Chapter 260 - Chapter 260: Xue Ru Miscarriage
Chapter 260: Xue Ru Miscarriage
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Afterward, the sound of a board striking flesh echoed into everyone’s ears.
“My great general, do you agree with my decision this way?”
Only after Xiao Junhao was taken away did Emperor Qi Ming turn to speak to Jiang Hong.
Hearing Emperor Qi Ming’s words, Jiang Hong lowered his head and whispered, “Your Majesty is wise.”
In a place unseen by others, disappointment and a hint of mockery flashed in Jiang Hong’s eyes.
The thirty boards were quickly done. When Xiao Junhao was brought back in, his back was covered in blood. Seeing this scene, surprise showed in Jiang Peihuan’s eyes.
However, when she looked up, she caught Xiao Nanye winking at her.
Although Xiao Junhao was bloody all over, Jiang Peihuan didn’t think it was fair. If the letter had been found in Jiang Hong’s study today, it wouldn’t have been a mere thirty boards.
With that thought, Jiang Peihuan’s gaze on Xue Ru became even colder.
At this moment, seeing the blood-covered Xiao Junhao, Xue Ru was completely bewildered.
She didn’t understand why Emperor Qi Ming, knowing Xiao Junhao is a prince, would beat his own son so brutally for an outsider. She turned to Emperor Qi Ming and said, “Your Majesty, the prince is your own son. How could you beat him like this?”
“Do you have any objection to my decision?”
Hearing Xue Ru’s words, coldness filled Emperor Qi Ming’s eyes.
Before Xue Ru could respond, Emperor Qi Ming continued, “Since you’ve already been expelled from the Xue family, you’re no longer a noble lady. Considering the child in your womb, you will serve in the Qing Mansion as a concubine.”
“Concubine?”
Hearing Qi Ming Emperor’s words, Xue Ru’s face turned pale instantly.
She looked incredulously at Emperor Qi Ming, but Wang Kun beside him already looked at her coldly and said, “You should be thanking His Majesty for his grace.”
Unable to hold back, Xue Ru turned to Xue Yan, “Aunt?”
But Xue Yan turned her head away. The entire Jiang family looked at Xue Ru with contempt.
After all, they had seen Xue Ru’s attitude just now.
“Let’s return to the palace.”
“Farewell, Your Majesty.”
Watching Emperor Qi Ming turn around, everyone bowed in respect.
Xiao Junhao was also taken away by the people from Qing Mansion as Emperor Qi Ming had decreed his house arrest.
But Xue Ru was left behind.
After everyone else had left, Jiang Peihuan turned to Xue Ru, “Cousin Ru, why did you harm our Jiang family?”
Jiang Peihuan couldn’t understand why Xue Ru would do such a thing. So after Emperor Qi Ming and Xiao Junhao left, she directly confronted Xue Ru.
But when Xue Ru heard Jiang Peihuan’s words, she feigned ignorance, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“My maid saw you put that letter in my father’s study. Don’t pretend you don’t know.”
As Jiang Peihuan spoke, the whole Jiang family turned their eyes to Xue Ru, filled with anger.
Only Xue Yan had a mix of anger and confusion in her eyes. She asked Jiang Peihuan softly, “Huan Er, what do you mean when you say Ru Er put the letter in your father’s study?”
“Ever since Cousin Ru came to our mansion, I felt something was off. So, I had Ye Xiao keep an eye on her. That letter was originally placed in my father’s study by her.”
Hearing this, Xue Yan’s face turned pale.
“Mother?”
Seeing Xue Yan sway, Jiang Peihuan rushed to support her.
Seeing the worried look in Jiang Peihuan’s eyes, Xue Yan smiled faintly, “I’m fine.”
Then, Xue Yan gently patted Jiang Peihuan’s hand, and after letting go, she turned to Xue Ru, “Why did you do this?”
“Why did I do this? You should ask her!”
After hearing what Xue Yan said, Xue Ru pointed straight at Jiang Peihuan.
At this moment, Xue Ru’s eyes no longer contained any warmth; all that remained was jealousy and malevolence.
Pointing at Jiang Peihuan, Xue Ru, with eyes filled with rage, exclaimed, “Where am I lacking compared to her? Why does she always get the best of everything? I refuse to watch her prosper.”
“Is this the reason you intended to destroy my family?”
Upon hearing Xue Ru’s words, disbelief and astonishment filled Xue Yan’s eyes. She couldn’t fathom how, for such a reason, Xue Ru could take such drastic actions.
But Xue Yan’s response seemed to trigger something in Xue Ru.
Turning her gaze towards Xue Yan, Xue Ru said mockingly, “If not for the Xue family, how could you marry into the Jiang family? You never thought of supporting your maternal family, only taking care of your own daughter.”
“You…”
Xue Yan was so furious she was at a loss for words.
Standing by, Jiang Peihuan stepped forward, giving Xue Ru a cold glance, and then turned to Xue Yan, saying, “Mother, why waste words on her? Since the emperor has decreed her to serve in the Qing Mansion as a concubine, she belongs to them now. There’s no need to notify grandmother; just send her straight to the Qing Mansion”
“Jiang Peihuan, it’s not your place to… Ah…”
Hearing Jiang Peihuan, Xue Ru was enraged. However, before she could finish, she felt a sudden, intense pain in her abdomen, followed by a warm sensation spreading.
“All…”
Holding her stomach, Xue Ru fell to the ground, her eyes filled with pain.
The Jiang family members present were all in shock.
Yet, no one stepped forward.
Seeing the blood soaking Xue Ru’s dress, Jiang Peihuan knew that the child was lost.
“Madam, the doctor is here.”
Despite the resentment, Xue Yan still had someone fetch a doctor for Xue Ru.
After examining Xue Ru, the doctor shook his head, saying, “Madam Jiang, this lady’s child can’t be saved.”
Upon hearing this, Xue Ru fainted.
After Deputy General Liu sent the doctor away, Jiang Peihuan turned to Xue Yan, asking, “Mother, should we inform grandmother?”
“I’ll handle it.”
“Take His Highness to your courtyard. You should stay out of this matter.”
Seeing Xiao Nanye, who was standing quietly next to Jiang Peihuan, Xue Yan’s expression softened a bit. Patting Jiang Peihuan’s hand, Xue Yan gently spoke.
After that, Jiang Peihuan led Xiao Nanye to the Plum Garden.
The two didn’t go inside but sat in the pavilion.
Soon, Yue Er brought over tea and pastries.
As Jiang Peihuan reached out, Xiao Nanye, sitting opposite her, had already picked up the teapot, handing her a cup, gently saying, “Have some tea first.”
After she took it, he poured himself a cup as well.
The pavilion had charcoal burning, and after drinking the warm tea, they felt a bit warmer.
Looking at the man opposite her, Jiang Peihuan softly said, “Thank you for today..”