bestfiction Chapter 159 Impersonation
Chapter 159 Impersonation
Mei Xiang's voice echoed in the flower hall, like a sharp knife piercing straight into Chen Wan's heart.
She instantly trembled with rage, her face turning ashen, and she retorted through gritted teeth, "I don't know you at all, don't make false accusations!"
The Duke of Shun frowned, his gaze fixed intently on Meixiang, and said in a deep voice, "Are you sure it was her who instigated this?"
Meixiang, her eyes brimming with tears, nodded vigorously: "Yes, Your Highness, I would never dare to lie. Miss Yu promised me a large sum of money if I did as she instructed. But if I didn't do as she said, she would make sure my family suffered a terrible death..."
"Your Excellency, I was coerced by her and had no choice but to do such a foolish thing. Please, Your Excellency, do not take your anger out on my family. They know nothing about it!"
The Duke of Shunguo did not speak, but turned to look at Chen Wan, his eyes filled with dark emotions.
Chen Wan felt the gazes around her like needles piercing her; her heart raced and her palms were sweating.
Why did Meixiang identify her?
Didn't that important person say that all she needed to do was fan the flames?
Chen Wan's mind was in chaos, her heart filled with fear and anger.
This matter has absolutely nothing to do with her, so don't even think about trying to pin it on her!
She tried her best to calm down and said, word by word, "My hands were just soaked in the juice of the water-soluble herb, and they did not change color, which proves that I have not come into contact with the Duchess's blue and white porcelain tea set. I also do not know anything about Drunken Hibiscus, and I have never sent anyone to buy it. If the Duke does not believe me, he may send someone to search my body."
Lady Anguo finally came to her senses.
She felt as if she were watching a farce.
Lady Shunguo was suddenly poisoned at her birthday banquet, and the suspicions shifted from another Yu Wan to her newly recognized daughter, which was clearly strange.
It seems like someone is targeting them from behind.
Lady Anguo took a deep breath, about to speak, when Meixiang said with certainty, "This servant has evidence!"
“At first, I didn’t want to do such a vicious thing against my conscience. It was Miss Yu who said that as long as I helped her with this favor, she would ensure that I would have no worries about food and clothing for the rest of my life. In order to gain my trust, she also gave me a token.”
The Duke of Shun frowned. "What token?"
Meixiang took out a small, exquisite jade pendant from her sleeve and handed it to the Duke of Shun.
The jade pendant was smooth and warm to the touch, with a lifelike lotus flower carved on it. A small bird with outstretched wings was hidden among the lotus leaves, and the workmanship was extremely exquisite.
"This is the token Miss Yu gave me, Your Excellency, please take a look."
The Duke of Shun took the jade pendant, examined it carefully, and then turned his gaze to Chen Wan, his tone becoming even more serious: "Have you seen this jade pendant before?"
Chen Wan's eyelids twitched, and her heart sank to the bottom.
How did this jade pendant end up on Meixiang?!
Before she could speak, the Duchess of Anguo stepped forward and took the jade pendant from the Duke of Shunguo's hand.
After observing her closely, a certain emotion appeared in her eyes.
He looked at Chen Wan and said, "Wan'er, I remember you have a jade pendant that looks a lot like it."
“You said that the jade pendant was the only thing your adoptive mother left you, and you always wore it close to your body.”
The Duchess of Anguo's gaze slid down to her neck, her words clear and distinct, "Even your mother doesn't want to believe that you did this. If you want to prove your innocence, take out your jade pendant and let everyone see it."
Chen Wan's pupils contracted, "Mother!"
Chen Wan never expected that the person who had put her in this predicament would be the Duchess of Anguo!
She originally thought this plan was foolproof and would never involve her.
But little did she know that from the moment she met that benefactor in the Ministry of Justice prison, she had already fallen into his trap!
That day, the nobleman asked her to give him a token. She was preoccupied with dealing with Yu Wan, so she casually gave him the jade pendant she wore close to her body.
Little did she know, someone had been plotting against her from the very beginning!
"My jade pendant... I lost it a few days ago..." Chen Wan knew this excuse would be easily exposed, but at this point, she couldn't think of a better one.
"Lost?" The Duchess of Anguo's smile had vanished. "Is it really that coincidental that it was lost?"
Chen Wan's eyes reddened. "Mother, don't you even believe your daughter? Madam Yun had no reason to harm the Duchess of Shunguo, and neither did I."
Upon hearing this, the Duchess of Anguo's expression softened slightly, but suddenly someone around her said:
"Who knows what Miss Yu is thinking? I have never offended you either, yet you almost killed me, didn't you?"
Princess Changning, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up.
When the old story was brought up again, Chen Wan's face turned pale instantly.
Princess Changning sneered, "Now I believe what Sister Yu said at the polo match. Your poisoning of me and the Duchess of Shun was not aimed at us, but at someone else."
Upon hearing this, the Duke of Shun finally understood some of it. He frowned and asked, "Whom is Your Highness referring to?"
Princess Changning looked in Yu Wan's direction and said calmly, "As soon as the Duchess of Shun's incident happened, some people pointed the finger at Sister Yu."
"Your Excellency may not know, but at the polo match earlier, Miss Yu also said that Sister Yu wanted to harm me."
"That's not how it is!" Chen Wan was in a state of utter confusion.
Princess Changning was of noble birth, and she dared not confront her directly, but if she let the princess continue speaking, she feared...
"Wan'er, is what Changning said true?"
Chen Wan shook her head desperately, "No, Mother, you have to believe me!"
Lady Anguo stared intently at Chen Wan with disappointment in her eyes, her voice filled with disbelief and anger: "Wan'er, you have disappointed me greatly."
"Why would you do such a harmful thing? Do you know that the Duchess of Shunguo has no grudge against you? Why would you do such a vicious thing?"
Chen Wan panicked and shook her head repeatedly: "Mother, I didn't, I really didn't poison anyone!"
Lady Anguo took a deep breath, trying to suppress her anger: "Then tell me, why is this jade pendant in Meixiang's hands? And why did you lose the jade pendant? Why have you targeted Lady Yun time and time again?"
Chen Wan cried out in desperation, "Mother, I'm not lying. The jade pendant is indeed lost, and I don't know why it ended up in Mei Xiang's hands. I've been framed!"
Lady Anguo snorted coldly: "Framed? Then tell me, who framed you? And why?"
Chen Wan was speechless for a moment, unsure how to respond.
Yu Wan looked at Chen Wan, who was in complete disarray, with a faint smile on her face.
It seems the cannon fodder chosen for the storyline isn't mentally strong enough; they couldn't hold on any longer.
“Miss Yu, I’m also very curious, why are you targeting me?” Yu Wan said slowly, “We have no past grievances or recent feuds, so is it just because I look like you that you dislike me?”
Yu Wan's words seemed like a joke, but they were like a flame suddenly igniting in the darkness, enlightening everyone.
Yes, it's illogical for two people to suddenly appear who look so alike.
There's no such thing as a coincidence in this world.
Why is the young lady of the Duke of Anguo's mansion targeting Yu Wan like this? Could it be because she is an imposter?
Just then, a slightly immature voice suddenly came from outside the flower hall.
"What else could it be? Because she's not the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Anguo's mansion at all; she's an imposter!"