“Tong’er, we grew up together. Lord Xiang was such an upright person, yet he was harmed by a muddle-headed emperor on trumped-up charges. Wait and see, that old emperor will surely be punished by heaven and avenge you.”
Gu Qingtong saw her eyes filled with tearful light, her beautiful face almost distorted with indignation. “Orange, your father didn’t mean to; my father just lived in unfortunate times.”
“He was nothing but a muddle-headed and tyrannical emperor. My father was framed and didn’t realize it in time. If he were a wise ruler, a simple investigation would have shown that the deer herd in the hunting ground was not released by my father.” Ji Chen paused, caressing her face. “But perhaps that dog emperor had already planned everything. See how precisely he timed it: Lord Xiang was imprisoned, his wife was taken to the palace that same night, and the next day they said Lord Xiang had committed suicide out of guilt.”
Gu Qingtong had already guessed that Consort Xin was probably forcibly taken to the palace by the emperor, but hearing it from Ji Chen made her tremble with anger.
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“We would have been implicated too, if not for Consort Xin enduring humiliation to protect us. But your brother was tragically killed, and my unborn brother never got the chance to see the world.” Ji Chen began to wail.
It was then that Gu Qingtong realized Ji Chen was a girl who had suffered similar circumstances. The beautiful Consort Xin was indeed her mother, who had endured humiliation to protect two young girls. Now, Gu Qingtong understood her background, but one thing still puzzled her. After comforting Ji Chen for a while, she slowly said, “The Young Master of Yu Qing redeemed my mother’s hairpin for me, and my adoptive father gave me my mother’s most beloved jade bracelet. But the Rui Prince forcibly took my hairpin and jade bracelet. I wonder if he wants to use them to threaten my mother.”
“The Rui Prince took your hairpin and jade bracelet?” Ji Chen was shocked.
“Yes.”
“Have you told Ruan Niang about this?”
“No.”
“I’ll go tell Ruan Niang.” Ji Chen said this and ran away in a panic.
