Chapter 64: Arresting People Overnight

It was getting late and the dew was heavy. Outside the Princess's Mansion, Chi Yuan stopped his horse and stood.

He looked up at the towering princess's mansion, lost in thought.

The situation is urgent. If Song finds out tomorrow that the two servants have not returned home, she will definitely destroy the evidence and may even attack the wife of the Duke of Dongyang.

Only the eldest princess could allow him to lead his troops into the Dingxiang Marquis's Mansion overnight.

"Chi Yuan, the Junior Minister of the Dali Temple, requests to see the Princess," he knocked on the door.

The palace door slowly opened, and the female official holding a lantern looked at him with a frown, "Sir, His Highness has already retired. If you have anything important to say, please come back tomorrow."

"This is a matter of great importance and cannot be delayed." Chi Yuan's voice was low, but he did not allow for refusal.

The female official hesitated for a moment, and finally turned around to report.

In the bedroom, the eldest princess was already sleeping soundly.

Hearing Chi Yuan asking for a meeting late at night, she raised her eyebrows slightly, "Shaoqing of the Dali Temple?"

She remembered that Qu Ling seemed to admire this person very much.

"Let him in."

Chi Yuan stepped into the hall, lowered his eyes and saluted, not daring to look directly at the graceful and elegant eldest princess sitting on the seat.

In the hall, the scent of agarwood floated in the air and the curtains hung low. The eldest princess wore a plain white nightgown and her hair was untied, yet her majesty remained undimmed.

"I deserve to die for disturbing Your Highness so late at night." He knelt on the ground.

The princess raised her eyes lazily, "Chi Shaoqing, why are you so anxious?"

Chi Yuan took a deep breath and told the whole story of how the Song family colluded with the wife of the Duke of Dongyang to frame Qu Mingyue, Xu Yu's tragic death, and the exchange of dowry.

The words are concise, but every word is as sharp as a knife, hitting the point directly.

"The body of the prince of the Dongyang Marquis's mansion is in the Dali Temple. The two servants from the Dingxiang Marquis' mansion were caught burying the body and have no way to deny it. However, I believe that without the help of the princess, it is unlikely that they would have been able to apprehend the perpetrators."

The princess tapped the table with her fingertips, her eyes dark, "Why don't you go find the Dali Temple Minister?"

Chi Yuan raised his eyes, his sharp eyes flashing, "The situation is urgent and cannot wait until tomorrow."

The princess stared at him and suddenly chuckled, "Chi Yuan, you know that leading troops into the Marquis's residence late at night without an imperial decree is a crime of great disrespect."

"I know," he said, "but if the Song family is allowed to escape punishment, the truth behind Xu Yu's death will be lost, and Mrs. Xu's dowry will be destroyed."

He knew that the eldest princess and Madam Xu were good friends.

Mrs. Xu's dowry was the result of great effort on the part of the old uncle.

The eldest princess' eyes moved slightly.

She slowly stood up and walked lightly to Chi Yuan.

Chi Yuan lowered his head and could only see the golden phoenix embroidered on the hem of her skirt.

"I'll help you this time," she said softly, yet with an undeniable pressure, "but Chi Yuan, please don't let me down."

"If this matter is handled to my satisfaction, the position of Dali Temple Minister will definitely be yours in the future."

Chi Yuan bowed solemnly, "I will definitely live up to your expectations, Your Highness."

The princess turned around and said, "Come here, take my token, mobilize a team of personal soldiers, and follow Junior Minister Chi to the Dingxiang Marquis's residence to arrest the person."

The serving female official took the order and left.

The eldest princess glanced at Chi Yuan and suddenly said meaningfully, "You and Qu Ling seem to be quite close friends?"

Chi Yuan was startled. "I have only met Miss Qu a few times, so I dare not claim friendship with her."

The eldest princess chuckled and waved her hand, "Go, don't miss the time."

Just as Chi Yuan was about to step out of the hall, the eldest princess' voice came from behind him, "I am waiting for the day when you will submit to me."

