Chapter 958 Late-Night Private Meeting
Before long, Shang Ruyi arrived at the Liangyi Hall.
It was still somewhat dark outside the hall, making one wonder if Yuwen Yuan was still resting. But as soon as the door was pushed open, the bright light inside immediately stung the eyes. The hall was brightly lit, with even the candlesticks in the corners illuminated.
Yuwen Yuan was sitting at the top of the main hall, one hand resting on the table. Standing beside him was none other than Han Shanggong, who had just left the palace but had been summoned back not long before.
At that moment, she was speaking in a low voice, but immediately stopped when she saw Shang Ruyi enter.
Shang Ruyi glanced at her only once before stepping forward to bow and pay respects to Yuwen Yuan: "Your subject greets Your Majesty."
Yuwen Yuan said calmly, "Get up."
Shang Ruyi immediately stood up.
Normally, when they met, Yuwen Yuan was always cheerful and would offer her a seat immediately after she paid her respects. But this time, not only did he not offer her a seat, but after saying those three words, he stopped talking. Shang Ruyi could only stand in the hall. The chill emanating from the cold floor gradually seeped into her feet from the soles of her shoes, and she immediately felt her legs go numb and her body feel cold.
After a moment of silence, Yuwen Yuan spoke first, asking, "Do you know what happened at Qianqiu Palace tonight?"
Shang Ruyi lowered her head and said, "Your subject does not know. But I heard from outside that it seems that thieves broke into Qianqiu Palace."
"Then, do you know who the thief is?"
"Your subject went to bed early tonight and is completely unaware of what happened outside."
"I know nothing about it..."
Yuwen Yuan carefully considered those four words, then looked down at her. Shang Ruyi calmly met his scrutinizing gaze, showing no sign of panic.
Until Yuwen Yuan asked, "Do you recognize Sun Xianyue, who performed a dance at Baifu Hall last night?"
"...!"
Shang Ruyi's heart skipped a beat.
Although she had never seen this person before catching a glimpse of that ethereal figure at Wangyun Pavilion, Yu Mingyue's seemingly profound words in Baifu Hall last night had already made her somewhat wary. Now, when she suddenly heard Yuwen Yuan mention Sun Xianyue, the shadows of unease in her heart grew even heavier, and she became even more cautious.
Shang Ruyi said, "Your subject saw them practicing at Wangyun Pavilion, but did not observe them closely. After that, I only saw him perform a dance at Baifu Hall."
As soon as she finished speaking, she saw Han Yuhui glance at her from the side.
This glance sent a chill down Shang Ruyi's spine; she sensed something was wrong. The next moment, Yuwen Yuan slowly said, "Only this once? Then why did you meet with him secretly late at night?"
"A late-night rendezvous?"
Upon hearing those four words, Shang Ruyi felt a chill run down her spine, and even Tu She'er beside her gasped in fright.
This crime of secretly meeting with a man late at night, even if not committed by the emperor's concubines, is extremely serious for a princess like her whose husband is away at war. A sudden realization dawned on Shang Ruyi; she suddenly understood the source of her inexplicable unease since Sun Xianyue's appearance, and also the cause and effect of tonight's events. She immediately said, "Father, please understand! I only rested in Qianqiu Palace tonight and didn't leave the palace. How could I possibly have met with someone in secret? My maids can testify for me!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Tushe'er immediately said, "Yes, Your Majesty, this servant can testify."
Yuwen Yuan glanced at her: "Oh? Go ahead."
Tusheer said, "Tonight, the princess rested alone and did not go out to meet anyone in secret."
Yuwen Yuan frowned and remained silent.
Aunt Hui glanced at him, then turned to Tushe'er and said, "Just because the Princess hasn't gone out doesn't mean no one has entered Qianqiu Palace. Besides, have you been by Princess Qin's side all night?"
"I--"
Tushe'er was speechless.
Although she believed that her young mistress would never do such a thing, she did not stay with Shang Ruyi all night. Shang Ruyi went to bed early without having dinner, and she was alone after that.
Therefore, she had no way to testify.
Yuwen Yuan glanced at Tushe'er, his face showing little emotion, only slightly raising his chin.
Immediately, several guards escorted a person in from outside; it was Sun Xianyue.
He was wearing a gray-blue long robe, his hands were tied behind his back, and he staggered into the brightly lit hall. He must have just struggled, because his hair was a little disheveled. He was completely different from the ethereal and fairy-like figure he had been when he was dressed in white and dancing in the Hall of Hundred Blessings.
As soon as he entered the main hall, he was forced to kneel down. Seeing his disheveled appearance, Shang Ruyi's breathing became even heavier.
Sun Xianyue was forced to kneel on the ground, but immediately raised her head and said, "Your Majesty, this humble subject is wronged!"
As he spoke, he noticed Shang Ruyi standing to the side, and his expression faltered slightly.
Seeing him like this, Shang Ruyi's heart skipped a beat.
Then Yuwen Yuan said in a deep voice, "Sun Xianyue, you say you are innocent, but where are you innocent?"
"I--"
Upon seeing Shang Ruyi, Sun Xianyue seemed to lose her composure, stammering out what she was about to say. Meanwhile, Yuwen Yuan's hand, which had been resting on the table, clenched into a fist. Shang Ruyi immediately noticed that his fingertips seemed to have been fiddling with something, but because it was on the table, she hadn't seen it.
Yuwen Yuan asked, "Is it because you violated palace rules by going out without permission late at night?"
Upon hearing this, Sun Xianyue paused for a moment, and finally lowered his head: "This humble subject is guilty."
Yuwen Yuan continued, "Why did you violate palace rules by going out late at night?"
Sun Xianyue's face paled even more: "I, a commoner..."
Only then did Yuwen Yuan slowly raise the hand that had been pressing on the table, his fingertips twirling a thin piece of paper. He looked coldly at Sun Xianyue, his icy gaze seemingly sweeping over Shang Ruyi as well: "Is it because of this thing we found on you?"
Upon seeing the paper, Sun Xianyue's face turned deathly pale, and she glanced at Shang Ruyi with a look of alarm.
At this moment, Shang Ruyi seemed to understand as well.
But she didn't say anything immediately, only staring intently at the paper. Yuwen Yuan finally looked at her, his gaze cold: "Princess Qin, did you write this to him?"
Shang Ruyi said, "Father, I have never written anything to Sun Xianyue."
"oh?"
"But, Your Majesty, I would like to see what is written on this."
Yuwen Yuan handed the paper to Han Yuhui, who took it and slowly walked to Shang Ruyi, showing it to her: "Princess Qin, please take a look."
Shang Ruyi gave her a cold look before taking the paper. The few small words on it were clearly visible in the bright, surrounding lights—
Tonight at midnight, we will meet in the backyard of Qianqiu Palace. Do not let anyone know. Be careful.
The character 意 (yì).
The handwriting...
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