Chapter 254 Emperors Have Always Been Heartless
Shen Yanzhou frowned, deep in thought. "Hmm, I will consider it carefully."
"That's good." Dou Wenyi breathed a sigh of relief.
Shen Yanzhou suddenly remembered something and changed the subject, saying, "By the way, Zhang Xiugu's case will be heard soon. You've always been concerned about her. She dismembered her husband, and according to the current law, she will probably be held accountable."
A hint of regret flashed in Dou Wenyi's eyes, "Then what will the verdict be?"
“Injuring a dead person carries a four-year prison sentence. If a wife injures her husband, the sentence is doubled to five years. Combined, she could be sentenced to as long as nine years.”
As a fellow doctor, Zhang Xiugu had already sacrificed herself for medicine, and it would be truly heartbreaking for her to see her end up in such a tragic state.
When she got back, she wanted to have a serious talk with Pei Siyan about the case and see if there was any chance of a breakthrough.
Seeing the two laughing and chatting, Meng Jingshu found the scene particularly irritating. She lifted her skirt and ran up to them. "Yanzhou, the banquet is about to start. They're all waiting for you. Let's hurry over."
She glanced at Dou Wenyi again and casually asked, "Your Highness, we have booked several private rooms at Chunhua Tower. Would you do us the honor of joining us?"
Dou Wenyi could easily see that she wasn't sincerely inviting her, and even if she were, she wouldn't have joined in the fun.
She smiled faintly, "It's getting late, and there's a palace curfew. If Pei Shuyue returns late, Consort Shu will probably worry."
Shen Yanzhou was not in much interest and spoke in a very calm tone, "Li Shu accidentally twisted her ankle and went to the clinic. I have to go see her first. Let's get together another day."
Meng Jingshu gripped the handkerchief tightly, a surge of hatred welling up inside her, but her expression remained impassive. "Is the injury serious?"
"It's nothing serious."
Dou Wenyi waved, and Pei Shuyue, reeling in the kite, quickly ran back. Upon learning she had to return to the palace immediately, she reluctantly bid farewell to Shen Yanzhou.
"Brother Yanzhou... why haven't you been on duty lately? I haven't seen you in the palace at all. Are you being transferred to another place?"
Shen Yanzhou paused slightly, a complex emotion flashing across his dark eyes. Almost instantly, he smiled calmly again, "I rarely took time off in the past, so I've accumulated quite a few vacation days. Therefore, I plan to take a proper rest this time."
Upon hearing this, Dou Wenyi instantly realized the unpredictable situation in the court. As Emperor Muzong's confidant and former assistant in charge of the Imperial City Guard, his position was far too delicate.
No matter how much Pei Siyan admires him, he won't promote him so quickly, but given his current situation...
Pei Shuyue tilted her head, then suddenly realized, "Is it because Father is recuperating?"
"Yes and no, it's too complicated. You'll understand later. Alright, little Yueyue, go back to the palace now." Shen Yanzhou explained a few more words in a good-natured manner.
Pei Shuyue's eyes instantly reddened, her bright eyes brimming with tears, looking pitiful. "But I want to play with you, I want to play with you outside the palace. My mother always keeps me confined in the palace and won't let me go out at all..."
Although she was a princess, how could she leave the palace so often?
A faint smile played on Shen Yanzhou's lips. "Once you come of age, you'll be able to open your own princess's residence, and you'll be able to freely enter and leave the palace..."
But once she grows up, her happiness will not be satisfied by simply flying kites.
But then she'll probably have new worries. Thinking of this, Shen Yanzhou changed the subject, "There will always be opportunities."
These words gave Pei Shuyue a sudden glimmer of hope, and she longed to grow up quickly, but she still looked like she had lost her soul.
Shen Yanzhou shook his head helplessly, and as if by magic, pulled out an adorable Mohele from his sleeve and gave it to her. Pei Shuyue then stopped crying and smiled, accepting it with satisfaction, and happily followed Dou Wenyi back to the palace in a carriage.
As night fell, Dou Wenyi escorted Pei Shuyue back to Kunning Palace and briefly explained the situation between Zhang Chengxian and Shen Lishu to Consort Shu. Consort Shu was greatly encouraged upon hearing this, and said, "Summon her to the palace tomorrow."
Consort Zhang could barely contain her excitement, "Am I being a little too hasty?"
Dou Wenyi had to tell her about Shen Lishu's sprained ankle before Consort Zhang gave up the idea.
After an incense stick had burned for a while, Dou Wenyi returned to the East Palace.
As dusk settled and the Milky Way floated in the sky, all was quiet. Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the branches, dappling the ground. Several palace maids, seeing her return, looked flustered, curtsied, and hurriedly left.
The entire Eastern Palace seemed to be shrouded in an eerie atmosphere.
As she passed by Qiyun Pavilion, she could see the brightly lit Yingyue Pavilion across the street from afar, with palace servants coming and going, making it quite lively.
Dou Wenyi frowned sharply, realizing that the vast Eastern Palace was too deserted and someone was eager to enter.
As soon as she returned to Wutong Garden, Cuizhi greeted her anxiously, "Your Highness, you're finally back. People from the Duke of Wen's mansion came again today..."
"Sheng Xiyue has moved in?" Dou Wenyi asked directly, taking a sip of her hot tea.
Cuizhi looked worried. "Eunuch Anxi brought people with him, trying to stop her from entering, but Sheng Xiyue came by imperial decree and is protected by the Wen family. Even the Crown Prince can't interfere too much."
Dou Wenyi pinched the bridge of her nose and said frankly, "She was originally Pei Siyan's concubine. When the marriage was arranged to bring good luck, it was said that they would enter the household together. It is only natural for her to move in now."
Sheng Xiyue had been waiting impatiently for a long time, and it was truly remarkable that she had been able to endure until now.
Cuizhi had a lot to say, but she couldn't hold back any longer. "But Sheng Xiyue is arrogant and often comes to provoke us."
"Moreover, Your Highness and His Highness the Crown Prince sometimes have minor disagreements. If she were to sow discord between you and the Crown Prince, it could damage your relationship. I'm truly worried that she might do something to harm you..."
Dou Wenyi interrupted her directly, her brows furrowed, her tone revealing a hint of displeasure, "Cuizhi, don't say such things again. If Pei Siyan and I are so easily driven apart, it only shows that our relationship is inherently fragile and cannot withstand the test."
"Right now, she's just a concubine. But when Pei Siyan ascends the throne and becomes emperor, he'll have three thousand beauties in his harem. Are they all worth my time and effort to fight for?"
What meaning does her life hold then?
She never took Pei Siyan's promises to her seriously. Since ancient times, emperors have been mostly heartless, and he would be no exception.
If that day ever comes, it will be the time for her to divorce and retire to the countryside.
Cuizhi dared not look directly at him, lowered her eyes, and said with shame, "This servant knows she was wrong."
Dou Wenyi felt the tea in her hand grow even colder.
The atmosphere inside the hall was somewhat somber. A palace maid entered and cautiously asked, "Your Highness, shall we serve a meal?"
Cuizhi reminded her, "Eunuch Anxi previously instructed that His Highness would dine with you. Should we go and invite him over?"
Dou Wenyi sighed, got up and went out.
Looking at her retreating figure, Cuizhi suddenly realized that Dou Wenyi had probably gone to invite His Highness the Crown Prince in person, so she immediately got up and followed her.
Before long, Dou Wenyi arrived at Chaohua Palace. She stood at the entrance for a long time without going in.
Just then, Sheng Xiyue, her hair disheveled, clothes in disarray, and barefoot, ran out from inside...
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