Chapter 226

Chapter 226: Kindness to Her

“You—you clearly offended Cousin Ming Jia!” Sheng Yuan Jun shouted, nearly mad with rage.

To prove his innocence, he had already revealed everything, yet Shang Hang Yu still intended to escape unscathed!

Impossible!

He clenched his teeth, determined not to let it happen.

But when his words fell silent, Shang Hang Yu gazed at him blankly. “Has Your Highness misunderstood something? I have never offended Commandery Princess Ming Jia. In fact, if we must discuss it, I—I have shown kindness to Commandery Princess Ming Jia…”

“Impossible!” Sheng Yuan Jun laughed bitterly.

If Shang Hang Yu had been kind to Ming Jia, why would Ming Jia grind her teeth in hatred every time his name was mentioned?

He had specifically asked Ming Jia’s thoughts before taking action against Shang Hang Yu. Ming Jia despised Shang Hang Yu—there was absolutely no mistake about this!

Emperor Chong Sheng mused thoughtfully, “You say you have shown kindness to Ming Jia?”

“This…” Shang Hang Yu hesitated.

Sheng Yuan Jun felt he had finally grasped Shang Hang Yu’s weak point!

“Imperial Father, this is impossible! He offended Cousin Ming Jia—that’s precisely why I wanted to teach him a lesson!”

“Shang Hang Yu?” Emperor Chong Sheng’s gaze sharpened with silent pressure.

Shang Hang Yu finally sighed, “It’s not that I don’t wish to speak; rather, this matter concerns Commandery Princess Ming Jia’s honor.”

What?

Sheng Yuan Jun froze, while Emperor Chong Sheng also appeared puzzled.

Only then did Shang Hang Yu reluctantly continue, “Well, a subject must obey his sovereign. Since Your Majesty insists, I have no choice but to betray Commandery Princess Ming Jia’s trust.”

In just a few simple words, he recounted how he escorted Sheng Zhi Wan to Morning Light Temple and happened upon Ming Jia being kidnapped by bandits.

“But—but Your Highness, Crown Prince, please rest assured, Commandery Princess Ming Jia is definitely still pure,” Shang Hang Yu quickly reassured him. “As soon as the bandits captured her, I immediately dispatched men to rescue her.”

Yet, the more he explained, the darker Sheng Yuan Jun’s expression grew.

Ming Jia had been kidnapped before…

When he had been controlled by the drug and engaged in intimacy, he hadn’t known whom he was with, nor had he cared. Now, upon reflection, it seemed indeed true that there had been no virgin’s blood.

Realizing this, his face turned utterly dark.

The Great Hall fell into suffocating silence.

Even Emperor Chong Sheng hadn’t expected such secrets hidden behind tonight’s incident…

Seeing Shang Hang Yu’s innocent and bewildered face, the Emperor impatiently waved his hand. “Leave. Leave at once! Not a word of today’s matter is allowed to spread.”

“But Your Majesty, I clearly never offended Commandery Princess Ming Jia. Why did the Crown Prince say that I did?”

Why else?

Clearly, it was to silence you, you fool!

Emperor Chong Sheng gestured to the Eunuch Attendant, and Shang Hang Yu was half-dragged, half-pushed out of the hall.

Only Sheng Yuan Jun remained kneeling, the world spinning around him.

He finally understood—he had been schemed against.

And the one who had plotted against him wasn’t anyone else—it was Ming Jia herself!

She had lost her purity after being abducted, yet, still ambitious, she targeted him, knowing he had foolishly approached her.

No wonder her household guards had sought him out first!

No wonder there had been three women…

One was to hide suspicion, and with two prostitutes involved, who would think the third woman was Commandery Princess Ming Jia herself?

Tonight, only his identity was exposed. Ming Jia had entered the literary gathering disguised as a man—no one would connect the scandal to her.

Yes, it had to be like this!

Ming Jia—how dare she!

“Foolishness! Utterly foolish!” Emperor Chong Sheng cast cold glances between Sheng Yuan Jun and the Empress, finally sneering. “I’ll order tonight’s incident strictly sealed; no one present may speak a single word of it.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” The Empress rejoiced. Since the matter would be kept secret, His Majesty wouldn’t have a reason to depose the Crown Prince.

However, the Emperor’s next words changed everything: “But—since the Crown Prince is so fond of Ming Jia, I shall decree that she become Crown Princess. Empress, quickly inform Prince Huai’s residence and arrange their marriage promptly.”

“No! Please, no!” Sheng Yuan Jun blurted out, “I don’t want someone who has been—”

“Silence!” Emperor Chong Sheng’s gaze pierced him coldly. “Don’t forget who Princess Consort Xian Huai died saving! Even if merely for gratitude, you must marry Ming Jia. Besides, isn’t this exactly what you desired?”

The Emperor’s gaze seemed capable of peering into one’s heart, leaving Sheng Yuan Jun speechless.

Only after Emperor Chong Sheng departed did Sheng Yuan Jun slump to the floor, pleading with the Empress, “Royal Mother, I can’t—I don’t want a sullied woman as my Crown Princess…”

Heart aching, the Empress embraced him.

How could she want her precious son to marry a woman already seen by others?

Even if Ming Jia was technically pure, her body had been seen. Such a woman could never match her son’s dignity.

But matters had reached this point; there was no choice left.

She bitterly recalled how she’d once intended to blackmail Ming Jia over the Fourth Princess’s matter. That vile girl had clearly planned all along to trap her son!

The Empress’s eyes glinted venomously. After some thought, she whispered into Sheng Yuan Jun’s ear.

Sheng Yuan Jun’s eyes widened, and he swallowed nervously. “Will that…really work?”

“What wouldn’t work? It all depends on whether she behaves. If she listens, fine. If not, we’ll do as your Royal Mother advises.”

“Alright. I—I’ll listen to Royal Mother!”

Thus, Sheng Yuan Jun reluctantly resolved to marry Ming Jia.

Meanwhile, in a side chamber, Commandery Princess Ming Jia had just awakened. Spotting the Imperial Edict bestowing her as Crown Princess, she lost control and hurled it onto the ground, viciously stomping upon it.