Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 132: I’d Like to See Who Dares to Touch Him

Chapter 132: Chapter 132: I’d Like to See Who Dares to Touch Him

A pheasant sedan chair, carried by eight men, appeared outside the Ministry of Justice.

On both sides of the sedan chair rode the imperial guard, clad in golden armor and tiger-headed helmets. The procession was quite eye-catching.

The sedan chair was set down. Cao Jin dismounted, walked to the front of the chair, and cupped his hands. "County Princess, we have arrived at the Ministry of Justice."

The curtain of the sedan was lifted, and Song Lianhe emerged, wearing a court coronet and magnificent robes.

"Thank you for your trouble, Commander Cao."

Song Lianhe followed Cao Jin forward and looked up at the vermilion-lacquered doors before her.

’So this is the Ministry of Justice. Zhou Cangyan is inside!’

She took a deep breath, her aura imposing. "Let’s go. We’re going in."

Just then, a group of people happened to be coming out.

The one in the lead was none other than the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Jing Ye.

When he saw Cao Jin, he paused in surprise. "Brother Cao, what are you doing here?"

In his youth, Jing Ye had studied at the Cao Family’s school and was the star pupil of Cao Jin’s father, Cao Yuexue. The two had known each other since childhood.

Song Lianhe sized up the young Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice. He had red lips, white teeth, and a face like polished jade—exuding a youthful air. Dressed in stuffy, old-fashioned court robes, he had a contradictory, ascetic allure.

’In short, he’s the "little puppy" type who’d especially awaken an older sister’s desire to conquer him!’

She heard Cao Jin say, "The County Princess has a decree from the Empress to visit Prince Qing."

"The County Princess?" 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Only then did Jing Ye notice the beauty beside him. He looked at her, astonished. ’She’s the County Princess? General Song’s legitimate daughter, Song Lianhe?’

At that moment, the beauty also looked over and gave him a dazzling smile. The young man first froze, then his face flushed red as he hastily bowed. "This servant, Jing Ye, greets the County Princess."

Seeing the young man’s innocent and bashful appearance, Song Lianhe felt her "old mother’s heart" was about to melt.

’Who could possibly resist this?’

She immediately moved to help him up, saying warmly, "Your name is Jing Ye? What a wonderful name!"

The beauty’s smile was enchanting and her voice was melodious. For Jing Ye, who had never been so close to a woman, this caused his face to turn even redder. "County... County Princess... you flatter me..." He didn’t even know where to put his hands, which were clasped in front of him.

Jing Ye had heard of Song Lianhe before. Rumor had it she was a crude and cold-blooded woman who spent her days either bullying the innocent or chasing after Prince Ling. He had heard many such stories about her.

But seeing her today, he was rather surprised. She was very beautiful and spoke in an approachable manner. Observing her posture and conduct, she didn’t seem like the arrogant and domineering person from the rumors.

Cao Jin then asked, "Are you heading out?"

Jing Ye slapped his forehead and said hurriedly, "Yes. On my lord’s orders, I was just about to go invite General Song and the County Princess to come and assist with the investigation."

This case was inextricably linked to the General Mansion, so it was natural to summon them for questioning.

Song Lianhe was very forthright. "Look, isn’t this County Princess already here!"

Cao Jin added, "You don’t need to go for General Song, either. I’ve already sent someone to fetch him. He should be here shortly."

Jing Ye paused. This was, after all, a case under the Ministry of Justice’s jurisdiction. It was somewhat improper for outsiders to interfere.

But on second thought, Cao Jin’s imperial guard reported directly to the Holy Emperor, and in a way, they represented imperial authority.

He no longer hesitated and cupped his hands. "Then, thank you, Brother Cao."

After inviting them in, Cao Jin said, "The Empress sent me and the County Princess to visit Prince Qing. Jing Ye, you take the County Princess to see His Highness first. I will go pay my respects to Lord Zhen."

Zhen Yongming, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, was Jing Ye’s direct superior.

