"Your Imperial Majesty, as I have been listening to this unfair case from the side, I couldn't help but to question some loopholes that I have identified. May I brazenly question Consort Lian?"

Eyeing this guest that has been intriguing him, he pause and thought that she might be the key to help Qi Yuan out of this mess. Giving a slight nod, Jae-in got her answer.

"Thank you your Imperial Majesty."

Jae-in turn to face the pitiful lady sitting on the floor with crocodile tears running down her face. Smiling internally, she knew what kind of game she is playing.

"Consort Lian, as a woman myself, I feel sorry for your encounter however, would like to ask you a few questions before we reach a conclusion."

"Huo Gu Niang, please ... ask." She said.

"Then, Consort Lian, may I ask where did you meet the fourth prince?"

"Xiang Hua Lou."

"Oh.. Xiang Hua Lou, if I am not wrong, isn't this the place where most men will visit and seldom there will be ladies entering as a guest?"

"Ah, I went there as I had schedule a meeting with one of my good friend for dinner."

"I see .. A dinner with an old acquaintance. Alone?"

"Yes, afterall I would like some privacy with my friend."

"Then ... Consort Lian how did you make friend with the ladies there, with such high status that you possessed?"

Consort Lian look up towards this unknown lady with a gleam of anger but suppress it within her.

"Yes, I admit that I am not worthy for the title of a prince consort as I was once a performer in Xiang Hua Lou, however I never betrayed my body and soul, I reserved my purity of his Highness and his Highness can prove my innocence."

Jae-in just smile and release a short giggle as though the antics that Consort Lian used is too low-level for her standard.

"So, you appear at your old workplace, with the intention to meet your friend for a dinner, coincidentally, you bump into the fourth prince who appeared drunk, and raped you?"

"I was in the room with my friend for dinner, suddenly the doors opened and his highness appeared, he reeked of alcohol and seems to be in an intoxicated state. He even grabbed my friend and push her out of the room, trapping me alone with him inside."

As she reveal the details of her encounter, many have already come to conclusion that she is the victim. But, Jae-in is not flustered.

"Then, is there any eye witnesses to prove your words?"

"The mama-san who works at Xiang Hua Luo can prove it."

"Then, how did you head back home?"

"At that time, I was too shock to react and I couldn't remember exact how I went home but I think it was mama-san who sent me home."

"Hmm ... Seems like everything is well-planned, with right excuses, with supported evidence and eye-witnesses, plus the status that you possess definitely prove your words. However, still the same question, did anyone see that you have been raped by his fourth prince?"

"What?!"

Jae-in slowly walk away from her, circling around the 3 main leads of this case.

"First, a consort of his crown prince, casually enters Xiang Hua Lou, a place that does not suit her status to have a dinner with an old friend, not mentioning that she did not take into account how bad her image will be if others were to be aware of this meeting.

Secondly, not bringing a knight beside her for this visit. Travelling out of the crown prince manor, heading to the street at night, entering such a place knowing her status, yet not having someone skilful beside her to protect her safety.

Thirdly, just by using a fan that has his fourth prince's handwriting on it as the evidence to show his presence, isn't this too hasty?"

"I .. Because .." Consort Lian attempt to speak for herself.

"Having the fan of his fourth prince, to me, I do not see it as a strong evidence. It can be an implanted evidence as someone can steal this fan, purposely using the name of his fourth prince or even disguised as him to carry out such act towards you."

"Also, how did you find this fan?"

"I was ..."

"How can you still have the conscious mind to pay attention to such little details of a fan after going through a torturous and traumatic experience? Shouldn't you be in a state of shock, or in a trance like how you explain earlier on?

How are you able to think and observe your surroundings when you are caught off guard and being raped without permission? Why are you are able to identify that this fan belongs to his fourth prince with just one look at his handwriting?

Does that mean you have seen his handwriting before? And one important thing, how did you leave the Xiang Hua Lou without causing any rumors or gossips among the commoners?

How is this hidden so well without anyone knowing until today? Given the high status of yours and how fast words travel among commoners if they were to witness such a tragedy happening?"

Jae-in stop right in front of her, using her hand to hold up her chin.

"Now, Consort Lian please answer my questions."

With all the clear points of questions and doubts raised by Jae-in, all the officials, nobles and ladies begin to think towards that direction that they are unaware of. Slowly, one by one, they recognize the loophole of this case.

"I ... I ... "

Unable to answer all the questions thrown to her, Consort Lian slowly break out from the acting that she prepared and look towards Qi Zheng for help.

This unconscious action brings more doubt towards the credibility of her words.

It is known that the relationship between the crown prince and the fourth prince is bad, it is also not impossible that the crown prince is trying to pull him down by destroying his reputation in front of all the important officials and taint his image among the nobles.

Knowing that all eyes is on him, Qi Zheng quickly clarified himself to avoid suspicion.

"Your Imperial Father, Consort Lian is still in the state of shock and with continuous questioning from Huo Gu Niang, it will be hard for her to answer them."

"Qi Zheng Crown Prince, I know it is not my place to say anything but, don't you think this unfair case has so many loopholes to consider? And why aren't these loopholes being considered and carefully investigated before you bring them up to this banquet?

