Chapter 100 Tracking Prince Consort Wen
Yan Yang presented the confession to the table: "Father, please take a look at the confession first before you speak."
Emperor Zhaode flipped through the pages of confessions, reading them carefully. Suddenly, he noticed that Prince Jin was among them and frowned, asking, "What role did Prince Jin play in this?"
"Pei Yi'an ordered someone to send Xue Ziying to the Yong Dynasty capital. He originally intended to arrange for her to be given to Prince Jin, but Prince Jin felt that Xue Ziying's identity was sensitive and did not dare to accept her. Instead, he ordered her to be sent to the Wen family."
Emperor Zhaode's face was grim: "He knew Xue Ziying's identity was sensitive, yet he still handed her over to that beast Wen Heyun?"
“Wen Heyun is the Princess Consort of Jin’s older brother.” Yan Yang said in a calm tone, “This is a gift from my fifth brother to my eldest brother-in-law.”
Emperor Zhaode's expression was furious, and his eyes were as cold as ice.
Does Pei Yi'an's gifting of Xue Ziying to the Prince of Jin mean that the two of them had been colluding for a long time?
No wonder Pei Yi'an dared to bully even Jin Yue; it turns out he'd sided with the Prince of Jin and gotten close to the Princess of Nanzhao, trying to show the Crown Prince of Nanzhao his stance.
The Prince of Jin befriended him for the sake of the military power he held.
Emperor Zhaode wished he could immediately issue an edict ordering Yan Yang to arrest the Prince of Jin and interrogate him thoroughly.
He paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, remaining silent for a long time: "Does Pei Yi'an still have any accomplices at the border?"
"This matter should be a secret collaboration between him and the Crown Prince of Nanzhao, but one person certainly couldn't do it so discreetly. He needed subordinates to do things for him. So the accomplices should be the few people who sent Xue Ziying back, as well as some trusted confidants he brought back from the border this time."
Emperor Zhaode's face was cold and stern: "Xu Baozhong."
"Your servant is here."
"Summon the King of Yan."
"yes."
Emperor Zhaode pondered for a moment: "Let Yan Cang take people to the border to find out if Pei Yi'an has any other accomplices. In addition, if we can expose the conspiracy of the Crown Prince of Nanzhao and reach a peace agreement with the King of Huaibei of Nanzhao, the southern border can also be at peace for a few years."
Yan Yang neither confirmed nor denied this.
What's happening in the south is none of his concern; he's not involved in wars.
He was only responsible for interrogating those who colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country; as for how the war would unfold, that was Yan Cang's concern.
"That Princess Nanzhao..." Emperor Zhaode looked at Yan Yang, "How has she been these past few days?"
Yan Yang said, "The injuries on her body have improved, but it is impossible to completely eliminate them. Scars on a girl are already unsightly, but the memory of being abused by Wen Heyun is the shadow that she can never erase in her life."
"As the head of all officials, is Prime Minister Wen truly unaware of his son's affairs, or is he feigning ignorance and indulging him?" Emperor Zhaode said coldly. "Regardless of whether he knows Xue Ziying's identity or not, it cannot be denied that he has been implicated in this crime of treason! Issue my decree: Prime Minister Wen colluded with Pei Yi'an to imprison the Princess of Nanzhao, causing enmity with the Prince of Huaibei of Nanzhao, and conspired with Pei Yi'an to collude with the Crown Prince of Nanzhao for personal gain. Prime Minister Wen and his entire family are hereby arrested, imprisoned, and subjected to rigorous interrogation!"
"Your subject obeys the decree." Yan Yang accepted the decree and left.
When Yan Cang was summoned to the palace to discuss Pei Yi'an's rebellion, Chu Yunjin was entertaining Princess Ning'an at the Prince's residence.
Princess Ning'an and Prince Consort Wen have recently had a strained relationship and haven't spoken to each other for several days. This is the first time they have had a cold war since their marriage.
But today is a special day.
Princess Ning'an said indifferently, "Today is the day that Consort Wen returns to the Wen family once a month, and he has brought all three children with him."
Chu Yunjin asked in surprise, "Auntie means..."
Princess Ning'an's face was icy: "I intend to go and take a look."
Chu Yunjin was taken aback, then nodded almost excitedly.
Catching someone in the act of adultery is thrilling just to think about.
But... it doesn't seem that easy.
In ancient times, women lived in the inner courtyard. If Prince Consort Wen wanted to visit Zhao Ying'er, he would definitely be in the inner courtyard. Although Wen Changyan's family was a collateral branch, they were still considered wealthy and powerful thanks to Prime Minister Wen and Prince Consort Wen. Their house would not be too lax in terms of security.
She and the Eldest Princess were both women, so it should have been Madam Wen who was in charge of receiving them. Upon seeing the Eldest Princess arrive, Madam Wen should have immediately sent someone to inform Prince Consort Wen.
“Wen Changyan’s wife has never liked Zhao Ying’er,” Princess Ning’an said calmly. “Her son is also in my hands.”
Chu Yunjin was stunned: "When did this happen?"
"I had already sent someone to take care of it before I came to the Prince of Yan's residence this morning." Princess Ning'an's face was cold and her eyes revealed a ruthless light. "Today, I will tear Wen Yishu's hypocritical mask to shreds!"
Chu Yunjin turned her head and instructed, "Granny Zhou, go and prepare a carriage. It shouldn't be too flashy; the simpler the better. It just needs to be big enough for the Princess and me to sit in."
"yes."
Chu Yunjin looked at Princess Ning'an: "Is there anything else that needs to be prepared?"
"That's all," Princess Ning'an said calmly. "I brought a few experts; you only need two maids."
Chu Yunjin nodded: "Okay."
After a short while, Granny Zhou returned and said that the carriage was ready.
Chu Yunjin and Princess Ning'an got up and walked outside.
The two boarded the carriage, which took a detour through the alley behind the house until it reached the end. They then exited through another secluded alley before heading towards the area where Wen Changyan's residence was located.
Half an hour later, the carriage arrived at the west gate of the Wen family.
Princess Ning'an ordered someone to knock on the door. The old woman who opened the door peeked out and saw a simple carriage parked outside. She didn't pay much attention and only asked, "Who are you looking for?"
Granny Zhou said, "Your young master had a minor accident on his way to school. We were asked to come and see Madam Wen."
The old woman was taken aback. Although she was somewhat suspicious, since it concerned the young master, she not only ignored him but also said, "Please wait a moment," before hurriedly turning around and going inside to ask the madam for instructions.
A little while later, a woman in her thirties hurried over.
Granny Zhou glanced at the old woman from before, pulled Madam Wen aside, and whispered something to her. Madam Wen looked at the carriage with surprise and suspicion, then turned to instruct, "Hurry up and make tea and prepare some snacks. I have some private matters to discuss with our distinguished guest."
Her purpose was to get rid of the servants.
Before leaving, the old woman glanced at the carriage, utterly bewildered as to what kind of distinguished guest could be sitting inside such a simple carriage.
Princess Ning'an and Chu Yunjin both wore light cloaks and capes, their hoods hanging down to cover most of their faces. Madam Wen welcomed them into the inner hall, whispering anxiously, "How is my son? Please, Princess..."
Princess Ning'an ordered, "Take me to see Zhao Ying'er."
Madam Wen was taken aback, not expecting that the Princess had come for Zhao Ying'er. She nodded, "Alright, I will take the Princess there now, I only beg the Princess not to harm my son."
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