"Come on, then please, Miss Bai, tell us in detail where exactly Zheng'er set the fire and how she did it. Why on earth would she set the fire? And how did she end up trapped inside herself and almost lose her life?"
Facing Feng Linyuan's series of questions, Bai Sheng remained calm and composed.
First, she bowed politely to Feng Linyuan. Then she stepped forward and came in front of Bai Zheng, feigning concern as she spoke.
"Zheng'er, don't blame elder sister. In the past, whenever you caused trouble, elder sister would surely protect you.
But this time, you've really caused a huge disaster! You've implicated the Third Prince, causing his untimely death, and ruined the marriage alliance between Xiliang and our Great Zhou. Even if elder sister wants to protect you, there's nothing I can do.
Moreover, this matter is of great significance. As a member of the General's Mansion, elder sister always has to prioritize the overall situation. Grandfather always taught us that when we conduct ourselves and do things, we must be worthy of the Emperor, the common people, and worthy of heaven, earth, and our conscience. But what about you!
Now, have you completely forgotten Grandfather's teachings?"
Bai Sheng's voice suddenly turned sharp. The look in her eyes as she stared at Bai Zheng was one of extreme disappointment.
"Elder sister knows that Princess Yunxi gave a lot of precious spices to the Third Prince, which are beneficial for the cosmetics you're researching. You wanted to expand your original shop and do big business. That's a good thing. But you shouldn't have stolen them!
When you were stealing things in the side courtyard, you ran into Cihui. Afraid that he might see something he shouldn't, you simply killed him without hesitation. Then, to cover up the traces of the murder, you set fire to the warehouse.
I saw that you were taking a long time to change your clothes and didn't return. I was worried that you might get lost in the Third Prince's Mansion, so I came out to look for you. Finally, I found you in the side courtyard. Unfortunately, I happened to see you kill Cihui and set the fire before leaving.
I was so stupid. I was really stupid. Thinking that you're my younger sister, even though I knew this was wrong, I still naively wanted to cover it up for you.
But now... now elder sister can no longer cover it up for you! The Third Prince is dead! He is... he is the prince of our Great Zhou and the son - in - law of Xiliang. Now you... you burned him to death!
What crime should you be punished for..."
Bai Sheng couldn't go on any longer and began to sob softly.
Bai Zheng listened to this well - structured story, which seemed so real, with her mouth agape. She couldn't help but want to clap and cheer for Bai Sheng!
She wondered how many brain cells her elder sister had sacrificed to fabricate such a complete story. But it had to be said that every point in this story did fit all the people and events that had happened on the scene.
The logic was so rigorous, and the plot was so consistent... This Bai Sheng was simply a detective - novel writer delayed by the times!
She silently complained in her heart.
But in the eyes of everyone else, her expression seemed like that of a person who had lost her composure after her crime had been exposed and was now speechless.
Feng Linche sat up straight, slapped his hand hard on the armrest of the chair, and coldly uttered two words: "Kneel down!"
Bai Zheng slightly raised her eyebrows and was about to say something when suddenly a heart - rending cry came from behind -
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, I've been wronged!"
Bai Zheng suddenly turned around and saw her father, Bai Yinan, rushing in staggeringly, ignoring the obstruction, and kneeling directly in front of Feng Linche.
"Your Majesty! Zheng'er is not that kind of person! She has a kind heart and is so weak that she can't even tie up a chicken. How could she possibly kill someone and set fire? She doesn't have the guts or the ability! It's all a false accusation. It's Bai Sheng who is talking nonsense, Your Majesty!"
Bai Yinan was extremely excited. All he could think about was protecting his daughter, and he tried his best to explain to Feng Linche on her behalf.
"Your Majesty, this niece of mine had a conflict with Zheng'er a few days ago. All the servants in my mansion can testify to this. She holds a grudge against Zheng'er. She is deliberately slandering Zheng'er and trying to take revenge on her!"
"Uncle!" Hearing Bai Yinan's words, Bai Sheng replied loudly without showing any weakness, "Zheng'er and I are cousins. It's normal for sisters to have a little argument in daily life. How could I frame Zheng'er just because of such a trivial matter?
Father taught me since I was a child that as an elder sister, I should set a good example for my younger siblings. Zheng'er is disobedient, but I've never argued with her. How we sisters usually get along and how I, as the elder sister, take care of my younger siblings. Haven't you seen all these, Uncle?"
"It's precisely because I didn't see clearly how you were as an elder sister before that I've allowed you to bully Zheng'er until now!"
Bai Yinan retorted with deep pain.
After the incident of the ice - cold powder last time, he had completely seen the true faces of the people in the General's Mansion, and he was completely immune to Bai Sheng's false pretenses. Pointing at Bai Sheng, his whole arm was trembling as he loudly questioned.
"You... you held a grudge against and framed my Zheng'er because of Di'er's matter. As a result, you shot yourself in the foot and ended up unable to bear children! Now you hate my Zheng'er even more, so you're here trying to wrongly accuse her of death!
You... you cruel woman! Aren't you afraid of retribution?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was in an uproar.
The fact that Bai Sheng had lost her fertility because of the ice - cold powder was only known by a few people in the Bai Mansion and the General's Mansion. Bai Yinan, considering the overall situation, had repeatedly ordered the servants not to spread the word, so this news had never been spread.
Who would have thought that this time, in his eagerness to protect his daughter and in a state of panic, Bai Yinan blurted it all out without thinking.
Bai Sheng was stunned, and then a strong killing intent flashed in her eyes.
Almost all the onlookers, after getting this sudden big piece of gossip, cast veiled and sympathetic looks at Bai Sheng. Even the Empress Chu and Feng Jingye, two of the people involved, took a moment to look at Bai Sheng with indescribable expressions.
Bai Sheng felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar.
These looks made her feel as if she was standing naked in front of everyone, and she felt extremely ashamed.
It was a clear day outside. The sun climbed onto the branches outside the window and scattered in bit by bit through the half - open windows on both sides of the main hall. But Bai Sheng still felt that there was a bone - chilling cold all over her body.
She stared at Bai Yinan coldly and venomously, with an obscure expression on her face. After a while, she parted her red lips slightly, and her voice was hoarse as she said word by word.
"The eyewitness and material evidence are both there, Uncle. No matter how you try to excuse the previous matters, you can't change the fact that your daughter, Bai Zheng, the Lady of the Marquis of Dingyuan, killed someone, set fire, and caused the death of the Third Prince!"
"Zheng'er didn't do it!"
Bai Yinan's beard was trembling violently. A surge of blood rushed to his head, making him blurt out without hesitation -