Chapter 897 Playing the victim
From Qianqiu Hall to Liangyi Hall, the road was swept clean, and all the snow was swept to both sides of the avenue, like a snow-white border on the palace wall. However, the snowflakes that had accumulated on the wall had not been cleared away. A gust of wind blew by, and every now and then, fine snowflakes would drift onto people's faces.
The cool sensation wasn't unpleasant at all, especially since the little baby wrapped in swaddling clothes seemed to particularly enjoy the snow, laughing happily every time her face was soaked.
The journey was filled with laughter and joy.
Seeing her son so happy, Shang Ruyi was naturally overjoyed. Even Yuwen Ye, who was walking with her, softened his cold eyes. Feng, the wet nurse, and Tu She'er, who were following behind them, were very careful, worried that Shang Ruyi couldn't carry the child and were ready to go up and protect her at any time.
As they walked forward, Tushe'er asked softly, "Are you feeling better now?"
Then the wet nurse, Feng, smiled and said, "Don't worry, my daughter."
"oh,"
Tushe'er, however, did not seem entirely reassured. He looked Feng up and down again to make sure that there was nothing wrong with her serving today. She had just been out in the wind and had not seen any tearing or sneezing, so she seemed to have really recovered. Only the medicine pouch and sachet she wore at her waist still emitted a faint fragrance.
Tushe'er said, "That's good. Be careful when you get to the Liangyi Hall."
"Why."
The group walked forward for a while and soon arrived outside the Liangyi Hall. In the distance, they saw several other people walking towards the Liangyi Hall from the other side. The two groups bumped into each other at the entrance of the hall.
The other party was none other than the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess, and the Crown Prince's concubine, who were entering the palace today to attend the evening banquet.
Yuwen Ye stepped forward first and bowed to Yuwen Qian, saying, "Your Majesty."
"Second brother,"
Yuwen Qian smiled and returned the greeting, then his gaze fell on the person behind him. Shang Ruyi was holding a baby wrapped in thick swaddling clothes. He said with a gentle smile, "You brought Xiao Yuanzi along too."
Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "Yes."
"Is it safe for the child to come out in this cold weather?"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. This child especially likes to come out. Besides, today is a family banquet, so it's only right that he come to see Father and all the elders."
"That's true."
Yuwen Qian said, "Then let's go inside; it's still windy outside."
So everyone turned around and prepared to enter the Liangyi Hall.
Before they could even announce their arrival, a familiar, deep voice said in a deep voice, "You said you've been outside the city these past few days, arresting all the villagers from Jiang Yan's village and interrogating them one by one?"
Everyone was stunned upon hearing this.
At this moment, Yu Dingxing stood in the center of the main hall, while several ministers stood on the side near the door, each with a different expression, but all remained silent. Yuwen Yuan, sitting at the front of the hall, stared at Yu Dingxing with disbelief in his eyes.
Yu Dingxing replied, "Yes."
Yuwen Yuan immediately frowned: "What are you doing?"
"Your Majesty, I am here to apologize."
"..."
“The remnants of Wanggang Village actually slipped away right under my nose. I am guilty and can only try to capture him. But these days, whether it is the people from the Ministry of Justice or General Lou’s men, they have searched the entire city but have not found a trace of that traitor. So I think that I should start with the people around him.”
"So, you spent several days interrogating people in that mountain village outside the city?"
"yes."
Yuwen Yuan was speechless for a moment. His gaze slowly moved from Yu Dingxing's head to his feet. Although it was clear that he had changed his clothes and combed his hair before entering the palace, the deerskin boots he was wearing were covered in mud and snow and looked quite worn. It was obvious that he had suffered a lot in the mountain village outside the city these past few days.
Remembering that his old injury had flared up again due to the cold weather a few days ago, Yuwen Yuan's brows furrowed into a knot.
He said, "Why are you doing this to yourself?"
"..."
“I have never blamed you for this matter. Besides, that traitor lives outside the city and is hard to find. Even if he really escaped, it is not your responsibility.”
"..."
"Someone, quickly bring the Duke hot tea!"
Eunuch Yu dared not be negligent and hurriedly led his men to serve a cup of steaming tea. Yu Dingxing accepted it, thanked the emperor for his great favor, and drank it all in one gulp.
Perhaps because it had been frozen for too long, the hot soup immediately triggered his cough.
At this moment, Yuwen Yuan looked over his shoulder and saw the figures moving outside the gate. He immediately said, "Are the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qin here? Come in, both of you."
Eunuch Yu hurriedly sent someone to open the door. The Crown Prince and Prince Qin entered with their families. They first stepped forward to pay their respects to the Emperor. Yuwen Yuan's gaze swept over them, lingering only on the swaddled baby in Shang Ruyi's arms for a moment, but he still said seriously, "Crown Princess, I asked you to take good care of your father's health a few days ago. How could you let him do this?"
Yu Mingyue stepped forward and said softly, "It was Father who insisted on doing this."
"oh?"
“My father said that he is loyal to His Majesty and the court, and he must not become a sinner against the dynasty.”
"What kind of talk is that?"
Yuwen Yuan sighed and shook his head repeatedly.
In fact, even though he and Yu Dingxing had become in-laws, they weren't very close before; he was just a meritorious official. But because of the battle at Longmen Ferry, one of the two dukes died and the other was injured, he inevitably transferred his feelings for the Duke of Shenwu to the Duke of Wushan, and not only felt more affection for him, but also became more tolerant of him.
After Yu Mingyue finished speaking, she turned her head and carefully glanced at her father beside her. Although her words were grand and every word hit Yuwen Yuan's heart, the suffering she had endured these past few days was real. In addition, her eye was in excruciating pain whenever the weather was cold. Even now, in the sweltering heat of the main hall, it still felt like a small knife was drilling into her brain along her eye socket. One can imagine how difficult it had been for her to live in that mountain village, in thatched hut, these past few days.
Yu Dingxing couldn't help but grit his teeth.
At this moment, the resentment in his heart was no longer towards Yuwen Ye, who had injured him, nor towards the Lou family father and daughter who had emerged in the Tangquan Palace case, but towards his daughter who had forced him to go out and suffer, and then used her miserable state to play the victim in front of the emperor.
After all, she was the one who suffered, but she was the one who reaped the rewards, dressed impeccably and living a life of luxury!
Although he was seething with hatred, Yu Dingxing barely managed to suppress his pent-up resentment and looked up at Yuwen Yuan, saying, "I would serve Your Majesty with my life without complaint!"
Yuwen Yuan sighed deeply, then slowly stood up and asked, "So, what did you find out?"
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