Chapter 133 Nanny Xu Imprisoned, Ji Qingqing Enraged

“It was *I* who jumped into the water to save the Third Prince, *I* who lost the pouch, and *I* who ended up with a chronic illness. And *you*—this wretch—stole my credit! What punishment do you deserve?!”

At these words, everyone froze in shock.

No one had anticipated yet another twist in this affair.

From Nanny Shen’s account, it was crystal clear: *she* had rescued the young Prince Ye, while Nanny Xu had usurped her merit.

Now, gazing upon Nanny Xu, they found her both cunning and repulsive.

The moment Nanny Xu saw Nanny Shen appear, she knew her fate was sealed.

Every excuse she’d clung to—especially the life-saving deed—had been utterly dismantled by Ji Yuntang.

That act of saving Luo Junhe had been her sole claim to status within Prince Ye’s manor for all these years.

Now that the truth had surfaced and her deception exposed, she truly had no defense left.

Seeing Nanny Xu turn ashen and slump in despair, Nanny Shen sneered and addressed Xu Muyan:

“Lord Xu, deceiving the imperial family, abusing the War Prince, and embezzling silver from the manor are grave offenses. Her Majesty the Empress expects you to handle this matter with strict impartiality.”

“She neither wishes to hear that Nanny Xu remains alive nor desires her death to be swift or painless. Prince Ye has suffered grievously at the hands of this treacherous servant—she must endure the same torment before she dies.”

Nanny Shen’s words sent icy dread coursing down Nanny Xu’s spine.

The Empress wanted her dead—but not easily.

If she entered the Grand Court of Revision prison, she would face unspeakable suffering.

Realizing this, Nanny Xu clenched her teeth and made her decision.

She surged to her feet—and lunged toward the nearest pillar, intending to dash her head against it.

Better to end her life swiftly than endure torture at the Grand Court’s hands.

Ji Yuntang had been observing everyone closely. The instant she saw Nanny Xu charge toward the pillar, she stepped forward and kicked her hard to the ground.

“Want to die? Did you ask *this* Princess for permission?”

With a flick of her wrist, she withdrew a black pill from her spatial storage and shoved it deep into Nanny Xu’s mouth.

It dissolved instantly. Instinctively, Nanny Xu knew it boded ill—she gagged violently, trying to vomit it up.

But after retching repeatedly, nothing emerged. She recalled she hadn’t eaten all day.

Glaring at Ji Yuntang with venomous eyes, she choked out, “W-what… did you give me?”

“The Softening Powder,” Ji Yuntang replied coldly. “Don’t bother. Once you’ve ingested my Softening Powder, even biting off your own tongue won’t let you die.”

Panic seized Nanny Xu. She scrambled to rise—but barely stood before collapsing again, limbs flailing helplessly.

Her entire body felt leaden, utterly devoid of strength.

Only then did she grasp the horrifying truth: Ji Yuntang truly intended for her to suffer a fate worse than death.

Xu Muyan snapped back to his senses, drenched in cold sweat. Bowing deeply to Ji Yuntang, he said, “Thank you, Princess Ye, for your timely intervention—I am profoundly grateful.”

Since the Empress had ordered Nanny Xu punished severely—and explicitly denied her an easy death—if she’d actually dashed her head against the pillar and died within the Grand Court’s prison, it would constitute Xu Muyan’s gross negligence, possibly inviting imperial censure.

Fortunately, Ji Yuntang had acted swiftly, averting disaster.

Ji Yuntang smiled faintly. “It was nothing. This Princess merely sought justice for my husband.”

“Nanny Xu has taken my Softening Powder—she’ll lack the strength to attempt suicide for three days. Lord Xu, please ensure she receives appropriate care.”

Xu Muyan nodded solemnly. “Rest assured, Princess Ye—this official will handle the case with absolute fairness and will not allow our nation’s hero to be disheartened.”

Besides, he too longed for justice—for the idol he held dear in his heart.

Luo Junhe should never have endured such treatment.

As Nanny Xu was led away to prison under Bi Chi’s escort, Ji Huaiche’s face had long since darkened to the shade of a charred pot bottom.

How had things come to this?

Not only had Nanny Xu falsely claimed credit for saving Prince Ye—but even the Empress’s own personal nanny had left the palace to testify *in her favor*?

With such backing, overturning the verdict was impossible.

Ji Huaiche felt a sliver of relief that he’d delegated the case to Xu Muyan instead of presiding himself.

Had *he* been the judge, it would have been *his* face publicly slapped.

At Yongning Marquis Mansion…

When Ji Qingqing heard the news, she nearly exploded with fury.

She’d waited and waited—only to be met with this maddening outcome.

She’d meticulously plotted, spreading rumors to tarnish Ji Yuntang’s reputation.

Yet not only had Ji Yuntang’s standing remained unscathed—the common people were actually *praising* her.

They lauded Ji Yuntang as loyal and righteous, wise enough to discern the greater good, deeply devoted to Prince Ye, and courageous enough to fight for her husband—exposing the manor’s corruption and setting a shining example for all women of the Dongchen Kingdom.

Furious beyond measure, Ji Qingqing snatched up a porcelain vase and hurled it to the floor, shattering it.

“Bah! A role model for capital ladies? *She’s* worthy of that?”

Dissatisfied with destroying just one, she smashed every piece of porcelain in the room.

Just then, a maid announced, “Second Miss, Miss Qiu has arrived—and requests a private audience with you.”

The “Miss Qiu” the maid referred to was Ji Qingqing’s closest friend, Qiu Min.

Hearing this, Ji Qingqing forced herself to compose her features, suppressing her rage. “Ask her to wait in the guest chamber—I’ll join her shortly.”

Qiu Min wore a pink brocade dress embroidered with fluttering butterflies—and reeked heavily of perfume.

The moment she entered, she warmly clasped Ji Qingqing’s hand.

“Qing Qing, last time you promised that if I stood up for you at the palace banquet and opposed Ji Yuntang, you’d arrange a private meeting between me and Heir Ji. Is that offer still valid?”

Ji Qingqing’s expression flickered—barely perceptibly. *She actually had the nerve to bring that up?!*

At the palace banquet, she had her cause trouble for Ji Yuntang and stir up dissatisfaction among the other women.

Unexpectedly, this Qiu Min was a total waste.

Not only did she fail to cause trouble, but she was also scolded by Luo Qingge so badly that she didn't dare to even squeak, and even publicly bowed and apologized to Ji Yuntang.

A waste like this dares to set her sights on her elder brother? To become her sister-in-law?

Who does she think she is?

Although she thought this in her heart, Ji Qingqing's face showed a gentle and demure look.

"We've been like sisters all this time; what I said naturally still stands, it's just that..."

A hint of difficulty appeared on her delicate face. "You know, my elder brother works at the Dali Temple (the imperial court of justice). He's busy until very late every day, and sometimes he's on duty and stays at the government office."

"Even I haven't seen my elder brother for five or six days."

As she said this, she took Qiu Min's hand. "Sister Qiu Min, it's not that I don't want to help you, but my elder brother probably has no time today. How about I set up a meeting for you another day?"

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