’The original novel mentioned that the previous Song Lianhe was sent to the Ministry of Justice by Zhou Junlin for framing the female lead. It was this very Zhen Yongming who tortured her half to death!’

’Although he was just doing his job, the original owner of this body hated him to the bone. This emotion naturally affected the current Song Lianhe, so she definitely didn’t have a good impression of Zhen Yongming either.’

Since there was a decree from the Empress, Jing Ye naturally complied.

"This way, County Princess."

"Thank you."

Song Lianhe followed behind Jing Ye. He kept his head down, his pace somewhat quick.

Song Lianhe had deliberately come dressed in the formal coronet and robes befitting a County Princess. Because the attire was so elaborate and the skirt was long, it was extremely difficult for her to walk. Her hands were also injured, making it inconvenient to lift her skirt, so her movements were clumsy, and she kept falling behind the person in front of her.

’Look at the young man walking ahead, it’s as if he was being chased by a flood or a fierce beast!’

Song Lianhe chuckled, caught her breath, and asked in a relaxed tone, "Mr. Jing, has there been any progress in the case? Have you found the real murderer of Xin Haiyun?"

This one sentence made her stance—and that of the Empress—clear.

’Zhou Cangyan was not the murderer, nor could he be allowed to be.’

Jing Ye stopped abruptly, turned to face her, and said after a moment of thought, "My apologies, County Princess... the case is still under investigation. It’s not convenient to disclose details to an outsider."

Song Lianhe walked closer. "An outsider? This concerns my fiancé. How can I be considered an outsider?"

"Fiancé?"

Jing Ye didn’t register it at first and stared at her blankly.

"The marriage decree was just issued yesterday. Who would have thought something like this would happen?" Song Lianhe shook her head and sighed lightly, then added, "Besides, the Empress is also quite concerned about the case. That’s why this County Princess received her decree, and I have to report back to her later."

"I see."

Jing Ye nodded slowly, then said softly, "Since the County Princess is Prince Qing’s fiancée, there’s no harm in telling you about this matter."

"Tell me!"

Song Lianhe leaned in closer. Jing Ye jumped and quickly moved away. "C-County Princess, please don’t... don’t come any closer. It’s... it’s improper..."

"Fine, fine, I won’t touch you. Now, talk!"

Hearing her say that, Jing Ye’s face turned even redder.

After secretly composing himself, he told Song Lianhe everything in one go.

The case was actually quite simple. With both witnesses and physical evidence, a brief investigation revealed the whole picture.

When Zhou Cangyan left, Xin Haiyun was indeed still alive. Although her injuries looked terrifying, they were mostly superficial and not fatal.

The incident occurred after the people from the Song Residence sent her home. Neighbors of the Liu Residence also testified that they heard painful wails and continuous arguing during the night.

The next day, news of her death spread.

It was suicide by hanging.

The story goes that after Xin Haiyun returned home, she felt humiliated and had lost all face. Coupled with the fact that she had been subjected to private punishment, she couldn’t bear the pain and shame, and in a moment of despair, she took her own life.

"She committed suicide?"

Song Lianhe was also surprised.

"Yes, the Forensic Doctor has already verified it." Jing Ye continued, "She left a written accusation, blaming Prince Qing entirely for her death, stating outright that he was the one who drove her to it. The handwriting has been verified; it was indeed written by Xin Haiyun. The Liu Family didn’t dare to cause trouble at the Prince Qing Mansion directly—after all, Prince Qing is a member of the imperial family. That’s why they went to the General Mansion with such great fanfare."

Song Lianhe frowned as she listened, her voice turning cold. "That bunch from the General Mansion definitely wouldn’t have had anything good to say. They must have pushed all the blame onto the Prince."

Jing Ye nodded. "If the facts are as she claims, then according to the laws of Da Cheng, if one causes a death through verbal abuse, humiliation, or assault and intimidation, the lightest sentence is one hundred strokes of the cane and exile for three thousand li. The heaviest is execution after a review..."

Before he could finish, Song Lianhe exploded, "I’d like to see who dares to touch him!"