Chapter 979 The Princess Consort of Qin Falls Ill
"oh?"
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi paused, the spoon she was about to bring to her lips, but she calmly lowered her head and took a sip of porridge. Tu She'er solicitously moved several of her favorite side dishes in front of her, then said softly, "His Highness the Crown Prince went there to—"
Shang Ruyi glanced at her, her lips pursed slightly: "What do you think?"
Tushe'er bent down, half-squatting beside Shang Ruyi, and whispered, "Your Highness, if it really was the Crown Prince who pleaded for Han Yuhui, the Emperor wouldn't release her, would he?"
"..."
"This person has committed numerous evils. If we really let her go, is there any justice left?"
"..."
"Should the princess go over and express her opinion?"
Shang Ruyi didn't speak, but listened to her words while quietly drinking her porridge. After a few mouthfuls of warm porridge, she finally had some strength and her mind became clearer. Looking down at Tu She'er's bright eyes, which were filled with worry, she smiled and said, "I won't go."
Tushe'er stared at her with wide eyes: "Why?"
Shang Ruyi said, "I don't care how the Crown Prince pleads, but can this matter be resolved by the Crown Prince's pleading?"
"..."
"If this time, Han Yuhui was just framing me and falsely accusing me of having an affair, perhaps there would still be room for maneuver. After all, Han Yuhui has served the Yuwen family and the Emperor for so many years, so we can give her some face."
"..."
"But this time, she murdered Yuan Gan, the eldest grandson of the emperor!"
"..."
"If someone who does such a thing can get someone to plead for her, and the emperor can actually spare her, then what will become of the royal family's reputation?"
Upon hearing this, Tushe'er breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "That's good."
Shang Ruyi nodded and continued to drink her porridge. But Tushe'er thought for a moment and then said, "But since murdering the eldest grandson of the emperor is an unforgivable crime, why didn't the emperor deal with her directly yesterday? The princess and Madam Chu have already presented all the evidence, and the emperor himself sent people to find the witnesses. Why send her to the Dali Temple? It's unnecessary."
"...!"
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi's hand froze.
She thought for a moment and said, "She'er, after I finish eating, go to the Imperial Medical Bureau immediately. If I'm not mistaken, Physician Su should have returned by now. Tell her that I've fallen ill and ask her to come and examine me. Speak as loudly as possible, don't try to hide it from others."
Tushe'er immediately asked anxiously, "Your Highness, are you feeling unwell?"
Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "Silly girl, I'm fine. I just wanted you to go and tell them."
Seeing her calm demeanor, Tushe'er blinked, as if she understood, and nodded in agreement.
Just as Shang Ruyi was leisurely enjoying her lunch, Yuwen Qian had been kneeling in the Liangyi Hall for quite some time. Looking at his pale, bloodless face, Yuwen Yuan's breathing became even heavier. When he spoke, his voice was tinged with displeasure: "Are you forcing me?"
"Your subject dares not."
"You don't dare? Then what are you doing right now!"
"Your Majesty, I only wish to beg you to spare Aunt Hui's life."
"..."
"I am willing to pay any price to spare her life."
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Yuan suddenly stood up from behind his desk and strode to him. His movements were so swift that his tall and strong body stirred up a gust of wind that hit Yuwen Qian's face, causing his hair to fly wildly and making his already pale and haggard face appear even more fragile.
Yuwen Yuan looked down at him and said, "Price? Are you negotiating with me?"
"..."
"Do you know that your entire being, everything you have now, was given to you by me? And you're using all of that to exchange for Han Yuhui?"
Yuwen Qian gritted his teeth, raised his head and looked directly at him: "She is more than just Han Yuhui!"
"..."
“She is my Aunt Hui, who raised me from childhood. She was left to me by my mother and is one of the few remaining relatives of mine.”
Yuwen Yuan's thick eyebrows furrowed, and he was about to rebuke him angrily, but when he opened his mouth, he couldn't utter a word.
He knew all too well how his son had grown up, how much effort Han Yuhui had put into him during those years, and he knew even better who Han Yuhui was ultimately working for, risking her life to do all of this.
Yuwen Yuan was panting heavily. After a long while, he gritted his teeth and said, "Your 'relatives' are plotting to harm my imperial grandson!"
"..."
"Did you know about this!?"
Yuwen Qian's eyes lit up, and he suddenly said, "If I knew, would Father Emperor spare her life?"
"you--"
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Yuan was furious and raised his hand to slap him. However, when he raised his heavy hand and looked at the pleading face that showed no intention of avoiding the slap, he couldn't bring himself to do it.
He stomped his foot angrily and walked back behind the imperial desk.
With his hands on the table, Yuwen Yuan finally calmed down after panting heavily for a while. He looked up at Yuwen Qian, who was still kneeling motionless in the center of the hall, and said, "She not only murdered my grandson, but also the eldest son of the Prince of Qin and his wife!"
"..."
"She also framed Princess Qin, which is enough to ruin Shang Ruyi's reputation, do you understand!"
"..."
"Is it enough that I spared her?"
Upon hearing this, a glint suddenly flashed in Yuwen Qian's eyes.
He instinctively wanted to say something, but before he could speak, Yuwen Yuan slightly raised his head and saw a figure flickering outside the half-closed door of the Liangyi Hall. He then called out, "Yu Mingli, what is it? Come in!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Eunuch Yu cautiously pushed open the door and walked in.
He had immediately slipped away when the Crown Prince arrived, just to avoid this scene. When he came in, he saw that the Crown Prince was still kneeling in the center of the hall, and must have been kneeling for at least half an hour. So he smiled and said, "It's so hot, Your Highness, you're probably going to get heatstroke."
Yuwen Yuan let out a heavy sigh, then said, "Help him up and offer him a seat."
Eunuch Yu hurriedly stepped forward and helped Yuwen Qian up. The latter could only obediently stand up, nod at him, and then sit down to the side. However, because he had been kneeling for too long, his legs were so stiff that he almost fell down.
Yuwen Yuan glared at him again before catching his breath, then looked at Eunuch Yu: "Is there something you need?"
Eunuch Yu said with a smile, "His Majesty instructed me to keep a close eye on His Highness's health. Just now, the Imperial Medical Bureau reported that His Highness's condition has improved significantly and he is out of danger for the time being."
Yuwen Yuan nodded: "That's good."
"but,"
After hesitating for a moment, Eunuch Yu said, "I also heard from the Imperial Medical Bureau that Princess Qin has fallen ill."
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