Chapter 314 Feeling at Home

Lin Zhiyi's eyes were red and swollen. "But, people's words are a fearsome thing... Wenyi, Pei Yunche won't let me off so easily. I'm worried that he's deliberately trying to drag me down. If he deliberately spreads this matter, how can I face people?"

"Even being torn to pieces wouldn't be enough to quell the hatred in my heart!"

Dou Wenyi quickly said, "Zhang Chengxian is an extremely reliable person, and the news of him saving you won't get out. So far, there haven't been any rumors circulating outside that are detrimental to you. Prince Duan is indeed not a simple person, and we must be wary of him."

"As long as you cheer up, we'll always find a way."

Isn't Manager Tian just a pawn that Prince Duan arranged in advance? Perhaps he has other plans.

Lin Zhiyi's tense back finally relaxed, and she felt a little better. She had loving parents and caring friends, and she couldn't let those rigid social norms strangle her!

Afterwards, the two had a long private conversation, and Lin Zhiyi's condition improved a lot. She was no longer so dejected that night.

Overjoyed, Lin's parents invited Dou Wenyi to stay for dinner, which she couldn't refuse. By the time she finished dinner and returned to the East Palace, it was past midnight.

The carriage stopped at the gate of the East Palace. She looked up and saw Du Pei Siyan rushing out. "Your Highness? Are you going out?"

Pei Siyan laughed, a laugh that melted away all ice and snow. "I just got back too. When I saw you weren't here, I learned you went to the Lin family. I was just thinking of going to pick you up."

However, he immediately noticed that Dou Wenyi was in low spirits, so he reached out and touched her slightly cool cheek, then pulled her into his arms.

What happened?

Today, Dou Wenyi inevitably saw a reflection of her past life in Lin Zhiyi.

The grand principles that enlighten others are easy to say, but when those pains fall on you, you realize how heavy they are.

It may even take a lifetime to heal.

Pei Siyan guessed some of her thoughts, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes, "Are you worried about Lin Zhiyi's reputation being damaged? Don't worry, I won't allow him to make a big fuss about a woman's reputation, that's too despicable!"

Dou Wenyi sighed: "I was the one who advised her to keep her distance from Prince Duan and think it over more. Maybe that's what angered Pei Yunche... I forcibly intervened in their cause and effect, and that's why things have developed to this point."

Pei Siyan couldn't help but chuckle and patted her head: "I've never seen you like this before, taking everything upon yourself. Since you have memories of your past life, it's possible that God felt there were too many mistakes in your past life, and you're needed to correct them and save the day?"

"Don't overthink it. Heaven doesn't change, and neither does the Way! Judge everything by actions, not intentions. No one is perfect, so why be so hard on yourself?"

Dou Wenyi gave a soft "hmm".

Pei Siyan suddenly remembered that back in the temple, he had rescued her on a whim, but she had been caught up in rumors of 'losing her virginity.' At the time, he hadn't considered at all the price a woman would have to pay to quell the gossip...

Fortunately, she had memories of her previous life.

Otherwise, wouldn't they miss each other for the rest of their lives?

The two leaned against each other and slowly walked inside, their voices gradually fading into the distance... Dusk enveloped the entire East Palace, and the moonlight, like scattered snowflakes, shimmered like a dream.

This Eastern Palace gave him a sense of home!

——

After Prince Duan was detained and brought back to Tianning City, he was directly imprisoned in the Imperial City Guard's prison. The case of Prince Duan's conspiracy with the Eldest Princess was handed over by the Crown Prince to the Three Departments for joint trial.

The twilight outside the cabinet office was deep, but the office itself was brightly lit, where many important officials had gathered.

"...If Prince Duan really produces the imperial edict, how should we conduct ourselves?" Prime Minister Meng looked gloomy as he glanced at the court officials present.

Second Grand Secretary Du Hao said indignantly, "Whether it's counterfeiting currency or raising a private army, the Eldest Princess is guilty of heinous crimes. If it weren't for Prince Duan as her trump card, why would a woman do such a stupid thing that could cost her her head?"

“A few days ago, the Imperial Son-in-Law Cheng Shen submitted a memorial stating that the Princess Consort had divorced him a year ago and that the two had no connection whatsoever. He even attached a copy of the divorce agreement handwritten by the Princess Consort herself. Even if someone is to be held accountable, the Cheng family should not be implicated,” an official said quietly.

The Prince Duan's rebellion involved a wide range of people.

Not only the Cheng family, the son-in-law of the princess, but also the Xie family, the Marquis of Dingyuan, and many others closely associated with the princess were implicated. Although their homes have not yet been confiscated, they have all been placed under house arrest by the Crown Prince's troops.

If Pei Siyan intends to handle this case severely, I fear that the emperor's wrath will result in corpses floating for miles.

However, none of the court officials knew his true intentions or whether he was planning a massacre.

Prime Minister Meng was displeased. "The evidence is already conclusive, why go through all this trouble? Why not just let the Three Judicial Offices determine the guilt directly? What do you all think?"

The second-in-command, Du Hao, actually thought the same way; once things were brought to court, many things would be completely out of control.

If Prince Duan truly produced the imperial edict, his actions would be perfectly justified. At that point, should these court officials investigate the 'future emperor,' or seek accountability from Emperor Muzong?

Isn't that absurd?

Besides, in the struggle for the throne, it's always a case of the winner taking all and the loser being condemned.

Meng Xiang looked at Shen Yanzhou beside him, "I heard that Prince Duan has been trying to see the Crown Prince while he was in prison?"

Shen Yanzhou remained expressionless and nodded slightly.

Pei Yunche, imprisoned, continued to make a ruckus, shouting that he had never plotted a rebellion, but only wanted to elope with the woman he loved...

Shen Yanzhou found him annoying and ordered his men to beat him twice and tie him up. Except for mealtimes, he was gagged all the time.

After Pei Yunche was severely punished, he stopped making a ruckus.

Vice Minister Du Hao looked puzzled. "Didn't Lord Gu find the imperial edict during his escort back to the capital?"

Gu Yufeng shook his head helplessly, "No."

Shen Yanzhou squinted, seemingly lost in thought.

The Imperial City Guard searched Pei Yunche's people several times, but they couldn't find any imperial edict.

If he doesn't have anyone by his side, then who is by the side of the Princess?

The eldest princess fell off the cliff and was certain to die.

But Princess Fu'an and Xie Guidu have disappeared without a trace. Is it possible that the imperial edict of succession was actually on them?