The Double

Chapter 176: Confidant

"I clung to life, surviving until now, precisely for this day." Haitang lifted her head high. "To expose to the world the atrocities committed by you and this heartless scoundrel!"

"You!" Princess Yongning gritted her teeth, fury burning within her. But with watchful officers flanking her, she dared not move. She was also utterly bewildered—she had meticulously eliminated every one of Xue Fangfei's maidservants. Even this Haitang shouldn't have survived. Yet here Haitang stood, alive and well—how could this be?

Haitang knelt on the ground and recounted everything that had happened in the Shen residence over the years. She detailed how Shen Yurong had secretly conspired with Princess Yongning, and how the princess, after framing Xue Fangfei, had cruelly silenced every witness one by one.

Xue Huaiyuan listened, unable to bear it, his eyes closing slightly as his palms trembled. Though he had heard Haitang's account before, hearing it again pained him deeply for his daughter.

How could he have let Ali face these wolves and tigers alone!

After Haitang finished her testimony as a witness, another person stepped forward—gentle, graceful, and charming—it was Xiao Deyin, the qin instructor from Mingyi Hall.

Jiang Yuanbai couldn't hide his surprise. He recognized Xiao Deyin as the teacher of the Jiang family's young ladies but had no idea what role she played in this matter.

Xiao Deyin also declared, "This commoner can testify that Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning indeed conspired to frame Xue Fangfei for adultery, then murdered her to eliminate her lineage."

At these words, Princess Yongning laughed mockingly, "Xiao Deyin, what act are you putting on? Wasn't it you who framed Xue Fangfei back then? I gave you the poison, and you eagerly accepted it. What, now that I've fallen from power, you think you can kick me too? Don't forget your place—do you think you'll live long once I'm free?"

Xiao Deyin's heart raced, but she maintained her composure and replied calmly, "No matter how much Your Highness tries to smear my name now, I will not recant. As for your baseless accusations, no one will believe them. Everyone knows Fangfei and I were close friends. I had no reason to harm Fangfei, unlike you, Your Highness."

Princess Yongning seethed with anger but could offer no substantial rebuttal. She had initially approached Xiao Deyin precisely because Xiao Deyin had the least motive to harm Xue Fangfei—their friendship was common knowledge. Even Princess Yongning herself had been surprised by how readily Xiao Deyin agreed. She had assumed Xiao Deyin was pragmatic, never realizing it was because Xiao Deyin had nothing to fear.

Even now, without concrete evidence, her word alone would likely convince everyone of Xiao Deyin's innocence—after all, why would Xiao Deyin have any reason to harm Xue Fangfei?

Xiao Deyin recounted smoothly how Xue Fangfei had behaved unusually after drinking that day, and how Princess Yongning had been present. Of course, she omitted her own involvement, claiming only that Princess Yongning's people had drugged Xue Fangfei and staged a scene to ruin her reputation. This forced Xue Fangfei into seclusion, making it easier for the adulterous couple in the Shen residence to target the poor woman afterward.Xiao Deyin spoke with remarkable clarity—perhaps because she was inherently clever, or perhaps because she had rehearsed these words countless times in her heart, making them flow so naturally and convincingly that no flaw could be found. After she finished speaking, the charges against Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong deepened further, leaving no room for rebuttal.

From the expressions of the three magistrates, Xiao Deyin knew she had gambled correctly. Pretending not to see Princess Yongning’s furious glare, she felt immensely relieved. It seemed that in today’s trial, Princess Yongning had no way out. Jiang Li had been right—after this, nothing in the world would threaten her anymore.

Of course, the fact that Xiao Deyin had braved Princess Yongning’s false accusations in court to testify for Xue Fangfei would also spread, earning her a sterling reputation.

Xiao Deyin was utterly pleased with herself.

Just then, a voice suddenly rang out: “That’s not right.”

“What’s not right?” Wei Mingyan asked.

“What Miss Xiao said is not right.” The speaker was Haitang. “It’s true that Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning had an illicit affair and conspired to frame my young lady for adultery, tarnishing her reputation. But from start to finish, it wasn’t some servant of Princess Yongning who carried it out. It was you, Miss Xiao, who handed her that cup of wine. It was you who drugged the wine. And it was you who escorted my young lady back to her room.” Haitang said coldly, “Miss Xiao, almost everyone who knew about what happened back then is dead, but not all of them. Unfortunately for you, I am one of the survivors who happens to know the entire story. My young lady’s alleged adultery was indeed a vicious scheme orchestrated by Princess Yongning, but you are far from as innocent as you claim. You were Princess Yongning’s executioner—you knew everything from the beginning. You were her accomplice!”

These words sent a shock through the entire hall!