Hai ... If I am not one who is sure of Crown Prince's reputation of being a fair justice believer, others might question you for the low ability of investigation skill, may even think that this is something pre-planned to frame fourth prince."

Jae-in casually say this bold statement that questioned Qi Zheng's credibility and stir doubts towards him.

"You! How dare you say such untruthful statement in front of everyone and who are you? Just a mere traveller and dare to question me, the crown prince?!"

Qi Zheng's anger rise which blinded his mind and become impatient as the plans that he want to execute is ruin by this unknown lady, a visitor.

"Your Imperial Majesty, I have finish my questions. Hopefully, this can help to assist in investigating this matter in detail."

Qi Zheng, initially wanted Emperor Kai to make his verdict here once and for all at the banquet, thinking that the evidence that he have is good enough to cover up all the tracks. The fan that Consort Lian got is a good evidence to show Qi Yuan's presence.

The pill from Lord of Thousand Death, there is no way anyone can track them because, the whereabouts of Lord of Thousand Death is hardly available. The people in Xiang Hua Lou has been bride with money, as long as they hold onto the statement as eye witness, no one can crack this case.

As this is a sensitive case, he is sure the Emperor Kai will not disregard the face value of a royalty and order a body check on his own consort, therefore unable to discover the truth.

However, if Emperor Kai insist to do a detail investigation, the chances of these people that he bribe will reveal the truth due to torturing methods of confession. The investigation team will do a trail on Consort Lian and even get the mo-mo to check if she is really raped by someone.

Biting on his lips to hold that madness going on inside him, he turn and look at Consort Lian as a sign of her to do something.

Both of them had that short eye-contact, and Consort Lian's heart went cold instantly.

The two naked bodies inter-twinge close together, resting her head onto his chest, as he played with her smooth hair. Snuggling into his neck, leaving a kiss mark to show her love towards this man.

"Husband, I love you so much."

"Baobei, tell me how much do you love me?"

"Husband, I love you so much that I am willing to give up my life for you."

It is a common love language that is often whispered into the ears of couples during their lovey-dovey moments. Many a times, such things being promised are all momentarily and mainly influenced by the mood or the rush of emotions.

"I don't need you to die for me but ... I just need you to sacrifice a part of yourself."

Unsure of what he is trying to say, she slowly sit up to have a clear look of his face.

"I want you to bed with another man."

Instantly, her body went stiff as if the heated passionate love-making that they did was just a memory to be kept and now she is thrown back to reality.

"What?"

"Hm? You don't want? If so, then I do not see a reason for having you here."

With that, he pushed her away and gather his clothes to wear them, putting on his shoes and walk towards the door. Still in her night wear, she fumbled with fear as she does not want her love to leave her like this.

"No No no! I will do whatever you want! I will bed with him. I promise!" She grabbed onto his leg like a dog, not wanting her master to abandon her, with tears flowing.

Stopping his movement, he slowly bend down to reach out to her chin to pull her crying face upwards.

"That's my girl, but if you can't complete this ... Just remember death is the ending,okay?"

"Your consort is aware...."

Lowering her head as she knows what Qi Zheng wants, she shake her head as a form of pity towards herself.

That's right, she loved the wrong man and now she has to live to her choice. With no hesitation, she pull out the hidden dagger under her sleeve and slit her throat.

As no one expected such actions from Consort Lian, all the officials and noble ladies screamed in horror, even Jae-in remain stunned by this unexpected advancement.

Not wasting a single moment, Qi Zheng ran towards Consort Lian to hug her bloody body while acting as a loving husband.

"No no no ... Lian'er ... why are you so silly? Why are you committing suicide because you are unable to defend yourself! Why?! You should not kill yourself just because of shame! You got me behind you isn't that right!? How can you just leave me behind!!!"

Holding onto her last breath, Consort Lian look at the man who is hugging her tightly to his chest, watch the fake tears spilling out from his eyes and untrue words being said to continue his plan.

Losing the strength to keep her eyes open, she close them and soon falling into a deep sleep.

"NOOOOO .... LIAN'ER!"

____________________________________

【Just to clarify the Consort Lian is not in the position of a crown prince consort. She is like a Qie (妾), one who can be known as a mistress but with given title of being a woman of the crown prince. So, that's why her lowly birth of being a performer at the Xiang Hua Lou is acceptable. Just in case anyone question on this matter. 】

And wow, I finally understand the reasons why some author couldn't update the story according to the promised schedule. , I am no professional writer and simply writing this story based on my own assumption of how I wanted the story to continue on.

As mentioned in one of the comment, this story is hugely inspired by this famous manhua name: 重生之慕甄. Truthfully, I am going through a tough challenge to make sure that the story plot make sense, yet at the same time making sure that it is entertaining enough to continue reading them.

Anyways, these are the 3 main couples for this story, who do you think will have a good ending?

Jae-in ♥ Xuan Di

Ai Le ♥ Qi Yuan

Yu-ji ♥ Qing Feng

You can leave comments below and I shall read them!

(I do read all comments hahahahahha)