RPAGF Chapter 278 Qin Qingyun Appears
Chapter 278 Qin Qingyun Appears
Chapter 278, Qin Qingyun Appears
A palace maid rushed out from the doorway, saying, "Your Highness."
Tian Tian stopped what she was doing and turned to the palace maid.
The palace maid lowered her voice, "Your Highness, His Highness has made the arrangements. The Emperor and Empress will be back shortly."
"You don't have to keep beating the drum; you can take a break."
Tian Tian was indeed tired, so she put down the hammer and gracefully walked back to Tian Xiang's side, kneeling down with a dignified air.
His back was straight, facing the palace gate.
The same was true for Tian Xiang and her family members who were beside and behind her.
Stand up straight!
"This family doesn't seem like the type to engage in fraternal strife."
"Yes, they seem to have a perfectly reasonable attitude."
"Could it be... that General Xie really has feelings for Princess Qingping..."
"No way? That's General Xie."
"Some people, you can know their face but not their heart!"
"Speaking of which... I actually heard something a few days ago, that General Xie once blocked the sedan chair of the Vice Minister of Works in order to marry the daughter of the Minister of Works."
"The daughter of the Vice Minister of Works? Which one? The one who got divorced?"
"General Xie is newly widowed, and he wants to remarry... it shouldn't be too difficult, right?"
"How could it not be difficult? His ex-wife...lived as a widow for six years!!"
"Six years?! Who would dare marry him?"
"I heard that he has several lovers at the military base, and he remarried just to find a woman to take care of his son."
"Well, in this matter... it's really hard to say who's right and who's wrong."
Someone in the crowd became anxious.
"General Xie has made outstanding military achievements. It's perfectly normal for his son to want to find a woman to take care of him since he stayed in the capital."
"That's right, if you don't want to, you don't want to. How can you falsely accuse General Xie?"
“The Fufeng Princess’s family are all merchants, and they are all cursed to bring misfortune to their husbands. Now they look down on the general of my Great Qi. Such a person is not worthy of being the Crown Princess at all.”
"Yes, she is not worthy of being the Crown Princess at all."
“Our Crown Prince is as pure as the moon and as gentle as the wind, and blends in with the world. Princess Fufeng is not worthy of him at all.”
"Yes, she's not worthy of the Crown Prince!!"
Tian Xiang grabbed Tian Tian's hand...
It was clearly about her, but the people started talking about Tian Tian instead.
Tian Tian turned around and glanced at Tian Xiang, giving her a reassuring look.
"The Emperor has arrived! The Empress has arrived! His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!" the palace servants announced loudly.
The Emperor, Empress, and Ling Yao walked out together.
"Why are the Emperor and Empress out here?"
"In the past, when people beat the drum to petition the emperor, didn't they all want to be brought to the palace for trial?"
Everyone was puzzled, but before they could think about it, they all knelt down and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Ling Jun glanced at Tian Tian and Tian Xiang and sighed softly.
A method that kills a thousand enemies but also inflicts eight hundred casualties on oneself...
This child...
The palace servants quickly placed several chairs behind Ling Jun.
Ling Jun, Empress Li, and Ling Yao all sat down.
"Princess Fufeng, Princess Qingping, what are you suing for?" Ling Jun asked directly.
Tian Tian glanced at Tian Xiang.
Tian Xiang bowed and said, “Your Majesty, recently... rumors have been circulating in the capital that Qingping and General Xie Kang are in love, have become pregnant, and are engaged.”
"But I had a brief encounter with General Xie Kang at the gate of Prince An's residence."
"The next day, General Xie Kang blocked my daughter at the gate of the Princess's mansion, forcing me to return to the mansion and never go out again."
"There was never any mutual affection, pregnancy, or engagement."
"But the rumors are so convincing! I have my doubts..."
"This humble woman was drugged and raped by General Xie Kang... I beg Your Majesty to do justice for this woman!!"
After Tian Xiang finished speaking, the crowd erupted in uproar!
