Everyone looked towards the doorway, where a strangely dressed man walked in.
The man was burly and robust, wearing boots on the outside and a floral turban. Upon closer inspection, his eyes were red and swollen, his face filled with grief and indignation, and his mustache was bristling.
He is none other than the King of Ancient Locust Trees.
King Guhuai stood beside Hongyu, choking out, "Baozhu and I are deeply in love. Baozhu said she wanted to come with me to Guli, to take her mother with her, and leave this cage where we are bullied."
Seeing that the Ancient Locust King had come forward to testify, Hongyu was even moved and quickly expressed her gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Ancient Locust King, for coming forward to testify. Hongyu is extremely grateful."
King Gu Huai shook his head and smiled, but his heart was filled with unease. Although he didn't know which prince General Qiu was loyal to, he had an agreement with General Qiu. As long as he brought Hongyu back to Guli, General Qiu would help him attack Dili, and then the two sides would share Dili equally.
Dili has a vast territory and even more jade mines, which is perfect for expanding Guli's ranch area and jade production.
Therefore, he testified for Hongyu.
Seeing that the case was nearing resolution, Hongyu quickly added, "Lord Bao, yesterday the Sixth Prince and his wife went to the Prince of Xiang's residence to look for Wang Baozhu, who had run away from home. The Kong and Mu families were both present. This proves that Miss Baozhu did not enter the Prince of Xiang's residence with me; she ran away from home and entered the residence on her own. Please investigate thoroughly, Your Excellency."
Bao Qianshan glanced furtively at King Xiang and Prime Minister Kong, both of whom remained silent with their heads down.
At this moment, the Sixth Prince sent someone to deliver a testimony, proving that Wang Baozhu had indeed run away from home and broken into the Prince Xiang's residence, and that it had nothing to do with Hongyu.
The news of Hongyu's innocence quickly reached the Yan Prince's residence.
------
Yan Wang picked up the teacup, took a small sip, curled his lip, and then suddenly smashed the teacup on the ground.
Qiu Shuang'er walked in, squatted down to pick up the broken teacup pieces, and comforted Yan Wang, "Yan Wang, don't worry. Since she has rebellious intentions, why not strike at the root of the problem and destroy the Zhang family?"
"But the Grand Tutor is my master. I can't bear the infamy of betraying my master and ancestors, can I?"
"Tch!" Qiu Shuang'er sneered and said, "A few days ago, Master Shen's confidant Zhang Manguan was promoted from a minor county official to the Vice Minister of Rites. I heard that this Zhang Manguan is already in his fifties and has difficulty walking, but he still often goes to the Grand Tutor's mansion to claim kinship with Grand Tutor Zhang."
Prince Yan understood perfectly, but was in a difficult position. Grand Tutor Zhang was an upright and honest man who had devoted himself to teaching him. Although he coveted the throne, he could not bring himself to do such a despicable thing as slandering his master.
Seeing his worried and hesitant expression, Qiu Shuang'er suddenly clenched her fist, gripping the shards of the teacup tightly in her hand. "Ah!"
Upon seeing this, King Yan rose in alarm, his eyes wide as he asked, "Shuang'er, what are you doing? Why did you hurt yourself?"
"What's this little injury? If Zhang Hongyu turns the tables, she'll definitely take Kang'er away. My fate won't be just this flesh and blood. Yan Wang is secretly training his troops, and he won't have a good end either."
Yan Wang nodded firmly, but then worried, "Hongyu is dead, who will go to the Guli tribe for the marriage alliance?"
"Hmph!" Qiu Shuang'er snorted coldly, stood up, the shards in her hand falling to the ground. Then, she raised her blood-dripping hand, wrapped it around Yan Wang's neck, and whispered:
"Prince Yan, we decide who goes to the marriage alliance. As long as it's someone from our faction, I'll write a letter to Father right now. As for Prince Guhuai, he's made a wasted trip. Right now, only by eliminating Hongyu can our Prince Yan's mansion rest easy."
This is the Dali Temple side.
Hongyu couldn't help but sneeze repeatedly, and pulled Chenyu away, but Chenyu knelt on the ground and couldn't get up, crying out in grief and indignation:
"Lord Bao, the murderer who killed Wang Baozhu has not yet been caught. For the sake of the peace and tranquility of the people of the capital, we beg Lord Bao to send men to apprehend the culprit immediately."
Snap!
The gavel struck, and Bao Qianshan frowned, looking worried. He could only say perfunctorily, "This case is complicated. I will go to the palace now and ask Your Majesty to make a decision. Zhang Hongyu is no longer a suspect and should be released immediately."
Hongyu, looking flustered, grabbed Chenyu's arm and hurriedly left Dali Temple. Once inside the sedan chair, she cried out in a panic, "Quickly! Back to Furong Garden, no..."
She didn't know where to go. This misfortune showed that Prince Yan had already abandoned her as a pawn. Given Prince Yan's nature, since he suspected her of following the Sixth Prince, he would never trust her again. If I'm not mistaken, Prince Yan will definitely destroy her.
She trembled involuntarily, looked at Chen Yu with fear, and said in a trembling voice, "Sister, I have something important to tell you."
At that moment, shouts came from outside the sedan chair: "Scatter! This is an imperial case, disperse immediately!"
"My lord, Zhang Hongyu has left the Dali Temple."
"Quick! Surround that carriage! Keep Zhang Hongyu inside."
Hongyu hurriedly pulled Chenyu aside and told her the truth, "Sister, King Yan has captured Xiansheng and wants me to serve him. He has also sent the Shen sisters to monitor me. This time, I tried to escape the marriage alliance, which ruined King Yan's grand plan. I know that he is secretly training troops and colluding with foreign tribes. I'm afraid he wants to eliminate me."
Whoosh! The soldiers ripped open the curtain and shouted, "Zhang Hongyu, Grand Tutor Zhang has accepted bribes and sold official positions. The Emperor has ordered the arrest of everyone in the Grand Tutor's mansion and a thorough investigation into this case."
As Hongyu was being led towards the Dali Temple, she cried out in desperation, "I have a letter written by Prince Yan himself. I beg Prince Yan to remember our past relationship and spare my life..."
Upon hearing this, the Shen sisters, who were hiding in the shadows, hurriedly rushed to the Prince Yan's residence.
Hongyu once again fell into the hands of the Dali Temple.
Shen Yu knew that Yan Wang was manipulating things in secret. She asked Bao Qianshan to see him and ask him where the evidence of Zhang Taishi accepting bribes came from, but she was turned away.
She walked out of Dali Temple dejectedly, but thinking of the Sixth Prince testifying for Hongyu, she rushed to the Lu Prince's Mansion.
After the guards reported to the Sixth Prince, a slender young man dressed in purple walked towards the door.
Puzzled, Shen Yu asked the guard, "Which family does this young master belong to?"
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