Who is spreading rumors that my filial piety towards them has changed?

A clean reputation is extremely important for a woman living in the world.

The ministers then gathered around to confirm, but none of them could speak.

Not everyone can have a phoenix carriage; it cannot be counterfeited. The dress on it is Princess Jinyu's palace dress, so it cannot be faked either!

The Fifth Prince continued, "If you believe this evidence is fake, then just question this maid, kill her, and then search her soul. Everything will be clear!"

Eunuch Cheng Gao returned to his seat and reported to Empress Pei: "It is indeed Princess Jinyu. Her scent and... the odor of sexual intercourse can still be found in the phoenix carriage."

"Summon Jinyu to court," the Empress said displeasedly; she had no other choice.

Such matters are usually reported privately to the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs for handling. Since the Fifth Prince brought it up like this, even if Empress Pei wanted to help her daughter salvage some of her reputation, she was powerless to do so.

She couldn't pretend to be blind and cover it up in front of the court officials.

Before long, Princess Jinyu went to court, her beautiful eyes glaring angrily at the Fifth Prince.

When she woke up in the morning, she found that Yueqing was missing and Feng Nianche was also nowhere to be found, and she knew that something had happened.

I already learned about the Fifth Prince's lawsuit on my way here.

Jin Yu immediately untied Yue Qing and said coldly, "Fifth Prince, you attacked and kidnapped my people?!"

The Fifth Prince smiled in response to Jin Yu's questioning. He lifted the carriage curtain, gave the interior a once-over of its damp and messy state, and calmly said:

"No, I was only arresting witnesses and gathering physical evidence, all to uphold the dignity of the royal family. Princess Jinyu, you shouldn't be questioning me like this. How could you have been blinded by that scoundrel Chu Mingkong and even given yourself to him?"

"But it seems you were really into it, Imperial Sister Jinyu! You've made such a mess; it's quite alarming. You need to drink more water!"

Empress Pei sighed and asked, "Jinyu, tell the truth. Was it Chu Mingkong who forced you, or is there some other reason?"

Jin Yu suddenly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that she had been cursing last night, "Why can't I get rid of this virginity mark?" It was really funny.

"I haven't lost my virginity! My primordial yin is still intact!"

Not only the Fifth Prince, but even the Grand Eunuch who had been castrated long ago was stunned.

Princess, you're lying through your teeth! Don't you see how dangerous the water is in the Phoenix Chariot? And what is that "fallen blood" on your palace dress? Did Chu Mingkong bump into you and cause his internal injuries to flare up, making him cough up blood on it?

The Fifth Prince laughed loudly, knowing that Jin Yu had no other choice but to "act willfully" in an attempt to get by. But could I give her that chance?

It is said that the path to the throne is paved with bones and blood. I am sorry, my elder sister, I was unable to eliminate the crown prince with my own hands. I regret that you can only be my first stepping stone.

"It seems that Princess Jinyu thinks this phoenix carriage and this 'fallen blood' are not enough to prove anything? Very well, send someone down to kill this maid, and a soul search will reveal the truth! She stopped the phoenix carriage by the roadside and started having illicit relations with that mad dog Chu Mingkong. What a fine mood she's in!"

"Outrageous! How dare you kill my maidservant as you please?! I beg the Empress Dowager to send someone to examine my virginity and virginity." Jinyu protected Yueqing.

Seeing Jin Yu's confidence, the Fifth Prince became suspicious. Could something unexpected be about to happen?

Impossible! The virginity mark and virginity are extremely fragile. Even if a newborn virgin rooster were to touch them, the virginity would be lost. This is common sense!

Oh! Before she came here, she must have had someone copy her and draw a mark on her virginity.

My dear sister, aren't you being a bit too naive? How can you just forge a virginity mark with a few strokes?

Empress Pei's voice came from behind the curtain:

"Summon a few old nannies from the Imperial Clan Court to take Jinyu down to verify her virginity."

"No need!"

Jin Yu didn't want to be taken down to be tested for "perfect fit," because she really had been deflowered by Chu Mingkong.

She said, "Ministers, turn your backs. Mother, you can check my virginity mark."

Upon hearing this, regardless of the Empress's decision, the sensible ministers quickly turned their backs, and some even voluntarily withdrew from the court hall. Eunuch Cheng Gao hesitated for a moment between his duty and the princess's dignity, because he had never encountered such a situation in all these years.

Without much hesitation, he walked out of the main hall on his own.

Several old maids from the Imperial Clan Court arrived quickly. The Fifth Prince had arranged this in advance, as he did not want to delay for too long and had anticipated Jin Yu's plan to stall for time.

"Sister Jinyu, why struggle? Just admit your mistake honestly. That Chu Mingkong is truly despicable. He spread rumors to win your favor, sister. Alas!"

Empress Pei ignored the Fifth Prince's incessant chatter, raised her jade hand, and pointed at Jin Yu.

A pair of phoenix-patterned cinnabar marks, shining with golden light through the brocade palace skirt, are the best proof that she is still a virgin!

Several old women bowed their heads and said, "This is indeed the 'virginity mark' from the royal martial arts technique 'Phoenix Blood Scripture,' absolutely true."

Empress Pei was also puzzled. She thought that Jin Yu had been taken advantage of by that scoundrel Chu Mingkong. What was going on?

