The words of the Queen Dowager instantly dispelled the hesitation in Feng Linche's eyes.
Bai Zheng couldn't help but lower her head to hide the smile in her eyes. This Queen Dowager was truly a ruthless character. With just a simple sentence, she had rendered all of Bai Sheng's pleas for mercy in vain.
How Bai Di used to be had nothing to do with now. After all, ever since Feng Jingyang fell seriously ill, Concubine Zhao had even killed several doctors.
What else couldn't she do?
However, Feng Jingyi's words also made some sense.
Thinking of this, Feng Linche said to the chief eunuch in a deep voice, "Yi'er is right. Since you've almost finished investigating this case, first present all the evidence you've found."
"Yes," the chief eunuch replied.
Then he put on a serious look and asked Cuizhu below, "You said you brought Young Master Chen into the palace. How did you bring him in? Which gates did you pass through? Did you meet anyone on the way?"
Cuizhu knelt up straight and answered in detail one by one.
Bai Zheng sneered inwardly.
These questions were certainly no problem for Cuizhu because it was indeed Cuizhu who had brought Chen Jianzhi into Wenrui Palace.
This was also the easiest thing to verify.
However, whether it was Concubine Zhao who had given the order was impossible to prove her innocence due to the lack of witnesses.
That was to say, Concubine Zhao couldn't clear her name this time even if she jumped into the Yellow River.
The chief eunuch continued to ask, "Young Master Chen came into the palace this time to offer his heart's blood to the Fourth Prince. Why did he go to the Second Miss's room?"
"Young Master Chen was originally waiting in the side hall of Wenrui Palace for the Concubine to finish dealing with the banquet in front and then go to Nanxun Palace together.
Unexpectedly, on the way, he heard that the Second Miss had drunk too much and passed out and was carried into the side hall.
I think Young Master Chen was worried about her, so he asked this servant to find an excuse to send away Miss Zisu beside the Second Miss and then brought him to the Second Miss's room.
It's just that this servant really didn't know that Young Master Chen would take care of the Second Miss like that!" Cuizhu replied pitifully.
Chen Jianzhi quickly chimed in, "I saw that Di'er was drunk. When she was lying in bed, she had already taken off her outer robe because of the heat, and her fair skin was very alluring. I really couldn't resist. Which man could resist? So I..."
"Presumptuous! So it was you who forced yourself on her?" Feng Jingxuan couldn't stand it anymore and interrupted Chen Jianzhi. He was so angry that he just wished he could step forward and stab Chen Jianzhi with his sword.
Feng Jingye frowned tightly. "Jianzhi, don't talk nonsense here to protect Bai Di! I know your character. Although you like beautiful women, you're the most timid. If you hadn't got Bai Di's consent, how would you dare to force yourself on her? I think it was Bai Di who saw you come in and deliberately took off her outer robe to seduce you, right?"
Hearing this, Chen Jianzhi's face was full of restraint, and he remained silent.
Now, Bai Sheng's and Concubine Zhao's faces turned even greener.
Chen Jianzhi's expression was more convincing than anything he could say.
This made everyone have to let their imaginations run wild.
Bai Di had drunk too much, but after taking the sobering soup and medicine served by Zisu, she regained some consciousness. When she saw the man she loved come in, the two of them were like dry wood meeting fire and couldn't control their passion, which was why they saw what happened later.
Even Bai Di's breakdown and crying afterwards were interpreted by everyone as the breakdown of an affair being exposed, rather than the breakdown of finding herself defiled by Chen Jianzhi.
Bai Sheng tried hard to suppress the impulse to kill Chen Jianzhi with her sword and calmed herself down. She asked coldly, "Chen Jianzhi, you said you and Di'er have long been in love with each other. Let me ask you, when did you meet Di'er, and how did you cultivate your feelings with her usually?"
Chen Jianzhi lowered his head, and a blush spread across his face. "Two months ago, I accidentally met the Second Miss in the suburbs on the outskirts of the city. I fell in love with her at first sight..."
"You're lying!" Bai Zheng immediately shouted.
There was a hint of uncontrollable excitement in her heart.
Finally, it was coming!
After preparing and scheming for so long, it was finally time for her to give Bai Di a big gift!
Thinking of this, her knuckles turned slightly white due to excitement.
Suddenly, a strong big hand grasped hers.
She looked up and found herself meeting Feng Linyuan's gentle gaze.
Feng Linyuan was smiling. His gaze was gentle and firm. The hand holding hers exuded a man's cool and generous aura, which made Bai Zheng calm down completely.
She took a deep breath, adjusted her state, and said to Chen Jianzhi, "Two months ago, at the end of February, I remember that my second elder sister stayed at home all day and never stepped out. How could she go to the suburbs on the outskirts of the city?"
Chen Jianzhi frowned slightly. "Of course, the Third Miss doesn't know."
"But I don't know either!" Su Muxiao followed up. "Why would Di'er secretly slip out without telling me and Zheng'er for no reason? She's most afraid of the cold!"
Chen Jianzhi lowered his head and stammered, "The Second Miss really didn't intend to tell you... But she did go to the suburbs on the outskirts of the city."
"What was Second Elder Sister doing in the suburbs on the outskirts of the city that she had to hide it from us?" Bai Zheng frowned slightly and asked.
Chen Jianzhi's gaze shifted around, but he didn't dare to look at Bai Zheng. He just said, "This matter can't be said. Anyway, I did see the Second Miss in disguise in the suburbs on the outskirts of the city."
"This is getting more and more absurd. What kind of shady thing was the Second Miss doing in the suburbs on the outskirts of the city that she had to be in disguise?" Feng Linche sneered.
Chen Jianzhi seemed to have just realized that he had said something wrong and suddenly shut his mouth.
But Bai Sheng's face turned completely pale!
She finally realized that she had fallen into a trap and said something wrong!
She originally thought that the other side had set up this game today just to ruin Bai Di's reputation and marriage.
In fact, it wasn't at all!
They were going to completely destroy Bai Di!
She subconsciously looked at Bai Zheng and saw that although Bai Zheng looked puzzled, there was still a hint of a smile on her lips, clearly mocking her.
Mocking her self - righteousness and her stupidity.
Mocking her for walking step by step into the trap set by the other side and then pushing Bai Di into a pit from which she couldn't turn over.
"Chen Jianzhi! You'd better explain this matter clearly. If you dare to talk nonsense, it's the crime of deceiving the emperor! The entire Duke Chen's Mansion will be implicated because of you!" The Queen Dowager vaguely sensed something was wrong and shouted at Chen Jianzhi sharply.
Chen Jianzhi was startled. His mouth twitched, but he still hesitated and didn't dare to defend himself.
It was Cuizhu who couldn't stand it anymore. She shouted, "Young Master Chen, it's already this time. Why are you still protecting the Second Miss? You have deep feelings for the Second Miss, but how did the Second Miss treat you? As soon as this incident happened, she pushed you out first to take all the blame! Are you willing to drag the entire Duke Chen's Mansion down for such a heartless woman?"