Chapter 164: Su Yingxue Can Withstand Your Injustice?
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Su Yingxue raised her lips in a smile. “Your Highness, are you perhaps too hasty in your judgment? Are you accusing me based solely on the court physicians’ testimony?”
“Su Yingxue.” Chu Mingyuan’s voice deepened, carrying the authority of an emperor.
Su Yingxue immediately knelt and spoke earnestly, “Emperor, 1 have been wrongfully accused. I implore you to investigate this matter.”
“Ye ‘er mentioned that when Xiuwen was unconscious, he repeatedly claimed that you harmed him. Were you with Xiuwen just before the tiger attacked him?” Chu Mingyuan’s deep gaze carried a sharp edge.
While staring at Su Yingxue, he exerted considerable pressure.
However, Su Yingxue maintained her straight posture while kneeling. “Emperor, it is true that I and the Third Prince rode into the forest together. But what does that prove? Does it mean that it was my fault that the tiger attacked the Third Prince instead of me?”
A trace of grievance filled Su Yingxue’s eyes.
“It’s not your fault,” Chu Yihan coldly affirmed.
The cold glint in his eyes also contained a warning directed at Chu Mingyuan.
Chu Mingyuan snorted but had no intention of arguing with Chu Yihan.
“But the court physicians claimed that there was a musk scent on Xiuwen’s wound. How do you explain that? You are a physician. You should be aware of the properties of musk. It’s not uncommon for you to carry musk with you.” Chu Mingyuan was much more incisive than the empress, hitting the nail on the head.
Su Yingxue held her head high. “I’m carrying muskiness is indeed not unusual. But if I wanted to harm the Third Prince, why would 1 harm myself as well? Today, the Third Prince was chased by a tiger, and I was chased by a lion. Could it be that 1 plotted against the Third Prince and had to sacrifice my own life?”
Noble Consort Xiao, supporting her head lazily, chimed in, “Miss Su, what you’re saying makes perfect sense. Who would harm others and willingly sacrifice their own life? Moreover, one is a prince, and the other is the Marquis’s daughter!”
Chu Mingyuan pondered for a while but couldn’t find any fault in Su Yingxue’s argument.
However, the empress was sobbing hysterically. “Emperor, the two court physicians are witnesses. Xiuwen’s wound had a musky smell, and he repeatedly claimed that Su Yingxue harmed him. Xiuwen is a good child, and he would never lie! Emperor, even if you don’t trust the court physicians, you can’t distrust Xiuwen!”
“Nonsense! I could also argue that he’s deliberately framing her!” Chu Yihan shot a cold look at the empress.
The empress was infuriated. “Ninth Prince, you’re blatantly taking her side!”
“I’m not. If Imperial Sister-in-law isn’t convinced, I can bring Chu Xiuwen here and have him repeat it?” When Chu Yihan became resolute, he wouldn’t yield to anyone.
The empress was rendered speechless!
Chu Chengye quickly intervened. “Imperial Uncle, you can’t! My third brother is severely injured and unconscious. He can’t withstand the jolts!”
“Then can Su Yingxue withstand your accusations?” Chu Yihan’s dark eyes gazed over, provoking Chu Chengye’s anger.
Indeed, his Imperial Uncle was showing favoritism toward Su Yingxue!
“Enough, both of you, be silent!”
Chu Mingyuan rubbed the space between his eyebrows and shifted his gaze onto Su Yingxue. She maintained a straight posture while kneeling, revealing no flaws.
On the empress’s side, there was no substantial evidence, which only fueled his frustration.
“Su Yingxue, it’s one thing for Xiuwen to say confused things, but can you truly explain the musk scent on his wound?” Chu Mingyuan could only use this point to question Su Yingxue.
Su Yingxue also thought of a reason. “Emperor, may I inquire whether the tiger that chased after the Third Prince was male or female?”
Chu Mingyuan hadn’t delved into this detail. He turned to Chu Chengye.
“It was a tigress,” Chu Chengye replied..