In the gloomy Confinement Room.
After yelling out in pain, the old nanny immediately released Ye Qichi’s mouth.
At the same time, Ye Qichi quickly said, "Father, your daughter-in-law is wronged!"
Completely different from the dying woman just now.
This was also the reason why Ye Qichi hadn’t forced herself to speak up earlier; she needed a moment to let her body recover slightly.
However, as soon as she spoke, the old nanny abruptly covered Ye Qichi’s mouth again.
This time it was clearly out of panic, so she didn’t consider the current situation at all.
"How dare you, servant!" Xiao Zhanping, furious, saw the old nanny’s action and exploded, "Release Princess Chen’s mouth at once!"
The old nanny trembled with fright.
She couldn’t help but look towards the Empress in that moment.
Clearly aware that she had committed a serious taboo.
Being startled out of her wits, she instinctively sought the Empress’s help.
The Empress, having just witnessed the old nanny’s actions, felt her heart turn cold.
Now that the old nanny even looked towards her, she was practically trying to get her killed.
Her expression darkened immediately, and she sternly scolded, "Nanny Wu, are you trying to rebel?! Quickly let go of Princess Chen!"
At this moment, she could only stand with the Emperor and reprimand Nanny Wu to clear herself of any suspicion, trying to avoid getting dragged into the mess as much as possible!
Nanny Wu hurriedly released Ye Qichi upon hearing the command.
As Nanny Wu let go of Ye Qichi, Yu Qingyuan couldn’t hide her panic either.
Just now, Ye Qichi had obviously been on the brink of unconsciousness, but now she suddenly managed to speak up, and her voice sounded full of vigor... The Empress couldn’t help but give Nanny Wu another look, the intent to kill clear in her eyes!
Nanny Wu also felt the Empress’s gaze and shuddered, her face turning pale.
"Princess Chen, where is the wrongful accusation?!" Xiao Zhanping returned to confront Ye Qichi.
He had thought the matter was settled, but to his surprise, Ye Qichi gave him another shock.
"Your Majesty," said Ye Qichi, her voice steady, devoid of her prior sickness, as she respectfully spoke, "Nanny Liu has been in Prince Chen’s Mansion because she is one of the Empress’s people. And since Prince Chen has always been grateful for the Empress’s kindness and care, I have always treated her with the utmost respect. Little did I know that Nanny Liu, relying on her status as a servant of the Empress, has been misbehaving in Prince Chen’s Mansion, not only bullying other servants but also embezzling funds, and even disrespecting her betters, never once taking her daughter-in-law seriously..."
Ye Qichi hasn’t finished speaking.
Yu Qingyuan interrupted with a threat, "Ye Qichi, you’re spouting nonsense! Do you know that slandering is a crime against the sovereign, punishable by the execution of the entire family?!"
"And if what your concubine says is true, does that mean the Empress is also guilty of deceiving the sovereign for covering up Nanny Liu’s crimes?!" Ye Qichi challenged defiantly!
Yu Qingyuan had intended to intimidate Ye Qichi into silence but hadn’t expected Ye Qichi to so boldly turn the tables on her.
"Is that so, Your Majesty?" Ye Qichi pressed.
Yu Qingyuan’s face changed dramatically, it took her a while to steady herself and say, "I am fully aware of what kind of servant Nanny Liu is; she could not possibly commit such heinous crimes..."
"Does the Empress have any proof to show that this concubine has wronged Nanny Liu?! Or is the so-called proof from the Empress merely using torture to force me into submission, to eventually make me sign a confession under duress!"
"Empress!" Xiao Zhanping suddenly exclaimed sharply, "You have actually misused private punishment!"
"Your Majesty." Yu Qingyuan quickly knelt down, "I have not misused private punishment. Last night I had people bring Princess Chen to the palace merely to clear up the situation. Little did I know Princess Chen refused to explain and even falsely accused me of having ulterior motives by placing Nanny Liu in Prince Chen’s Mansion..."
Yu Qingyuan’s eyes reddened, looking utterly aggrieved before the Emperor.
"The Emperor should know, I have always cared for Prince Chen as my own, not to mention the Empress Dowager entrusted me to take good care of Prince Chen, how could I have any ulterior motives. I am deeply hurt by being falsely accused by Princess Chen; in a fit of anger, I ordered people to take Princess Chen here for solitary reflection, thinking to teach her a lesson. I was planning to release her this morning. Who knew that just as I was about to visit Princess Chen today, Nanny Wu knelt outside my chamber door, covered in bruises allegedly inflicted by Princess Chen. Nanny Wu, come here!"
Nanny Wu hurriedly crawled over on her knees.
"Show the Emperor your injuries," commanded Yu Qingyuan.
Nanny Wu lifted her sleeves, revealing indeed bruises of dark purples and blues.