Pin Shanhe

"Guards, drag Consort Meng away!"

When Meng Wan realized that they were serious, she immediately began to struggle desperately.

"I'm innocent! Are you trying to force a confession out of me?"

"Whether you're innocent or not, you'll have your say after you've endured those beatings."

Terrified, she could only turn to Jun Qiyuan for help.

Jun Qiyuan clenched his fists tightly, struggling between morality and reason.

On one hand, she was the woman in his heart, how could he bear to see her suffer?

On the other hand, they were also afraid that she wouldn't be able to withstand the torture and would reveal the truth.

After weighing the pros and cons, he immediately knelt down and pleaded for her.

"Father, Consort Meng recently lost her child and is already in poor health. How can she withstand such torture?"

Jun Anning immediately retorted, "Fourth brother, even favoritism should have its limits. Does the Princess Consort of Xuan deserve to lose her child?"

"I did this because I didn't want Fu'er to be sad and upset. If she woke up and found out she had lost her child, and her sworn sister was wrongly accused and punished, wouldn't that be a double blow?"

In the past, Jun Anning did not quite understand.

The fourth prince was so infatuated with Shen Fu that he didn't even care that she had lost her virginity and insisted on being with her no matter what.

A man like that is hard to find even with a lantern, so why give up on him?

After this experience, I've come to understand that if I truly love her, I will do anything to seek justice for her.

In comparison, King Xuan seems to have taken on much more responsibility.

No matter what happens, I will stand firmly behind Shen Fu and will not let her suffer the slightest grievance.

Thinking of this, her idealized image of the fourth prince shattered.

At this moment, the Xuan King and the Second Prince walked in.

They have completed the count of casualties.

One hundred and thirty-nine people died and more than three hundred were injured.

There were many people missing limbs and dismembered bodies; the ground was littered with severed limbs and remains, a truly horrific scene.

Everyone felt incredibly heavy-hearted.

The Double Ninth Festival is supposed to be a day for praying for blessings and good health, so who could have imagined that something like this would happen?

In addition, they discovered an important clue.

Even if brown bears have a keen sense of smell, the places they hunt are far from the foot of the mountain. How could they possibly find the palace by following the rugged mountain path?

Xiao Xuanjin became suspicious and led his men to investigate.

They discovered dozens of beehives along the path leading down the mountain to the palace.

Its location is so well hidden that it is not easily noticed.

The mother bear was guided into the palace by the beehive.

These words caused an uproar at the scene.

In other words, the bear attack today was deliberately orchestrated!

Who is so treacherous as to orchestrate all of this without anyone noticing, causing the deaths of so many people?

Someone sneered and said, "The bear cub was hunted by someone, and it was his concubine who used the cloak to cause the Princess Xuan's miscarriage. Isn't the truth already obvious?"

In an instant, all eyes were on Jun Qiyuan.

His heart clenched suddenly, and he hurriedly explained, "This... must be a coincidence!"

Emperor Yong's expression turned somewhat unfriendly. "Haven't there been enough coincidences today? I don't want to hear those two words again!"

The Emperor's words clearly indicate that he has become suspicious of him.

Jun Qiyuan panicked completely, never dreaming that he would be suspected so soon.

But he couldn't just sit and wait to die; instead, he "argued his case based on reason."

"That means someone framed me! I was also injured by that beast. If I had been a step slower, I might already be dead from its paws. If I had done it, why would I risk my life?"

"this……"

That seems to make some sense.

But this incident has caused such a huge uproar, with so many casualties, including several members of the clan.

They won't give up until they find out the truth and give an explanation!

At this moment, a guard came in to report: "Your Majesty, Princess Xuan has woken up and has something she wants to say to you."

When Shen Fu was helped in, her face was pale and bloodless.

Everyone assumed that she must be heartbroken from losing her child and wanted the Emperor to seek justice for her.

Unexpectedly, what she said next was...

"Your Majesty, Sister Meng is innocent. Please do not make things difficult for her."

Everyone was stunned; there's a limit to naivety!

With so many doubts right in front of her, didn't she have a single suspicion?

Jun Anning stamped her foot in frustration: "Sister Shen, she harmed the child in your womb! How can you still speak up for her?"

A faint smile appeared on Shen Fu's pale face: "We swore an oath before the Bodhisattva to share both good and bad fortune, and to stand together through thick and thin. If we break this oath, may heaven and earth punish us. So, how could she possibly do anything to harm me?"

"..."

What time is it? Why bring up those worthless vows?

If oaths were effective, would there still be criminals brought to justice?

Jun Qiyuan was overjoyed and quickly seized the opportunity.

"I knew it, Fu'er would believe her best friend."

Even Shen Fu, the victim, has spoken up for them, so they probably won't make things difficult for them anymore, right?

But he was too happy too soon.

Shen Fu's next move will lead them to their doom!

She took out a delicate little box.

Upon opening it, I found it was a box of face powder.

"This is a Double Ninth Festival gift from my sister Meng. She made it herself, symbolizing our sisterly bond. She's so good to me, how can you doubt her?"

Scholar Zhang took it, sniffed it carefully, and immediately frowned.

"This smells exactly like the scent on Consort Meng's cloak!"

This caused an uproar among the crowd.

"So it was all premeditated! She was afraid the Princess Consort wouldn't use this powder, so she deliberately sprinkled it on the cloak to prepare for both scenarios. This woman's scheming is truly too deep!"

Emperor Yong finally stopped hesitating and roared, "Drag her away and torture her severely!"

This time, no matter how much Meng Wan cried and begged for mercy, it was no use.

Jun Qiyuan clenched his fist tightly in his sleeve and then released it heavily, but he dared not plead for mercy again.

He could only give Meng Wan a look, knowing he had to grit his teeth and persevere to the end.

Otherwise, they would both die without a burial place!

Soon, the sound of caning rods and Meng Wan's heart-wrenching cries could be heard outside.

Shen Fu looked confused and puzzled: "What's going on? I already said that Sister Meng is a good person, why are you still torturing her?"

Everyone was captivated by her naivety and innocence!

Only the man wearing the black iron mask couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

If he hadn't known the truth beforehand, he probably would have been fooled by her too.

However... he still had a slight suspicion.

Why does it feel like she had foreseen this disaster all along?

The same thing happened at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. She was like an outsider who could see the whole picture and had everything under her control.

He became increasingly interested in her as a woman.

I couldn't resist the urge to unravel the mystery and uncover all her secrets.