Chi Yuan paused slightly, then strode away, leading a team of personal soldiers to rush towards the Dingxiang Marquis Mansion.

Dingxiang Hou Qu Xin had just closed his eyes for a short while when he was awakened again.

He stood up, put on his clothes, and shouted angrily, "When did my mansion become a place of market?"

When he stepped out of the mansion, he saw Chi Yuan and his men standing outside.

In the light of the fire, the weapons gleamed coldly.

What shocked him even more was that the Duke and Duchess of Dongyang were also standing nearby, their eyes like poisoned knives.

Qu Qi was furious. "Master Chi, you led your troops to invade my mansion late at night. Are you planning a rebellion?"

Chi Yuan didn't say anything, but just stepped aside.

The wife of the Duke of Dongyang suddenly rushed forward and said in a shrill voice, "Marquis Dingxiang, my son died in your house, what else do you have to say?"

Qu Qi was stunned for a moment, then laughed in anger, "Ridiculous! When has this duke ever seen your son?"

Chi Yuan waved his hand, and two officers immediately came forward, bringing two tightly tied servants.

The two men were disheveled and had bruises on their faces. When they saw Qu Xin, they immediately kowtowed and cried, "My Lord, save me! I was also ordered by the Madam!"

Qu Ke felt like there was something stuck in her throat. It was the Song family again. How much more trouble would she cause?

"Do you recognize them, Lord?" Chi Yuan asked coldly, "These two buried a body in the mass grave outside the city. It was Xu Yu, the son of the Duke of Dongyang."

The wife of the Duke of Dongyang could no longer hold back and screamed, "Killing someone means paying with your life! How dare you treat human life so carelessly under the Emperor's feet!"

Qu Xin's face turned pale and his mind was in a mess.

He turned sharply to Chi Yuan and said, "This matter is completely unknown to me. If it is true, I will not tolerate it."

Chi Yuan's eyes were deep. "Then please ask the Marquis to hand over the lady. We will know right from wrong once we investigate."

Mrs. Song did not sleep peacefully.

She sat in front of the dressing table, staring at the scratches on her face caused by Qu Mingyue, feeling extremely angry.

Qu Xun, this fool, ignored his own daughter for the sake of his sister.

Qu Mingyue lost her husband and son, but she blamed Qu Lianzhi for it. She is simply crazy.

She grabbed the handkerchief and threw it at the mirror.

"The entire family of Duke Su was executed. Qu Mingyue is a divorced woman whose son and husband are both dead. What is the point of living?"

Nanny Yan understood her thoughts.

"Madam is right. It's just that I was unable to take the initiative in the Forest Garden before. Now that she is hiding with the old lady, it is difficult to take action."

Song also felt a wave of regret.

Qu Mingyue should have been killed long ago.

Qu Ling six years ago, Qu Mingyue today.

It was all her fault for not being decisive enough.

Song sneered, "Could she stay in Yunsong Hall forever?"

I was thinking to myself that it was time to go back to the Song family.

My mother should still have the medicine left by the Mu family.

Just as she was thinking about it, a servant rushed in with a pale face, "Madam, something bad has happened. People from the Dali Temple have broken into the mansion, saying that you killed the Prince of Dongyang."

Nanny Yan screamed and quickly covered her mouth, her eyes full of panic.

This is too fast.

Song's heart skipped a beat and she turned to look at Nanny Yan, "Is your son back?"

Nanny Yan felt desperate and shook her head slowly.

Song's head was buzzing. What should she do?

Nanny Yan said urgently, "Madam, we must go out the back door immediately and return to the Song family."

Song suddenly calmed down, a ruthless look flashing in her eyes, "If I leave, won't that prove my guilt?"

She stood up, took out a delicate knife and put it into her sleeve.

Nanny Yan knelt on the ground and cried, "Madam, it is all my fault that I harmed you."

She couldn't stop regretting it, but it was too late.

He was so greedy that he not only lost his own life but also endangered his son's life.

Song stood up slowly, with no expression on her face. "It's already come to this. There's no point in saying more."

Outside the window, footsteps are getting closer.