The surrounding people were in an uproar. The funeral expenses were actually embezzled by General Lu?
He fought while ill and even resold weapons and armor on the front lines!
Su Wenyuan said, "General Lu did more than just these things. There are still some things that haven't been investigated. Once they are investigated, we will know whether you live or die, whether you stay or leave. For now, just stay in the mansion and be quiet."
Her words immediately drew Mrs. Chen's attention.
Madam Chen glared at her and said, "Is this malicious revenge? Do you hold a grudge against the General for impeaching Marquis Anle back then?"
Su Wenyuan had been waiting for her to bring this up, and said coldly, "Can anyone believe the impeachment of someone who would embezzle funeral expenses?"
If he was so ruthless towards the soldiers who died in battle, one can imagine how he treated others.
Sheng Jingyu continued, "Lu Guanfeng himself admitted to the embezzlement; no one framed him. As for the other matters, we'll find out once the investigation is complete."
The people standing nearby were even more shocked. Could it be that the story of Marquis Anle's betrayal was a lie?
"Could Marquis Anle have been framed?"
"That's possible. Anyway, I don't believe General Lu... ptooey! I don't believe Lu Guanfeng's words."
“It’s definitely a frame-up. Princess Consort Chen has never shown any guilt from beginning to end. Even when there was a lot of criticism outside, she was not affected.”
Hearing the surrounding whispers, Madam Chen was flustered and at a loss.
Turning his head, he saw Lu Wanying, reached out and pulled her over, and said to Sheng Jingyu, "Your Highness, please, for Wanying's sake, investigate these matters thoroughly and clear my general's name."
She didn't want Sheng Jingyu to investigate properly; she wanted him to go easy on her.
Madam Chen knew perfectly well whether Lu Guanfeng had embezzled funds.
But things weren't entirely hopeless. If Sheng Jingyu was willing to show mercy, Lu Guanfeng could still live.
Lu Wanying tried to back away guiltily, but Madam Chen held her tightly, leaving her no way to escape.
Su Wenyuan chuckled and said, "It is right for Your Highness to investigate seriously, but not because of her. What face does she have?"
Madam Chen glared at her fiercely, "Your Highness probably doesn't know, but Wanying has known His Highness Prince Chen for much longer than you have. If my Wanying were willing, would you even be a worthy candidate for the position of Princess Consort of Prince Chen?"
That same phrase again!!!
Su Wenyuan was really fed up with it. There were always people reminding her that she had picked up someone else's leftovers for the position of princess.
Anyone who didn't know her would think she was very unpopular.
Seeing that things had already come to this point and there was no way to avoid it, Lu Wanying simply stepped forward.
With tears in her eyes, she looked at Sheng Jingyu and softly called out, "Your Highness..."
"Wipe your tears away, the prince can't see them," Su Wenyuan suddenly reminded her.
Sheng Jingyu's speechlessness was written all over his face.
There's no need to go around telling everyone about this; everyone already knows.
The people around him suddenly fell silent and looked at Sheng Jingyu nervously.
In their minds, Sheng Jingyu should have lost his temper, but Sheng Jingyu didn't react at all.
Madam Chen shoved Lu Wanying and said, "You've known the Prince for a long time, so go and talk to him."
"Madam Chen's words are a bit hard for me to understand. I don't know Miss Lu at all," Sheng Jingyu quickly clarified.
Su Wenyuan feigned surprise and said, "That's not right. Last time at the restaurant, Miss Lu told me that if she wanted to be a princess, she would have been the Princess Consort of Chen long ago. I thought she had some past relationship with the prince, which gave me quite a shock."
Sheng Jingyu feigned anger and said, "Don't talk nonsense! I don't even know her, let alone have any past relationship with her. There have been some rumors in the capital before, but I still don't know where they came from. I would like to ask Miss Lu to explain today."
Lu Wanying trembled all over, her face extremely pale.
The lie she has been telling for years is about to be exposed in front of so many people!
Su Wenyuan suddenly realized, "So we don't know each other? Then why are people saying that if she's willing to be the princess, I have to step down?"
"How should I know?" Sheng Jingyu asked anxiously.
Su Wenyuan was quite provoked by these words and wouldn't let it go, insisting on getting the reason.
"You don't know? I've heard it more than once, and you still don't know? Are you pretending?" Su Wenyuan deliberately pressed on, her face full of doubt.
Lu Wanying wished she could find a crack in the ground to hide herself.
She was incredibly arrogant when she said those words.
Seeing them working together so harmoniously, Madam Chen couldn't help but feel a little anxious. She explained, "When Prince Chen was getting married, no one wanted to be his princess. The general thought that since Prince Chen and Wanying had a past relationship, why not let Wanying marry him..."
"Wait!" Sheng Jingyu clarified again, "There is no past relationship between us. I do not remember Miss Lu."
Su Wenyuan chimed in, "Madam, please be careful with your words. What do you mean no one is willing? When the Prince is choosing a concubine, it's not your place to be picky."
Instead of considering whether they are a good match, they've already chosen someone?
Sheng Jingyu raised an eyebrow in surprise; he was quite pleased with Su Wenyuan's protection.
Mrs. Chen was speechless for a moment, unsure how to proceed with the rest of the conversation.
Lu Wanying blushed so deeply it was almost bleeding. The rumors she had spread years ago were now coming at a price.
People around them started gossiping again that Lu Wanying and Sheng Jingyu had a past relationship, and this news had been circulating for quite some time.
They often said this, and even when Su Wenyuan was being scolded, many people felt sorry for Sheng Jingyu, saying that they should have married Lu Wanying instead, since there were no criminals in their family.
In retrospect, Lu Guanfeng is the biggest culprit. Even his defeat in the war was intentional, and he even tried to frame Marquis Anle.
Neither Sheng Jingyu nor Su Wenyuan said that Marquis Anle was wronged.
It was just a few deliberately suggested words; the people had their own guesses and judgments.
This was intentional; although it couldn't exonerate Marquis Anle, it was better than letting him suffer infamy.
Perhaps if more people start talking about it, the emperor will change his mind.
Lu Wanying kept backing away, almost back into the courtyard. Su Wenyuan coughed lightly and gave Ye Shan a look.
Ye Shan understood immediately and said with a smile, "I do know something about what Madam Chen is talking about. When the Emperor was choosing a princess for the prince, Lu Guanfeng specially sent a message to Miss Lu, asking her if she wanted to be a princess."
"Perhaps this issue has caused a misunderstanding, making people think that the position of princess is something anyone can take. In fact, the prince has never thought of marrying her, nor does he know who she is."
With Ye Shan's explanation, everyone understood.
It turned out to be just Lu Wanying's wishful thinking, and the Lu family's unfounded speculation.
After pondering for a moment, Su Wenyuan said, "Miss Lu, we are the ones who are talking about these things now. If you think we have said anything wrong, you must speak up, so that people will not think that there is another hidden story."
Madam Chen's chest heaved violently; she was furious.
Lu Wanying cried for real this time, hiding behind herself and not saying a word.
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