Chapter 159 - Guilty Verdict (2/2)
Despite her thoughts, Lei Xing maintained her silence. She did not even bother to try to explain the situation. It was clear the Empress dowager, with Chen You's assistance had already proclaimed her guilty. Anything she said right now would just be an admittance of guilt to them and proof of her promiscuity.
More importantly, the Emperor seemed to have a plan and the bracelet already lectured her to try and trust him. And since she had no idea how to get out of this, she knew better than to jump the gun and condemn herself. So she quietly hung back, listened and let him handle his crazy mother...for now.
”Are those the maids?” The Emperor asked looking at Chun Hua and the other two maids, who were standing behind Chen You was seating.
”Yes, Your majesty.” Chen You responded.
”Come forward.” The Emperor ordered and the three of them nervously came forward with their heads bowed. ”Raise your heads.” The Emperor ordered and they shakily complied. The Emperor then scrutinized their faces for a bit, causing them to break out in cold sweat and their shaking seemed to intensify. He then narrowed his eyes at the most nervous one and pointed her out, ”Explain what you saw.”
The girl glanced at the Emperor and obediently complied, ”Yes, Your majesty. We-We went to the merchant festival...we were looking for Noble consort Lei...And th-then saw...” The girl paused and then glanced at Lei Xing's face and seeing her seemingly calm expression further unnerved the girl. She looked down, squeezed her eyes shut and then shakily blurted out, ”We-We saw Noble consort Lei and Prince Yi kissing.”
The Empress dowager sneered in satisfaction, while Chen You held back her smile, both prepared to watch the Emperor berate and maybe even kill Lei Xing. But contrary to what they and others in the room expected, the Emperor simply went, ”Hmm...” Then after a stretch silence asked, ”How close were you?”
The girl looked up, perplexed and then quickly glanced around, and pointed at the doors, ”W-we were down there...an-and they right about here.”
The Emperor measured the distance with his eyes and then offhandedly said, ”That's a pretty close distance...”
Lei Xing immediately turned to him and her lips twitched.
{...Hey! Are you trying to establish a case against or for me? Why are you saying that out loud?! -_-)...}
”Did you go to get a closer look?”
”No.”
”And you're certain it was the two of them you saw?” The Emperor asked.
”Y-yes...I believe so.” The maid shakily responded.
”In that case, you can't tell the difference between me and my brother.” The Emperor said with a frown and everyone was immediately taken aback and looked at him with surprise.
Lei Xing was momentarily surprised as well and then her eyes lit up and she felt the urge to laugh but restrained herself as she looked at the Emperor, somewhat amused.
{...So that's the plan...Denial...Oh, that's actually a good plan. It's not like they have a picture or anything...That's right, there's no physical evidence of it! Memories can be manipulated and people can be bought... I didn't do SHIT! That's right! So f**k you three, f**k that b**ch Chen You and f**k those two old crows up there! F**k You All! Hahaha...Ha...Ha... Yeah, there's nothing funny at all here. If this was in court, this would be perjury...which is a crime. I'm pretty sure it's still considered a crime here... Well then, good thing the law's on my side then - Shut Up! -_-)...}