Chapter 160 Refusal to Submit, Even at the Cost of Death
He knew, of course, that the Prince of Anshun's rebellion was not as simple as it seemed on the surface, but the matter was already settled. Even if he felt sorry for the Prince of Anshun, there was nothing he could do. After all, the Prince of Anshun's achievements overshadowed the emperor.
But now Cao Ran says that Prince Wen is a young prodigy, gentle and wise. Does this mean that Wen Zhiming's illness has been cured?
If that's the case, then the exceptionally talented boy who was only a few years old would indeed try every means to rescue Prince Anshun, and anything would be possible.
Most importantly, his wife and mother are now in the hands of the other side. Even if he pretends to surrender now and goes back to inform them, what use is fame and fortune without his family?
Judging from Cao Ran's expression, he seemed confident of victory in this operation.
Even if he doesn't cooperate, Cao Ran and Prince Wen might have other tricks up their sleeves, and he'll offend both sides and end up with nothing.
Ren Yang was already somewhat tempted, but still asked with unease.
"You said Prince Wen has returned to normal? I've never heard of that."
Cao Ran raised his eyebrows and said, "If everyone knew about this, would Prince Wen still be alive today? Just the fact that a person who has recovered from illness still has to pretend to be crazy every day, and even to feign politeness to his enemies, is something that no ordinary person could tolerate. I am honored to serve Prince Wen."
Seeing that he was very protective of Prince Anshun and his son in his words, Ren Yang asked in doubt, "I have heard that Lord Cao and Prince Anshun have a long-standing grudge on the battlefield. Could these be just rumors?"
"Not entirely. I did disagree with Prince Anshun on many occasions on the battlefield, but that did not diminish my admiration and appreciation for him. Later events proved that Prince Anshun's opinions were indeed correct. As for my leg, it was because I acted on my own and fell into an enemy ambush. If Prince Anshun had not arrived in time, I would have lost my life."
His words were full of gratitude, and Ren Yang could almost see the valiant figure of Prince Anshun on the battlefield as he listened to his voice.
A prince who cared deeply for his subordinates and was loyal to the court should not have died from alcoholism, much less from imprisonment.
For the sake of justice or for the sake of his family, cooperating with Cao Ran was the best course of action.
Ren Yang made up his mind and said with some annoyance, "Before I came out, I specifically instructed a team of men to escort Prince Anshun back to Dongling Pavilion. Now it is inconvenient for me to transfer them to another place, and there must be guards to watch over and escort Prince Anshun so as not to arouse suspicion."
Upon hearing this, Cao Ran knew that Ren Yang had been persuaded, and he was overjoyed.
He said with a cheerful tone, "Commander Ren, don't worry. Your deputy commander is already one of our men. He knows what to do. When you go back, you don't need to move this team. Just transfer the guards at the intersection of Yuxiao Palace on the road back to Dongling Pavilion."
Ren Yang then realized why the deputy commander had been urging him to leave all day; it turned out that the kid had already been turned before him.
Without further hesitation, he cupped his hands and said, "Today's operation will undoubtedly be dangerous. If I do not return, please take good care of my wife and mother for me. I thank you in advance."
Cao Ran replied, "Commander Ren, please rest assured. Prince Wen has anticipated all possible scenarios to ensure that no accidents will occur. Today's operation is solely for rescuing people and will not result in any loss of life. After the operation is successful, Commander Ren, please head to the South Gate to escape, where someone will be there to meet you."
Ren Yang grunted in agreement and rode off on horseback.
Cao Ran's subordinate said, "Sir, aren't you afraid that he might go back on his word and tip off the Emperor?"
Cao Ran calmly replied, "If you employ someone, don't doubt them; if you doubt someone, don't employ them. Prince Wen said that this man's wife is of low status and has not borne any children in the four years since she entered the household, yet Ren Yang has never mentioned divorcing her or taking a concubine. Either he loves his wife dearly, or he is a man of deep affection and integrity. I am willing to trust such a person. Since Prince Wen trusts him, I will also trust him."
No one spoke again, and they followed Cao Ran to the city gate to wait.
At this time, the banquet in the palace was coming to an end. Prince Anshun's face was flushed, and he was swaying unsteadily in his seat, clearly quite drunk.
Of course, the officials who kept toasting him didn't get any better treatment either; several of them staggered and fell over. Now, no one dares to approach Prince Anshun anymore.
Wen Zhiming drank little and was not drunk; he was still the most energetic person at the table.
The singing and dancing had ended, and the food and wine were all gone. Logically, the Emperor should have ordered the banquet to end and let the ministers go home.
But whether the Emperor was too happy today or had drunk some wine, he forgot the time and did not give the order for a long time. The sober ministers were discussing how to subtly remind the Emperor.
Then they saw Eunuch Zhao rush to the center of the banquet, shouting, "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! The Crown Princess, the Crown Princess has been... been... been..."
A smile flickered in the Emperor's eyes as he pressed, "What's wrong, Princess Consort?"
Eunuch Zhao's face was extremely ugly, but he could only bite the bullet and answer.
"The Crown Princess has been murdered!"
The Emperor abruptly stood up from his seat and demanded sharply, "Killed? What happened?"
Eunuch Zhao's lips moved, but he didn't know how to explain.
The Emperor felt that the blow to Prince Anshun today was not enough, so he ordered him to find two guards to secretly humiliate Li Yan'er. Then, when they made a scene at the banquet, everyone would know that Prince Wen had been cuckolded on his wedding day. Prince Anshun and his wife would definitely not be able to bear the blow and would become even more despondent.
If the Emperor were to order the two guards to be executed, it would be enough to appease Prince Wen and the others.
If a palace maid whose reputation has been tarnished becomes the Crown Prince's wife, the Crown Prince will never be able to hold his head high again.
But who would have thought that Li Yan'er, who seemed so weak and timid, would resist to the death when forced to submit? The guard tried to scare her with a knife, but she instead ran into the knife and died.
Eunuch Zhao was acting on the Emperor's orders, but the current outcome is not what the Emperor had predicted.
Now that the emperor is asking him what happened, he can't very well say in front of all the officials, "Your Majesty ordered me to do this."
The Emperor realized his question was amiss and continued, "Didn't I tell you to bring the Crown Princess here so she could return to the residence with the Crown Prince? How could she have been murdered?"
Eunuch Zhao stammered, "When I got there, I only saw the Princess Consort lying on the bed with her clothes disheveled and a knife wound on her neck. Someone must have been abusing her, and she refused, so she was killed."
These words caused an uproar among the officials.
"We thought the Crown Princess was of low status and had behaved rudely today, but she turns out to be such a loyal girl. It is you and I who have been rude."
"What a disaster! The Crown Princess is pregnant, how could such a thief be so audacious?"
"The young master is so pitiful. He lost his wife and child on his wedding day. What will he do now!"
"The Imperial Palace, this matter is not simple..."
Perhaps because they had all been drinking, the officials became much bolder, saying things that the emperor did not want to hear.
Just as the Emperor was about to reprimand him, Prince Anshun roared, "You dog Emperor, you've gone too far! This palace is no place where thieves dare to act without your permission! If you want my life, take it. Why do you keep humiliating my child?"
Wen Zhiming, on the other end, also came to his senses and cried loudly, "Uncle Emperor, who harmed my wife and child? You must do justice for me! I want my wife back, give me back my wife!"
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