Chapter 1525: Her Highness the Princess (75)

 Tang Xi had never liked Juanzhu, and Juanzhu had never liked her either. If this opportunity could bring Tang Xi down, then she would become Lü Qing’s most favored woman.

Tang Xi let out a cold laugh and glanced in Tang Guo’s direction before saying softly, “No wonder Imperial Sister was willing to let her go back then. So she was a disaster waiting to happen.”

“Father Emperor, Juanzhu has never been one of my attendants. Not long after entering the princess residence, she remained by Lü Qing’s side, serving him exclusively. Therefore, I believe her testimony is biased.”

“Then surely the testimony of the other maids should count?” Lü Qing glared resentfully at Tang Xi, as though she had truly murdered his wife and children.

Tang Xi had no idea that Lin Yuexiang was Lü Qing’s original wife. But since Lü Qing had decided to dump this mess onto her today, she no longer wanted this prince consort who was nothing more than decoration and constantly brought trouble upon her.

“Of course it counts,” she replied coolly.

Lü Qing turned around and looked at the rows of maids behind him. Most of them had shared his bed.

He had always treated them generously. At critical moments like this, it was time for them to repay him.

“Xiangcao, Yunni, Hongzhu…”

Calling them one by one, he said, “You must tell the truth. Wasn’t it because the Princess threatened me with the lives of my wife and children that I had no choice but to marry her? Surely some of you know that the Princess sent people to hunt down my wife and children, don’t you?”

In truth, Lü Qing was extremely nervous. Although he had maintained very good relationships with these maids and bought them many fine things without ever mistreating them, this was a matter concerning his very head. Who wouldn’t be anxious?

The court officials were also thoroughly entertained. They wanted to see how much longer Lü Qing intended to keep acting.

“Speak truthfully without fear,” the Emperor said.

By now, he had little patience left for Lü Qing. This filthy creature—how had he ever seen enough in him to appoint him top scholar?

The maids exchanged glances before finally speaking.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, the Second Princess never knew that the Second Prince Consort had a wife and children, and she certainly never used them to force him into marriage. Nor have this servant ever heard that the Second Princess sent people to hunt down his wife and children.”

Every maid who had been involved with Lü Qing gave the same answer.

Lü Qing had thought far too simply.

Tang Xi had allowed these women to serve him so comfortably—did he really think she had no leverage over them?

Tang Xi was different from Tang Guo. Tang Guo had been showered with endless affection since childhood.

Tang Xi, on the other hand, had merely been an ordinary Second Princess. Everything she wanted, she had had to fight for herself.

Would she dare keep people she didn't trust within her residence?

The families of these maids were all firmly in her grasp.

Not to mention that she had never done any of those things. Even if she had, would the maids dare expose her publicly?

No matter how generous Lü Qing had been, his little favors could never outweigh the importance of their own families.

Lü Qing was dumbfounded.

Why was this completely different from what he had imagined?

Seeing his bewildered expression, the Emperor kindly reminded him, “Lü Qing, do you know who brought charges against you today?”

“Who?” Lü Qing asked instinctively.

The Emperor raised his hand and pointed toward Lin Yuexiang and her children.

“The first is this year’s top scholar, Lü Yufan. The second is the Little Divine Doctor of the Imperial City, Lü Yuzhi. The third is the First Female Official of our dynasty, Lord Lin.”

“Lü Qing, don’t you recognize them?”

Stiffly, Lü Qing turned toward Lin Yuexiang. His face was filled with disbelief as he stammered in a trembling voice,

“Y-you… you’re Yuexiang?”