Chapter 191: Ji Ying’s Blunt Words
“It was this criminal who found the Grand Secretary and asked him to bring me into the Imperial City.”
“This criminal faked death to survive because he was being pursued and killed.”
“This criminal did not dare to show his face and hid everywhere until the White Horse Town case was known to all under heaven, before daring to seek an opportunity to see His Majesty.”
Ji Ying’s voice continued to echo in the hall.
The Emperor’s face was somber, and he did not question Ji Ying further, only saying, “Is the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review present?”
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review hurriedly stood up from his seat, not knowing if he was stunned or too nervous, still holding the wine cup in his hand until reminded by the person beside him, then hastily set it down, responding at the same time, “This minister is here.”
“This is your Dali Temple’s case. Take Ji Ying and the Grand Secretary away for inquiry.” The Emperor said.
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review hurriedly acknowledged, and not only he but also the other Dali Temple officials present hurriedly stepped forward. The Imperial Guards came forward to drag away Ji Ying and the Grand Secretary Xia An.
“Your Majesty, please wait.” Marquis Yichun stood up. “Since Ji Ying has come out, this minister has one thing to ask him.”
The Emperor looked at him: “Marquis, today is your birthday. Do not let this person ruin the mood.”
Marquis Yichun shook his head and said, “Your Majesty, this is not ruining the mood; this is the best birthday gift this minister has received.”
As he spoke, his expression was emotional as he looked at Ji Ying.
“Earlier, I really thought you were dead, leaving one helpless.”
“Now it’s good; you are still alive.”
His smile faded as he took a step forward.
“Ji Ying, was it this marquis who instructed you to attack White Horse Town?”
Although Ji Ying’s servant’s testimony had been suppressed, it had actually spread everywhere, and almost everyone present knew about it.
The Emperor had Dali Temple take Ji Ying away immediately, and the guests also knew this was His Majesty avoiding an embarrassing scene by conducting a private review. If the truth was truly unfavorable to Marquis Yichun, it could be covered up.
Unexpectedly, Marquis Yichun asked directly.
The hall fell completely quiet.
Ji Ying looked at Marquis Yichun: “No.”
Noisy voices arose in the hall.
As expected, it was not him. Just as I said, it was too absurd, utterly inexplicable.
The guests present all began to discuss.
Marquis Yichun sneered inwardly. Of course he had to make Ji Ying clarify everything here. If he were really dragged away by the Emperor like this, would it not allow arbitrary framing of him?
“……The marquis only told this criminal about Madam Yang’s identity and background in White Horse Town, asking me to cover it up if necessary, so as not to alarm His Majesty or the people under heaven.”
Ji Ying continued.
“Therefore, this criminal, knowing full well the many suspicious points in the White Horse Town attack case, hastily closed the case by framing a death row prisoner as the villain.”
The noise in the hall quieted for a moment, but before discussions could resume, the Emperor spoke up to stop it.
“Enough. Save what you have to say for the interrogation!”
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review also came to his senses and hurriedly urged, “Take him away!”
……
…..
This time, as Ji Ying was stopped and dragged away, Marquis Yichun did not stop it again, but the banquet could no longer continue.
The Emperor said a few perfunctory words, everyone toasted Marquis Yichun another cup together, and the banquet ended.
Marquis Yichun’s family was kept back by the Empress.
The others exited the Great Hall, discussing noisily.
“Covering up Madam Yang’s identity……”
“Isn’t she Duke Ding’an’s younger sister?”
“If she were just Duke Ding’an’s younger sister, what was there to cover up about that identity? What was there that could not alarm His Majesty?”
“As expected, that Madam Yang is the Miss Yang who was betrothed to His Majesty back then……”
“That’s not important; the important thing is not this!”
“Did you not hear the first thing Ji Ying said?”
“That child!”
“That Miss Yang is that Madam Yang’s daughter! Does that not mean!”
Amid the discussions, countless people turned back to look toward the Imperial City.
Qin Ying was among them, her expression dazed, her eyes shining brightly.
“I knew it, I knew my eyes would not deceive me! That Miss Yang, that Miss Yang is actually…”
……
……
“Father, Mother, how could you leave me behind!”
Yang Hui climbed into the carriage, complaining huffily.
When Marquis Yichun’s family followed the Empress and Emperor inward, Duke Ding’an and his wife had already rushed out of the Great Hall and out of the Imperial City like the wind.
So fast that others who wanted to ask questions could not catch them, and Yang Hui was nearly left behind.
Fortunately, Yang Hui heard the White Horse Town case mentioned and knew it would affect their family again, so she watched her parents closely and hurriedly followed, calling out before the carriage sped off.
Otherwise, she would have had to walk back herself! Too embarrassing!
Duke Ding’an and his wife did not comfort their daughter and once again urged outward, “Go, go quickly.”
The carriage sped forward, and Yang Hui nearly fell over.
