Chapter 1 The Truth Revealed

Soon, a battered and bruised eunuch was carried in.

It was none other than Xiao Dezi, Qiu Kui's trusted aide, who had tried to lure Yu Qingwu in the imperial garden.

Xiao Dezi had been beaten by Yu Qi and was utterly terrified. The moment he was carried in and saw Xu Zian, who was also covered in injuries, he assumed that Xie Jin'an was going to torture him again. Before Xie Jin'an could even ask, he started wailing and confessed everything.

He said that earlier today, at si hour (9-11 AM), Xu Zian and Qiu Shiyi Niang had met in secret in the Cold Palace. They had plotted to kill Yu Qingwu, but because of Yu Qingwu's status, they didn't dare to act openly. So, they planned to lure Yu Qingwu out and accuse her of having a secret affair with a man. Then, they would bring Xie Jin'an to catch them in the act. That way, they wouldn't have to do anything, and Yu Qingwu would be executed.

As Xiao Dezi spoke, he began to cry again, repeatedly begging Yu Qingwu for forgiveness. "Your Highness, the Crown Princess, I had no choice! I'm just a lowly eunuch with no power or influence in the palace. Side Consort Qiu threatened to kill me if I didn't agree."

"My death doesn't matter, but I have a widowed mother and young brother to support at home! I originally entered the palace hoping to earn some money so my mother could afford medicine and my brother could afford to study. My family relies on me! That's why I don't dare to die, and I don't dare to disobey Side Consort Qiu!"

"Otherwise, even if I had a hundred guts, I wouldn't dare to do such a thing!"

Xiao Dezi sobbed and told a half-true, half-false story, pushing all the blame onto Qiu Shiyi Niang and Xu Zian.

Hearing that Xu Zian and Qiu Shiyi Niang were still in contact, Xie Ruizhi's expression changed instantly.

Xu Zian noticed it and quickly shook his head, repeatedly explaining, "Sixth Princess, this dog is spouting nonsense! I have no contact with that Qiu Kui whatsoever! And I didn't frame the Crown Princess! Besides, I have no grievances with the Crown Princess, so why would I frame her?"

"How can you say you have no grievances? Didn't you just say that I bullied your sister?" Yu Qingwu, who had been silent all this time, spoke up as Xu Zian was vehemently denying the accusations. She slowly got up, walked unhurriedly to Xu Fengxia, looked down at her, and asked with a sneer, "Xu Shi, back in Fengzao Palace, didn't you cry and say that I bullied you because I refused to help you and your brother cheat to pass the test? Afterwards, you even cursed and insulted me in a sarcastic tone, saying that I was of low birth and abused my power…"

"This… the Sixth Princess was also present…"

"Ruizhi, is that true?"

Yu Qingwu's tone was gentle as she turned her gaze to Xie Ruizhi, who was standing there blankly.

The reddish tinge at the corners of her eyes outlined a hint of pitifulness, and her watery eyes looked at Xie Ruizhi with extreme gentleness.

Compared to Xie Jin'an's direct reprimands, Yu Qingwu's gentleness made Xie Ruizhi reluctant to argue, especially since what her imperial sister-in-law was saying was the truth.

Earlier, in Fengzao Palace, Xu Fengxia had indeed tried to get close but ended up insulting her imperial sister-in-law.

Thinking about how Xu Fengxia had complained to Xu Zian afterwards, it wasn't impossible.

Meeting Yu Qingwu's gaze, Xie Ruizhi couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

She paused, took a deep look at Xu Zian, and said in a low voice, "Yes, earlier in Fengzao Palace, Xu Fengxia wanted imperial sister-in-law to help Xu Zian cheat to pass mother's test. Imperial sister-in-law didn't agree, so Xu Fengxia used imperial sister-in-law's low birth as an excuse and said many insulting things."

"Imperial sister-in-law didn't say anything about it. But Xu Fengxia, when she later met Xu Zian in the imperial garden, burst into tears."

Xie Ruizhi's voice grew softer and softer, and she didn't dare to look Xu Zian in the eye anymore.

After all, Xu Zian was the man she had loved for many years and her savior. She couldn't help but feel a little unwilling to hurt him.

Xu Zian was stunned. He hadn't expected Xie Ruizhi to speak up for someone else.

He was taken aback, and anger rose in his eyes as he questioned her with resentment and disbelief, "Sixth Princess, what are you saying? You… don't you believe me?"

"That's right, Sixth Princess, why are you helping outsiders!" At that moment, Xu Fengxia also interjected. Perhaps Xie Ruizhi had spoiled them too much in the past, and she couldn't accept the sudden change.

She stumbled to her feet and glared at Xie Ruizhi with fury, shouting, "Sixth Princess, even if Zian weren't your future husband, he's still your savior! Is this how you treat your savior?"

"And Your Highness, the Crown Prince, is this how you treat your saviors!"

Xu Fengxia stood with her hands on her hips, looking perfectly justified.

It was as if Xu Zian had really saved Xie Ruizhi's life.

How shameless!

A trace of mockery flashed across Xie Jin'an's eyes, and he couldn't help but scoff and lightly interrupt Xu Fengxia. "Xu Shi, are you sure that Xu Zian is really the Sixth Princess's savior? How could a weak scholar like him, so timid and cowardly, have rescued the Sixth Princess from those bandits?"

To be honest, if it weren't for Xu Zian going too far and targeting Yu Qingwu, Xie Jin'an wouldn't have wanted to expose him. Firstly, even if he did expose him, Xie Ruizhi might not give up on her feelings for Xu Zian. Secondly, it was for the sake of Xie Ruizhi's reputation.

But now…

His gaze turned cold, and a chilling light flashed in his phoenix eyes as he stared sharply at Xu Zian, smiling coldly. "Xu Zian, tell me, how could a scholar with such a pale, weak physique like yours have single-handedly rescued the Sixth Princess from those ruthless bandits, completely unscathed?"

Xu Fengxia, who had been perfectly justified, was instantly choked by Xie Jin'an's question, and her eyes flickered.

Xie Ruizhi had never doubted it before, but when she heard Xie Jin'an's question, she immediately became suspicious and looked at Xu Zian with doubt.

Xu Zian looked guilty and didn't dare to meet Xie Ruizhi's gaze. His eyes darted around as he stammered, "Time… it's been too long. I can't remember…"

"Can't remember? How could Xu Zian forget such a thrilling experience?" At that moment, a mocking laugh came from outside the door.

The next moment, two young men in their early twenties entered the hall one after the other.

They were Liang Xiuyuan, the eldest grandson of Prince Ning, and Xu Xingzhi, Xu Zian's elder half-brother.

The moment Xu Zian saw Xu Xingzhi, his face turned ashen. Xu Fengxia panicked even more and pointed at Xu Xingzhi, cursing, "You bastard, what are you doing here?"

"Shouldn't you be asking your good brother why Xingzhi is here?" Liang Xiuyuan glanced at Yu Qingwu with a complicated expression, then turned to Xu Fengxia and Xu Zian. He slowly approached them and said with a cold snort, "Xu Zian, you've been stealing your elder brother's credit for so many years and gotten a lot of benefits from the Sixth Princess, haven't you?"