Chen Yue sighed softly and did not respond immediately.
"Why, is there any difficulty?"
"Your Majesty, Wu Xueyan is not guilty. She was imprisoned in Jingzhao Prefecture's prison because she was accused by a citizen, which is a higher level of crime. As for being imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison, whether it is legal or not is still under discussion."
Of course, Chen Yue knew that throwing this hot potato away was the best option now, especially since the emperor had personally requested it, so it couldn't be safer. However, his duties didn't allow him to do so. Last time, he let it go, which led to today's oversight. He couldn't make the same mistake again.
He also had a concern, one he didn't voice, but he knew it all too well. In Jingzhao Prefecture's prison, at least he could still see her anytime. Once she was taken to the Sky Prison, if the Second Prince or someone else wanted to silence her, there would be no room for maneuver.
The emperor's tone was indeed filled with anger: "Chen Yue, is it not possible for me to personally bring someone to justice? Besides, Wu Xueyan is accusing the prince. If it is a false accusation, what's wrong with sending her to the Heavenly Prison?"
Chen Yue rubbed the tablet in his hand for a while, then replied "yes" and went back to the yamen to handle the transfer with great concern.
The second prince did not get up for a long time because his father did not move. For some unknown reason, his father had not left.
The Second Prince's lining gradually became soaked, and his calves began to ache as well, which was a precursor to cramps.
"My son, tell me, what is true in Wu Xueyan's complaint?"
The second prince felt a headache and buzzing in his ears. His father did not believe him!
The defense he had just given to Lord Shen was just to save his own face. His father had already believed what was said in the complaint! Otherwise, he should have asked whether it was true, not which parts were true.
He opened his mouth twice to speak, but found his voice hoarse and lost. The third time, he adjusted his tone and said, "Father, I am innocent. None of this is true."
The emperor took two breaths, his voice slightly tired: "Okay, you can go back, I will take care of the rest."
"Yes, I will take my leave."
The Second Prince walked away, but the Emperor didn't move. He kept playing with the golden ruyi and said, "Xiao Kangzi, what Chi Yan said is true."
Eunuch Kang was standing aside and was called by the emperor. He was very reluctant in his heart, but he still spoke frankly - the emperor liked people who spoke their mind, such as Chen Yue and Xu Xianshan.
Eunuch Kang had been by the emperor's side for many years, so he naturally knew that if he avoided this matter, the emperor would definitely be unhappy.
"Your Majesty's princes are all very capable. If they were incompetent, how would they govern our Great Xia Empire in the future?"
"Haha, old man, you're also playing tricks on me. Actually, I don't mind them using some tricks. The throne of the Son of Heaven is so hot that it can't be kept without tricks."
Eunuch Kang smiled, knowing the second half of his majesty's unspoken sentence. The emperor didn't mind the princes using tricks, but when he asked, he preferred the princes to tell the truth.
"Then when will we interrogate Miss Wu San?"
"Let's do it tomorrow morning. Pass the order down. Tomorrow's morning court is cancelled. I have something to do."
"yes."
The emperor's oral order reached all the mansions before dark, and also reached Xu Yixing and Lu Anyuan who were helping Ying Wu comb his hair.
"Call off court? Is the emperor sick?" Xu Yixing looked at Lu Anyuan in the mirror, but did not stop the work in his hands.
"My father-in-law just said he had a slight cold, so let's skip it."
"That actually?"
"Hahaha, of course it's to interrogate her." Lu Anyuan pouted, looking at Ying Wu, who had disguised himself as Wu Xueyan, with considerable interest. "The texture of this human skin is really realistic. How did you do that?"
In fact, it was not only Lu Anyuan, but also Xu Yixing who saw Ying Wu perform the art of disguise for the first time. It was really wonderful. However, Ying Wu was not very good at combing his hair, so Xu Yixing had to do it for him.
"Are you sure you want to use her to replace Wu Xueyan?" Lu Anyuan's eyes were blank. He could already imagine that if he entered the palace and his father wanted to kill Wu, then there would be no chance for anyone in the Shadow Fifth Company to survive.
"Didn't you hear that Lord Shen came to tell us today about tonight's escort time? He was deliberately giving us a chance!"
"It's not just us, I'm afraid everyone else has received it. Father is really fishing." Lu Anyuan rubbed his hands. "First, he revealed Wu Xueyan's transfer time and address, and then publicly told all officials to adjourn tomorrow's court. Isn't this obviously to see who will kill Wu Xueyan?"
"Your father is so suspicious, afraid that someone is framing the Second Prince, that he has to test the waters at the last minute. With such a big commotion, whoever makes a move must be up to something, so no one will move."
Lu Anyuan shook his head. He disagreed with Yixing's point of view. His father always thought carefully before doing anything. Whether it was to clear his second brother's suspicion or to test his second brother, he must have his considerations.
"Madam, let me ask you again, are you sure you want Xiao Wuzi to go to the palace to see my father?"
"What?" Xu Yixing turned his head in disbelief, looking at him like a fool. "When did I ever say that? I told him to go and change the one in the prison van, you idiot!"
"Ah?" Lu Anyuan slapped his forehead hard before realizing what a joke he had told.
When he first heard that Ying Wu was asked to replace Wu Xueyan, his first reaction was to accept his father's questioning on behalf of Wu Xueyan. Although he didn't understand why Yi Xing did this, he still expressed his support.
It turns out that I was wrong. Yixing just hoped that Wu Xueyan would not make any mistakes during the escort. She is such a good girl.
"Sorry, sorry, my brain..."
"No need to explain. I know your thinking is different from that of ordinary people. Otherwise, how could you come up with the trick of impersonating Sun Ziyou?"
"Oh, didn't we agree not to talk about this?"
"Okay, let's send him away quickly, otherwise we'll miss the prison van to pick him up."
Xu Yixing patted Yingwu, signaling him to begin the action. He entered Jingzhao Prefecture to take Wu Xueyan's place in the Heavenly Prison. Wu Xueyan, of course, was sent directly to the palace, leaving it to the emperor to judge right from wrong.
Midnight is a rare quiet moment in the capital. Apart from the night watchmen and patrolmen, even cats and dogs begin to fall asleep.
However, some people were destined to be unable to sleep tonight, such as Xu Yixing who tossed and turned in the mansion, and Lu Anyuan who accompanied her; such as Ying Fei and the Second Prince in Zhaode Palace; such as Chen Yue in Jingzhao Mansion who was still sighing under the lamp; and such as the group of men in black who were ambushing in Zhuque South Street.
These people themselves didn't know who they were working for, but their master had ordered that a cart carrying prisoners be intercepted tonight and all prisoners, soldiers, and horses should be killed without mercy.
As the time was approaching, they all opened their eyes wide, and the sound of carriages and horses on the road rang in their ears, reminding them that people had arrived.
First the roadblocks were put up, then the crossbows were used, and finally the witnesses were silenced at close range. Each step went extremely smoothly.
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