[Tell Princess Consort Kangning that she’s his distant cousin, alone and destitute, and get the Princess to take care of them.]
Princess Consort Kangning hadn’t wanted to believe this voice belonging to someone she’d never heard of, but what he said miraculously matched up with what had happened years ago.
Six years ago, Jiang Xingbang had indeed brought a woman, along with the woman’s pair of children, back to the Princess’s residence. He had introduced her as his cousin, saying her husband had passed away and she had no family left, so she had no choice but to come to him for help.
At the time, Princess Consort Kangning had pitied the woman’s circumstances, and thinking that this was a rare relative of Jiang Xingbang’s besides herself and Jiang Bin, she had treated the mother and her children extremely well.
Not only did she purchase a three-courtyard house for the three of them, she also allocated them money every month, and whenever she bought jewelry or fabric for herself, she never forgot to get a share for that cousin as well.
Now it seemed she had truly been a fool of the highest order. She had thought she was caring for a pitiful relative, only to discover she had been caring for her husband’s mistress and his children.
Jiang Bin, hearing all this, was also stunned. His shock was no less than Princess Consort Kangning’s. In his memory, his father was the best father in all the capital no matter how great his mistakes, his father would never punish him harshly, only gently reason with him.
And if he didn’t listen, his father would only sigh helplessly and then go off to comfort his mother.
He had thought his father would never betray his mother, only to learn he had betrayed her long ago. He had thought his father would love him forever, only to realize that this love had perhaps been divided into several portions from the very beginning.
No wonder. No wonder he had made Jiang Bin take the fall for him.
Shen Shixu rather admired Jiang Xingbang’s audacity to actually dare bring his mistress and illegitimate children right in front of the Princess. He truly wasn’t afraid of being discovered.
[This Jiang Xingbang really is something. Any other man who strays rushes to cover his tracks, not daring to let his wife find out. But him? He brings the woman straight to his wife’s face.
Besides being naturally bold, it must also be because Princess Consort Kangning trusted and loved him so deeply that she never thought to suspect him. He’d built up his image well too, no one would have suspected him of keeping a mistress outside.
In front of others, he played the devoted husband and loving father. In truth, the only person he loved was himself.]
Princess Consort Kangning heard Shen Shixu’s inner voice too. She felt he was right, it was she who had given him too much trust, which was why Jiang Xingbang thought she was so easy to deceive.
Shen Shixu continued muttering to 011, [When His Highness and I interrogated Jiang Xingbang earlier and asked why he made Jiang Bin take the fall for him, he refused no matter what to reveal that he had illegitimate children. It looks like he was planning to have the Princess support his mistress and children for him!
After all, Princess Consort Kangning knew nothing, and the two of them had so many years of history together.
Once he’s dead, those old feelings will only become even more unforgettable. Princess Consort Kangning will surely take good care of everything he left behind and that, of course, includes the mother and her children.]
At this, Princess Consort Kangning couldn’t help clutching her chest. She felt a wave of nausea so strong she could have vomited up even the previous night’s meal.
Jiang Bin watched his mother in such distress, his heart full of worry. After everything with Jiang Xingbang, this young man who had always been seen by everyone as a spoiled playboy seemed to have grown up overnight.
Supporting Princess Kangning, he bowed politely to the assembled ministers and Emperor Wu’an, offering words of apology and farewell. “Your Majesty, and all you ministers, my mother is unwell, so we will take our leave first. As for Your Majesty’s verdict, neither of us has any objection.
We only wish to see my father one more time. There are some things we would like to ask him face to face.”
Emperor Wu’an granted Jiang Bin’s request easily, it was no great matter.
Besides, it would be good to let Princess Kangning see him. Emperor Wu’an understood his younger sister well: she loved and hated with equal intensity!
When she loved, she could lift Jiang Xingbang up to the heavens; when she hated, she could drag him down into hell.
After leaving the Qianqing Hall, Princess Kangning composed herself for a moment, then went straight to the prison of the Court of Judicial Review.
She demanded to see Jiang Xingbang, and no one there dared to block her way. The Princess Consort’s husband had committed a grave crime, but that had nothing to do with the princess herself. As long as the imperial house stood, she would remain a princess forever.
So when the jailers saw her arrive, they didn’t dare show the slightest disrespect, and quickly opened Jiang Xingbang’s cell.
When Jiang Xingbang saw her come, he thought he was saved. Forcing a smile and enduring the pain, he moved closer to Princess Kangning, only to be slapped across the face.
“Well done, Jiang Xingbang! I gave you my whole heart, and you dared to betray me! Keeping a mistress outside was one thing, but you actually brought her and your bastard son right in front of me, and made me dote on them personally. Was it fun, playing me for a fool? Watching me devote myself to them, did that make you feel especially pleased with yourself? Did you think I was utterly stupid, a plaything in the palm of your hand?”
Jiang Xingbang had no idea how she had learned about his mistress and illegitimate son. But he absolutely could not afford to anger her now, he was counting on Princess Kangning to get him out!
“A-Ying, let me explain! I was schemed against too. That woman drugged me, and then she got pregnant. The child was innocent, I couldn’t bring myself to do anything about it, and that’s how this great mistake came about. But you are the only one in my heart. I swear to heaven, if I’ve lied to you, may I die a horrible death, my corpse torn to pieces!”
Hearing Jiang Xingbang’s oath, Princess Kangning didn’t believe a single word. She wanted to lay hands on him and torture him properly, but Jiang Bin was still at her side.
Jiang Xingbang was, after all, Jiang Bin’s biological father. She couldn’t bring herself to strike him in front of her son. Watching Princess Kangning’s hesitant expression, Jiang Bin understood what she was worrying about.
He stepped forward himself and drove a kick straight into Jiang Xingbang’s groin.
Though Jiang Bin’s body had been weakened by years of wine and women, Jiang Xingbang was in no better shape, plus he had been tortured just the day before and was extremely weak. With that single kick, Jiang Bin destroyed his manhood for good. Even Princess Kangning couldn’t help covering her mouth in shock at the sight. Jiang Bin glared at Jiang Xingbang with hatred. “I once thought I was the happiest young man in all the noble families, but you shattered everything. You destroyed my mother’s happy marriage, and you destroyed all the love I had for you as my father. You truly are a worthless piece of trash. I will hate you for the rest of my life!”
Princess Kangning looked at Jiang Bin’s pained expression, her heart aching terribly, and pulled him into her arms.
As she comforted Jiang Bin, she shot a vicious glare at Jiang Xingbang. “Don’t even think about coaxing us into pleading for your life. Imperial Brother has already issued his verdict for you, execution after autumn! And in the meantime, rest assured, I will make sure someone takes very good care of you.
As for your mistress and her children, I haven’t forgotten them either. I’ll be sure to extend my hospitality to them as well.”