Chapter 286: Tian Family (Part 2)
Yu Yi looked at her and asked, "Why does Madam want to see the princess?"
Tian looked at him, wanting to say something but stopping herself.
Yu Yi said gently, "This place is full of mixed people. It's inconvenient for the princess, a noble lady, to come here. If you have anything to say, why don't you tell me? I will definitely convey it."
After much deliberation, Tian finally agreed.
"That day, the princess wanted to know about my husband's plan, but he really didn't tell me much. However, my husband was very happy at the time, thinking that if this plan could be accomplished, he would be the Chief Secretary of Jingzhou. At that time, the eldest son would be a remote governor and would not actually go to Jingzhou. Then, as the Chief Secretary, his status would be the same as that of the Governor. My husband must have lost his mind because of these thoughts. He is usually a very kind person and would never commit murder or robbery. He was deceived for a moment and harmed the Crown Prince, and he suffered retribution..."
Tian wiped her eyes with her sleeve as she spoke, then continued, "The princess knew my husband was inextricably linked to this murder, yet not only did she forgive him, she even paid for someone to rent a boat to take me back home. I couldn't see her today, so I couldn't kowtow and thank her. When I return, I will copy and recite scriptures to accumulate merit for the princess."
After hearing this, Yu Yi couldn't help but ask, "Madam, do you know who promised Mr. Yang that he could become the Chief Secretary after the matter was completed?"
Tian shook her head. "That's all I know. My husband hasn't mentioned anything more. However, my husband usually interacts most with Jiang Changshi. I wonder if it was Jiang Changshi who said it?"
Yu Yi took note of Jiang Changshi and stopped forcing Tian.
After watching the boat leave the shore, Yu Yi went to the Prince of Yuzhang's Palace.
Sun Wei secretly breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that Tian had left safely with her children.
After listening to what Tian said, she fell into deep thought again.
"The only ones who can promise Yang Qi the position of Chief Secretary are probably Wang Hao and his son. Wang Hao's words carry weight, and Wang Zhi will be the Governor of Jingzhou..."
"Wang Zhi will be the governor of Jingzhou?" Yu Yi suddenly asked.
"That's right," Sun Wei said. "When I entered the palace to pay my respects to the Queen Mother yesterday, I met the eldest son bidding her farewell. I heard that he would be leaving for Jingzhou in the next two days. This appointment should not be issued by the court until after the Lantern Festival."
Yu Yi frowned for a moment and said, "But Tian said that Wang Zhi was originally going to be a remote governor and not go to Jingzhou in person. Why did it suddenly change?"
Sun Wei's expression changed slightly: "Wang Zhi suddenly went to Jingzhou, is it to avoid suspicion?"
Yu Yi was stunned.
Sun Wei thought for a moment and continued, "Wang Han may indeed have promised Yang Qi the position of Chief Secretary, but given Yang Qi's qualifications, he wouldn't be able to convince the public. This promise sounds rather hasty. I think it wasn't Wang Han who made it, but Wang Zhi."
"If it really is Wang Zhi, then everything makes sense." Yu Yi's eyes were sharp. "He did go to Jingzhou to avoid suspicion."
"We can't let him go." Sun Wei said immediately, "The journey to Jingzhou is long and arduous. It will be difficult to find him and question him."
Yu Yi stood up and said, "Don't worry, Princess, I won't let him go."
——
That day, Yu Yi led the Chief Justice to the Shangshu Mansion and took Wang Zhi away.
In the Empress Dowager's palace, the eldest princess hurried in without waiting for the eunuch to inform her.
"Does your Majesty know that Yu Yi dared to capture Ah Zhi?"
The Queen Mother showed surprise and asked the palace maid who was massaging her legs to leave.
"Really?" she asked. "Why did Yu Yi arrest him? Do you have any explanation?"
"They say Azhi conspired with Yang Qi, the Minister of State's aide, to murder the Prince of Yuzhang." The Princess exclaimed angrily, "That's sheer nonsense! Azhi and Ajun are cousins. Why would Azhi kill him for no apparent reason?"
The Queen Mother's gaze fixed on her: "Yu Yike, what evidence do you have?"
