in2ebook Chapter 161 Demoted to Common People
Chapter 161 Demoted to Common People
"Marital affection?" Zhao Yunzheng seemed to find something particularly amusing: "Ha..."
The mocking laughter was like Xie Peining's fig leaf being torn off, making her blush and feel even more ashamed. However, Zhao Yunzheng didn't care at all whether she would lose face or not, and only used words as sharp as knives to cut into her heart.
If only I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have done it in the first place.
Xie Peining, from the moment you used every means to marry into the Prince Chen's mansion, from the moment you spared no effort to harm the innocent, you should have understood that there would be not a single trace of affection between us…”
Inside the main hall, everyone sighed.
Yes, how Xie Peining married into the Prince Chen's mansion has always been a mystery.
The Xuanping Marquis's mansion has long since fallen into ruin. Given Xie's current status, it is impossible for Xie Peining to marry Prince Chen as his principal wife.
Although it's unclear what methods Xie Peining and the Xie family used, judging from Prince Chen's attitude, it's safe to assume it wasn't anything honorable...
Prince Chen has always hated evil, so when things were exposed, he was willing to bear the reputation of being ungrateful and heartless in order to get rid of Xie Peining. Now it seems that this was not unexpected.
Upon hearing his resolute words, Xie Peining trembled slightly, like a candle flickering in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment.
Her face was as pale as paper, her eyes filled with despair and resentment. She knew she had nowhere to retreat, and all her explanations were pale and powerless in the face of irrefutable evidence.
The emperor's gaze swept back and forth between Xie Peining and Zhao Yunzheng, his brows furrowed, clearly weighing something.
After a moment, he spoke slowly, his voice carrying an undeniable authority: "Xie, as the Princess Consort of Prince Chen, you have committed such a heinous act, which is a disgrace to the royal family. I will spare your life for now, considering that you were once Prince Chen's first wife, but you will not escape punishment..."
Xie Peining's body trembled violently, and fear appeared in her usually calm eyes. She knew that the emperor's next words would determine her fate.
On the throne, the emperor's majestic voice continued: "Effective immediately, Xie is stripped of her title as Princess Consort of Chen, demoted to commoner status, and exiled to the frontier, never to return to the capital. All others involved in this matter shall be punished according to the law!"
At that moment, the emperor's irresistible order was like a sharp blade, completely severing all of Xie Peining's hopes.
She collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down her face, her eyes filled with despair and resentment.
She never imagined that she would end up like this.
Suddenly, she looked up at Zhao Yunzheng with eyes full of resentment and anger, as if she wanted to pour all her pain onto him.
"Zhao Yunzheng, how cruel you are!" Xie Peining's voice was hoarse, filled with endless hatred: "For Xu Jiaojiao, you actually went so far as to frame me! You...you will die a horrible death!"
The sharp sound was unsettling, and everyone in the hall frowned.
Zhao Yunzheng glanced indifferently at Xie Peining, his eyes showing no emotion whatsoever, as if her anger and resentment were nothing more than a trivial whisper.
"Xie Peining, today's ending is entirely your own doing and has nothing to do with anyone else. Instead of cursing me, you should pray that the journey to the frontier is long and that you will have a safe trip."
Xie Peining moved her lips, as if she wanted to say something.
But in the end, she couldn't utter a single word. Like a withered, lifeless branch, she drooped her head, remaining silent.
The farce ended, and it was almost dawn.
The emperor waved his hand, signaling the guards to take Xie Peining and the others away.
The guards, eunuchs, and maids waiting inside the hall rushed forward, grabbed Xie Peining's arms, and dragged her and several others out of the hall.
The figures gradually disappeared from everyone's sight, leaving only their mournful cries echoing in the hall.
Sitting next to Xie Peining, Hu Gaoshi was already soaked with sweat in her undergarments, barely managing to stay upright and not collapse to the ground.
Watching Xie Peining and the others being dragged away, she breathed a long sigh of relief and completely relaxed.
Although she didn't know why the truth was different from what she knew, she was fortunate that she wasn't implicated in the matter.
The hall was silent as everyone looked at each other, each lost in their own thoughts.
No one knows how many secrets were hidden behind the New Year's Eve banquet. All that is known is that after tonight, the Xie family will have no chance of recovery.
The atmosphere in the hall gradually eased. The emperor's gaze swept over everyone and finally settled on Xu Jiaojiao. He slowly said, "Miss Xu, you have been wronged today."
The emperor's words contained a hint of probing, and Xu Jiaojiao's heart tightened; she quickly stood up.
From today onwards, her relationship with Prince Chen will definitely be put under intense scrutiny. If she is not careful, her fabricated identity will be exposed, so she has to be more careful than ever before.
Now that Prince Chen is at the height of his power, given the emperor's suspicious and cautious nature, she will surely be used by the emperor to manipulate Prince Chen.
I just hope she won't become a hindrance to Prince Chen.
Thinking of this, Xu Jiaojiao bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty. Your discerning judgment has cleared my name, and I am deeply grateful. I have no reason to feel wronged!"
The emperor was pleased with the humble yet assertive attitude. He nodded slightly and said in a gentle tone, "Not arrogant or impatient, calm and composed, you are a dignified and generous good child."
Xu Jiaojiao bowed again gratefully: "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. I am flattered."
The emperor waved his hand, gesturing for her to sit down, then looked at Zhao Yunzheng with a deeper meaning in his eyes: "Yunzheng, although Xie is your first wife, I am very pleased that you were able to handle this matter impartially and without favoritism."
Zhao Yunzheng respectfully cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty flatters me. I was merely doing my duty."
The emperor twirled the jade thumb ring, his meaningful gaze lingering between Zhao Yunzheng and Xu Jiaojiao.
Finally, he fixed his gaze on Zhao Yunzheng: "Since Xie has been demoted to a commoner, the position of Princess Consort of Chen is vacant. Does Yunzheng have someone he likes?"
Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall was startled and turned to look at Xu Jiaojiao.
Xu Jiaojiao was also taken aback and subconsciously looked up at the emperor.
Xie Peining had just been dragged away, and the Emperor was now bringing up the position of Princess Consort of Chen. His probing intent should not be too obvious.
If Prince Ruochen were to reveal that he has someone he admires at this moment, he would inevitably be criticized as heartless and ungrateful.
But if I don't say it...
Judging from the Emperor's intentions, he will likely use this opportunity to target her and completely sever her ties with Prince Chen.
Xu Jiaojiao felt uneasy, but after regaining her composure, she lowered her head with a calm expression, looking indifferent and composed.
She knew in her heart that countless eyes were on her at this moment, and her every word and action was of utmost importance. If she was not careful, she might harm Prince Chen and herself.
Over here, Zhao Yunzheng slightly raised his eyes, met the emperor's gaze, and a hint of determination appeared in his eyes.
Whether he admits tonight that he likes Xu Jiaojiao or not, the fact that she is the one he loves will not change.
Rather than letting his father use this opportunity to interfere between him and Jiaojiao, it would be better to bring the matter out into the open and force his father to personally issue an imperial decree to grant them marriage.
As long as he can rightfully bring Jiaojiao back to the Prince's mansion, he can protect her by his side...