Chapter 327: Come Clean (3)
That day, she rushed back to the Marquis Champion’s estate from the palace, only to find the entire rear courtyard in ruins, unable to locate her family’s corpses. Today, she vows not to rest until the murderer is caught.
The official from the Ministry of Justice lightly coughed, and his steady voice resonated throughout the hall.
“On the 25th of last month, at the birthday banquet of Princess Changle, a plump member of the Wei Family attended the banquet with the Wei Family’s Jade Pendant. This person not only participated in the poetry contest but also gained the favor of the Commandery Princess.”
Princess Changle closed her eyes briefly. In retrospect, her mother had indeed favored the corpulent young man during the poetry contest and had vigorously persuaded her.
Never imagined, it became a calamity by bringing a wolf into the house.
The official from the Ministry of Justice continued: “Afterward, the Marquis Champion’s estate agreed to the marriage and sent a person to the Prime Minister’s residence, asking Mr. Wei to find a matchmaker for a formal proposal.”
He turned to Mr. Wei, who was kneeling beside him, “Prime Minister, is this true?”
Mr. Wei respectfully saluted, the fine rustle of his embroidered robe audible: “Sir, it is true. It was the steward from the Marquis’s estate who came.”
“However…”
The official from the Ministry of Justice’s tone abruptly changed, becoming cold.
“While everyone at the Marquis Champion’s estate was gathered to discuss the marriage, the entire family was murdered. According to the testimony of the gate guards, that evening a plump member of the Wei Family fled frantically from the south gate, directed towards Liangzhou, escorted by Protectors from the Prime Minister’s residence.”
Inside and outside the hall erupted into commotion.
Princess Changle suddenly stood up, slowly walking towards the group of corpulent youths kneeling in the front row, the rustle of her skirt trailing along the ground particularly clear in the silence of the hall.
“Raise your head.” Her voice was soft yet icy.
The first corpulent youth timidly raised his face, beads of sweat already forming on his forehead. Princess Changle scrutinized him for a moment, then suddenly reached out: “Where is your Jade Pendant?”
“H-here.” The corpulent youth hastily untied a piece of smooth white jade from his waist, clearly engraved with the specific pattern of the Wei Family.
The Commandery Princess took the Jade Pendant, her fingertips brushing over the pattern, examining it under the candlelight, ultimately shaking her head: “This is not it.”
She tossed the Jade Pendant back, turning to the second person. Repeatedly, she dismissed five individuals.
The atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly tense, as if an invisible net was tightening.
When the Commandery Princess reached Wei Dabao, she suddenly stopped.
“You,” she bent down slightly, “what’s your name?”
Wei Dabao’s corpulent body visibly trembled, his forehead bowing heavily to the ground: “R-response to the Commandery Princess, I am Wei Dabao, a sub-branch of the Wei Family…”
“Raise your head.” The Commandery Princess commanded.
Wei Dabao slowly raised his head, seeing each clan member take out their Jade Pendants. His round, fat face was already covered in sweat.
The Commandery Princess closely inspected his face, suddenly letting out a cold laugh: “Although you resemble his physique, his features are more refined.”
Wei Dabao breathed a sigh of relief, but Princess Changle’s tone suddenly changed, “However… where is your Jade Pendant?”
This question struck like a bolt from the blue, causing Wei Dabao to quiver, his complexion instantly turning pale. He instinctively covered his waist where the Jade Pendant should have been hanging, his lips trembling yet unable to speak.
“The Commandery Princess is asking…”
Seeing his change in expression, Princess Changle raised her voice abruptly, as sharp as a sword unsheathed in the silent hall, “Where is your Jade Pendant?!”
All eyes in the hall fixed on Wei Dabao. The official from the Ministry of Justice squinted, while Mr. Wei furrowed his brow.
The Wei Family descendants kneeling beside unconsciously shifted away, distancing themselves from him in this life-threatening moment.
“I… I…” Wei Dabao’s forehead pressed against the ground, his voice as light as a mosquito, “my Jade Pendant… lost… lost…”
“Lost?” Princess Changle sneered, “The Commandery Princess remembers your Wei Family’s ancestral teaching: When the Jade Pendant is present, the person survives; when the Jade Pendant is lost, the person perishes. How dare you claim it’s lost?”
Mr. Wei suddenly stepped forth: “Commandery Princess, be discerning, there might be hidden circumstances…”
“Prime Minister!” The official from the Ministry of Justice interrupted sternly, “In the public court, please speak cautiously!”
Yet Princess Changle ignored them, seizing Wei Dabao by the collar: “When did you lose it? Where did you lose it? Did you report to the elders of the clan?”
“Um… lost…” Wei Dabao stammered, cold sweat streaming from his forehead.
Princess Changle pressed relentlessly: “Speak! Where did you lose it?”
Wei Dabao’s abnormal demeanor also attracted the attention of everyone in the hall.
The official from the Ministry of Justice glanced at Emperor Jing, noticing his somber expression, he hurriedly shouted angrily: “Speak quickly! Won’t you confess?”
Wei Dabao shivered all over, finally revealing the truth.
“I-it’s… yes. My Jade Pendant… I… lent it to the County Magistrate’s niece, Han… Han Lei.”