Luo Shiyun could not bear it any longer. She cried as she recounted the matter again. Finally, she said with certainty in an extremely aggrieved way, “This is Shen Yunya’s doing. She drugged you and yet she pretended to be innocent until now.”
“No, Big Brother Jin. I didn’t, I… sob, sob…” Before she could finish her words, Shen Yunya sobbed in an aggrieved manner, hoping to make Xi Jin stand on her side.
Yuan Fangfei held Shen Yunya and also said, crying, “Crown Prince, you must stand up in fairness for Ya’er. Ya’er has lost her virginity and now she had to face these things. How is she going to live? Dai’er was the most worried about Ya’er while she was still alive. If she is like this, how is she going to face Dai’er?”
Hearing Dai’er’s name, Xi Jin’s breath caught. He raised his eyes to look straight at the two of them. Both his hands tightly gripped the brocade quilt as he gritted his teeth to swallow all his suffering. He tamped down that surge of hatred and choked back the voice wanting to question them.
“I don’t remember anything. I only recalled what I already said.” Xi Jin’s gentle voice was full of fatigue. He gently gazed at Shen Yunya, and then pleaded, “Mother, I’m to blame in this matter. I only did such a thing to Ya’er because I was drunk. Don’t make things difficult for Ya’er.”
“Jin’er, you don’t always have to sacrifice yourself because of the dead Shen Qingdai. As your mother, I don’t ask for anything except for you to be happy. Don’t trap yourself in the past. There are so many women in the world. Why does it have to be her?” The Empress broke down in tears.
As long as Shen Yunya mentioned Dai’er, Jin’er would agree no matter what the request was, even if it meant sacrificing himself.
He had previously insisted on marrying Shen Yunya solely because she had Shen Qingdai’s will in her hands.
“Big Brother Jin, I did nothing. I believe you will act responsibly for me. As for my elder sister, I’m sorry…” Shen Yunya sobbed in distress as if she were so sorry toward Shen Qingdai.
“Dai’er, I’m sorry. Your auntie is the one who didn’t protect Ya’er, causing her to lose her will to live…”
Listening to them bringing up Dai’er repeatedly, Xi Jin’s head became even more painful. He barely concealed his impatience as he said, “Very well. Mother, please do not pursue this matter any further. It’s my fault. And I did not do this for Dai’er’s sake. I realized that I like Ya’er, so I want to marry her as a consort. Since what’s done is done, she will be conferred as the Crown Princess Consort just as she would have been a month ago.”
Dai’er! Dai’er! Dai’er!
She killed Dai’er so cruelly. How could she have the gall to utter Dai’er’s name repeatedly?!
If he had not wanted to avenge Dai’er, if he was not waiting for Dai’er to come back, why should he take such great pains to plan this? Why should he have to sully himself like this?!
“Jin’er…”
Xi Jin looked up. Red veins were still visible in his eyes. Full of exhaustion, he somewhat pleaded, “Mother, this matter really has nothing to do with Ya’er. It is my fault, so stop pursuing the matter and directly confer her as the Crown Princess Consort. I really like her.”
“Big Brother Jin.” Shen Yunya was moved to tears when she heard his words. He really liked her. He still wanted her to be his Crown Princess Consort at this time.
She certainly loved Big Brother Jin for a reason!
The Empress Dowager looked at Xi Jin in this way and her heart finally softened. She looked up at the Empress and Emperor without speaking. She was waiting for them to open their mouths and decide.
The Empress also felt that it was not good to pursue the matter. She sighed and said, “Since Jin’er has asked, in that case…”
Shen Yunya felt relieved. Her teary eyes were full of anticipation.
A guard came in and reported, “Empress Dowager, I have found a palace maid. The other palace maid, who led the way, had thrown herself into the well.”