The concubine was charming and alluring, and the ruthless prince coaxed her day and night.

Chapter 43 Those who offend me will be punished.

The two maids dared not utter a sound.

Their family members all worked for the Cheng family. Whether they spoke or not, they were all doomed. If they didn't speak, they would die alone, but if they did, their families would suffer the same fate.

Rather than burdening your family, you should shoulder everything yourself.

One of them gritted her teeth and said, "This was all my own idea; I wasn't instructed by anyone!"

Seeing this, the other immediately followed suit: "It was all my own idea, it has nothing to do with you, Master!"

Madam Cheng clutched her handkerchief tightly, staring intently at the two maids on the ground, fearing they might reveal something detrimental to her.

Fortunately, the two maids were sensible and didn't get involved.

Xu Jiaojiao narrowed her eyes in resentment.

Damn it, those two maids actually took all the blame!

She knew in her heart that it would be difficult to drag the Yongkang Marquis's family into this mess, but the fact that even the Cheng family could not be punished infuriated her.

No!

Those who offend me will be punished!

These two must pay the price!

Thinking of this, Xu Jiaojiao looked at Cheng Shi with her deep gaze, a fleeting hint of fierceness flashing in her eyes.

Marquis Ningde did not want to investigate the matter further, nor did he want to offend anyone. At this moment, the two maids taking the blame were exactly what he wanted.

After a moment's thought, he looked at Madam Cheng and said, "Madam Cheng, these two are your people, and I have no right to deal with them. However, my guests have been disturbed because of them, and I need to give them an answer. Therefore, I will hand these two over to the authorities, and their life or death will be decided by the authorities."

Mr. Cheng naturally had no objection and immediately agreed.

I'll do anything to save her from this disaster!

Marquis Ningde nodded slightly: "Someone, report to the authorities!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Xu Jiaojiao lowered her head and sighed dejectedly.

Although the sound wasn't loud, it was still audible to those around.

Everyone looked over, and Zhao Yunzheng lowered his head as well: "What's wrong with Jiaojiao?"

Xu Jiaojiao's eyes were slightly red, and although her eyes were full of grievance, she forced a smile: "I'm fine."

This feigned strength deeply stung Zhao Yunzheng's eyes.

None of the people present were blind.

Everyone knows perfectly well who instructed the maid to poison him.

Xu Jiaojiao was framed for no reason, while the culprit remained undetected. Putting yourself in her shoes, anyone would feel bad in this situation, so it's no wonder Xu Jiaojiao was so upset.

Zhao Yunzheng thought to himself, as Jiaojiao's husband, if he couldn't give Jiaojiao justice at this moment, how heartbroken she would be...

Thinking of this, Zhao Yunzheng coughed lightly and looked at Marquis Ningde with a threatening gaze.

The latter, who has risen to his current position, is certainly not a fool.

His throat tightened, and he immediately understood.

Prince Chen is dissatisfied with the result!

Marquis Ningde immediately called out to the servants who had already run out the door: "Wait! Don't report this to the authorities yet! I feel this matter may not be so simple!"

Everyone looked over again, and Marquis Ningde forced a smile.

He originally wanted to end this sordid matter as soon as possible, but now it seems he was too naive.

He looked at the two maids on the ground: "I'll give you one more chance to tell the truth. Who ordered you to do this?"

Cheng Shi's heart, which had just been put back at ease, jumped again: "Didn't these two lowly maids already admit that they took it upon themselves to poison the body? Why does the Marquis still want to interrogate them?"

This attempt to cover up the truth was so obvious that many people unconsciously shook their heads.

The Cheng family is incredibly stupid!

Jia Rong, who was following behind Xu Jiaojiao, said sarcastically, "The Heartbreak Powder is expensive and hard to come by. Ordinary people have no way to get their hands on it. I don't believe that these two maids have no one behind them."

Cheng, her face flushed with anger, shouted, "Who do you think you are? How dare you interrupt when your masters are speaking?!"

Jia Rong was so angry he laughed.

She had secretly run away from the palace, originally intending not to show her face, but now she really couldn't resist!

Even if the Empress Dowager finds out today, she will teach Cheng a lesson!

Jia Rong removed her veil: "Cheng, tell me, what am I?"

Upon seeing that it was the little princess, everyone in the banquet hall was shocked and stood up to pay their respects.

Marquis Ningde was even more nervous about this precious little gem whom the emperor cherished: "Your Highness, why are you dressed like this! You should have informed me beforehand so that my son could have picked you up!"

Li Mingyu's expression changed repeatedly.

She really is Jia Rong!

Jia Rong was unruly and the Empress forbade her from leaving the palace at will. It is likely that she missed her so much that she dressed up like this to appear.

He wasn't unaware of Jia Rong's feelings, but...

Li Mingyu couldn't help but glance at Shen Yunxiang in the corner of the banquet hall.

He already had someone he loved, and he couldn't bear the weight of Jia Rong's love!

Everyone was shocked by Jia Rong's revelation of his identity, except for Cheng Shi, who was dumbfounded and sat there speechless.

Jia Rong didn't notice the impatience in Li Mingyu's eyes, nor did she pay attention to what the Marquis of Ningde had said. She just glared at Madam Cheng with bared teeth and claws: "Speak up? Why aren't you saying anything?"

Coming to her senses, Madam Cheng hurriedly rose and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, please forgive me! I was blind and spoke without thinking. I beg Your Highness's forgiveness!"

"Forgive me?" Jia Rong sneered, "I have no relation to you, why should I forgive you!"

She took out a whistle from her sleeve and blew it. Soon, a bodyguard appeared as if by magic.

The guard knelt on one knee: "What are your orders, Your Highness?"

Jia Rong narrowed her eyes, pointed at Cheng Shi, and ordered in a childish manner: "She humiliated me, slap her a hundred times for me!"

Bodyguard: "..."

Xu Jiaojiao: "..."

Everyone present: "..."

The Cheng family was dumbfounded once again.

Before they could react, the guards were already upon them.

"No...slap! Ah! Slap!"

The crisp sound of a slap echoed in the banquet hall. Those who were close to Cheng Shi subconsciously shrank their necks and grinned slightly as if they felt the same way.

Ouch, that looks painful...

Marquis Ningde remained silent for a long time.

The two maids on the ground were also stunned.

Jia Rong arrogantly rolled her eyes at Cheng Shi, then looked at Marquis Ningde: "My lord, a hundred slaps will take a while, we should continue the trial!"

Now that this matter involves not only the eldest princess and Prince Chen, but also the youngest princess, Marquis Ningde can no longer evade the issue.

He pondered for a moment, then looked at the two maids: "You two are not being honest. It seems you won't confess without torture. Let me think about who to interrogate first..."

After a moment, he pointed at someone and said, "Let's start with you! Someone! Take her away and treat her well. Make sure you get the truth out of her!"

The one accused was terrified: "No, no! My lord, it was truly my own doing! I deserve to die, I am not worthy of your forgiveness!!"

The servants of the Marquis's mansion acted quickly, dragging the person away before the maid could finish speaking.

The remaining person in the banquet hall was terrified, their eyes glazed over with fear.

Marquis Ningde looked at her, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "Have you thought this through? If you tell the truth, you can avoid physical punishment."

The maid was filled with despair.

Suddenly, a resolute glint flashed in her eyes, and she got up and ran towards the wall.

With lightning speed, Ying stepped forward and pinned the person down: "Want to die? Not so easy!"