Proud Feather

Chapter 37 Interrogation
"So, the Tian family was wiped out just like that?"

In the teahouse, a group of young men gathered to chat. Some of them came from aristocratic families, some from noble families. They were still in mourning for the crown prince and were not allowed to attend banquets, so they could only chat and drink tea in the teahouse.

"Yes! His Majesty is furious. At first glance, it sounds like a trivial matter, but the princess is the daughter of the emperor, and to them, she is the monarch. To put it bluntly, this is disrespectful."

The difference between the monarch and his subjects was like a chasm. No one cared about jealousy among young girls, but the princess's status was special, and this incident revealed that Tian had no respect for the monarch, so it was no longer a trivial matter.

"It has always been said that Concubine Shu is loyal, righteous and respectful, and that the Tian family is also diligent in fulfilling their duties. It seems that this is not the case."

Others disagreed: "When you're in a high position, how can you not have thoughts? That's human nature. What happened before was illogical."

"So, wasn't everything just an act before?"

There was a moment of silence in the compartment.

"Qian San, hold back!" Yang Yu warned. "While this dynasty doesn't punish people for speaking out, if it gets to the ears of those with ulterior motives, it will affect your own future."

"I see. I'm just saying this here." Mr. Qian San didn't take it seriously. "Don't you think so?"

Yang Yu was too lazy to answer. He was the only child in the Ningguo Mansion, so he would never speak nonsense!

So he changed the subject: "I previously thought that His Majesty's decision to have the princess oversee the matter was a bit of a joke, but now it seems there's a real chance of resolving the situation."

When it comes to handling cases, the young people are very excited.

"Yes, I heard about the trial. The princess's two moves were truly brilliant."

"This can only be used by the princess. No one else can do it."

"But this should be the work of Lord Takadera, right?"

"No, no, no, I think it was the princess who did it. Most people wouldn't think of this kind of trick."

……

Chu Ling didn't care how much of a commotion a small rumor had stirred up outside. Concubine Shu's reputation was ruined, and it would be impossible for her to be crowned empress in the short term. Her goal had been achieved, and it was time to investigate the next matter.

The iron door clanged as it opened. The jailer, fearing the floor would stain the incoming person's clothes, hurriedly swept away the debris and bowed courteously, "Princess, the person is inside."

"Yeah." Chu Ling responded lightly and walked in with Jiang Shijun and others.

This is the Imperial City Prison, where Jinghui is imprisoned.

Chu Ling asked to see Jing Hui, and Xue Wang agreed immediately. The emperor had already ordered that the princess make her own decision on the case, and she could investigate whoever she wanted, and the Imperial City Bureau would cooperate.

She soon saw Jinghui, a blood-stained prisoner tied to the torture stake.

Perhaps because the scene was too bloody, the jailer said, "Princess, please wait a moment. I will take the man down right away. You can go to the jail to question him."

"No need." Chu Ling said lightly, "It's nice here, it's open."

Since she said so, the prison boss naturally didn't make trouble and quickly brought the chair over.

Such a voice suddenly appeared in the dark and smelly prison, as if a breath of fresh wind blew in. Jinghui was awakened and raised his head.

Meeting his gaze, Chu Ling smiled: "Do you still recognize me, Master?"

Jinghui opened his mouth and muttered something.

"What did he say?" Chu Ling turned around and asked.

The jailer leaned over and listened carefully for a moment before reporting, "Princess, he said he didn't poison anyone."

"Oh." Chu Ling responded calmly, then said, "You all go out first. I want to talk to him alone." "This..." The jailer was embarrassed. The princess was the apple of his majesty's eye. She had to be careful in a place like this. If something went wrong, ten lives would not be enough to compensate.

Chu Ling raised his eyebrows: "How can he hurt me even though he's tied up like this?"

It's impossible, but...

The jailer hadn't made up his mind yet when Jiang Shijun gently nudged him: "Brother, I'll wait over there with you. If anything happens, the princess only needs to shout and we can rush in."

If he didn't agree, he would be ungrateful. The jailer reluctantly agreed and warned, "Princess, this thief is very stubborn. If he offends you, just ask us to deal with him."

The person finally left. Chu Ling stood up and walked to Jinghui.

Jinghui was excited, but unfortunately the ropes were too tight and she couldn't move at all.

"No, I didn't..."

"I know you didn't poison me." Chu Ling interrupted him, and then said the second half of the sentence to his surprise, "Because I poisoned you myself."

Jinghui stood there in a daze, his head buzzing. He had been arrested and tortured, but he couldn't figure out what had gone wrong. He hadn't done anything, yet the result was...

"Why?" he asked in a hoarse voice.

"Because you have a problem!" Chu Ling said, "Do you dare to say that you don't have any problems at all?"

Jinghui shook her head, trying to make herself look more innocent.

Chu Ling sneered, returned to his chair and sat down, picking up the teacup.

"Jinghui, do you think your background is so clean that no one can find out? Lord Xue told me that the Imperial City Bureau has discovered that you are not a disciple of the Fanyin Temple at all, but a person from the southwest, from the Baiyi land."

Jinghui's pupils shrank and his face showed surprise.

"Your background is quite noble, the son of a chieftain from a Baiyi tribe. Unfortunately, due to civil unrest, you were expelled and had to marry a local lieutenant. You grew up in a complicated family, frequently clashing with your stepbrother. Then, one day, you became so ruthless that you killed him during a fight, forcing you to flee..."

"To escape, you hid in a temple and became a monk, hiding your identity and studying Buddhist philosophy and scriptures. Gradually, you became quite accomplished. But with so much greed in your heart, how could you be willing to spend your life in seclusion? So, during another conflict, you killed the abbot who had saved your life and taught you Buddhist principles, and fled to the Central Plains."

At this point, Jinghui's face was filled with fear: "You, you..."

Chu Ling laughed: "Well, am I right? People like you have done so many evil things, poisoning is really nothing compared to it."

In her previous life, she had taken great pains to investigate Jinghui, and it was from this that she confirmed that her eldest brother's death was not an accident.

Unfortunately, my father passed away later, and no matter how much evidence I had, I could not seek justice for my eldest brother.

"Princess..." Jinghui pleaded, "I was wrong. I shouldn't have had any feelings for you..."

Chu Ling smiled and said, "What did you do wrong? What do you think of me?"

"I...I thought I had deceived a few women and children, so I thought I could deceive you. I wanted to emulate the story of Princess Taizong and ascend to wealth and glory overnight..."

Chu Ling kept laughing, which made Jinghui feel uneasy. Her voice became softer and softer, and finally she stopped talking.

"Finished?"

Jinghui didn't dare to respond.

Chu Ling suddenly turned hostile and slammed the teacup down on him. "Who do you think you are? Is it worth this princess's hassle? Since you don't want to be of any use to me, then rot here!"

After saying that, she turned around and stood up.