Reborn as an Ugly Wife in the Countryside-Chapter 1272 - 1274: She Must Have Been Framed

Chu Lian continued, "The Empress said if she wanted to get rid of the child, she wouldn’t be foolish enough to use someone from her own side. This must be my sister trying to frame her by deliberately using someone from her entourage."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiangxiang thought the Empress’s words made sense. So, what exactly was going on? Could it really be that her sister wanted to send the child away? But wouldn’t having a child by her side further solidify her position in the palace? Why send the child away?

She asked in confusion, "Did the Emperor believe it?"

Chu Lian shook his head, "Such a big issue can’t be judged solely by the Empress’s words. Besides, there is no evidence of my sister connecting with someone from the Empress’s circle, so she can’t be convicted."

"Then..."

"The reason the Emperor put my sister under house arrest is mainly because the Empress revealed a secret that made the Emperor think my sister had the motive to send the child away."

"What’s the secret?" Wang Xiangxiang asked, her eyes widening.

"The Empress said my sister’s child was a person of ill omen with six toes, and claimed my sister feared the Emperor would harm the child. So she acted first, sending the child away and framing her."

"How could this be?" Wang Xiangxiang could hardly believe it. Was Chu Lian’s sister really such a scheming and ruthless person?

Though she had never interacted with the Sima family, she had heard of the Sima Prime Minister’s reputation. Two generations of prime ministers were fair and incorruptible, so their children should not be particularly malicious. She voiced her doubt, "Could the Empress be making it up?"

Chu Lian shook his head again, "The matter of the child having six toes has been confessed by everyone in my sister’s chamber, and my sister herself has admitted it too." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Wang Xiangxiang was a bit puzzled. Even if this were true, there was no way she should have admitted it. Since the child wasn’t in the Imperial Palace, it’s merely a matter of speaking. Why would her sister admit it? She hurriedly asked, "Did Sister admit sending the child away? Did she admit framing the Empress?"

Chu Lian sighed, feeling helpless, "No! Sister never admitted anything, yet the Emperor still pronounced her guilty."

"How could this be?"

Chu Lian’s lips curled into a bitter smile, his expression full of helplessness, his eyes dimmed, "Within the Imperial City, the Emperor’s word is law."

Wang Xiangxiang was silent. She understood Chu Lian’s helplessness. In this distant Shanshi County, even a County Magistrate could act with impunity, let alone the high and mighty Emperor, who could decide life and death as easily as crushing an ant. Ordinary people like them couldn’t stop it.

She held Chu Lian’s hands tighter and tighter, looking into his eyes, longing to comfort the man she loved, who was feeling so hurt, "Husband, I believe sister. She must have been wronged."

At this moment, as Chu Lian talked about these matters, his eyes unconsciously reddened. He was always oppressed by these issues, having no place to express himself.

Now looking at the woman he loved in front of him, there was an indescribable feeling in his heart, having someone to confide in felt truly comforting. "Yes, she must have been wronged."

When he first heard of this matter, Chu Lian never believed it. His sister was very innocent and kind, not good at confronting others. She was simply not suited for life in the Deep Palace. But the Emperor noticed her beauty, leaving her no choice but to enter the palace.

Thinking of this, Chu Lian’s face darkened immensely. Indeed, his sister had been persecuted.