Chapter 288 The Wen Family's Death warrant
Duke Wen still found it hard to believe. Although Wen Jingchu was malicious and unworthy of being a member of the Wen family, she was still his own sister.
"Tell me in detail what happened?"
Wen Yannian picked up his teacup, took a sip of water to moisten his throat, and then said, "I didn't see Xiao Dengzi today. Something happened at the Imperial City Guard. The people in the Eastern Palace are under martial law. We had discussed this a few days ago. If things go well, he will hang an orange lantern on the camphor tree outside the Wenhua Hall. If things fail, he will hang a white lantern."
"I went to the Cultural Hall several times today, and there were no lanterns up there at all. It was almost dark when an orange lantern was hung high up."
"So it's done?" Duke Wen asked.
"Um."
The two felt a great sense of relief.
Duke Wen frowned slightly, his expression grave. "You just said the Crown Prince's Palace is under martial law? Will Little Deng be in danger?"
What he was actually worried about was their safety.
Wen Yannian was confident in this regard. "I saved his mother, and he won't forget that kindness. Besides, his mother's life is still in our hands. He's always been a smart man."
"After this is over, give his mother a lot of money."
Wen Yannian breathed a sigh of relief. "Of course. Finally, a major worry has been resolved. I can get a good night's sleep tonight."
Duke Wen suddenly remembered something and poured cold water on his enthusiasm, "Don't be too happy yet, what if he's not dead?"
"Brother, that's arsenic. Even the strongest person can't survive that."
"Now that the person is dead, I'm afraid Pei Siyan will investigate further?"
Wen Yannian scoffed, “Brother, you’re being too cautious. He hates her to the bone and wishes she were dead. Besides, if it weren’t for her jealousy, how would Consort Tan have known about that matter back then?”
"She deserved it!"
Duke Wen stroked his beard. “That may be true, but we still need to be cautious. In the next few days, send people to keep an eye on the mass grave. If the Imperial City Guards manage to get the body out, we must at least give her a proper burial.”
"Um."
He paused, then instructed, "Also, you need to find a way to contact Xiao Dengzi as soon as possible."
"OK."
The two discussed it for a while, and without daring to delay, they ordered their trusted confidants to do it immediately. After the arrangements were made, the two of them went to Madam Wen's courtyard together.
Madam Wen has recovered a lot, but she is not awake for long periods of time each day. When they came in, she had just taken her medicine and fallen into a deep sleep.
Sun Siqi has been visiting to take care of Madam Wen these past few days, and it's rare to see Little Fairy Doctor here today.
Duke Wen felt a little jealous. He had received quite a few imperial edicts, and this Little Fairy Doctor was really looking down on him. It had been several days since she last showed up.
"Little Fairy Doctor, are you very busy?"
Dou Wenyi cupped her hands in greeting and said with a smile, "Please forgive me, Your Excellency, I have been going to the palace to see the Emperor these past few days."
"Oh, I see." A fleeting hint of embarrassment crossed Duke Wen's eyes.
Could Emperor Muzong's legs possibly recover?
Even if he could cure it, the emperor's leg probably wouldn't get better. If he did get better, how could Pei Siyan ascend the throne?
He quickly changed the subject, "How is the old lady's condition?"
"The situation has stabilized, and the remaining poison has been basically eliminated. Next, we just need to rest. However..." Dou Wenyi hesitated.
"Just what?"
Dou Wenyi glanced at him, her tone seemingly displeased, "The old lady has suffered such a calamity, her health is too weak, and it will be difficult for her to recover. Moreover, her spirits are very low. Haven't you done what I reminded you to do?"
Duke Wen and Wen Yannian exchanged a glance. Duke Wen then looked at Sun Siqi and asked, "Doctor Sun, do you also believe in the saying that one is afflicted by evil spirits?"
Sun Siqi said with a serious expression, "It's better to believe these things than not. After all, it concerns the old lady's health. As her children, even if we just want peace of mind, we can give it a try."
"Duke Wen is a scholar, and scholars are protected by righteousness, so evil spirits can't easily get close to them. But the sick and weak are another matter. You believe in Confucianism, and we doctors naturally have our own traditions. There is a lot of knowledge involved. I am not very skilled and only know a little bit."
Dou Wenyi said with a mocking expression, "Does Duke Wen think I'm lying to you? Do you think the old lady can enjoy a few more years of peace and happiness? Since Duke Wen doesn't believe that the old lady's health is no longer a problem, I will no longer visit you from now on."
Duke Wen pursed his lips and hurriedly smiled apologetically, "Little Fairy Doctor, please don't be angry, we'll do as you say, okay?"
Dou Wenyi's expression turned slightly cold. "Even doctors believe in fate. Our fate has run its course, so I'll take my leave now!"
Duke Wen's face was grim. Seeing his resolute attitude, he exchanged a few polite words but did not insist on keeping him.
Dou Wenyi had no idea what struggles the Wen brothers went through after she left, but Pei Siyan was already eager to close the net.
The fact that Little Fairy Doctor had been going to the Funing Palace to treat the emperor for several days in a row quickly spread throughout the court.
Although the court officials all knew that the crown prince only wanted to gain a good reputation for benevolence and filial piety and had no intention of curing the emperor, it still caused a great deal of discussion among the civil and military officials.
Some say the crown prince is just putting on an act.
At the same time, a group of young court officials, led by Yin Congjian, were making a big show of debating the classics for the crown prince. He even brought in the Little Fairy Doctor to treat the emperor's legs. Isn't he the most virtuous and filial person?
The debate dragged on, bringing up many old stories about the court officials. For example, when Meng Xiang's father passed away, he did not observe the mourning period. It was said that he held the highest position in the court, yet he did not observe the basic moral conduct of a commoner. How could he face the world and future generations? He disregarded human relations and family ties, and went against human ethics.
These revelations left Prime Minister Meng blushing and speechless. In the past, he would have certainly submitted a memorial to the Crown Prince requesting to resign.
But the new emperor has not yet ascended the throne, so how could he dare to truly retire?
Whether Emperor Muzong's leg could be cured or not was left unresolved, and no one bothered with it.
Dou Wenyi occasionally heard Pei Siyan mention these things. Even if she was just pretending, she still had to go and examine Emperor Muzong. Whenever she thought of how badly he had treated Empress Wen, she felt that even if he was paralyzed in bed, he deserved it.
That day, as soon as she returned to Wutong Garden, Pei Siyan rushed over, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes. "The Duke of Wen and Wen Yannian have written their memorials and are preparing for the sacrificial ceremony. Shall we go and take a look?"
Dou Wenyi was slightly taken aback.
With these petitions and appeals, the truth of what happened back then can be fully revealed.
These were meant to be burned for Empress Wen; they were their confessions, but more importantly, they were their death warrants!
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