Chapter 327 Lord Shen's Love for His Wife

Shen Ci'an looked at the tiny pill.

He knew that Xiao Yunheng was cautious and wouldn't completely trust him.

I never expected that after doing so much for him, he would still be so wary of me.

"Lord Shen can take his time to consider it; I'm not in a hurry," Xiao Yunheng said with a smile.

“No need to think about it,” Shen Ci’an said, his long, slender fingers twirling a pill. “For Miss, I’m willing to do anything.”

After saying that, under Xiao Yunheng's probing gaze, he swallowed the pill directly.

"Lord Shen's love for his wife is truly admirable." Seeing that he took the medicine without hesitation, Xiao Yunheng's hesitant expression immediately disappeared.

With a wink, Doctor Xue immediately stepped forward to take Shen Ci'an's pulse. "Hmm, he has indeed taken it, and his pulse is stable. He will be fine within seven days."

Xiao Yunheng then completely believed Shen Ci'an.

"Rest assured, Lord Shen, once this matter is resolved, I will immediately present you with the antidote and treat you as an honored guest, bestowing upon you and Madam Shen boundless honor."

Shen Ci'an merely glanced at him expressionlessly, "Thank you, Your Highness. I hope you will keep your word."

Xiao Yunheng chuckled lightly, "Now, we can talk about the specific implementation plan."

The atmosphere in the Eastern Palace has been gloomy for the past two days.

Since the Crown Prince fell from his horse and was injured, the atmosphere in the palace has been gloomy. Everyone is on tenterhooks, fearing that the Empress will find fault with them and send them to the Laundry Department.

Jiang Zhi, on the other hand, was quite idle, and even the spies outside Qingfang Palace had nothing to do.

She then received news that the Emperor and the Prince of Xiang had gone to the Eastern Palace to visit the Crown Prince's injuries.

Jiang Zhi knew that Xiao Yunheng was going to make a move today, so she got up and, with the help of a palace maid, said, "It's time for us to go find the Crown Princess."

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"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty." Inside Chengguang Hall, Xiao Xuanyou was half-lying on the bed. When he saw Emperor Xuanzhao enter, he was about to get up to pay his respects, but Emperor Xuanzhao stopped him.

"Your Highness has difficulty walking, so there's no need for such formalities."

"Greetings, Your Highness." Xiao Yunheng stood behind Emperor Xuanzhao. "Your Highness looks well; your injuries should be minor."

Emperor Xuanzhao sighed, "I have instructed the imperial physicians to treat you with utmost care, so the Crown Prince can rest assured and recover. I always thought you were a reliable person, but I never expected you to get injured while riding a horse. It really worries me."

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your concern. It is my filial impiety to cause you worry. I will never do it again."

"It's good to know."

Xiao Yunheng then smoothed things over by saying, "The Emperor and the Crown Prince have a deep father-son bond, which is truly enviable."

Emperor Xuanzhao's heart softened when he remembered that he had a "son" who couldn't be seen in the light of day.

When I held him as a child, he would snuggle in my arms and say that he wished I were his father.

Yunheng never experienced fatherly love from a young age, unlike the Crown Prince who had a legitimate identity and a prestigious position.

In the end, it was I who let him down.

"Alright, I've already come to see the Crown Prince, so don't disturb his recovery any longer. Go back and play a game of chess with me again," Emperor Xuanzhao said, rising to his feet.

Xiao Yunheng did not obey, but suddenly lifted his robe and knelt before Emperor Xuanzhao.

What does this mean?

"Your Majesty, I have come to the Eastern Palace not only to visit you, but also on behalf of someone to ask you for a favor."

He lowered his head, concealing the calculation in his eyes.

Emperor Xuanzhao raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Who entrusted you with this? And what is it for?"

Xiao Yunheng looked up at Xiao Xuanyou, took a deep breath and said, "I beg Your Highness to release Madam Shen from the Eastern Palace."

There was a moment of silence in the room.

Xiao Xuanyou frowned, while Emperor Xuanzhao looked down at him, "Which Lady Shen is this? And why is she in the Eastern Palace?"

"Your Majesty, the Madam Shen I mentioned is none other than the wife of Lord Shen Ci'an, the Princess of Qinghe County, and the legitimate daughter of Minister Jiang, Jiang Zhi."

