Xiangzhou Chapter: Soul Transmigration to Another World Chapter 14: The Crown Prince Suddenly Appears in the Courtroom!

At the magistrate’s residence, Chen Bailai was not being treated to fine food and drink; instead, he knelt on the ground, facing His Highness the Crown Prince for a long time.

Originally, he had intended to come alone to the Xiangzhou City Magistrate’s Office. However, since his mother insisted that Ye Qiaoqiao must endure some hardship, he had no choice but to bring her along. Xiang Ling’er did not accompany them, as this was not a joyous occasion, and she was also carrying his child.

Yet, he still did not know how the situation was unfolding on his mother’s side—whether she had managed to make Ye Qiaoqiao suffer.

As for the magistrate’s side, things were truly difficult. He had already been kneeling for three hours and saw no sign that the Crown Prince intended to let him rise.

Thinking he might have offended His Highness, he tremulously spoke: “Your Highness, I truly did not know you would come to Xiangzhou. Had I known earlier, I would not have gone to the capital.”

Shen Jianzou sat above with a cold and stern expression, his gaze like a piercing cold star, fixed on Chen Bailai kneeling before him for a long while.

After a long moment, he spoke coldly and casually, “I am not asking about that. What I want to know is... what is the matter between you and Ye Qiaoqiao?”

He had already sent Zuo Wenshan to investigate matters concerning Ye Qiaoqiao.

Ye Qiaoqiao was the woman who, on that day, appeared disheveled and filthy in the pit.

Her history from childhood was that she had married Chen Bailai, the man before him. Later events likely involved Chen Bailai abandoning his original wife after achieving third place in the imperial exams and bringing home the pregnant Xiang Ling’er.

According to Zuo Wenshan’s report, Ye Qiaoqiao had previously hanged herself.

But when they were digging the grave, she suddenly and inexplicably revived.

Yet this woman could accurately predict that on the night of the full moon, she would suffer pains all over her body and endure a backlash.

Could it be that the resurrected Ye Qiaoqiao was the woman foretold by the Astronomy Bureau, destined to aid him in conquering the other three kingdoms during the Southern Campaign and thereby achieve unification?

At this moment, Chen Bailai lowered his head even further.

The Crown Prince wanted to know what his relationship with Ye Qiaoqiao was? Did His Highness fancy that rustic woman?

Thinking this, Chen Bailai trembled as he replied, “I and Ye Qiaoqiao are only husband and wife in name; there is no real marital relationship.”

“Impertinent!” Shen Jianzou slammed his hand heavily on the table.

Chen Bailai was bewildered, not understanding the Crown Prince’s meaning.

He hurriedly added, “Your Highness, every word I speak is true!”

“I am asking why Ye Qiaoqiao was buried alive!” Shen Jianzou narrowed his eyes slightly, as if warning Chen Bailai that if he said the wrong thing next, he might lose his head.

Only then did Chen Bailai recall that when Dong Feiguang sent word, he said Ye Qiaoqiao had beaten a drum to protest her innocence.

Why beat the drum to protest? Could it be because she was framed and buried alive?

How did the Crown Prince learn about the situation between him and Ye Qiaoqiao?

Seeing the Crown Prince’s grave expression, Chen Bailai knew he must not be reckless. He said, “Your Highness, that woman spread false rumors and deceived the public. I did not bury her alive; she hanged herself first. Xiang Ling’er and I, out of kindness, buried her, but unexpectedly, she suddenly came back to life!”

“Oh? Is that so?” Shen Jianzou rose and slowly paced to Chen Bailai’s side, looking down at him with a scrutinizing gaze.

Chen Bailai bowed even lower, fearful the Crown Prince might not believe him, and hurriedly kowtowed, “I dare not deceive Your Highness!”

Watching the trembling scholar who had been appointed by the Emperor, Shen Jianzou did not expect him to be so spineless.

He sat back down and rhythmically tapped the armrest. Looking at the kowtowing man before him, he softly said, “Stop kowtowing. I want to know, after Ye Qiaoqiao woke up, did she show any unusual behavior?”

Chen Bailai was shocked, never imagining the Crown Prince would care about Ye Qiaoqiao’s affairs and ask him like this.

His forehead was swollen and sore; he dared not touch it for fear of seeming disrespectful. Enduring the pain, he told the Crown Prince what he knew, “Your Highness, after Ye Qiaoqiao woke, her tongue was as venomous as a snake’s, and she ordered us to leave. She was truly hateful!”

Hearing this, it seemed the woman had indeed changed temperament after awakening.

Unfortunately, now was not the time to delve too deeply.

Shen Jianzou thought to himself that he would deal with her properly.

He said, “Rise. We will go to the court together.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Zuo Wenshan, Dong Feiguang, and the others responded in unison.

The group then proceeded to the court one after another.

Meanwhile, Ye Qiaoqiao, after studying the history of the Yunzhou continent’s development for several days, discovered that there were four kingdoms: Beikan, Xidui, Dongzhen, and Nanli.

However, one piece of land was particularly interesting.

That was Zhongyuan, the territory separating the four kingdoms.

She was currently in Nanli.

Also, to seek a divorce, she had carefully read through Nanli’s laws again and found a clause stating that if a husband committed immoral acts, the wife could apply for divorce.

Being buried alive by her husband certainly qualified as such misconduct, did it not?

Furthermore, Nanli’s laws stated that if the husband was away for a long time without returning or gave the dowry to a concubine, the wife could divorce and remarry.

Reading these articles, Ye Qiaoqiao suddenly felt fully confident about seeking a divorce.

She no longer feared the long road ahead, nor did she fear that the scoundrel would go unpunished.

At that moment, a young servant appeared at the door of the Chen family mansion, dressed in a short blue cotton shirt with a dark brown cloth belt at his waist, bearing the magistrate’s copper plaque.

He walked solemnly into the main house and, upon seeing Ye Qiaoqiao, greeted her familiarly, “Madam of the Third Place Scholar, the scholar has arrived at the court. Please come and give your testimony.”

Hearing this, Ye Qiaoqiao put down the book in her hands.

The day had finally come. She would reclaim justice for her deceased former self.

“Very well, I will go with you.” Ye Qiaoqiao adjusted her clothes and followed the servant out of the Chen family compound.

Seeing Han Xiang, Ye Qiaoqiao ordered her to bring along the evidence prepared over the past few days, including account books and the pre-marriage signed dowry lists.

Together, they went to the court.

Along the way, Ye Qiaoqiao’s mind was filled with countless thoughts.

Upon entering the solemn court, she immediately saw standing at the center, dressed in green robes, the man she had loved to the point of obsession but who had ultimately betrayed her—Chen Bailai.

Speaking of which, Chen Bailai was a rather well-chosen name.

“Bailai,” meaning “hundred stones,” rhymed with “scoundrel.”

Ye Qiaoqiao felt that today’s court atmosphere was different from before.

On the right side of the court sat Lord Dong Feiguang; on the left, a young man in a white brocade robe lounged lazily against the Grand Tutor’s chair, exuding charm yet with a cold, stern expression.

Now she could see clearly: his sword-like eyebrows slanted toward his temples, his eyes narrow and deep, dark as a void yet piercingly insightful.

His high nose bridge and thin lips pressed tightly together belonged to none other than the Crown Prince who had driven them to despair that day.