Chapter 56 Silent Comfort
When Ye Xunyang slowly revealed the truth he had uncovered, Madam Ye's face turned deathly pale, and tears silently streamed down her face.
Decades ago, both Madam Ye (Yang Xi) and Madam Liu (Yang Wan) came from a declining scholarly family.
At that time, Ye Qing was just a promising military captain who had long been engaged to the Yang family, and the betrothed was originally his younger sister, Yang Wan.
Who knew that Yang Wan was proud and looked down on Ye Qing, who had a low official position and an ordinary family background.
Instead, she develops feelings for Liu Wenbo, a handsome and charming scholar from a well-off family, and eventually elopes with him despite her family's objections.
In order not to offend the Ye family, and especially since Ye Qing had just won military merit, the Yang family also wanted to save face for their family.
Left with no other choice, he married his gentle and obedient older sister, Yang Xi, to Ye Qing, saying to the outside world that the marriage agreement originally intended for his sister.
But life is unpredictable.
Ye Qing rose through the ranks based on his military achievements, eventually becoming a Grand General who protected the nation, and his wife and children were granted titles and privileges, enjoying unparalleled glory.
Although Yang Wan and Liu Wenbo, who eloped, initially had a period of deep affection, Liu Wenbo's career was fraught with setbacks and his family's fortunes gradually declined.
Seeing her sister become a glamorous general's wife while she herself lived in poverty, Yang Wan gradually became filled with jealousy and resentment, blaming it all on her sister "stealing" her good marriage.
She often used this as leverage, implying that if she was unhappy, she would spread the scandal of their elopement and marriage exchange. Although it would not shake Ye Qing's foundation, it would ultimately damage the reputation of the Ye family and him personally.
Madam Ye, née Yang, was gentle and kind, and she cared about her sisterly bond. She also did not want her husband to be troubled by past matters, so she always tolerated her younger sister, Yang Wan.
They turned a blind eye to his excessive demands and even often provided him with financial assistance in private.
Yang Wan's claim to Liu Yunxu that she would marry Ye Xunyang was nothing but wishful thinking on her part, an attempt to climb back into the Ye family's fold through a marriage alliance with the next generation.
When the truth came out, Ye Xunyang felt a mix of emotions.
He felt both heartache for his mother's forbearance and anger at his aunt's actions.
After learning of his mother's attitude, Ye Xunyang took the evidence and went to the Liu residence in person to confront her.
Yang Wan became agitated and vehemently denied the poisoning allegations.
"Yes! I was jealous of her! I took a lot of things from the Ye family! I was hoping that Yunxu could marry into a high-ranking family! But how could I poison my brother-in-law?"
Yang Wan, her hair disheveled, cried out, "It's true that I sent the milk cake, but how could I have poisoned it? My brother-in-law is gone, the Ye family has lost its pillar, what good is that to me? Who can I rely on in the future?"
Her words carried a mercenary yet truthful logic.
Ye Xunyang looked at her calmly. Indeed, although Yang Wan had a motive to harbor resentment, poisoning Ye Qing would be tantamount to cutting off her own source of income and support, which was not in line with her ambitious and scheming nature.
Moreover, the "Hibiscus syriacus," a rare and potent poison from the southwest, was not something a woman confined to her home could easily obtain.
There must be someone else who took advantage of her delivering the pastries to secretly poison her.
But the pastries Yang Wan sent were indeed the source of the poison, and she couldn't escape responsibility.
Although Ye Xunyang felt reluctant, he could not disobey the laws of the country and the rules of his family.
“Aunt, you sent the pastries, and they were poisoned in full view of everyone. Whether you knew about it or not, you can’t escape responsibility.”
Ye Xunyang's voice carried a hint of weary coldness, "This matter is no longer a family affair; it concerns the safety of a high-ranking official and must be handed over to the Prefect of the Capital for trial."
He ordered, "Guards, summon Madam Liu to the Jingzhao Yin's office to cooperate with the investigation."
"No! Xunyang! I'm your aunt!"
Yang Wan screamed in terror and struggled.
Liu Wenxuan and Liu Yunxu rushed forward, crying and pleading, "Cousin Yang, please don't arrest my mother! Please!"