But she temporarily suppressed her doubts and asked the Fifth Prince:

"My son, is there anything else you would like to say?"

"Why is this happening?" The Fifth Prince stared at the "phoenix" in disbelief. "This is impossible! Why is the mark of virginity still there? What's going on with your phoenix carriage?!"

"Can't I masturbate?" Jin Yu's beautiful eyes widened. Being forced to have her virginity tested in the court was already a huge embarrassment. "Mother, my fifth brother framed me, making me look so pathetic in the court. He even knocked out my maid and stole my phoenix carriage. There was only a trace, but he deliberately fabricated such an exaggerated trace to frame me!"

The fifth prince's fingernails were almost digging into his flesh, but he quickly calmed down:

"Wait, this is my fault. I will accept the punishment myself. Chu Mingkong has committed two or three other crimes!"

------

P.S.: This chapter is a combination of two chapters to avoid affecting the reading experience. I will try to finish this part of the plot as quickly as possible.

(16/40)

Chapter 43 The Cui Family Changes Hands (Part 1)

Let's go back to last night.

Not everyone is like Chu Mingkong, who can play with Jin Yu, harass Miss Shangguan, and still sleep peacefully afterward.

Some people are so sad they can't sleep, like old ladies.

Some people are so excited they can't sleep, like Choi Yong.

The huge rock that had been pressing down on him finally disappeared!

After the officials from the yamen and the Nightblade Division came to investigate the scene, the Cui family continued to weep. Whether the weeping was genuine or not, everyone from top to bottom was crying earnestly.

The whole family was wailing.

The sudden departure of the clan chief.

We weep for the murderer's cruelty and ruthlessness.

The old lady cried the most miserably. Most people in the Cui family did not have a good impression of the clan leader, but he was the clan leader, and no one dared to show the slightest dissatisfaction on ordinary days.

The old lady automatically ignored the clan leader's shortcomings. She watched Cui Jiazhen grow up and only remembered his "lovable" qualities. All she could think about was how to outlive her son.

What a misfortune for the Cui family!

While crying, he urged the officials who had not yet left to make sure to arrest the murderer and bring him to justice.

Choi Yong was Choi Gap-jin's biological son. He didn't even handle his father's "corpse collection" and simply made a brief appearance before disappearing without a trace.

Because he went to his father's bedroom immediately, which was the largest and most luxurious room in the East Mansion.

In the past, the Eastern Prefecture was Cui Jiazhen's personal empire; he was the absolute emperor.

but now,

He, Choi Yong, ascended the throne!

It's his turn to be emperor!

Cui Rong kicked open his room door, opened the wardrobe, and found the clan chief's robe.

This is the clothing that the head of the Cui family must wear when performing clan sacrifices and worshipping ancestors, symbolizing the noble status of the clan head.

Holding his clothes, Cui Rong hurriedly took off his clothes and stood in front of the mirror.

Trembling hands gripped the exquisitely crafted robe tightly.

Cui Rong looked at himself in the mirror and slowly put on the "dragon robe." It seemed that nothing had changed, but something in his heart had changed.

A sound like something shattering seemed to echo in my mind—the fear I had of my father and the dread of the position of clan leader!

His blank expression was gradually replaced by a twisted, maniacal grin.

"...Clan Chief."

"I am... the clan leader!!"

"I am—the patriarch of the Cui family!!!"

Many images flashed through Cui Rong's mind—images he didn't want to face, yet which kept replaying in his life.

Outsiders only know how noble his status as the eldest son of the Cui family patriarch is, but they don't know how Cui Rong has managed to get by at home all these years!

When he was a child, his personal maid, who had been with him for a long time and was very close to him, was called away by his father, Choi Gap-jin, and was played with to death one year.

At the time, he had no concept of the male lead's affairs and didn't have many feelings. He just felt very regretful and sad. The maid who had been with him for so long must have made a mistake and angered his father, which was why she was crying so miserably in the room.

Throughout his childhood, Cui Rong's memories were filled with his father's insults and beatings, but he got used to it because he saw Cui Lian being beaten by the master of the West Mansion, his father, from time to time.

Marriage and the wedding night were described by writers as the most beautiful things in a man's life, and the first marriage was a joy that could not be compared to remarriage or taking concubines.

Cui Lian of the Western Prefecture had a grand wedding celebration, which was truly wonderful. He married the beautiful Zhong Feihuang. However, because Cui Lian did not work hard in his cultivation, the wedding night was just a formality, and they slept in separate rooms afterwards.

But that day was truly wonderful. Both the east and west mansions of the Cui family were adorned with bright red festive decorations, each conveying an infectious joy that made everyone present beam with happiness.

Even though they weren't the main characters, everyone was laughing and offering their blessings!

That's truly one of the best things in life!

Choi Yong has been looking forward to his wedding day ever since.

He was thrilled to hear that Feng Keqing, this stunningly beautiful woman who could bring ruin to a nation, was his fiancée.

Hearing that his wedding day with Feng Keqing was fast approaching, he was so excited that he couldn't sleep for several days.

But when the wedding day actually arrived...

That day,

He was devastated...

Cui Rong hadn't expected to consummate the marriage that very night, especially since Cui Lian had also delayed it for a long time. However, he hadn't anticipated that on his wedding day, his clan chief father would order a wedding prank.

Throw him into the latrine.