Rebirth of Poisoned Empress, by 颜若优雅

Chapter 50

But the Ironclad Guards had already looked into everything concerning Shen Liang, from birth to present. He was certain that Shen Liang had no interactions with Qin Yunshen. Hence, what possible explanation could explain Shen Liang's abnormality?

Despite the pressing question he had and wanted answers for, Pei Yuanxian also knew that this wasn't the appropriate setting. But his phoenix eyes locked onto Shen Liang, as though they were capable of seeing through the boy entirely. 

"Sob, sob... Ge, it was Fifth brother. Fifth brother pulled me down. Sob. Sob," on the other side of the crowd, Shen Qiao threw herself into Shen Yang's arms and wept loudly. Because of her cries, everyone's focus immediately landed on Shen Liang. At this time, he was wrapped in the dark purple cloak. His image looked forlorn. When he sensed the gazes of others around him, he raised his lowered head.

No matter how forlorn he looked, the delicate and intricate feature was still an unimaginable beauty. Those who looked at him were stunned, especially the Duke of Jian and the other princes. With their status, they had seen their fair share of beautiful young ladies and men, with many of them being men with outstanding appearances themselves. But Shen Liang's beauty still left them stunned. His beauty was a breathtaking androgynous craft of art, without the slightest flaws. 

"Someone pushed me, and I only grabbed onto the person who pushed me," Shen Liang did not deny that he pulled Shen Qiao into the river with him. But his words caused another wave of intrigue. Their gazes once again swept over to Shen Qiao. However, there were many people who found themselves not willing to believe that she would actually push someone into the water. After all, within the Imperial City, Shen Qiao was known as a talented young lady, both gentile and virtuous. How could she do something so vicious? What's more, Shen Liang was her cousin!

"You're speaking nonsense. I didn't. Fifth brother, we have no grudges with each other. Why are you trying to harm me?" Shen Qiao suddenly broke free from Shen Yang's embrace and rushed to him. But what appeared unaware of was she was wet from head down. Her attire was thin to begin with and now that they taped to her body, it outlined her figure perfectly. Those were present were mostly unmarried men and women. When they saw her figure, several men found their breathing fastened. Amongst them, those were looked at her with a pinning lustful gaze was the Duke of Jian himself.

Those beady, cloudy eyes were fulled with thick lust as they gazed at her breasts before sliding down to her slender waist. Afterwards, they moved further down to her firm buttocks and legs. As Shen Qiao had her attention entire consumed by Shen Liang, she was oblivious to everything.

But although she didn't realize it, Shen Liang did. Thinking of the plans and schemes Liu Shuhan had in mind, Shen Liang's own plans begin to formulate in his mind. He responded calmly, "I also want to know, we have no grievances or enmity. Why did you take advantage of the chaos to push me into the river?"

"I didn't! It was you. You deliberately pulled me into the water," Shen Qiao thought she hid herself well, but the panic that flickered in her eyes did not escape the gazes of several people. However, even if they did see it, no one would stand out and choose to defend Shen liang at this time. That included Pei Yuanxian. This was Shen Liang's battle. He must fight it himself. Outsiders could not interfere.

"Alright. Then let me change my words. As you said, we have no enmity against each other. Why would I suddenly pull you into the river for no reason? Everyone outside of those from the Marquis Donglin Manor might not be aware, but everyone from the Marquis Donglin Manor knows that after I returned from the countryside, I had fell severely ill for a long period of time. Grandma was considerate and had me rest. Since then, only three months had passed. With such chilling weather and with my health that cannot be any worse off, exactly what degree of enmity must I bear to disregard my own life to pull someone with me into the river? Without care, I'd suffer from another round of illness and lose half my life. Have I lost my mind?"

With this matter, there weren't any witnesses, and it was indeed difficult to uncover the truth. But Shen Liang's words weren't without logic. Those who were present also didn't believe that Shen Liang would be that foolish. Who would use their life to harm a person they have no grievances toward. But if the party was changed to Shen Qiao, it was a different matter.

"Then, then perhaps you grabbed onto the wrong person," Shen Qiao wasn't a fool either. Seeing that she could not take advantage of the situation give Shen liang a severe bite and accusation, she decisively changed her words. Her tone was also not as forceful as before.

In the crowd, Shen Qiang and Shen Yang who watched the scene and noticed the duke of Jian's lustful gaze scolded Shen Qiao's idiocy. Shen Liang's beauty was truly breathtaking. This was something none of them could deny. They originally intended to find a way and turn the Duke of Jian's attention on Shen Liang. Then they would find a way for Shen Liang to take the initiative to throw himself at the Duke of Jian before public view. With that, not only would the Elder Princess take Shen Liang to be a licentious person, but also make Shen liang's words less credible. As for the Duke of Jian, with his perverted character, he would undoubtedly do everything he could to get his paws on Shen Liang. As long as Shen Liang lost his virginity, who else would still want him? Uncle and Mother's name would be naturally cleared. As such, Uncle had deliberately exaggeratedly praised Shen liang's beauty before the Duke of Jian. As expected, the Duke of Jian did indeed develop an interest in this Shen Liang he had never seen before. But... 

But everything was ruined by Shen Qiao, this idiot. The Duke of Jian's attention had entirely shifted over to her. Where did he have the extra attention to pay on Shen Liang?

"En. Perhaps. But when I reached out for someone, the perpetrator's hand was still on my back. Shen Qiao, you tell me, exactly how much of a coincidence must it be for your hand to be so close to my waist and just so happened for me to grab onto you as well?" Shen Liang smiled slightly and bent slowly to meet Shen Qiao's gaze. Anyone with brains could tell that his smile didn't reach his eyes.

Shen Qiao who was observed by him felt the hairs on her arm rise. She subconsciously took two steps back. This action of hers was synonymous to admitting her crimes before the onlooker's gazes. Those who looked at her, be it with disappointment or condemnation, it was different from before. Although those present could accept their future other half being scheming and ruthless, at the bare minimum, they must also be wise. They must know how to handle crisis with ease and calmness, as to prevent making her crimes evident before the public. It was evident that Shen Qiao didn't meet the criteria!

Shen Yang, who had already realized the situation wasn't right, took off his outer robe to wrap around Shen Qiao's body. He hugged her while saying to Shen Liang, "Perhaps it truly was a coincidence. Xiao Wu, don't feel bad about the matter anymore. It's fortunate that both you and Qiao'er are alright."

No matter how much he loves his sister, Shen Yang had no choice but to compromise and make peace at this time. Even with that, his words implied that everything was implicated by Shen Liang, while Shen Qiao was only the innocent bystander.

"Fourth brother's words sure are amusing. I neither wronged nor framed anyone. Why should I feel bad about anything?"

Want him to suffer the loss? In his dreams!

Shen Liang wasn't someone who bickered over small issues, but towards anyone who wanted to harm him, regardless of gender, he wouldn't be merciful.

"Xiao Wu, we're all a family. I believe Qiao'er isn't that person who pushed you into the river. It's all a misunderstanding," his expression became gloomy. Shen Yang gave him a deep look and was practically gnashing his teeth, especially when saying "all a family."

"This lord also believes with young lady Shen being the intelligent and beautiful lady she is, she can't possibly be someone with such vicious thoughts," the Duke of Jian's voice suddenly sounded. 

As though jsut recalling his presence, several people turned to look over at the same time. Realization of the present situation finally dawned on them. Since the matter occurred on the pleasure boar where the Duke of Jian and the other princes were all present, then exactly who was in the wrong and who was in the right, they would naturally be the judge of.