Chapter 973 Handwriting can be changed, and so can people's hearts.
Han Yuhui said, "Could it be that the Princess Consort caught a thief while she was confined to Chengqian Palace these past few days?"
"No, that's not it,"
Shang Ruyi calmly said, "But I thought that someone had seen the calligraphy I wrote and could testify for me."
Yuwen Yuan asked, "Oh? Who is it?"
“Father, it is Consort Tao.”
"she?"
Shang Ruyi said, "Yes. On the day that Consort Tao was conferred the title of Consort, she happened to come to Qianqiu Palace to talk to me for a while, and she also saw the characters I wrote. She even wanted to practice calligraphy with me. However, at that time, someone came to tell me that Father Emperor was going to have dinner at Consort Tao's place that evening, and asked her to go back and make preparations, so Consort Tao left in a hurry."
As she spoke, Shang Ruyi looked up at Yuwen Yuan: "Your subject, am I not mistaken?"
Yuwen Yuan nodded slightly.
His memory wasn't bad, especially since it had only been a few days, and it happened on the very day Tao Wanyin was conferred the title of Jieyu. Of course, he remembered it very clearly. He not only remembered that he had indeed gone to her palace for dinner that night, but he also remembered that during their meal, Tao Wanyin mentioned that she had visited Princess Qin and Xiao Yuangan at Qianqiu Palace during the day, and that she wanted to practice calligraphy and calm her mind like Princess Qin.
After dinner, he even took Tao Wanyin's hand and wrote a piece of calligraphy.
To be honest, he was somewhat grateful to Shang Ruyi. If it weren't for her mentioning Tao Wanyin to him, he would never have realized that there was such a kind and intelligent woman in his harem. He had previously favored Zhang Yuping and only thought her gentle and charming. But after getting to know her better, he found that Tao Wanyin's gentleness, tranquility, thoughtfulness and consideration were no less than the former, which was very comforting.
Therefore, Yuwen Yuan felt more at peace when he mentioned Tao Wanyin.
Shang Ruyi then said, "If Father does not believe me, you can ask Consort Tao to see if she remembers seeing the calligraphy I wrote in Qianqiu Palace that day."
Yuwen Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Immediately send someone to summon Consort Tao to the Liangyi Palace. I have questions for her."
The young eunuch below received the order and hurriedly ran out, returning shortly with his men.
Tao Wanyin rushed over with Qiaoshu. Because she had walked so fast, she was out of breath when she entered the main hall. Then she saw the crowd kneeling in the center of the hall and seemed to sense something. But she only glanced at them and then stepped forward without changing her expression to kowtow to Yuwen Yuan: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects."
"Rise."
Although Yuwen Yuan's expression was solemn, his tone was gentle when he spoke to her: "I called you here for no other reason than that Princess Qin just said that you visited Qianqiu Palace a few days ago and saw the calligraphy she wrote?"
"yes."
Do you remember which day it was?
"It was on the day that I was bestowed the title of Jieyu by His Majesty's favor."
"So, do you remember what she wrote?"
"I vaguely remember."
"Tell me about it."
"There is Sun Tzu's Art of War, the Book of Songs, and another poem, which is the poem that won first place at the Shenjuan Pavilion poetry competition after the Battle of Fufeng."
Han Yuhui's face was extremely pale. She gave a dry laugh and said, "Jieyu has a really good memory."
Tao Wanyin glanced at her indifferently and smiled, "I have no other hobbies but I like poetry and songs. I just happened to see the ones written by Princess Qin that day. Moreover, Princess Qin's calligraphy is different from that of ordinary women. Her brushstrokes are ancient and vigorous, with the power of a thousand pounds, which is why I was so impressed."
After saying that, she turned to Yuwen Yuan and asked, "I wonder why Your Majesty asked about this—"
Yuwen Yuan did not answer her question, but simply nodded and waved his hand gently, saying, "Since you have seen her poem 'No Clothes' from the Book of Songs, that is enough."
Tao Wanyin glanced down at Shang Ruyi, understood perfectly, shut her mouth, and obediently retreated to his side.
The hall fell silent.
Seeing that Yuwen Yuan's expression seemed to have softened, Han Yuhui's tightly clenched hands trembled slightly inside her sleeves, her nails digging into her palms. This was a scheme she had painstakingly devised, almost risking everything, to wipe out Shang Ruyi, Yuwen Yuangan, and even Chu Ruoyan in one fell swoop. In this way, the Qin Prince's faction would be basically annihilated. Moreover, if he knew about these events in the rear while in the army, he would definitely think that the emperor was suspicious of him and was plotting against him from behind. He might do something irrational in a fit of anger.
As soon as he shows any such sign, the Prince of Qi and Shang Shoufei at the front can immediately impeach him. At that time, the emperor will have even more reason to deal with this son who is not trusted by him.
Everything was going smoothly until Shang Ruyi, who had been confined to her home for several days, unexpectedly came up with the idea of clearing herself of suspicion through her handwriting.
However, handwriting is not conclusive evidence.
Thinking of this, Han Yuhui gritted her teeth and deliberately said, "In the end, these words all came from the Princess's hand. Handwriting can be changed, and so can people's hearts."
"..."
"Besides, even if a piece of calligraphy is really missing from Qianqiu Palace, it could be that the servants carelessly left it behind. It's not necessarily that someone stole it and imitated the princess's handwriting. All of this is just the princess's speculation, and there is no evidence."
"..."
"But the tattered clothes that Sun Xianyue left in the backyard of Qianqiu Palace are irrefutable proof that he had been to Qianqiu Palace and had a secret meeting with the Princess."
Yuwen Yuan turned back and glanced at her again.
His gaze carried a chilling intensity that seemed to see right through one's bones, causing Han Yuhui to shiver involuntarily.
But Yuwen Yuan didn't say anything. Instead, he turned his head and looked at Shang Ruyi again, his gaze equally cold, as if waiting for her response.
This time, Shang Ruyi no longer avoided Han Yuhui's gaze, but instead raised her head and looked directly at her. Her sharp gaze made Han Yuhui's heart skip a beat. Shang Ruyi calmly said, "Han Shanggong's words make sense. That's why I just asked Eunuch Liu Yu to bring over that torn piece of clothing as well."
Han Yuhui's expression changed.
Immediately, everyone's attention fell on the piece of bluish-gray cloth in Liu Yu's hand, which was a torn corner of the clothes that Sun Xianyue had worn that night.
Shang Ruyi said, "Han Shanggong just said that this piece of tattered clothing is irrefutable evidence that he visited Qianqiu Palace and had a secret rendezvous with me."
Han Yuhui retorted, her neck stiff, "Isn't that right?"
Shang Ruyi smiled faintly and said, "That's right, this is indeed irrefutable evidence."
Upon hearing this, everyone around her looked surprised, as if they couldn't believe she would "admit" so readily. Even Chu Ruoyan couldn't help but whisper, "Sister..."
Han Yuhui was overjoyed, and her eyes lit up.
The next moment, Shang Ruyi said clearly, word by word, "But this is irrefutable proof that Sun Xianyue and I have never met in private!"
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