“What are you two so anxious about?” She complained again, then hurriedly asked, “What did that Ji Ying mean?”
Ji Ying’s appearance was sudden, and the Emperor did not dismiss the people in the hall, so she and the other companion reader young ladies had heard the whole thing.
But she was confused; she already knew the White Horse Town case involved their family, but she had not taken it seriously, since she had never met that aunt since childhood.
Why did it seem related to Yang Luo this time?
“Yang Luo is actually the daughter of that aunt who died in White Horse Town? Not the daughter of some second great-uncle’s aunt?”
Duke Ding’an’s Wife made an um-um-ah-ah sound, which counted as admission.
Yang Hui was even angrier.
“Why did you hide this from me! So dangerous!”
“Ji Ying said there are still people pursuing and killing her! She has been living in our home all along; what if those villains come to our house!”
“And I go to school with her!”
“Good thing she was pursued and killed in the palace; there are many guards in the Imperial City.”
With that, she looked at Duke Ding’an and his wife.
“You absolutely must not bring her back, lest the villains come to our house and we are all done for!”
Hearing this, Duke Ding’an, who had been dazed and seemingly lost in thought, looked at her: “Do not worry; she probably does not need to be brought back.”
Yang Hui was stunned. What did he mean she did not need to be brought back?
……
……
In the Empress’s Palace, Marquis Yichun, Chai Yuan, and Chai Du sat together.
The Emperor had gone to summon officials to discuss the case investigation and was not present, which made it convenient for Marquis Yichun’s family to talk.
“In short, this matter……” Chai Yuan explained the causes and effects of the matter, finally stating his guess, “It should be His Majesty’s arrangement.”
From Ji Ying suddenly disappearing to suddenly appearing, it was too strange. Who else but the Emperor could do such a thing?
“So, His Majesty did this with the ultimate goal of recognizing this daughter?” Chai Du said after listening.
Chai Yuan sneered: “First a libationer disciple at the National Academy, then staying in the temporary palace to build momentum. Now, with Ji Ying appearing and revealing Yang Luo’s true identity, naturally everyone will guess she is the Emperor’s daughter.”
Chai Du smiled and said, “As I said in my reply letter earlier, such a trivial matter need not be minded.”
With that, he looked at the Empress.
“Younger sister, do not quarrel with His Majesty over this. It is just one princess; do not lose the bigger picture over something small.”
The Empress smiled: “Second Brother, rest assured.”
Chai Du was about to say more when Marquis Yichun interrupted him: “Enough. You need not worry about things here. Do not delay; hurry and go.”
Chai Yuan could not help saying: “Let Second Brother stay home for a meal, then go after eating……”
Chai Du had already smilingly stood up and acknowledged.
“Father, rest assured. I will return to the border county right away.” He said, then to Chai Yuan, “Give a bow to Mother for me.”
Chai Yuan acknowledged.
Watching Chai Du’s figure disappear in the hall, Marquis Yichun’s expression softened slightly.
“Second Brother truly passed his home without entering.” Chai Yuan sighed, then pursed his lips. “So, that assassin was also His Majesty’s arrangement?”
The Empress laughed: “He truly went to great lengths.”
Marquis Yichun looked at her: “Do not quarrel with His Majesty over this matter. I have my own countermeasures for it.”
Chai Yuan hurriedly said: “Father plans to arrange a good marriage for this maid.”
With that, he explained the arrangement for Zhu Yunxiao.
“This way, even if His Majesty recognizes her, we can make her disappear from the eyes of the world.” Chai Yuan said proudly, then annoyed, “Unfortunately, the assassin popped up first and disrupted the arrangement.”
The Empress said oh, then, “There will be plenty of opportunities later, and even more families for Father to choose from.”
After all, after today, many families would know Yang Luo is a princess, and there would be no shortage of those eager to climb the dragon and attach to the phoenix, nor of families that could be used.
“Yes, so in the future, do not concern yourself with matters regarding Yang Luo.” Marquis Yichun said. “Leave it to me to arrange, lest……”
Lest the Emperor take out his anger on you. Before he could say it, the Empress already smiled and said yes: “Everything will be as Father arranges.”
Marquis Yichun said no more and nodded.
“Comfort Pingcheng well.” He rose to take leave, then thought of something and instructed, “Do not let rumors hurt her.”
The Empress acknowledged, watching Marquis Yichun and Chai Yuan go out. As their figures disappeared from sight, the smile on the Empress’s face instantly vanished.
He still knew her Pingcheng would be hurt.
She looked at the palace gate, her hands before her clenching tightly.
Comfort? The best comfort is to let this Yang Luo die, not your half-hearted methods!
The Emperor arranged a fake assassin; then she would arrange a real one.
The Empress was just about to summon someone when her confidaante palace maid hurried in from outside, her expression panicked.
“Your Ladyship, Your Ladyship, bad news.” She said urgently. “General Chai was taken away by Dali Temple people at the palace gate.”