"all fake?"
"How could that be? If it were false, where did the rumors come from?"
"Yeah, those rumors are so vivid. If they weren't true, how could they be described in such detail?"
"Princess Qingping certainly didn't need to spread those messages; it must have been General Xie Kang who did."
"That's not necessarily true. Maybe someone else spread it?"
What benefit would it bring to others to spread this kind of news?
"I think it was General Xie who spread the word, all for the purpose of forcing Princess Qingping to marry him."
"If that's really the case, then... General Xie is too... wicked, isn't he?"
Once again, someone stepped forward to guide public opinion.
"Who knows what happened between them in private? Can Princess Qingping just say there was nothing, and that's it?"
“That’s true. No one saw it, so she can say whatever she wants.”
“This family is all cursed to bring misfortune to their husbands, even that Madam Liu is.”
"I'm really afraid that His Highness the Crown Prince will also be cursed by Princess Fufeng."
Ling Yao scanned the people in the crowd...
Ling Jun instructed Eunuch Yin beside him, "Go and bring Xie Kang to me."
Eunuch Yin accepted the order and left.
The general's mansion wasn't far from the palace gates, and it took Eunuch Yin about half an hour to travel back and forth.
Xie Kang knelt beside Tian Tian and said, "Your subject Xie Kang greets Your Majesty, Your Highness, and Your Majesty."
"Xie Kang, the Princess of Qingping County has accused you of drugging and raping her! Do you have anything to say about that?"
A hint of guilt flashed in Xie Kang's eyes. He turned to Tian Xiang, "Xiang'er, you... how could you make such a false accusation?"
"Our feelings weren't mutual... it was just that I couldn't control myself..."
"Why are you doing this again..."
"Are you upset that I'm not gentle enough?"
"But...but I am a military general. Although I have a heart that cherishes women, I also..."
His words were both subtle and explicit.
"Oh my god..."
“It’s normal that Princess Qingping couldn’t handle the rudeness of the military officers.”
"You can't make false accusations like that. At worst, we can just cut off all contact."
"That's right."
"This kind of woman is too heartless."
Tian Xiang turned to Xie Kang, "If that's how it is, General Xie, may I ask you, when and where... did our feelings become uncontrollable?"
Xie Kang was stunned.
He narrowed his pupils in disbelief.
He thought that if he said that, she would be unable to defend herself.
Unexpectedly, she asked a question in front of so many people...
He... he never imagined...
"In...at my residence...in..."
Ling Jun reminded him at the right moment, "General Xie, you should think carefully before you speak!"
Xie Kang felt even more panicked when he saw Ling Jun's sharp eyes.
But the matter has already been brought up.
"Just three days ago, we were still at my residence..."
He blurted out something random!
Ying'er, who was beside Tian Xiang, quickly recalled what had happened three days ago...
"You're talking nonsense! My lady didn't leave the mansion all day that day!!"
In fact, since the rumors started, Tian Xiang has hardly left the mansion.
Xie Kang retorted stubbornly, "You're one of her people, of course you'll help her!"
Ying'er stomped her feet in anger.
Tian Xiang stopped Ying'er, "What time?"
"Afternoon!!" Xie Kang said smugly.
It's springtime, the season for plowing and spring fatigue, and even in the capital, the streets are mostly deserted in the afternoon.
"Afternoon?!"
“In the afternoon, my lady was resting in her room,” Ying’er testified.
But her testimony was completely ignored.
Seeing this, Xie Kang became even more smug. "Your Majesty, I often meet with Xiang'er in the afternoon."
"Xiang'er suggested this time, saying that there would be fewer people on the streets in the afternoon and no one would notice us."
"Your Majesty can ask the servants in my household; they all saw it."
Tian Tian had been silent until now, then she spoke up, "If Ying'er's words cannot serve as evidence, then how can the people from the General's Mansion serve as evidence?"
Xie Kang pursed his lips and remained silent.
Anyway, he's in the lead now.