"There's no evidence!" the eldest princess said. "If Yu Yi hadn't brought up the Queen Mother, saying he was ordered by her and the Crown Prince to investigate the case, how could I have allowed him to take Azhi away? Queen Mother, Yu Yi actually dared to forge an imperial edict to arrest someone. He's completely lawless. This is unacceptable! Queen Mother, quickly send an order and order him to release Azhi!"
The Queen Mother did not respond.
She took a sip of tea and looked at the eldest princess: "Have you asked Azhi? Did he do this?"
"Mother!" The eldest princess was quite incredulous. "Mother, are you actually suspicious of Azhi? He is your grandson!"
"But Jun is also my grandson."
The Queen Mother only said this lightly, and the eldest princess suddenly felt a chill in her heart.
"Azhi is my son. I know he would never do such a thing," the eldest princess said firmly.
"In that case, why not investigate for a few days? If you can't find out the truth, I will ask Yu Yi to resign and make amends to Azhi."
"How long will the investigation take?" the princess asked. "My son has done nothing wrong, so why are you investigating him for so many days for no reason? Azhi was supposed to go to Jingzhou to take up his post tomorrow, and he even had the paperwork prepared. Now he's been detained by the court officials, suspected of murdering his cousin. How can Azhi still maintain his dignity and continue to serve as governor?"
"There's nothing wrong with his moral character, so why not?" The Queen Mother said, "That's fine. He's just been summoned for questioning, so why make a fuss? Yu Yi isn't a reckless person, and he won't treat Ah Zhi badly. If you're still worried, I'll have someone give him a few words of advice."
The eldest princess still found it hard to believe: "What did Ah Zhi do wrong to deserve such treatment from our mother?"
The Queen Mother looked at her and said earnestly, "Ayan, your nephew Ajun is still lying in bed, his life or death uncertain. I am your maternal grandmother, as well as your own, and I should treat everyone equally. It is indeed my order that this case be thoroughly investigated. Anyone suspected must be thoroughly questioned. Your staff member died for no reason. With such a huge repercussion, shouldn't we investigate thoroughly? You should go back. Azhi is not a child. He will have to deal with this matter in the future. Can't he withstand such a storm? Don't spoil him."
There was already a hint of anger in the Queen Mother's words. Even though the Princess was dissatisfied, she could not say anything more and could only withdraw.
After the eldest princess left, the Queen Mother said, "Come out."
As soon as he finished speaking, Sun Wei walked out from behind the screen.
The Queen Mother glanced at her and said coldly, "I never imagined that this day would come. I'll teach you to watch me and my daughter quarrel."
"Thank you, Queen Mother, for your protection," Sun Wei said. "As I just said, Yu Zuojian has captured the Shangshufu School Lieutenant Wu Jun. He has confessed that he was ordered by the eldest son to return Yang Qi's son to his family. This proves that the eldest son is indeed involved in Yang Qi's death."
"Not enough." The Queen Mother said, "Yang Qi was from the Shangshu Mansion. Even if he died, the Shangshu Mansion would have its own explanation. It's not the place for the Yuzhang Prince's Mansion and the Supreme Court to make comments."
After saying this, she looked at Sun Wei and said, "I'll only give you three days to find solid evidence. Otherwise, not only will Yu Yi be punished, but you will also have to personally come and apologize to Wang Han and the Princess."
After hearing this, Sun Wei hurriedly kowtowed and said, "I will definitely live up to the Queen Mother's trust."
By the time we left the palace, it was already dark.
Earlier, Sun Wei had just heard that Yu Yi had captured Wang Zhi in the Shangshu Mansion, so he went to the palace to ask to see the Queen Mother.
She knew that the eldest princess would be the first to complain, and she didn't know how harsh her words would be.
So she had to take the initiative and calm the Queen Mother down.
Three days, very tight.
She asked Deng Lian to send someone to convey the news to Yu Yi, and then returned home.
Cao Song breathed a sigh of relief when he saw her return safely.
"The princess is finally back," he said.
Seeing his face full of fatigue and worry, Sun Wei comforted him, "You are just going to see the Queen Mother, there is no need to be nervous.
Cao Song said yes, and then reported: "When the princess entered the palace just now, Master Sun came to visit the prince."
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