Xiao Deyin never expected such a person to suddenly appear in court. Jiang Li had previously informed her of the evidence gathered in this case, convincing her that it was a sure win. It was precisely because of this evidence that Xiao Deyin had trusted Jiang Li and stepped forward. But Jiang Li hadn’t told her that among the witnesses was Xue Fangfei’s personal maid. Only now did she clearly see Haitang’s face, and her heart trembled with shock.

Haitang? How was she still alive!

“You… What nonsense are you spouting? Why would I do such a thing? Fangfei was my dear friend—we were as close as sisters. How could I harm her?”

“It’s only because you pride yourself as Yanjing’s top qin master, yet my young lady’s qin skills far surpassed yours. You care nothing for wealth but crave fame alone. You feared my young lady would overshadow you, so jealousy took root. You even conspired with Princess Yongning, fully aware that the drugged wine would ruin my young lady’s life, yet you still made her drink it.”

“You’re lying!” Xiao Deyin panicked inwardly. Her deepest, most hidden secret was being laid bare by Haitang without reservation. Like a snail stripped of its shell and exposed under the scorching sun, she felt that it wouldn’t be long before she dried up completely.

She was terrified."What kind of sisterly bond? My young lady regarded you as a close friend, yet you repaid kindness with enmity. What deep marital affection? My young lady was devoted to her husband with all her heart, yet he conspired with others to murder his own wife. My young lady always treated others with genuine sincerity, yet she encountered nothing but heartless and ungrateful people. It seems all the wicked people in this world were destined to cross her path. Only my young lady is the most pitiable, the most tragic, the most laughable!" Haitang poured out everything in one breath, but by the end, she could no longer hold back her tears. The sorrow and resentment in her weeping were deeply moving.

Princess Yongning burst into loud laughter, seeming immensely pleased to see Xiao Deyin in such a predicament. She said with delight, "Xiao Deyin, do you see now? Did you think that by overthrowing me, no one would learn of your deeds? You are even more despicable than I am. At least I never liked Xue Fangfei—to me, she was merely a stranger. But you were Xue Fangfei's sworn sister, and you still claim your music embodies purity and integrity? Are you joking? You’re truly making me die of laughter!"

Xiao Deyin was speechless, nearly staggering on her feet. She could only repeat, "It’s not true, it’s not true." Yet her flustered expression and incoherent words in that moment betrayed her, revealing she was not as innocent as she claimed.

Everyone present suddenly felt a sense of absurdity. Back when the scandal of Xue Fangfei’s alleged affair spread like wildfire throughout Yanjing City, everyone had condemned the woman, saying she grew restless despite her beauty and failed to appreciate the kindness of Scholar Shen, bringing disgrace upon Yanjing. But now it appeared the entire world had been wrong. The woman who had inexplicably borne the infamy was, in fact, the most pitiable one.

That beautiful, intelligent, and gentle lady had been betrayed by a friend she regarded as a sister, brutally murdered by the husband who had vowed to spend his life with her, and humiliated in the cruelest manner by the princess. What had she done wrong? Nothing at all. If she had erred in any way, it was perhaps in loving a cold and heartless man who feigned undying devotion.

"And then there was my young master," Haitang continued. "As soon as he learned of my lady’s misfortune in Yanjing City, he rushed to the capital, thinking that if he uncovered even the slightest clue and brought it to the Magistrate of the Capital, he could avenge her. Little did he know the Magistrate was in cahoots with this vicious princess—they killed the young master and pretended it was the work of bandits." Haitang let out a bitter laugh. "What kind of world is this? In the very heart of the imperial capital, such an outrageous event could occur! If all those in office are like this—if the people dare not accuse, and if those who do are imprisoned—then why bother establishing government offices at all? Just tell the world plainly: if you are a commoner suffering a grave injustice, don’t bother speaking up, for it will be in vain. There is no one in power who will uphold justice for the people, because these officials only care about pleasing their superiors!"

At these words, He Qin shouted, "How dare you!" The three others present could not help but break out in a cold sweat. Haitang’s speech was no longer merely an indictment of Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning’s crimes. It was an accusation against the entire officialdom and an implicit condemnation of the emperor, suggesting he appointed corrupt ministers who harmed the people.

The emperor’s reputation could not tolerate such slander, but today’s events could not be concealed. Soon, Haitang’s words would reach the palace.Jiang Yuanbai couldn't help but look at Haitang. After speaking her piece, Haitang was already weeping uncontrollably, yet she stubbornly maintained her gaze upon the three officials without retreating. She knew these words might bring fatal consequences upon herself, but throughout this past year, the misfortunes that befell the Xue family had all confirmed what she said.

What peaceful prosperity? What clear and just world? In reality, it was nothing but a paper-thin facade of clarity—easily torn apart with the slightest poke.

How would the Hongxiao Emperor feel after hearing this? Perhaps he would reflect on the past, or maybe he would proceed to reform official governance to prevent such tragedies from recurring.

It seemed all of Xue Fangfei's maidservants were clever, Jiang Yuanbai thought. What a pity.

(End of Chapter)