Chapter 62 Clearing the Wrongful Charges

"The Dowager Consort must be mistaken. What Daoist Master Yunyin said was likely meant to ensure the safety of the Secondary Consort."

The estate doctor sighed, "In my view, that assurance of safety probably pertained to the Secondary Consort's own constitution."

He had previously thought that Lady Chang's complaints of pregnancy discomfort were merely an act to feign pity, but now it appeared to be all too real.

Xiao Yunjin had been thoroughly tormented during this period, and at this moment, he wished nothing more than for the child to leave his body soon, sparing him from such wretched suffering!

"No, I must ask the doctor to do everything possible to save both the Secondary Consort and the child."

Zhao Shenxing's voice carried a firm resolve, though a flicker of hidden worry crossed his eyes.

Acting swiftly, the doctor had a maid bring brush, ink, paper, and an inkstone. After writing out the medicinal prescription, he urged them to hurry and have the medicine prepared and brewed.

With great difficulty, they coaxed Xiao Yunjin into drinking the medicine. Just then, a guard hurried in and reported to Zhao Shenxing, "Your Highness, the servant woman who submitted her resignation has been found and is awaiting your disposition."

"Very well, I shall go at once."

Giving a few instructions, Zhao Shenxing hurried away, leaving the estate doctor to continue tending to Yunjin.

In the main hall of the manor, the servant woman trembled uncontrollably. Facing Zhao Shenxing's stern interrogation, her eyes darted restlessly, and she stammered, unable to give a coherent explanation.

"Speak! Who instructed you?" Zhao Shenxing's voice was like freezing ice, striking fear into the heart.

"It was... it was..."

The woman hesitated, her words catching in her throat. Finally, as if reaching a desperate decision, she raised her head abruptly.

"It was Secondary Consort Xiao! She said that as long as I did as she commanded, she would ensure my entire family could live without worry for food or clothing!"

As soon as these words were uttered, an uproar filled the room. Zhao Shenxing's face turned ashen in an instant, his fists clenched so tightly that fury seemed ready to burst from his eyes.

Yunjin and Chang Yuniang had never gotten along. Zhao Shenxing was also aware that Yunjin had been taking the fertility herbs from Yiyi Hall, yet her monthly bleeding had been delayed by half a month before she publicly announced her good news.

Given her temperament, how could she have exercised such patience?

Zhao Shenxing had already suspected her of scheming behind the scenes, and now the woman's confession undoubtedly confirmed his suspicions.

"Are you certain it was Secondary Consort Xiao?"

Consort Dowager Xu asked in disbelief, her voice trembling slightly, clearly shaken by this sudden truth.

Kneeling on the floor, the servant woman nodded repeatedly, her tears and mucus blending together.

"This old servant dares not deceive you. It was indeed Secondary Consort Xiao. She even threatened me that if the matter were exposed, my whole family would be put to death."

"Do you realize how many innocent lives your actions would ruin?" Zhao Shenxing's voice was low and cold.

Trembling from head to toe, the woman sobbed uncontrollably, "This old servant knows her wrong, but I did it for my family. I beg Your Highness to spare my life!"

Not only was Yunjin currently with child, but her pulse was also showing such abnormal signs that both the estate doctor and Daoist Master Yunyin had repeatedly warned she must not suffer any further agitation.

While poisoning Chang Yuniang was indeed wrong, for the sake of the child in Yunjin's womb, he had no choice but to suppress the matter for now.

"Guards, take her away. Once this matter has been thoroughly investigated, we shall decide her fate."

Zhao Shenxing commanded, his tone revealing a deep exhaustion, as if his spirit had been drained by this endless string of betrayals.

The woman was led away by the guards, leaving the hall in heavy silence, broken only by the sound of labored breathing.

Ning Junruo looked on, her heart a complex mix of emotions. She simply could not believe that Xiao Yunjin could be so utterly ruthless.

"Princess, do you also believe this was Yunjin's doing?" Consort Dowager Xu broke the silence, looking at Ning Junruo with eyes full of both expectation and anxiety.

