Chapter 883 "The Truth"

"What!?"

Upon hearing that Su Qinglan had been arrested, Shang Ruyi looked surprised and immediately asked, "What crime did Physician Su commit? Why was she arrested?"

"Colluding with assassins, with malicious intent."

"assassin?"

"That's right, it's the assassin who appeared inside the Hot Spring Palace."

"Imperial Physician Su colluded with assassins from Tangquan Palace? How is that possible!?"

Shang Ruyi looked incredulous: "General Lou, Lord Yan, Physician Su is a cautious and prudent person who is loyal to the court. I hope you will investigate thoroughly and not wrong an innocent person."

Yan Shaoxuan lowered his head and remained silent.

Lou Yingxiong laughed and said, "Your Highness, rest assured, we are acting on imperial orders and will naturally investigate the truth."

"..."

"Although this 'truth' may be hard for people to accept."

Shang Ruyi was taken aback: "What do you mean?"

Lou Yingxiong asked, "Does Your Highness know who Minister Pei met in secret at Feishuang Palace?"

Seeing that he suddenly brought up the secret meeting at Feishuang Palace again, Shang Ruyi's breathing became heavy. She glanced at Yuwen Yuan, only to see that his eyelids were lowered, making it almost impossible to see what his eyes were looking at, let alone what his mood was like. But judging from his expression, he was sure that he had learned something from Yan Shaoxuan, so Yan Shaoxuan's expression was also very calm.

So she asked, "Could it be that the Ministry of Justice has already interrogated them?"

Lou Yingxiong laughed and said, "Vice Minister Pei is very stubborn and you can't pry him open no matter what you do, but fortunately, the net of heaven is vast and its meshes are wide, yet nothing escapes it."

"What's the meaning?"

"I happen to know the person who was secretly meeting with Vice Minister Pei."

"What?"

Shang Ruyi looked at him in surprise: "You recognize him? Who is that?"

Lou Yingxiong said, word by word, "The one who secretly met with Minister Pei in Feishuang Hall was none other than the infamous Fifth Leader of Wanggang Village!"

"What did you say!?"

This time, Shang Ruyi was truly taken aback. After thinking for a moment, she turned her head and glanced at the man who still had a solemn expression, but whose bright eyes flashed with a sharp light, as if he was also moved by this person.

If even he is like this, then Shang Ruyi is even more so.

They had been fighting with Wanggangzhai since the reign of Emperor Yang. In fact, it could be said that Wanggangzhai was destroyed by her, Yuwen Ye, and Shen Wuzheng. It was during that time that Shen Wuzheng told them about the identities of several leaders of Wanggangzhai. The most mysterious of them was this fifth leader, because she was the only woman among the nine leaders of Wanggangzhai.

However, no one knew her name or appearance; very few outsiders had ever seen her.

But at this moment, Lou Yingxiong said that the person Pei Xingyuan secretly met at Feishuang Hall was the fifth leader of Wanggang Village. Could it be that—

Shang Ruyi looked into Lou Yingxiong's cold eyes: "Who is she?"

Lou Yingxiong sneered, "The Princess Consort has also met me."

"oh?"

"This woman's surname is Liang, and her given name is Youying."

"...!"

Shang Ruyi slowly pulled her lowered hand back into her sleeve. Under the cover of her sleeve, she silently pinched her fingertips to barely calm her turbulent emotions and make herself appear calmer.

Even now, her heart is pounding like thunder.

Liang Youying is the fifth leader of Wanggang Village!

She really is!

No wonder a woman could possess such martial arts skills, injuring Pei Xingyuan upon their first meeting, and also having such a steadfast character, showing no fear when meeting the King and Queen of Qin, and maintaining a dignified yet respectful attitude.

Shang Ruyi then remembered that the last time she "sneaked a peek" at Pei Xingyuan and Liang Youying meeting in Shenjuan Pavilion, a person in brocade robes walked out of their private room and left in a hurry. At that time, Tu She'er felt that the person's back looked familiar, but she recognized him when she met Lou Yingxiong in the Imperial Garden.

At that time, Shang Ruyi found it strange. It was not unusual for Lou Yingxiong to go to Shenjuan Pavilion alone for drinks, but the way he left in a hurry clearly seemed like he was avoiding something.

Looking back now, I finally understand.

He was avoiding Liang Youying.

Whether he intentionally followed her or bumped into her unintentionally—now that I think about it, it was probably intentional—at least within Chang'an, only he could recognize Liang Youying. Before submitting to the Dasheng Dynasty, Lou Yingxiong had guarded Anyang for several years, and he was the military general in the Daye Dynasty who had fought the most against Wanggangzhai. However, while he recognized Liang Youying, he didn't expect her to recognize him.

Even after recognizing her, he didn't react until now!

We've been waiting for this moment!

He was waiting for Pei Xingyuan and Liang Youying to become closer, until their relationship was enough to arouse Yuwen Yuan's suspicion, before using a bow and a figure from Tangquan Palace to drag Pei Xingyuan into the mess!

Seeing that Shang Ruyi was trying to appear calm, but her face was gradually turning pale, Lou Yingxiong sneered and said, "So, Your Highness understands why we arrested Physician Su, right?"

"..."

"I've heard about the Princess's relationship with Physician Su—I've heard that Physician Su has been taking care of the Princess and the young prince."

"General Lou, you might as well just say that she and I have a very close relationship."

Lou Yingxiong smiled and said, "I wouldn't dare, but I'm sure the Princess Consort knows some of Physician Su's private affairs, such as who she associates with and whether they've reached the point of discussing marriage."

Shang Ruyi took a deep breath and said, "I know this person. His name is Jiang Yan."

"Is the princess very familiar with him?"

"I've met him a few times."

"Where, and when?"

“Last year, when the plague was raging, I and His Highness Prince Qin were treating the patients in Chang Le Fang. At that time, Jiang Yan once forced his way into Chang Le Fang.”

"If I remember correctly, both Chang Le Fang and Yan Zuo Fang were sealed off by His Majesty's decree. Anyone who dared to trespass was to be killed without exception."

"……yes."

"Then why is he still alive?"

"The situation was quite complicated at the time. Jiang Xing's father, Jiang Yu, came to the city for medical treatment because he was ill. He was taken to Chang Le Fang by our people for treatment. Jiang Xing was away from home and did not know what was happening in the city. After returning, he heard that his father was imprisoned in Chang Le Fang. In a moment of desperation, he forced his way into Chang Le Fang just to save his father. The Empress and the Prince of Qin, considering his commendable filial piety, made an exception and forgave him."

At this point, Shang Ruyi immediately turned to Yuwen Yuan and said, "Please forgive your sons for acting on our own initiative, Father Emperor."

Yuwen Yuan was silent for a moment, then said, "Indeed, his filial piety is commendable."

Hearing this, Lou Yingxiong knew that he could not make a fuss about this matter anymore, but he immediately smiled and said, "The Prince of Qin and the Princess are indeed magnanimous. However, if such magnanimity is used on a traitor, it will inevitably bring disaster to the people."

At this moment, Shang Ruyi understood everything.

She turned to look at Lou Yingxiong and said, "General Lou, do you mean this Jiang Yan—"

Lou Yingxiong said, "He is the fourth leader of Wanggang Village!"