jdhmnovel Chapter 353 What is Yong?
Chapter 353 What is Yong?
The two simple words seemed to carry an endless chill, echoing softly in the Imperial Study.
The slanting sunlight streaming through the carved window of the imperial study cast a long, distorted shadow of Huo Xuanqing. Cold sweat glistened on his forehead in the light. "Yes! Your Majesty is wise! What I said just now is entirely true. If that malevolent aura is not eliminated..."
"Snapped!"
Emperor Wenjing suddenly threw the jade paperweight from the table to the ground, and the paperweight shattered instantly.
The flying shards of jade grazed Huo Xuanqing's cheek like hidden weapons, instantly leaving a bloody mark.
Huo Xuanqing looked horrified and subconsciously reached out to wipe his stinging cheek.
His lips trembled slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but in his fear, it was as if an invisible hand was gripping his throat, leaving him so dry that he couldn't utter a sound.
"Huo Xuanqing, do you really think I am a foolish and ignorant tyrant who can be so easily fooled by you?"
Emperor Wenjing's voice suddenly rose, as if carrying the fury of thunder.
He slammed his hand on the table with a loud "bang," startling Huo Xuanqing so much that the air in the hall seemed to freeze.
“A renowned physician just arrived outside the palace. He has diagnosed that the Empress Dowager was poisoned, not struck by some blood-evil star.”
"I'll ask you one last time, what exactly is wrong with the Empress Dowager?"
"Is this Bloodthirsty Calamity Star truly a scourge to the nation?"
This was the first time Huo Xuanqing had experienced the emperor's thunderous wrath. His body trembled like a leaf, and he was so frightened that he lost his mind.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please spare my life!"
Huo Xuanqing finally managed to squeeze out a few words, his voice filled with fear and despair, "It's...it's Yong..."
A sudden clanging sound rang out in the Imperial Study, abruptly stopping Huo Xuanqing from speaking.
Then a figure emerged from behind the screen; it was none other than Prince Yong.
At this moment, with just the right amount of unease and panic on his face, he quickly knelt down before Emperor Wenjing and said urgently, "Father, please forgive me. I was so shocked and angry just now that I accidentally knocked the porcelain vase off the antique shelf. Please punish me!"
Huo Xuanqing's pupils contracted sharply when he saw the suddenly appearing Prince Yong.
Prince Yong is actually in the Imperial Study! When did he get into the Imperial Study?!
Emperor Wenjing glanced at Prince Yong with a cold and indifferent gaze.
Earlier, Prince Yong had followed him into the imperial study and retreated behind a screen, which was also with his tacit approval.
He also wanted to see what the Prince of Yong would do.
Emperor Wenjing's voice was devoid of emotion, "It's just a porcelain vase; if it breaks, it breaks."
He narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze sweeping back and forth across Prince Yong's face, as if trying to see through his thoughts.
"What Huo Xuanqing said has piqued my curiosity. He just mentioned the character 'Yong,' and you've made such a fuss. Is there some connection?"
Prince Yong's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm and quickly kowtowed, saying, "Father, I truly had no intention of doing this. Upon hearing that someone dared to poison my grandmother, I was filled with indignation and that's why I lost my composure. If this disrupts your investigation, I am willing to accept punishment!"
Emperor Wenjing remained silent, his gaze returning to Huo Xuanqing, his tone icy: "Huo Xuanqing, my patience is limited."
Huo Xuanqing trembled like a leaf.
He couldn't help but glance at Prince Yong.
Emperor Wenjing noticed this glance and clenched his fist tightly on the armrest of the dragon throne.
Huo Xuanqing stammered, "Your Majesty, it was...it was a mysterious person from Yongzhou. He found me and asked me to lie and say that the Empress Dowager was struck by a blood-fiend star, pointing out that Yu Wan, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Anguo's family, was that star..."
"That man promised me endless riches and glory after the deed was done. I was momentarily blinded by greed, and that's why..."
"This is truly all I know. The mysterious person is well hidden, and I really don't know who he is. Your Majesty, please investigate!"
When Prince Yong saw that Huo Xuanqing had not implicated him, he felt a little relieved. However, the next moment when he looked up and met Emperor Wenjing's cold and deep eyes, his heart sank to the bottom.
The Department of Cautious Punishment.
The prison of the Censorate was dark, and Yu Wan couldn't tell whether it was day or night. However, the bedding provided by the Censorate was warm enough, so she slept soundly, hugging the blankets.
"Miss Yu? Miss Yu? Wake up, the Emperor has ordered us to escort you out of the palace."
Yu Wan was half asleep when she heard this and suddenly opened her eyes. She saw Liu Haifu, the chief eunuch of Emperor Wenjing, standing in front of the open prison door, looking at her with a smile.
Yu Wan jumped out of bed, still a little confused, "What happened?"
Liu Haifu smiled and said respectfully, "Miss Yu, the Empress Dowager's illness has been diagnosed. It was caused by poisoning, not by any blood-evil star. His Majesty is wise and knows that you have been wronged. He has specially ordered me to escort you out of the palace."
You figured it out so quickly?
This happened much faster than Yu Wan had anticipated; she thought she would have to stay in the Censorate for at least three to five days.
Yu Wan's mind was racing, but she put on a look of surprise and delight: "Is that so? Has the person who framed me been identified?"
Liu Haifu shook his head and sighed, "This... I don't know much about it either. I only know that His Majesty is thoroughly investigating this matter, and I expect there will be results soon."
“Miss Yu, why don’t you come out with us first?”
Yu Wan naturally did not believe Liu Haifu's words.
Liu Haifu was Emperor Wenjing's personal attendant; how could he not know anything?
However, as someone serving the emperor, the most important thing is to keep one's mouth shut. Since Liu Haifu didn't want to talk about it, she didn't ask any further questions.
Yu Wan jumped off the bed, straightened her clothes, and followed Liu Haifu out of the prison.
Upon arriving at the palace gate, a carriage was already waiting there.
Beside the carriage, Yun Shang, dressed in a moon-white robe, stood quietly. Upon seeing her appear, he immediately strode towards the palace gate.
Liu Haifu looked at her with a smile on his face, "Miss Yu, when we went to the Shenxing Division to pick you up just now, we sent someone to the Yun residence to inform Lord Yun."
His tone became more playful, "It seems Lord Yun is quite concerned about you. We've only just arrived at the palace gate, and Lord Yun is already waiting here."
His face crinkled with laughter. "Since someone has come to fetch you, I'll head back to the palace to report."
Yu Wan looked at Liu Haifu, curtsied, and said with a smile, "Thank you for your trouble, sir. I hope you can convey my gratitude to His Majesty."
Liu Haifu nodded, then turned and left with the eunuchs.
Yun Shang walked up to Yu Wan, looked her up and down to make sure she hadn't been mistreated, and said softly, "Let's get in the car first."
Yu Wan was full of questions, but she knew this wasn't the place to talk, so she nodded.
Just as she was about to step onto the carriage herself, a large hand suddenly appeared around her waist, pulling her onto the carriage.
The movements were so fluid and fast that Yu Wan didn't even have time to react.
Yu Wan was still a little dazed when she sat down in the carriage.
Why is Yun Shang being so proactive after only two days?
Yun Shang also got into the carriage.
The coachman drove away from the palace gate, and Yun Shang poured Yu Wan a cup of hot tea and handed it to her: "Have a sip of hot tea to warm yourself up first."
Yu Wan glanced at him and felt that Yun Shang was unusually gentle today.
She hesitated before taking the teacup, took a small sip, and tilted her head to look at Yun Shang. "Are you alright?"