The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 49: Truth and Lies (2)

One by one, the servants spoke up—maids, old women, young lads—from all corners of the prince's residence. They unanimously confirmed that what Cailian had said was true. Some even embellished the tale, claiming that the eldest lady had aggressively confronted Yun Qianyue, forcing her to intervene.

Ye Qingran couldn't help but smile. Who would have thought? This situation clearly required no assistance from him at all!

Ye Tianqing's expression remained inscrutable, his phoenix-like eyes deepening with unreadable intensity.

"No! It's impossible! How could this happen? These ungrateful wretches..." Concubine Feng listened to the accusations outside, her eyes widening in disbelief. Unable to stay inside, she rushed out in a flurry.

Xiang He followed suit, equally astonished. Over the years, her mother had maintained strict control over the back courtyard of the Yun prince's residence. Everyone had flattered her, terrified of displeasing her. How could they all turn against her now? She hurried after Concubine Feng.

The old prince saw the two rush out and gave Yun Qianyue a light slap on the head, grumbling, "Smug girl, feeling proud of yourself?"

"Be quiet, I'm trying to sleep!" Yun Qianyue swatted the old prince's hand away, sinking back into her dreams.

"Impudent girl, go sleep somewhere else!" The old prince raised his hand to hit Yun Qianyue again.

Seemingly sensing his move, Yun Qianyue swiftly intercepted his hand, warning, "What if I am proud? You didn't help with this matter at all, so don't expect my gratitude. If you keep bothering me, I'll pull your beard!"

The old prince's beard twitched, "You've gone too far!" But then he looked at Yun Qianyue, who was drifting off again, and challenged, "If I didn't help, why are all these people testifying for you? Explain yourself, and I'll let you sleep."

"Concubine Feng has wielded power in this residence for many years. She isn't the only matron here, and you aren't the only daughter of the prince either. While they may publicly fear her, behind her back, they probably wish to see her gone. I've merely provided them an opportunity to topple her. They aren't fools; why wouldn't they seize this chance? So, naturally, they all testified for me." Yun Qianyue mumbled, her voice trailing off as she sank back into sleep.

The old prince gazed at her in surprise, studying her for a long time before looking away, half-proud and half-sorrowful, sighing, "Indeed, this is my granddaughter!"

Yun Qianyue had already slipped into dreams, her small face nestled in her arms, her breathing soft and even.

Outside, after all the servants had finished testifying, they knelt in silence, no one daring to speak. The old prince's face darkened like thunder, and he remained quiet as well. The courtyard was so silent that one could hear a pin drop.

"Your Highness, don't listen to their nonsense. They must have been bribed by the old prince and Yun Qianyue, trying to frame Xiang He and me. How could they all have the same story?" Concubine Feng rushed out of the room, speaking anxiously to the prince.

The old prince slowly turned to her, studying her frantic face. His gaze drifted over the servants who had testified, noting their malevolent expressions. He scoffed coldly, "You say they've wronged you? That they were bribed by Father and Yun Qianyue?"

Concubine Feng shivered at his tone but gritted her teeth, "Yes, the old prince has always protected Yun Qianyue..."

"Feng Jinzhuzhen!" the old prince suddenly shouted, cutting her off. "You still refuse to admit it? Don't you acknowledge that Xiang He bullied Yun Qianyue first to provoke trouble? Don't you admit that you sought her out, hoping to use hidden guards to kill Yun Qianyue? You still want to argue?"

Concubine Feng staggered back, her face draining of color, but she quickly regained her composure, tears streaming down her face as if they were free of cost. "Your Highness, you know how I've behaved these years; otherwise, how could I have stayed by your side for so long? These servants are clearly being manipulated; who else could it be if not the old prince and Yun Qianyue... ah..."

"Say another word!" The old prince's hand shot out, and with a loud slap, Concubine Feng fell to the ground. He glared at her fiercely, "You claim Father is plotting against you? He wouldn't want to dirty his own hands! What is your identity that would warrant such treatment? You say Yun Qianyue is plotting against you? If she truly had that ability, she wouldn't have been bullied by you all these years! Don't think I don't know the things you've done."

"Your Highness, I'm truly wronged..." Concubine Feng no longer dared to mention the old prince or Yun Qianyue.

"Uncle, it's indeed strange that everyone has the same story. Perhaps Concubine Feng is truly wronged," the Crown Prince Ye Tianqing interjected, glancing at Concubine Feng, his fleeting look of disgust quickly concealed, but he still spoke.

"Am I wronging her? Hmph, I've merely turned a blind eye to her schemes all these years. Don't think I'm unaware; she simply wants to become the prince's consort," the old prince's temples bulged with anger. Seeing Concubine Feng continuously claim to be wronged, he took a deep breath, "Alright, you say they all wronged you? Then present evidence that you've been wronged! I'll clear your name today. But if everything these people say is true..."

"Your Highness, I will definitely find evidence." Concubine Feng quickly interrupted, her eyes shining with hope. She turned sharply to the people in her courtyard and urged, "Quickly, say I'm not being wronged!"

Not one of them spoke, all of them lowering their heads.

Concubine Feng's expression changed, and she shouted, "You all better speak up!"

The group trembled, yet no one dared to respond.

Her face drained of color as if she had bitten into silver teeth. She then turned to the dozen or so well-dressed concubines standing to the side, pleading, "Sisters, please testify for me! I've treated you all well!"

"Sister, it's not that we don't want to help, but we've been in our own courtyards since yesterday and this morning. We don't know what's happened!" one of the women, similar in age to Concubine Feng, replied.

"Yeah, we didn't witness anything, so it's difficult for us to testify," another chimed in.