accuse Prince of killing Princess

"If someone must take responsibility for Greenping's death, it should indeed be you!"

Just as Cui Xiang was winning the sympathy of the audience with his eloquent defense, a sharp female voice interrupted.

Cui Xiang turned to see Cheng Feiyi dressed in white, frowning and entering the hall with a forensic examiner.

Zheng Xingchuan and the six ministers rose to greet her. "Greetings, Princess!"

Cheng Feiyi waved them off and approached the center. "Your Majesty, Your Highness, my forensic examiner and I have determined the cause of Princess Yanhe's death."

Emperor Cui Yi ordered, "Proceed."

Cheng Feiyi, always brave and straightforward, announced, "Yes!" She clapped her hands, and two guards carried a covered body into the hall.

Cui Xiang's face changed subtly, swallowing nervously. Although the body was covered, it emitted a faint odor. In July, decomposition had begun despite just one day passing. Zhong Nian had anticipated this, hoping nothing went wrong.

"Princess died from excessive blood loss," Cheng Feiyi pointed to the covered body. "There is a wound on her head, consistent with the corner of a three-drawer cabinet in the bridal chamber. It appears she hit her head, leading to fatal bleeding."

Cui Xiang breathed a sigh of relief, unnoticed by Cheng Feiyi, who glared at him sharply. He felt a bad omen.

"According to the Princess, it seems she committed suicide?" Zheng Xingchuan asked.

Cheng Feiyi raised an eyebrow. "No, I didn't say that. While hitting oneself against a cabinet corner can be fatal, Princess's true cause of death—was due to being pushed during a struggle, causing her to fall and hit the cabinet, resulting in her death."

Cui Xiang paled. "You lie! I didn't push her! I was sleeping when she died!"

Cheng Feiyi sneered. "I never said you pushed her. Are you feeling guilty?"

Cui Xiang stammered, realizing he had lost composure. "During the wedding night, only Greenping and I were in the room. If she was pushed, doesn't that mean I'm the murderer?"

"Prince, you said you were asleep. How do you know no one else entered the room? Or perhaps you were awake, saw someone harm her, but pretended to sleep out of cowardice?" Cheng Feiyi pressed.

"You're slandering me!" Cui Xiang stood up angrily, but Emperor Cui Yi shouted, "Kneel down!" He reluctantly obeyed.

"I wasn't pretending to sleep! I loved Greenping more than anything! If anyone tried to harm her, I would protect her even at the cost of my life! Just like in Yanzhou, where I shielded her from an arrow!"

Chi Ying interjected, "Shielding her from an arrow? You can claim that while she was alive, but now she's dead, and you still dare to say you protected her? During the siege of Yanzhou, you interfered with her duties, causing her to be targeted by enemy arrows. Her survival was a miracle, and your injury was deserved!"

Cui Xiang blushed, unable to respond, muttering, "Lies! Lies!"

Chi Ying smiled. "Whether I'm lying can be verified by summoning the deputy commander and soldiers who were with her at Yanzhou's eastern gate. Should I request His Majesty to issue an order to summon them?"

Emperor Cui Yi cleared his throat, making Cui Xiang tremble. "No, no need..."

The crowd outside booed, showing contempt.

"But even so, Your Highness, there is no direct evidence that Prince killed Princess," Zheng Xingchuan cautiously added.

Chi Ying glanced at him strangely. "I merely explained the arrow incident. When did I accuse Prince of killing Princess? Please continue, Princess."

Zheng Xingchuan nodded awkwardly, thinking the Emperor had already judged Prince guilty, and they had to follow suit. However, conducting a public trial complicated matters. Public trust in the Ministry of Justice depended on fair trials.

"I have evidence that someone pushed Greenping, and whether it was Prince can be verified." Cheng Feiyi motioned for the guards to uncover the body. Cui Xiang screamed and fell backward in horror.

Cheng Feiyi mocked, "A grown man afraid of his wife's corpse?"

Cui Xiang was speechless. The guard uncovered part of the body, revealing a bruised arm.

Cheng Feiyi pointed out the bruises. "These marks indicate a struggle before her death. According to our analysis, Princess fought with someone, who pushed her, causing her to fall and hit the cabinet fatally."

Zheng Xingchuan nodded slowly. "So it was an accident?"

Cheng Feiyi smirked. "It appears so."

Zheng Xingchuan realized the implications. "Wait! If Princess struggled, wouldn't she have made noise? Wouldn't she have woken Prince or servants?"

"Yes," Cheng Feiyi eyed the trembling Cui Xiang. "Prince said he was asleep. Did Princess not make any noise when attacked? Or did Prince ignore her cries out of indifference?"

Cui Xiang was pale, unable to speak. Zheng Xingchuan struck the gavel. "Confess now!"

Cui Xiang had no defense. Cheng Feiyi added, "Bring Prince's hand to compare with the body."

Guards approached, and Cui Xiang panicked, backing away.

Emperor Cui Yi scoffed, "Didn't you say you loved Greenping so much you'd rather die? Now you can't even touch her?"

Cui Xiang cowered, refusing to approach. At that moment, a guard rushed in. "Minister, Zhong Nian is shouting for justice, claiming to reveal the truth about Princess's death."

Cui Xiang turned pale, frozen in place. Zheng Xingchuan ordered, "Bring him here!"

Zhong Nian was brought in, wearing shackles and dirty prison clothes. He knelt respectfully. "Criminal Zhong Nian greets His Majesty, Her Highness, and the ministers."

"Do you know the truth behind Princess's death?" Zheng Xingchuan asked.

Zhong Nian nodded. "Yes, I dare not lie. My sister was indeed pushed by Prince, causing her fatal injury."

The crowd gasped, even Chi Ying looked surprised.

Cui Xiang screamed, "He lies! I didn't kill her!"

Zhong Nian calmly continued, "My sister was pushed by Prince, but it was because she attempted to assassinate him. In self-defense, Prince pushed her, leading to her accidental death."

Cui Xiang was speechless.

"You're trying to exonerate Prince by defaming your own sister," Chi Ying accused.

Zhong Nian retorted, "Do you have proof I'm lying? Do you have proof my sister tried to assassinate Prince?"

Zhong Nian confidently replied, "Yes!"

Chi Ying was taken aback. Zhong Nian explained, "When searching the room, did you notice a pair of scissors under the table? They were originally in the sewing basket in the bridal chamber. That night, my sister attempted to stab Prince with the scissors while he slept. However, Prince defended himself, pushing her away, which led to her fatal fall."