Song Zhiqing spoke with conviction, and then he glanced at Chang'an. Chang'an nodded, took out a yellowed booklet from his sleeve, and handed it to Madam Ling with both hands.
Ling Chuchu took it for Madam Ling and leaned over to read it together with Madam Ling.
"These are the household registration records of the people in Baicang Town. I sent people to check and asked the officials who wrote and recorded the household registration there. There have never been these two people in the town." Song Zhiqing told the two.
Madam Ling and Ling Chuchu had different expressions, one looked relieved, while the other looked worried. Ling Qingwan took in the whole scene, feeling full of disdain.
Madam Ling was relieved because the reputation of the Marquis' Mansion was finally restored, but Ling Chuchu was probably depressed that her plan had failed again.
"In addition, I also checked the list of people who entered and left Tokyo City in the past two days. According to the city regulations of Dayue, outsiders must have a pass to travel to Tokyo City. And the couple who claimed that they had watched Wanwan grow up since she was a child, in fact, have never left Tokyo City." Ling Xiao took over the conversation and provided supporting evidence to prove Ling Qingwan's innocence.
"You mean, those two people are actually from Tokyo City?" Old Madam Ling was stunned and looked up at Ling Xiao with wide eyes.
"Yes." Ling Xiao responded. "If it is true as they said, that they just came to Dongjing City in the past few days and wanted to ask Wanwan for help to make a living, their names would not be missing from the list of people entering and leaving the city gate. When the Seventh Prince returned to the court, he would have to record their names on the list, let alone two ordinary people."
Madam Ling frowned, looking somewhat at a loss. She was a well-known figure in the Marquis' Mansion and even in the entire Tokyo City aristocracy. Now she was being manipulated by a pair of commoners. If this were to get out, where would she put her face
Ling Chuchu was even more frightened.
"In fact, we could have found the evidence by walking a few more steps and asking a few more people. It's just that everyone was too panicked, and the matter spread more and more. It was out of our control, so the truth has been revealed until now." Song Zhiqing spoke very gently, without any airs of a prince. "It's human nature, old lady, don't take it to heart."
Ling Qingwan stared at Song Zhiqing's profile in a daze. She could still clearly remember how ferocious this familiar face had been when facing her.
"Wanwan." Ling Xiao thought Ling Qingwan was still sad, so he called her softly and then patted Ling Qingwan on the back.
Ling Qingwan turned her head and smiled at Ling Xiao.
"But even if that couple and Wanwan don't know each other, it only proves that they wanted to climb up the social ladder in the Marquis' Mansion, but their plan failed. Wanwan was a child bride, and she admitted that." Ling Chuchu spoke, staring at Ling Qingwan closely.
Everyone's eyes turned to Ling Chuchu.
"What I mean is that the rumors out there right now are all about Wanwan being a child bride. The identities of that couple have no impact on Wanwan's current situation at all." Ling Chuchu was worried that they would see through her thoughts, so she quickly added an explanation.
In public, Ling Chuchu was worried about Ling Qingwan, but secretly, she was just using the fact that Ling Qingwan had been a child bride to make trouble for him. Ling Qingwan said nothing and just watched Ling Chuchu act quietly.
"Wanwan was kidnapped to the countryside when she was a few years old. She didn't know anything at the time. Becoming a child bride was not her decision, and it was her only choice to survive. As her family, we should blame ourselves for not being able to protect Wanwan and letting her suffer all these years, instead of blaming her for becoming someone else's child bride when she was six or seven years old and defenseless."
Ling Xiao was very emotional, but he resisted the urge to scold Ling Chuchu and finished his words calmly.
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room instantly became solemn.
"Okay, it's okay." Ling Qingwan, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up. "Since I've already had Master Zuo examine me and proven my innocence, I have a clear conscience."
After saying that, Ling Qingwan turned sideways, bowed to Song Zhiqing, and then turned and left.
Ling Xiao followed closely behind, and as soon as he stepped out of the room, a cloak wrapped around Ling Qingwan's body.
"Brother, aren't you afraid that Chuchu will think you are partial to me?" Ling Qingwan joked with a smile.
Ling Xiao just confronted Ling Chuchu, and given Ling Chuchu's personality, she would definitely bear a grudge against him. Who knows how she would plot against the siblings in the future.
"I'm biased towards you." Ling Xiao raised the corner of his mouth slightly.
A gust of wind blew by, and his hair was lifted high. His face was handsome and full of vigor and vitality. Ling Qingwan felt warm in her heart, took a small step forward, and threw herself into Ling Xiao's arms.
Ling Xiao was stunned.
"Wanwan, do you feel wronged these days?" he asked softly, rubbing Ling Qingwan's hair with his hand.
Ling Qingwan buried her head in Ling Xiao's chest and shook her head violently.
"I have a brother who dotes on me and protects me so much, why do I still feel wronged?"
She just missed Ling Xiao too much. Ling Qingwan had truly experienced the feeling of being separated from Ling Xiao by life and death, and now she was very satisfied to be able to play and act like a spoiled child in front of Ling Xiao.
When Ling Qingwan left Ling Xiao's arms, she looked behind him and saw Song Zhiqing standing not far away. She greeted Ling Xiao and walked towards Song Zhiqing.
"The brother-sister relationship between Miss Wanwan and the Prince is really enviable." Song Zhiqing said with a smile.
Ling Qingwan wasn't sure if she was dazzled or what, but she clearly saw a flash of jealousy in Song Zhiqing's eyes that disappeared in the blink of an eye.
What was he jealous of? He had never had any feelings for her from the beginning to the end. Ling Qingwan, who had been reborn once, knew this very well.
"Just now in front of my grandmother, I didn't have the chance to express my gratitude to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. This time, I owe you a favor. If you need my help in the future, just let me know." Ling Qingwan did not greet Song Zhiqing and deliberately kept a distance from him.
She said she wanted to repay a favor, but it was just a polite remark. Ling Qingwan didn't believe that Song Zhiqing, a prince, would need her help. If it really came to favors, Song Zhiqing would never be able to repay her in his lifetime.
"It's just a small favor, you don't need to take it to heart." Song Zhiqing's tone was gentle, as if he could squeeze water out of it. "Besides, I'm helping you prove your innocence for my own good."
Ling Qingwan could hear the implication of Song Zhiqing's words. If the rumor that she had been a child bride continued to spread, the emperor would never agree to her marriage with Song Zhiqing for the sake of the royal family's reputation.
It seems that Song Zhiqing really wants to marry her.
"Your Highness, there is no need to worry so much. In a short while, when the people get tired of it, this matter will be over. Besides, my brother will not watch me being misunderstood by everyone." Ling Qingwan tactfully told Song Zhiqing that what he did was just to move himself and it didn't really have much effect.
This was indeed the case. The reason why Ling Qingwan was so calm was that she was sure that this matter would not cause a big stir. Even without relying on anyone, she could handle it on her own.