Chapter 599: The Truth Right Before Your Eyes
The Beili Emperor emerged from the hall, and his frown deepened at the sight.
"I implore Your Majesty to severely punish Yuan Yintang and thoroughly investigate the murderous attack on Four-direction Mountain!" Noble Princess Consort Zhan’s voice rang out.
"I have already investigated this matter thoroughly," the Beili Emperor said. "Yuan Yintang did not shoot Ye Qianning. The incident on Four-direction Mountain was the work of rampaging bandits. Tomorrow, I will send men to track down their hideouts on the mountain and annihilate them."
Noble Princess Consort Zhan kept her head lowered, but shock flickered in her eyes. "Your Majesty, Yuan Yintang tried to kill Zhan Chi and his party on Four-direction Mountain and even shot Ye Qianning to death. Are you certain you’ve investigated this clearly?"
"The Eighth Prince was taken hostage, and Yuan Yintang was acting on my orders to investigate. Four-direction Mountain is teeming with bandits. With Zhan Chi and his party happening to be there, a misunderstanding was inevitable. For that, I will punish Yuan Yintang severely to give you all a proper explanation." The Beili Emperor stepped forward and bent to help Noble Princess Consort Zhan up from the ground.
Noble Princess Consort Zhan instinctively recoiled from his hand. She looked up, her eyes ice-cold. Even though the Zhan family hadn’t sent word, she knew what had happened on Four-direction Mountain.
’The Emperor intends to shield Yuan Yintang. Is a young woman of my Zhan family worth less than a man from the martial world?’
’Generations of generals from the Zhan family have died on the battlefield, winning countless victories for Beili. His Majesty has long since forgotten that.’
The Beili Emperor’s hand met empty air. He froze for a second but showed no anger, taking her arm again to help her to her feet. "My dear, you are with child. You shouldn’t worry yourself with so many things. Focusing on your pregnancy is what’s most important."
Noble Princess Consort Zhan’s expression was grim. She clenched her fists and said coldly, "Is Your Majesty truly certain of your investigation? It was my people who escorted Ye Qianning from the palace. I know for a fact she did not abduct the Eighth Prince. Furthermore, I discovered that on the day the Eighth Prince left, a young eunuch from Consort Yuan’s residence visited his courtyard. The Eighth Prince rushed out of the palace shortly after. Also, as my servant was returning from escorting Ye Qianning, they saw Consort Yuan’s head eunuch dash out of the palace as well. I found it suspicious, so I had him followed. And what do you suppose my people discovered, Your Majesty?"
Before the Beili Emperor could respond, she added icily, "Those ’bandits’ you mentioned, Your Majesty, are all from the Eight-Jin Gambling Den in the Capital City. And if my memory serves, that gambling den has ties to the Medicine King’s faction, does it not?"
The Beili Emperor mulled over Noble Princess Consort Zhan’s words. ’If what she says is true... does that mean Consort Yuan was the one who set the mountain on fire?’
’Impossible.’
"Consort Yuan managed to have the mountain set ablaze before the imperial guards even arrived. This proves she knew the Eighth Prince was on Four-direction Mountain all along. Has Your Majesty ever considered how she could have known his whereabouts in advance?" Noble Princess Consort Zhan had been watching Consort Yuan’s every move for the past two days. When news of the fire reached the palace, she became completely certain.
The Beili Emperor was silent for a long moment before replying gravely, "I will have the matters you’ve raised investigated."
"There’s no need for an investigation, Your Majesty. I have both witnesses and evidence. If you don’t believe me, you can summon Consort Yuan for a direct confrontation."
The Beili Emperor’s expression grew impatient. "Do you feel I haven’t made myself clear, Noble Consort? I said I will investigate. You are dismissed."
"If Your Majesty truly wished to investigate, the truth of this entire affair could be revealed in an instant. But if you are determined to shield someone, then the outcome is already clear: the bandits started the fire, Ye Qianning abducted the Eighth Prince, and she deserved to die. Yuan Yintang will be hailed a hero for his rescue. Punishment?" Noble Princess Consort Zhan’s lips curled, her voice dripping with scorn. "I imagine you’ll give him a handsome reward instead."
"Noble Consort, watch your words," the Beili Emperor admonished in a low voice.