Chapter 960 Is the Pei Family Loyal?
Yuwen Yuan's brows immediately furrowed.
He waved his hand gently, and Eunuch Yu immediately came over with the tattered cloth, squatted down, carefully compared it, and then said, "Your Majesty, this tattered cloth was torn from his body."
Sun Xianyue panicked and hurriedly said, "This, this dress was given to me when I entered the palace. They said that after entering the palace, I could no longer wear my own clothes, and they only gave me a change of clothes. This dress was already torn when I received it, but I—"
As he finished speaking, his voice grew softer and softer, probably because he understood that no one would believe him.
Yuwen Yuan's gaze grew increasingly cold.
He suddenly asked, "You weren't originally from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, so why did you come to the palace to perform this time?"
Sun Xianyue was taken aback, but seeing the situation, he dared not conceal anything any longer. He lowered his head and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, I have always been grateful for the care I received from my mentor. It was only during my solo travels through Guanzhong that I learned of the Pei family's crimes. I volunteered to enter the Imperial Academy to perform in the palace, hoping to take this opportunity to plead for Vice Minister Pei and request Your Majesty's forgiveness of the Pei family. My intention to visit the Princess Consort at Qianqiu Palace tonight is also for this matter. Your Majesty, the Pei family has always been loyal to you and has no disloyal intentions."
Shang Ruyi, who was standing to the side, suddenly opened her eyes wide.
She never expected that Sun Xianyue's purpose in entering the palace to perform the dance was actually this. Pei Yunshen traveled around like a free spirit, not caring about the affairs of the court. He probably didn't know that Pei Xingyuan had been convicted and kidnapped by Jiang Yan and others, nor did he know that the Pei family had lost power. However, his apprentice learned about this while traveling in Chang'an and was willing to risk his life for his master's family.
I just never expected to get caught up in this...
At this moment, Han Yuhui immediately knelt down and said, "This servant did not know that he had such thoughts. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Yuwen Yuan remained silent until Sun Xianyue mentioned the Pei family, at which point his expression became somewhat complicated.
He said coldly, "Whether the Pei family is loyal or not, I know better than you."
"emperor……"
Sun Xianyue wanted to say something, but when she looked up and met his cold gaze, she couldn't say anything and could only lower her head tremblingly.
Yuwen Yuan's gaze slowly shifted to Shang Ruyi, who was standing to the side: "Princess Qin, do you have anything to say?"
Shang Ruyi gritted her teeth, raised her head to look at him, and said in a deep voice, "Father, I do not know Sun Xianyue's purpose, nor do I know him. I have never done anything to betray the Emperor or the royal family."
"..."
"That letter was not written by your son; and you absolutely did not meet with him in secret tonight."
She thought for a moment and then said, "Your subject suspects that someone stole the words I wrote and imitated my handwriting to write that letter. The piece of cloth that appeared in the backyard of Qianqiu Palace was also deliberately placed there to frame your subject."
Yuwen Yuan asked, "Then do you have any evidence?"
"……No."
"Or, can you guess who is framing you?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Shang Ruyi's gaze fell on Han Yuhui.
She had no doubt that tonight's scheme was set up by Han Yuhui. Of course, it wasn't just her; judging from what happened at last night's banquet, the Crown Princess must have also been involved in planning this.
However, to say that it is her seems too far-fetched at the moment.
She simply chose someone with exceptional sword dancing skills to perform for the emperor. If there was any wrongdoing, it would have to be that Sun Xianyue had actually done something wrong in the palace to implicate her. Since she had to deny this false accusation, she couldn't implicate Sun Xianyue.
As for the stolen calligraphy and the piece of cloth—
In the rush, she couldn't produce any evidence.
Seeing that Shang Ruyi had quieted down and seemed speechless, Yuwen Yuan's expression gradually turned cold. However, he looked at Shang Ruyi with his brows furrowed, but still did not say anything.
The entire Liangyi Hall fell into an unusual silence.
Han Yuhui cautiously looked up at him. At this moment, Princess Qin was speechless. Naturally, the emperor should deal with this unfaithful daughter-in-law next, but Yuwen Yuan seemed to hesitate.
Just then, a young palace maid hurriedly ran to the entrance of the main hall, glanced inside, and then shrank back in fear. It was Cai Lan, another young palace maid who served Han Yu Hui.
Yuwen Yuan looked up and asked, "What is it?"
Na Cailan hurriedly walked in and knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, news just came from Qianqiu Palace that the little prince is crying incessantly and cannot be soothed no matter what we do."
"What!?"
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi immediately stepped forward: "How could this be?"
Yuwen Yuan frowned as well: "What's going on?"
The young palace maid stepped past Shang Ruyi and said to Yuwen Yuan, "It seems he was frightened tonight."
Shang Ruyi panicked immediately and turned to look at Yuwen Yuan: "Father—"
She wanted to say something more, but before she could speak, Han Yuhui immediately said, "It's all my fault. If I hadn't carelessly chosen Sun Xianyue to enter the palace and kept him to perform for His Majesty next month on His Majesty's birthday, he wouldn't have done such a thing tonight and frightened His Highness. It's all my fault. Please punish me, Your Majesty!"
Yuwen Yuan's face grew increasingly gloomy.
The atmosphere inside the Liangyi Hall grew increasingly tense, almost suffocating. After an unknown amount of time, Yuwen Yuan raised his head and said to Yu Mingli, "Immediately summon the Imperial Physicians to treat Yuan Gan!"
Eunuch Yu replied, "Yes."
He hurriedly walked out, hesitated for a moment as he passed Shang Ruyi, but still immediately went out.
Shang Ruyi turned to watch his figure disappear outside the hall, then hurriedly turned back to Yuwen Yuan: "Father, please allow me to return and take care of Yuan Gan!"
Yuwen Yuan remained silent, his gaze growing colder as he looked at her again, devoid of any warmth. He said coldly, "If you were a good mother, you wouldn't have caused such a scene tonight, nor would you have frightened Yuan Gan."
"...!"
Shang Ruyi's heart sank suddenly.
She realized what Yuwen Yuan was planning to do and immediately knelt down with a thud: "Father, I have absolutely not done anything to betray Feng Chen, nor have I disregarded Yuan Gan's safety. It is all a frame-up by someone. I beg you, Father, to investigate thoroughly!"
Yuwen Yuan said, "Of course I will investigate thoroughly."
"..."
"But you cannot return to Qianqiu Palace to see Yuan Gan until I have investigated everything!"
Shang Ruyi stared at him with wide eyes.
Is Yuwen Yuan going to imprison himself?
As the Princess Consort of Qin, I have been involved in a scandal of having a late-night rendezvous with a man. If I am imprisoned now, no matter what the outcome of the investigation is, my reputation as the Princess Consort of Qin will be completely ruined!
She held her breath and looked nervously at Yuwen Yuan.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com