Xiao Yunheng's calm and composed voice rang out.

"Is Lady Shen in the Eastern Palace?" Emperor Xuanzhao asked Xiao Xuanyou, who was on the couch, with a frown.

Xiao Xuanyou's face remained expressionless. "Your subject is unaware. I have been recuperating from my injuries recently and truly do not understand what the Prince of Xiang means by this?"

Xiao Yunheng sneered, "Your Majesty, please allow me to report that Madam Shen was abducted by the Crown Prince and taken to the Eastern Palace at the last victory celebration banquet, and there has been no news of her since. Lord Shen had nowhere to turn for help, and was afraid of damaging Madam Shen's reputation, so he dared not make a fuss. In the end, he came to me for help."

"Seeing how deeply Lord Shen loves his wife, I thought I should go to his house today to ask for an explanation."

Xiao Xuanyou immediately said in a deep voice, "This is utter nonsense. Does the Prince of Xiang have any evidence?"

Xiao Yunheng knew that the Crown Prince would not admit it, so he kowtowed to Emperor Xuanzhao and said, "Your Majesty, I did not believe it at first, but a few days ago I happened to save a doctor who was being chased and killed. I learned some of the truth from him. Please allow him to enter and report back."

Emperor Xuanzhao frowned, but still nodded, and then asked Xiao Yunheng to stand up and reply.

Then a thin old man was brought in.

If Jiang Zhi were here, she would know that this old man was the folk doctor that the Empress had found to examine her pulse that day.

The old man knelt down and bowed respectfully, recounting how he had taken the pulse of a lady in the Eastern Palace that day.

"That lady suffers from cold uterus and blood stasis, and her yin blood is deficient, making it extremely difficult for her to conceive. I have also prescribed a formula for her to regulate her body."

Xiao Yunheng’s voice was clear and loud. “According to Lord Shen, Princess Qinghe has been unwell since returning from Yaocheng. However, the doctor said that this lady’s constitution is exactly the same as Princess Qinghe’s. There is no such coincidence in the world.”

"This only proves that the lady in the Eastern Palace is Lady Shen, who was abducted by the Crown Prince and has been missing for a long time. Moreover, this doctor was assassinated after leaving the palace. If it weren't for my timely rescue, he would probably be dead long ago. Someone must be afraid that he will reveal some secrets—is that right, Your Highness?"

Emperor Xuanzhao's expression was cold and somber. After a moment of contemplation, he asked Xiao Xuanyou, "What did the Crown Prince say?"

Xiao Xuanyou shook his head, finding it absurd. "Princess Qinghe saved my life on the way back to the capital, and I am indeed grateful. But it is perplexing that the Prince of Xiang would believe I forcibly abducted my wife simply because of a common doctor without any evidence. I have never done such a thing, and I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly."

Xiao Yunheng smiled and said, "Your Highness, there's no need to rush to clear your name. I have witnesses."

After speaking, he clapped his hands, and a beautiful woman entered somewhat nervously, bowing her head and kneeling before Emperor Xuanzhao to kowtow and pay her respects.

"Does Your Highness recognize this person?" Xiao Yunheng asked.

Xiao Xuanyou raised an eyebrow at the person kneeling on the ground.

He naturally recognized him.

Lin Xiyun, the eldest daughter of the Lin family, formerly the Provincial Administration Commissioner.

When Lin Lide was arrested and brought back to Beijing to confess and accept punishment, Lin Xiyun disappeared without a trace. Xiao Xuanyou then guessed that it was Xiao Yunheng's doing.

Lin Qiyun is now dressed in simple clothes, her face is beautiful but haggard and sallow, where is the former majestic and aloof figure who once dominated half of Yaocheng?

"Miss Lin, could you please recount everything you learned back in Yaocheng?" Xiao Yunheng asked gently.

Lin Qiyun kowtowed again before speaking:

"Your Majesty, I, Lin Qiyun, know that my sins are unforgivable and I have been clinging to life until now. However, there is something I cannot tell you the truth, and I dare not deceive you."

"Speak." Emperor Xuanzhao's eyes held a silent pressure.