Chapter 50: Confession

Xia Tong disliked being spoken to in such a coercive tone. She didn’t care about the Xiahou family, all she wanted was to save her parents. What did the Xiahou family have to do with her?

“Elder Uncle, I understand what you’re saying, but the Prince’s intentions are beyond my comprehension. Right now, all I can do is try my best,” she sighed, looking troubled.

Hearing this, Xia Lin wanted to say more, but Xia Min pulled him back and stepped forward with a friendly smile on his face. “Take your time with this. There’s no need to rush. Judging by the Prince’s attitude, he won’t simply ignore the situation. Your father is right, as long as you and Ning’er are safe, there is still hope for everything.”

At that moment, Xia Ning, with red eyes, sobbed, “It’s all my fault for being useless, I couldn’t save Father and Grandmother.”

“What are you talking about? I believe that the prince is a man who knows right from wrong.” Having said that, Xia Min could not hide his sadness on his face.

The atmosphere in the cell suddenly grew tense. Looking at the empty walls, Xia Tong felt heavy-hearted, everyone knew that this matter wouldn’t be easily resolved.

“By the way, how did the Crown Prince get poisoned that day?” she suddenly asked.

Upon hearing this, Xia Zhian and the others all wore solemn expressions, as if they were recalling something. Finally, Xia Min spoke first, “It’s strange. If it was the food and drink, we all ate the same, yet no one else fell ill. But if it was the cup, the Crown Prince wasn’t sitting there at the time. We really can’t figure out how someone slipped in.”

“Unless it wasn’t about the food or drink at all,” Xia Lin interjected seriously.

Xia Tong didn’t respond. She just wanted to know if the Third Prince was behind this or if someone else was involved.

While they were talking, a series of footsteps suddenly echoed outside the cell, and it sounded like a large group was approaching.

Before long, a familiar figure walked in, coldly surveying the room. “I instructed my people to interrogate them properly, but it seems that you, Lord Xia, and the others are quite relaxed.”

The man was dressed in a deep blue brocade robe, wearing a jade crown that accentuated his cold demeanor. The guards behind him dared not speak, while Xia Tong simply glanced at him with indifference. “Interrogation is not about coercing a confession. I wonder what methods the Third Prince plans to use for this interrogation?”

It was none other than the Third Prince. Upon seeing Xia Tong and the others, his expression darkened. The Ministry of Justice was under the control of the regent. It seemed that Gu Qin truly didn’t want his father-in-law to suffer.

“What methods are none of the Princess’s concern. However, I am not here to have them interrogated today because I have already found evidence of poisoning from the Xiahou family. I’m here to conduct a trial!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Xia Lin and the others’ expressions changed drastically. They had never done such a thing, how could there be any evidence of poisoning?

Xia Tong looked coldly at the venomous man and said in a low voice, “Even if you have found evidence, it should be up to the Emperor to decide. Does the Third Prince intend to act unilaterally?”

“Father Emperor has given me full authority to handle this matter. The Princess has repeatedly interfered, what is your intention?” The Third Prince’s eyes narrowed dangerously as he suddenly turned to those behind him. “What are you waiting for? Bring the people inside out!”

“Father!” Xia Ning quickly grabbed Xia Min.

In an instant, the Third Prince’s men rushed in to arrest them. Xia Tong urgently stood in front of her father, knowing that if he was taken, he might not survive!

The group didn’t dare to touch the Princess and exchanged glances in confusion. Suddenly, the Third Prince stepped forward, his face dark and menacing. He drew the guard’s sword, pointing it at the woman in front of him. “My patience is limited. If the Princess doesn’t step aside, don’t blame me for being merciless!”

Immediately, Xia Zhian pulled his daughter behind him, shaking his head to signal her not to act recklessly.

“Your Highness, houldn’t you ask the Prince Regent if you’re taking people from the Ministry of Justice?”

At some point, Xifeng had appeared outside the cell, his face cold and his sharp gaze sweeping over the Third Prince. How dare he act so brazenly in the Ministry of Justice and even threaten their Princess!

Seeing him, the Third Prince’s expression darkened, but he replied coldly, “This is a matter entrusted to me by Father Emperor. Does the regent intend to deliberately protect the suspects?”

“This case involves many people, you should present the evidence to the Emperor for judgment, not conduct a private trial.”

The two stared at each other, neither willing to back down. After a moment, looking at the guards outside, the Third Prince cast a final cold glance at Xia Tong before turning away with his men.

Just wait, even if Gu Qin protects you, the entire Xiahou family must die!

As the Third Prince left, Xia Tong let out a sigh of relief, feeling that Xifeng had arrived just in time. She would definitely repay him for his help.

“Father, don’t worry. No matter what, I will get you all out!”

After saying that, Xia Tong took one last deep look at her father before heading out of the cell to find her mother.

As Xifeng had said, her mother was indeed fine, but staying in the cold, damp cell would be detrimental to anyone’s health. Moreover, her mother was already in poor health. The old lady was anxiously hinting that Xia Tong should go seek Gu Qin, seeming unwilling to stay there for even a moment longer.