Ning Junruo pondered for a moment before lowering her voice. "Mother, if Secondary Consort Xiao truly harbored such intentions, she surely would not have left behind such blatant evidence. There may be someone else manipulating this woman from behind the scenes. We must first stabilize the situation and investigate covertly to avoid alerting the enemy."

"What the Princess says is entirely correct. Yunjin's constitution can hardly bear any more shocks; we must not act rashly." Consort Dowager Xu nodded in agreement.

At that moment, a guard hurried in, dropping to one knee. "Reporting to Your Highness and the Dowager Consort, the estate doctor says that after taking Daoist Master Yunyin's medicine, the Secondary Consort's condition seems to have improved, and her pulse has temporarily stabilized."

Zhao Shenxing's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly, though the worry in his eyes did not entirely dissipate. "Good, continue to monitor her closely and report any changes immediately."

The guard acknowledged the order and withdrew. Zhao Shenxing turned to Ning Junruo, pouring out his gratitude, "We owe this entirely to the Princess. Had you not summoned Daoist Master Yunyin in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

Ning Junruo shook her head gently, her tone calm, "Your Highness flatters me. I was merely looking out for Yunjin's well-being."

After dinner, Ning Junruo took her maids out for a stroll to aid digestion and inadvertently wandered near the Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

Ning Junruo had long wished to go and see her.

Xiao Yunjin was still lying weakly in bed. Seeing her enter, his complexion improved noticeably.

"How is it that Elder Sister has the leisure to come here at this hour? Day in and day out, I am plagued by dizziness and nausea, tormented to the point of madness. What Chang Yuniang said is truly right; pregnancy is agonizing indeed."

"I wish to speak privately with the Secondary Consort. You may all withdraw."

Dismissing the attendants, Ning Junruo asked in a low voice, "Chang Yuniang... was this truly your doing?"

Xiao Yunjin started, his expression turning somewhat flustered, though he quickly regained his composure and shot her a contemptuous glance. "What does Elder Sister mean by this? Do you suspect me of harming Chang Yuniang? How could your humble concubine do such a thing?"

"Things have come to this, and you still wish to quibble?" Ning Junruo walked forward slowly, her gaze piercing as she stared directly at the Secondary Consort.

"That servant woman has already confessed, and the evidence is ironclad. What else do you have to say?"

The Secondary Consort paused, then let out a cold laugh. "Hah, that person is truly cunning, actually finding a servant woman to frame me in order to eliminate both me and the child in my womb?"

"It truly wasn't you?"

Ning Junruo did not believe it was him either; she had deliberately put on a fierce facade earlier just to sound him out.

Xiao Yunjin shook his head like a rattle drum. "Aside from... aside from the matter concerning Yiyi Hall, I have never deceived Elder Sister. Even now, do you still not trust me?"

Ning Junruo breathed a sigh of relief. "You misunderstand, Secondary Consort. If I truly harbored ill intentions, why would I go to such lengths to bring Daoist Master Yunyin to treat you? You and I ought to support one another rather than scheme against each other."

Though her tone was gentle, every word Ning Junruo spoke carried weight, revealing an unquestionable firmness. "Since you say so, naturally I believe you."

Inside the room, Xiao Yunjin's face was pale, a flash of ruthlessness crossing his eyes before instantly transforming into a look of grievance. "Yunyin will always remember these words. Once I give birth to an heir, I shall never forget Elder Sister's kindness today. That servant woman must have been instigated by someone else to deliberately frame and slander me."

Sighing softly, Ning Junruo stepped closer to the bed, took Xiao Yunjin's hand, and said softly, "Yunjin, if this is truly a misunderstanding, I will naturally clear your name. But now, more than ever, we must stand united and find the mastermind behind the scenes."

Tears silently slipped down Xiao Yunjin's cheeks as he gripped Ning Junruo's hand tightly, his voice choked with emotion, "Elder Sister, I trust you. I only ask that you help me."