Chapter 478 Letting Chu Yanluo Go

Shen Wantang never expected her mother-in-law to make decisions for her.

If she wants to deal with Xiao Qingyuan, she will naturally have to rely on herself.

Shen Wantang summoned Qin Xin and asked her, "Is Chu Yanluo still in the manor?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Where are they locked up?"

"He was locked in the woodshed in the backyard, guarded by soldiers."

"Where is the prince?"

"The Prince has gone to the palace, presumably to plead for the Crown Prince. He released Consort Chu, a prisoner, without authorization. This time, his crime is likely to be serious! I've heard that some ministers have already submitted memorials requesting that the Crown Prince be punished."

"And what about the Crown Prince?"

"The young master is at home, but he has already made two trips to the backyard to see Consort Chu. The guards are very wary and will not let him get close."

Shen Wantang smiled coldly. Very good, the timing, location, and people were all in her favor.

She said calmly, "Release Chu Yanluo before the prince returns."

Qin Xin was horrified: "Princess Consort, she's trying to kill you, are you still going to let her go? Aren't you afraid she'll harbor ill intentions towards you again?"

“She may indeed have malicious intentions, but I won’t be the first one she strikes. Do as I say and let her go.”

“This servant does have a way to secretly release Consort Chu, but it may require the help of the young master. Once he goes to see Consort Chu, the guards will definitely be focused on him, and only then can this servant release her.”

“That’s easy. Go to Xinghe Courtyard and call the young master here. I have a way to get him to go see Chu Yanluo again.”

"yes."

A moment later, Qin Xin summoned Xiao Qingyuan to Wutong Garden.

Perhaps because he felt guilty about wanting to kill Shen Wantang, his attitude towards her this time was much better than before. He even asked her how she was feeling: "How are you feeling? I heard you were frightened? Did you call the imperial physician to take a look?"

Shen Wantang looked heartbroken: "Young Master, stop pretending! I've already heard from Consort Chu that you ordered her to kill me! They say even a day as husband and wife is worth a hundred days of kindness, but you are so ruthless and heartless. In order to marry Liu Nanshi, you actually ordered your former concubine to kill your wife! Aren't you afraid of retribution?!"

Xiao Qingyuan's expression was not good: "How could I have ordered Chu Yanluo to kill you? Don't listen to her nonsense. She's been locked up in jail for too long and has gone insane. She's a madwoman now, biting anyone she can get her hands on. You'd be a fool to believe her!"

"Really? You didn't instigate Chu Yanluo?"

"Of course I didn't! I'm afraid Chu Yanluo has always resented you for taking her position as the Crown Prince's consort, so she wanted to kill you, but she was afraid that she would be beaten to death if she told the truth, so she pinned the crime on me!"

Shen Wantang stood up and was about to walk out.

Xiao Qingyuan hurriedly stopped her: "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to find Chu Yanluo and get to the bottom of this: did she want to kill me, or did you want to kill me?"

"Why are you asking her? I've already told you, she's gone mad, you can't get the truth out of her!"

“I am proficient in medicine. Whether Chu Yanluo is truly insane or faking it, I can tell everything just by taking her pulse.”

"Hey, I really didn't ask her to do anything. It was all her own idea. Why won't you believe me?"

Xiao Qingyuan sighed heavily: "You know my temper. I can be impulsive, but I'm kind-hearted and easily softened. How could I possibly want to kill someone? Let alone kill you."

Shen Wantang remained unmoved: "I still want to find Chu Yanluo. I want to send her to the authorities so that the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review can interrogate her thoroughly and find out what exactly happened!"

"If my maid hadn't realized something was wrong and immediately run back to the palace for help, I would be dead by now!"

"I can't let this shock go unpunished. Chu Yanluo must be punished as she deserves! And I won't let those behind her get away with it either!"

Xiao Qingyuan still maintained his soft-hearted and kind demeanor: "Yes, I know you've been wronged this time, and Yan Luo certainly deserves to be punished. However, she has followed me for a while, so I should at least show some consideration and spare her life. Shen Wantang, please do not go looking for her for my sake. She is actually... already in a very bad situation."

Shen Wantang seemed to be persuaded by him: "Then you must swear that you are not the one who instructed Chu Yanluo. As long as you swear, I will believe you. Otherwise, I will go and ask Chu Yanluo for an explanation."

Xiao Qingyuan immediately said, "I swear, I really didn't instigate Chu Yanluo! If you really think there's someone behind her, I'll go ask them for you, how about it?"

"Very well, I trust the young master's character. Then please go and inquire for me! After you've inquired, please send her to the authorities. Her crimes are heinous, she deserves to be imprisoned!"

Xiao Qingyuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief: "Then you should rest well. The wound on your neck... the blood is seeping out again. Quickly tell the maid to bandage it for you, so that it doesn't leave a scar, otherwise it won't look good."

Shen Wantang's eyes immediately reddened: "Your Highness still cares about me? I thought you wished I were dead!"

Xiao Qingyuan chuckled dryly, "No, no."

Shen Wantang looked at him seriously: "That's good. I knew it. The young master isn't such a heartless person. The young master is the kindest and most virtuous."

Xiao Qingyuan was somewhat hesitant to look into her eyes. It was the first time he had noticed how clear her eyes were, and how full of trust and adoration she looked at him. His own reflection in her clear eyes made him look strangely ugly.

He turned around and fled in panic.

Shen Wantang watched him leave, her expression regaining its composure: "Qin Xin, follow me."

Qin Xin responded and followed.

The heavy rain continued, and it soon became completely dark.

When Prince Ning returned from the palace, Chu Yanluo had already disappeared.

Prince Ning was furious. He thought Xiao Qingyuan had let the man go, so he summoned Xiao Qingyuan to his study and gave him a severe scolding.

Xiao Qingyuan felt utterly wronged. How could he possibly continue to help Chu Yanluo at this time? He went to Chu Yanluo several times to kill her and silence her, not to let her go!

He got into an argument with Prince Ning, and the argument escalated to the point where he even threatened to fight Prince Ning.

Prince Ning was so angry that he almost fainted. It was only after Princess Ning heard the commotion and rushed over that the father and son calmed down temporarily.

Xiao Qingyuan returned to his courtyard with a livid face. As soon as he entered the house, he saw Xiao Qingxi sitting in a chair.

He frowned: "Why are you back again?"

Xiao Qingxi's expression tightened: "Where is Chu Yanluo?"

"They ran away."

"What?!"

"Don't worry, she's all alone and can't have gone far. We'll find her."

"How could you let her get away?!"

"What does this have to do with me? It's my father's guards watching her. I wouldn't even have a chance to kill her if I wanted to!"