Xia Wanwan continued with a smile,
"Old minister, this elderly couple before you is utterly deranged. Wanting to make their own grandson my imperial son-in-law would have been bad enough."
"To pave the way for their grandson, they not only poisoned Lord Qiao's wife for years, but even poisoned the child in her womb. Madam Qiao likely won't survive tonight, and her unborn child, over eight months along, will die too."
Duke Yan had only recently arrived. He had probably asked about the proceedings outside before deciding to enter the Courtroom.
The poisoning had been examined at the very beginning, so he probably knew nothing about it yet.
Sure enough.
Upon hearing this,
Duke Yan's expression shifted, and his gaze toward the Qiao elders grew considerably colder.
"No, it wasn't to pave the way for Tianci. That girl from the Zhong Family who eloped wasn't worthy of Zhishu, so... so we..."
Old Master Qiao explained, his face pale. But he could not say too much, and could only plead with Duke Yan through his expression, insisting that everything he had done was for Qiao Zhishu's sake.
After all, Duke Yan would never spare them for poisoning Qiao Zhishu's child.
"Is it up to you to decide whether she's worthy of me? You were unbearably harsh with me from childhood, repeatedly obstructing my studies. You even cut off my financial support before my final Imperial Examination. Do you know how I managed to pass?"
"Ling'er, the cherished daughter of the richest family, embroidered handkerchiefs stitch by stitch to pay for my examination expenses, until her hands were covered in needle pricks. Now I've lived up to her hopes, entered official service, and married her. But what have you done?"
"You enjoy the fruits of her sacrifices, the respect and good name