At that moment, Xia Tong suddenly wished the old lady would linger there a bit longer to see how the family she had once protected had pushed her into hell. The only person who could save them now was the very villain they used to avoid at all costs.

After leaving the dungeon and on the way back, Xia Tong thought about many things. In the end, she asked Xifeng to keep an eye on her parents from now on; the dungeon truly wasn’t a place for anyone to stay.

“Every prisoner receives the same treatment. Lord Xia and the others have already received too many privileges. If you want more, the Princess can only seek help from the Prince.” Xifeng said leisurely while driving the carriage.

Xia Tong wasn’t foolish, she understood what he meant. She had indeed misunderstood the villain yesterday, but it was his perpetually cold and indifferent demeanor that led her to act impulsively and say those things.

However, she realized that she had been wrong all along. Gu Qin had never harmed her, it was she who had never truly trusted him.

When they returned to the Regent’s residence, Xia Tong hesitated for a long time. Ultimately, she slowly followed Xifeng to the study, but once again, she was blocked at the door.

“His Highness has ordered that the Princess is not to step into the study from now on,” the guard at the door said without changing his expression.

With the cold wind howling outside, Xia Tong was left with no choice but to turn her gaze toward Xifeng, who shook his head, indicating he couldn’t help her.

Not caring about her dignity, she sat down directly at the door of the study and began to confess through the closed door. “Yesterday, I acted impulsively and wronged His Highness. You were right, I have never chosen to trust you. But that’s not my fault. Who told you to keep scaring me with threats of throwing me into a snake pit? I’m just a timid person, so I believed it! Who would trust someone who wants to take their life?”

The cold wind howled past, causing Xia Tong’s nose to turn bright red. Yet, she continued to “confess” stubbornly, knowing that the person inside could hear her.

Xifeng watched with a puzzled expression. Was the princess genuinely apologizing or just complaining?

“This matter is indeed my fault. Although you often scare me, you have never truly punished me for my mistakes. I really understand now. I promise that from now on, no matter what happens, I will believe in you. If there’s a next time, just let me choke on water or get hit by a carriage, how about that?”

Xia Tong looked longingly at the unmoving door, her small hands trembling as she rubbed them together. After making such a serious vow, why wasn’t she being forgiven?

Seeing that the princess was sincerely remorseful, Xifeng suggested, “Perhaps you should go back first. Master should calm down soon.”

“Yes, it’s freezing out here. You’re not well, and if this continues, you’ll surely suffer,” Fang Yu added, frowning as she stepped forward to help her up.

But Xia Tong remained determined, shouting toward the inside, “Look how cold it is outside, with such strong winds. Can you really bear to leave me standing here in this cold?”

As she spoke, Xia Tong felt a lump in her throat. It seemed that this time, the villain was genuinely angry with her.

Watching the branches swaying in the wind, she took a deep breath and decided to stand up with Fang Yu’s support.

“Looks like I haven’t frozen you to death yet.”

A cold male voice suddenly came from behind, and Xia Tong quickly turned around to meet a pair of bottomless black eyes. She realized the man had silently approached, wearing a stern expression surrounded by a chilling aura.

Xia Tong’s face lit up with joy, and she immediately stood up, rushing over to grab his arm. With a pitiful sniffle, she feigned a weak voice, “I’m about to freeze to death.”

Fang Yu stifled a laugh, quietly turning her back to the two, while the others pretended not to see anything.

Gou Qin shot a cold glance at the ungrateful woman and said nothing, turning to walk back. Xia Tong quickly closed the door and followed closely behind.

Inside, it was indeed much warmer. Xia Tong tightly grasped the man’s arm and continued her “confession.” “It was just a moment of impulse yesterday that made me misunderstand Your Highness. You have a generous heart and wouldn’t hold it against me, right?”

Even through his robe, he could feel her small, icy hand. Gou Qin frowned slightly but didn’t spare her another glance, continuing to sit with a serious expression as he reviewed documents.

The fact that he could see her meant he had already forgiven her to some extent. Xia Tong eagerly prepared ink, but her hands were so cold that she struggled to hold the ink stick, spilling a few drops onto her hand.

As she was about to use a handkerchief to wipe it off, someone suddenly grasped her small hand. It felt like falling into a blazing fire, and the ink on her hand was swiftly wiped away by a gray silk handkerchief.

“You heartless thing.”

The man frowned, his stern features showing clear displeasure. He seemed ready to toss this ungrateful person straight into a snake pit.

Xia Tong understood that he only enjoyed scaring her, so she boldly held onto his warm hand, gently shaking it. “Only by doing this can I show Your Highness’s great generosity, right?”

Perhaps it was because she had been out in the wind for too long, but her petite nose was slightly flushed, her entire neck snuggled deep into her cloak, leaving only her pale face peeking out, looking at him pitifully.

With a slight frown, the man reluctantly pulled her into his embrace, reaching up to remove her furry cloak hood. “Why are your hands so cold?”

After being held for so long, they were still cold. Was this woman made of ice?

Their eyes met, and Xia Tong couldn’t help but blush, slowly lowering her head as she spoke softly, “It’s because Your Highness wouldn’t let me in just now.”