Jingchen said indifferently. “Besides, I said that I’m saving Your Highness.”
Naturally, the emperor would not believe his empty words.
The old prince knew that he had fallen for Song Jingchen’s trap this time. He only smiled coldly at Song Jingchen.
“I know that Your Highness was also used by someone.” Song Jingchen looked at him sympathetically and said patiently, “I have a picture book in my hand, including the case His Majesty asked me to investigate. That person knows that not only did he send people to stop me from entering the capital, but he also eliminated all the women in Xunyang City immediately. However, he didn’t tell His Highness about this. He clearly plans to make Your Highness the scapegoat once the matter gets exposed.”
His analysis made the old king’s expression change again. He seemed to have thought of something and snorted. “Then go ahead and tell my good nephew. However, if you want to know something from me, you’ve miscalculated.”
Song Jingchen frowned. The old prince’s behavior was unexpected.
Actually, he could not understand why the old prince wanted to participate in these things.
He had neither contributed nor made any mistakes in his life, nor had he ever interfered in the affairs of the imperial court. It could be said that no matter who became the emperor, his life would not be difficult.
If he had a child, it could be said that he was planning for his descendants. However, everyone in Great Xia knew that the prince only had one daughter. It couldn’t be for his grandson, right?
Thinking of this, Song Jingchen paused. The outside world said that the old prince and the old princess consort were deeply in love, and there wasn’t even a concubine in the residence. However, what he saw last night was clearly not the case. It could be that the old princess consort didn’t give birth to a son for him, but what about other women?
If he really had such a son, that person would definitely be unable to raise his head as an illegitimate son of the royal family.
No, it was normal to take in concubines. If such a woman really existed, the old prince could have passed her by when she was pregnant. There was no need to hide it at all. It couldn’t be to leave a loving reputation for everyone, right?
What was the reason why he would rather bear such a huge accusation than reveal the true mastermind?
Song Jingchen was a little frustrated. As long as the old prince didn’t relent, he couldn’t report this matter to the authorities. Otherwise, he would have to let the true mastermind off.
“You’re willing to die for a person who can push you out to take the blame at any time. Those who don’t know better would think that he’s your son,” Shen Yijia said disdainfully.
Song Jingchen at most suspected that the old prince had an heir who didn’t exist. He cooperated with that person to pave the way for him, but he didn’t dare to think about it as much as Shen Yijia.
However, it was Shen Yijia’s casual mockery that instantly made the old prince’s expression change. Although he hid it very quickly, Shen Yijia and Song Jingchen still saw it.
There was no mistaking the flash of shock.
The two of them looked at each other in disbelief. According to the clues they got from Old Master Liu, this was done by a certain prince.
The old prince couldn’t have slept with his niece-in-law and even gotten her pregnant, right?
This was too terrifying. Would they be silenced if they knew about a scandal like the royal family?
“Nonsense!” The old prince started to curse when he reacted. However, Song Jingchen pulled Shen Yijia out of the cellar.
He tried his best to calm down. He took a pen and paper and wrote down the ages of all the princes. He began to analyze the possibilities.
Ever since the late emperor passed away, the old prince rarely entered the palace, let alone stayed overnight. It was obvious that it was impossible for him to have an affair with the women in the intermediate palace.
When the late emperor was around, he often asked his only brother to enter the palace to talk to him. Sometimes, he even stayed overnight. However, at that time, the emperor, who was still the crown prince, had not had children yet.
“No,” Song Jingchen suddenly said.
Shen Yijia asked, “What’s wrong?”
Song Jingchen circled Shangguan Pu’s name. Shangguan Pu was 21 years old this year, and this year was the 21st year of Chong’an.
He looked at Shen Yijia with a burning gaze. “If your guess is right, only the Eldest Prince fits the bill.”
At that time, it was true that the emperor did not have any children. However, two months after the late emperor passed away, Noble Consort Liu revealed that she was three months pregnant.
On the other hand, the late emperor’s health had already deteriorated a month before his death. The old prince was worried about him and basically stayed in the palace for that month.
Shen Yijia thought to herself, “Can I say that I was just spouting nonsense?”
“Master, someone sent a letter.” One Dot’s voice suddenly sounded from outside the door.
Delivering a letter at night?
Song Jingchen let One Dot in. The letter was tied to a stone. He untied it and opened it to see the contents.
He tightened his grip and asked with a frown, “Who sent it?”
“I was on night duty in the gatehouse when someone suddenly threw this in. I went out to check, but I didn’t see anyone.”
Shen Yijia leaned over curiously and was also shocked. “Is everything written here true?”
