Chapter 111: Are there your secret guards in the Marquis’ Mansion?
Ruan Yunsheng opened his eyes drowsily and glanced out the window.
It was still dark outside, and the courtyard was bathed in a dark blue-black hue, revealing the coolness of early spring.
She tossed and turned for most of the night and didn't get enough sleep at all. At this moment, her whole body was filled with laziness and she really didn't want to move.
But Xie Yan risked being under house arrest and came here before dawn, so it must be something important.
She had no choice but to get up despite her sleepiness, washed herself briefly, gathered her cloak tightly, and walked towards the front hall.
Xie Yan stood up immediately when she came in, his brows etched with concern. "Shengsheng, I heard an assassin entered the mansion last night. Are you safe?"
Ruan Yunsheng shook his head, his voice still a little hoarse: "I was prepared in advance, nothing happened."
Pei Jinghong, however, looked at Xie Yan with a scrutinizing gaze, his tone inquiring, "The guards have all withdrawn, but the prince is well-informed. It's a good thing you're here, my third cousin and I have something to ask you."
He and Ruan Yunbo stayed up all night to interrogate Ah Xiao.
Ah Xiao was poisoned and without an antidote he would die. Besides, Bone Crow was already dead, so he had no way out and had to tell everything.
From him, the two not only figured out the identity relationship between Night Owl and Bone Crow, but also learned that Bone Crow had come to the Marquis' Mansion to assassinate him before, but was stopped outside the mansion by the secret guards.
"But the assassin who sneaked into the Marquis' Mansion during the day had nothing to do with them." Pei Jinghong said, turning his gaze to Xie Yan, "That's strange."
Ruan Yunsheng also frowned and looked at Xie Yan: "Have your secret guards always been around the Marquis' Mansion?"
If so, how do you come and go freely during the days of the fifth day of the New Year?
Xie Yan coughed lightly and said vaguely, "I just asked the secret guards to come and check every two hours to confirm the safety of the Marquis' Mansion, but I didn't ask them to guard outside all the time."
Pei Jinghong wanted to say something else, but Xie Yan raised his hand to interrupt him.
He turned to Ruan Yunsheng and said, "Shengsheng, since we've captured the assassin alive, you should go to the palace after daybreak and ask to see the emperor, and testify against General Sun for hiring a killer."
Ruan Yunsheng pursed his lips, his fingertips tightening slightly. "I've considered reporting this to the authorities, but General Sun would definitely not admit it. The assassin's one-sided statement alone isn't enough evidence. Furthermore, General Sun enjoys the Emperor's immense trust, so the Emperor would likely protect him."
Xie Yan nodded. "Before coming to the Marquis' Mansion, I had already met with General Wei and Prince Rui. They will accompany you to the palace and seek justice for you."
"Although there's no solid evidence to bring down General Sun, at least we can reduce his power a little, so that he won't dare to attack you easily in the future."
Ruan Yunbo was shocked when he heard this and asked in a choked voice, "General Wei is my father's best friend, so it would be great if he was willing to help. But Prince Rui... he is the emperor's uncle, highly respected and has long since stopped interfering in court affairs. How did you convince the old prince?"
Although Prince Rui had a good relationship with his father back then, his sister was not really injured after all, and there is no solid evidence to identify General Sun. Why is the old prince willing to get involved in this mess?
Xie Yan casually tugged at the corner of his sleeve. "It's just a matter of appealing to his emotions and reasoning with him. The old prince, mindful of his old friendship with the marquis, agreed."
He said it lightly, but Ruan Yunsheng and his sister looked at each other, and they both knew what was going on.
Prince Rui is old and has always wanted to enjoy his retirement. He had declined the invitation to the palace banquet on New Year's Eve sent by the emperor, Eunuch Yang. Now he is willing to go to the palace for a junior. How can he be persuaded with just a few words?
Even though Xie Yan refused to elaborate, they understood that it must have taken a lot of trouble.
Ruan Yunbo looked at the faint dark blue in Xie Yan's eyes and sighed softly: "The General's Mansion is in the south of the city, and Prince Rui's Mansion is far to the north of the city. Third brother, have you not slept a wink all night?"
Xie Yan sighed softly, "How can I sleep well now that I know the Marquis' Mansion has encountered another assassination attempt?"
"There's no time to lose. I'll go back to my room and change my clothes. I'll go to the palace at daybreak." Ruan Yunsheng glanced at Xie Yan and warned him, "You should also go back home early. Don't let outsiders find out that you've gone out without permission."
Xie Yan nodded, stuffed an object into Ruan Yunsheng's hand, and whispered a few words to her.
Ruan Yunsheng looked at the thing in his hand, his eyes moved, and he pursed his lips slightly, "I understand."
*
Imperial Palace.
Imperial study.
Upon learning that Prince Rui wanted to see him, the emperor put on a rare smile: "Quickly, please invite the emperor uncle in!"
After a while, Prince Rui appeared at the door. The emperor took two quick steps to greet him, smiling and offering him support. "Uncle, why should you be so polite? Please don't bother with that."
Then he ordered the eunuch, "Prepare a seat for Prince Rui."
This uncle's humerus was inherited from the late emperor. He was seriously injured when he helped the late emperor pacify southern Xinjiang. He still walks with a slight limp, but he is deeply respected by the civil and military officials in the court and the people for his outstanding military achievements.
Prince Rui's hair and beard were all white, but he looked energetic. He sighed deeply, "Your Majesty, I came to the palace today to ask for the girl Mingyi. The Marquis Zhenguo's mansion was attacked by an assassin last night, and the child almost lost her life."
The old prince said this, turning his gaze towards Ruan Yunsheng, his tone filled with pity, "Her parents passed away long ago, and the Marquis of Zhenguo was a soldier I once led... I simply cannot bear to see this child being framed, so I've come to ask the Emperor to give her justice."
The emperor suddenly realized and looked at Ruan Yunsheng and General Wei beside him.
General Wei immediately bowed and said in a loud voice, "Your Majesty, this is the reason I came to the palace today!"
Ruan Yunsheng was wearing a plain brocade dress and kneeling upright on the cold gold bricks. Her back was straight, but her voice was trembling.
"Your Majesty, I don't know how the Marquis of Zhenguo's Mansion offended General Sun, causing him to be so murderous that he hired a hit man to break into the mansion at night and assassinate me. If it weren't for the guards who fought to the death to protect me, I would have been killed by his sword by now... I beg Your Majesty to help me!"
As soon as she finished speaking, General Wei beside her clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty! I have been a comrade of the Marquis of Zhenguo for over a decade, and I know his loyalty and courage well."
"The Marquis has fought for his country his entire life, and now his own daughter has been nearly murdered by a powerful official. If this matter remains unresolved, how can the Marquis rest in peace? Hundreds of thousands of soldiers at the border will be chilled to the core!"
Prince Rui sighed and said earnestly, "Your Majesty, Mingyi was raised under your care. He has been well-behaved and sensible since childhood. How could he have ever had such a deep hatred with anyone?"
"Now someone has dared to commit such a cruel act against the princess of a marquisate in the important capital. If we don't investigate thoroughly, the families of the nobles will be in danger. Wouldn't that bring chaos to the government?"
The two of them exchanged words, one citing the marquis's glorious military exploits, the other arguing that this matter concerned the laws of the court and the will of the people. Every word conveyed the same message: if this matter were to be let off lightly, it would chill the hearts of all loyal and honest people!
When the emperor learned what had happened, he frowned secretly and felt dizzy.
He ordered Eunuch Yang, who was standing by, "Go, tell General Sun to come into the palace immediately."
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