Ye Xunyang turned his face away, unable to bear the despair in his younger cousins' eyes, but his voice remained firm: "Take them away."
Lord Liu, who had been silently observing, was now ashen-faced. He looked at his wife, who seemed to have gone mad, and then at the incorruptible Ye Xunyang.
With trembling hands, he took out the divorce papers he had prepared beforehand and threw them in front of Yang Wan. His voice was hoarse and cold: "Yang is jealous, immoral, and even suspected of plotting against an official of the court... I, Liu Wenbo, hereby divorce my wife! From this day forward, all ties are severed!"
After saying that, he stopped looking at anyone, staggered around, and left the broken home alone.
Yang Wan looked at the letter of divorce on the ground, then at her husband who left indifferently, and at her children crying behind her. She collapsed to the ground, her eyes vacant, as if all her energy had been drained away in an instant.
Watching this scene, Ye Xunyang felt no joy, only a heavy sense of helplessness and sorrow.
He knew that his aunt was hateful, but also pitiful.
The real culprit who poisoned the body remains hidden behind the fog, exploiting human weaknesses to stir up trouble.
He instructed his men to make proper arrangements for Liu Wenxuan and Liu Yunxu, then turned and left the Liu residence.
When Ye Xunyang returned to the Jinwang Mansion, it was already dusk.
He dismissed his attendants and sat alone in the flower hall, gazing at the deepening night outside the window, yet he felt no peace whatsoever.
The events that had transpired during the day at the Liu residence spun before his eyes like a revolving lantern, weighing heavily on his heart, so much so that he didn't even eat dinner.
When Lou Jin returned to the main courtyard after handling military affairs, this was the scene he saw.
His queen sat alone under the dim light, unable to hide her dejection and exhaustion, staring blankly into the void, unaware that he had entered.
"Xunyang." Lou Jin walked quietly to his side and called out softly.
Ye Xunyang looked up and saw Lou Jin. His tense shoulders relaxed slightly, but the gloom in his eyes had not yet dissipated.
He opened his mouth, trying to force a smile.
Lou Jin sat down beside him, not in a hurry to ask questions, but simply reached out and gently covered his slightly cool hand with his warm palm, silently conveying comfort.
Feeling that familiar warmth, Ye Xunyang's emotions, which he had been holding back, seemed to find an outlet.
He took a deep breath and told Lou Jin everything he had found out at the Liu family that day.
His voice was initially steady, but as he spoke, it inevitably became somewhat hoarse and confused.
"...Your Highness, I know that handing her over to the Prefect of the Capital is in accordance with the law, but seeing my cousins like that, I feel terrible. Moreover, the real poisoner is still at large, taking advantage of this old grudge."
He sighed, his brow furrowed.
"The scheming in the capital is truly suffocating."
Lou Jin listened quietly without interrupting him.
Only after Ye Xunyang finished speaking did he tighten his grip, completely enveloping the slightly cool hand.
"You did the right thing," Lou Jin said in a deep and affirmative voice.
"The law of the country is as firm as a mountain, and it does not tolerate personal feelings. If we are lenient because of our soft heart, it will only embolden those behind the scenes."
He raised his other hand and gently smoothed Ye Xunyang's furrowed brow with his fingertips, his movements tender.
"As for Liu Wenxuan and Liu Yunxu, you have done more than enough. Just make proper arrangements for them. Everyone has their own destiny, and they must walk their own path in the end."
His words were steady and powerful, carrying a calm understanding of the ways of the world.
Lou Jin stared at Ye Xunyang's face, which still showed some weariness and sadness, and then changed the subject, his tone becoming more serious.
"Xunyang, a secret report has just arrived from the Northwest. The enemy seems to be making unusual movements and is likely planning a larger-scale attack. My brother's whereabouts are still unknown, and the situation is extremely urgent."
Ye Xunyang's heart tightened, and he immediately looked up at him: "What does Your Highness mean?"
"The original departure date will probably have to be moved up." Lou Jin's gaze was deep, carrying an undeniable determination.
"At the earliest, we will set off tomorrow."
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