Tian Tian took a deep breath and shouted, "Qin Qingyun!!!"
"How long are you going to hide?!"
Xie Kang was slightly taken aback. Who was Qin Qingyun?
The common people were also puzzled. What did Princess Fufeng mean by this?
Just when everyone was confused, a person suddenly appeared from behind.
He stood on the shoulders of the people, did a final somersault, and landed steadily next to Tian Xiang.
"My name is Qin Qingyun. I greet Your Majesty, Your Majesty, and Your Highness the Crown Prince."
He performed the etiquette of the martial arts world.
Tian Tian said, "Go ahead and speak."
Qin Qingyun: "Three days ago, Xie Kang went to Zuiyue Tower in the afternoon and stayed in Ruyan's room."
Four days ago, Xie Kang went to Zuiyue Tower in the afternoon and stayed in the room of Miss Nongying.
Five days ago, Xie Kang went to Fanghua Pavilion in the afternoon and stayed in the little girl's room.
Six days ago, Xie Kang went to Hongxiuzhao in the afternoon and stayed in Linglong's room.
Seven days ago, Xie Kang went to the Flower Shadow Pavilion in the afternoon and stayed in the room of the young lady Ni Chang...
Eight days ago...
Nine days ago...
Dew Frost Maiden, Light Dust Maiden, Snow Reflection Maiden, Begonia Maiden, Autumn Water Maiden, Hibiscus Maiden, Mist and Cloud Maiden, Azure Phoenix Maiden...
Almost all the brothels in the capital, and the girls with even a little reputation among them...
Xie Kang has already visited them all.
Xie Kang was startled, and his voice trembled, "You, who are you?"
They meticulously monitored his itinerary for nearly half a month.
If he wanted to kill me, wouldn't it be as easy as turning his hand?
While Qin Qingyun was reporting Xie Kang's itinerary, Tian Xiang kept her head down.
But she was deeply moved...
Did she start keeping an eye on Xie Kang because she saw him harassing her?
And Sweetie actually guessed that he would do that.
Tian Tian said, "Now that Qin Qingyun knows, he will definitely keep an eye on Xie Kang."
Tian Xiang felt a sweet warmth in her heart...
"My name is Qin Qingyun, and I am a bodyguard of the Princess of Qingping County," Qin Qingyun replied calmly.
Upon hearing his identity, Xie Kang immediately pointed at him and said, "He is the bodyguard of the Princess of Qingping County. His testimony cannot be listened to."
Qin Qingyun sneered, "If you can't listen to my testimony, then surely you can believe the testimonies of all those brothels and all those girls?"
Xie Kang swallowed awkwardly. Yes, so many girls...
Because he never expected Tian Xiang to expose this, he never thought of bribing these people.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me!!" This is an admission of guilt.
"Your Majesty, I am guilty!!"
"Your Majesty, I fell in love with Princess Qingping at first sight, and in my foolishness, I made a presumptuous move towards her..."
Tian Tian looked over coldly, "So abrupt?!"
"Slandering an innocent woman! General Xie is trying to cover it up with 'abruptness'?!"
Xie Kang ignored her and kept apologizing to Ling Jun, saying, "I am guilty, please forgive me, Your Majesty."
"General Xie was wrong, but he has already admitted his guilt. What more does Princess Fufeng want?"
"Does this mean we should kill General Xie?"
"General Xie is a general of our Daqi, and he has made so many contributions."
"correct."
Tian Tian couldn't bear to listen to what the people were saying.
She suddenly stood up and turned around to look precisely at one person in the crowd.
She walked straight over and pulled the man out.
The man didn't react in time and followed Tian Tian out.
"Just because Xie Kang rendered meritorious service to Daqi, does that give him the right to slander my eldest sister like this?"
"Since you are so forgiving of him, why don't you marry your daughter to him as his second wife?"
This person is around forty years old, which is the age when his children should be getting married.
He was stunned when he heard Tian Tian's words.
