In fact, from beginning to end, Shen Tangning did not say anything to disobey him. However, she was used to obeying him, and now she repeatedly contradicted him, which inevitably made him feel that his authority as a father was being challenged!
After much thought, all these changes began with her marriage.
Shen Chang sneered:
Sure enough, having someone back you up makes all the difference!
——
When Shen Tangning returned to the Chi family, Chi Yan had still not returned.
She didn't mind; what happened in Qiuxian needed to be addressed as soon as possible, so being busy was normal.
She instructed the kitchen to prepare chicken soup, intending to serve it to Chi Yan when he returned. It was already dark, so she went to bed first.
The next morning, Shen Tangning glanced at the meticulously made bed beside her and asked Xueqing before learning that Chi Yan hadn't come back at all the night before.
It seems that things aren't going smoothly at the imperial prison.
The thought only flashed through her mind, and she didn't have time to delve into it further.
...
The situation is not optimistic for Chi Yan as well.
He was meeting the emperor in the Hall of Mental Cultivation and had barely slept all night. He was not only physically exhausted but also mentally drained. However, he dared not relax and had to brace himself to deal with the person in front of him.
After reading the confession, Emperor Chongde's expression was unreadable, but the eerily quiet atmosphere in the hall suggested that his mood was far from pleasant.
"Is this the result of your overnight interrogation?"
Upon receiving the news last night, Chi Yan immediately ordered the Crown Prince's tutor to be brought to the imperial prison. After interrogation, the tutor finally confessed:
He did all of this.
According to Wei Zhanshi's testimony, he saw that His Majesty favored Consort Rou and worried that if Consort Rou gave birth to a prince, it might threaten the Crown Prince's position.
In addition, Qiluo had served in Consort Rou's palace and had been punished by the nanny next to Consort Rou for doing something wrong, so she had always harbored resentment.
Thus, the two, without prior consultation, came to the conclusion of the accident that occurred at the hunting grounds.
He made no mention of the crown prince in his words, which only fueled suspicion that he had taken all the blame to protect his master.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Emperor Chongde glanced up at the speaker. Chi Yan, his head slightly lowered, was respectful but not obsequious. He suddenly asked:
What's your opinion on this?
Chi Yan hesitated for a moment, then cupped his hands in a gesture of respect: "I believe there are still doubts about this matter."
Emperor Chongde slowly turned the jade thumb ring on his thumb: "Oh?"
"Doesn't Your Majesty think it's too much of a coincidence?" Chi Yan frowned slightly. "First, the Sixth Prince was in danger, and then Consort Rou was frightened. These two events seem unrelated on the surface, but in reality, they are both aimed at His Highness the Crown Prince."
"Take Consort Rou's matter for example. She is only three months pregnant, and even the imperial physicians cannot tell the gender. Who knows that the child will definitely be a prince? If His Highness the Crown Prince wants to take action based on this alone, it is far too far-fetched."
Emperor Chongde's eyelids twitched slightly, and no one could tell what he was thinking at that moment.
After a long silence, he made a decision.
A flicker of surprise crossed Chi Yan's eyes, but he didn't reveal anything.
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