He really does have a daughter.
To become a second wife for someone like Xie Kang?
"No, no."
Tian Tian snorted coldly and shook him off.
Looking at the others, he said, "Speaking of his contributions to Daqi, I don't deny that Xie Kang did indeed make contributions on the Western Frontier battlefield."
"But at that time the emperor had already rewarded him for his merits! He promoted him to a higher official rank and bestowed upon him gold and silver."
"As the General of Daqi, having received the Emperor's great favor, I should set an example even more!"
Ling Jun stood up. "General Xie has done a great service to Daqi, but Princess Fufeng has also done a great service to Daqi."
"Princess Fufeng was tending rice seedlings in the imperial fields, worrying about the livelihood of the people, while General Xie was outside the palace slandering Princess Qingping."
"This is certainly not the behavior of a gentleman."
"Moreover, General Xie is not currently unemployed in the capital, but is on duty at the Military Command."
"Every afternoon he neglects his duties, lingering in brothels!!"
Xie Kang shuddered!
Defaming a woman's innocence is a serious crime, but compared to dereliction of duty, it may be punished more leniently.
"How dare I entrust the vital western border to such a person?!" Ling Jun said sternly.
Xie Kang felt a chill in his heart. He wanted to return to the Western Frontier because the new general the Emperor had sent was doing a better job than him.
He was afraid that if he didn't go back soon, his position would really be taken by someone else.
Of course, there was another reason why he set his sights on Tian Xiang.
He hoped that the Emperor would give him a promotion in rank, out of consideration for his future daughter-in-law, Princess Fufeng.
Unexpectedly, this backfired!
"Your Majesty! I know my crime! I know my crime!" Xie Kang kowtowed repeatedly.
"The way to govern a country is to have clear rewards and punishments, so as to uphold discipline and maintain order." Ling Jun glanced at him. "General Xie Kang, a man of great virtue, should have been dutiful and loyal to the emperor and the country. However, he defiled a woman's purity, his character is despicable, he neglected his duties, and he corrupted military discipline. He has failed my high expectations. I will remember his past merits..."
"By special order, Xie Kang is hereby removed from his post as General of Might and War, demoted to a commoner, and never to be employed again!"
"I hope that all the generals in the court will take this as a warning and not fail my high expectations."
Xie Kang was stunned. "Your Majesty..."
Ling Jun turned his face away...
The reason Xie Kang was detained in the capital was because he had done some things in the western border that displeased the army.
Two or three years later, after the new general sent to the western border completely replaced him, Ling Jun prepared to deal with him.
Unexpectedly, just as Fufeng was about to become the Crown Princess, he set his sights on Tian Xiang.
Isn't this... disregarding the royal family?
Ling Jun looked at Tian Xiang, "Qingping, I am very pleased that you dared to stand up and defend your innocence."
"I hope that all women in the world, when faced with injustice and slander, will stand up like you!!"
Tian Xiang bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for restoring Qingping's innocence."
Ling Jun looked at the person Tian Tian had pulled out, "Since you are so protective of Xie Kang, then I will... decree that you be Xie Kang's slave for life, never to rise again."
The man immediately prostrated himself on the ground, crying, "Your Majesty..."
"Your Majesty, I am..."
"They are servants from the Prince An's residence."
The common people: "..."
Ling Jun snorted coldly, "Prince An has failed to properly manage his servants. He is hereby confined to Prince An's residence. Without my permission, he is not allowed to leave."
A leader among the common people said, "Your Majesty, Lady Qi and Princess An have jointly opened the Xingyun Gambling House, causing chaos in the capital and harming innocent people. We beg Your Majesty to shut down the Xingyun Gambling House."
The people joined in the chant, "Shut down Xingyun Casino!"
"Shut down Xingyun Casino!!"
Ling Jun flicked his sleeve and declared, "Issue my decree: seal off Xingyun Gambling House and surrender all gambling funds!!"
"Long live the Emperor!!"
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!!"