Chapter 506: What Should Be Done?
Jiang Qingmei froze on the spot.
She couldn’t very well say the Eldest Princess was behind it all. From any angle, she was the more likely culprit.
But—
"I knew of Your Majesty’s old illness, but I truly didn’t do any of those things!"
Jiang Qingmei was both furious and frantic. "What reason would I have to take such a risk!?"
Everyone exchanged glances.
’She... she seems to have a point.’
For all these years, Jiang Qingmei had enjoyed the Emperor’s unending favor, and Xiao Chengxuan was held in high regard by His Majesty. As long as nothing went wrong, that position would have been his sooner or later.
Jiang Qingmei really had no sufficient motive to do this.
But if it wasn’t her, who could it be?
The Eldest Princess and Emperor Muwu were born of the same mother and shared a deep bond. Furthermore, her status at court was exceptionally high, making it even more impossible for her to have done such a thing.
Chen Songshi pondered for a moment. "This matter is of grave importance. We should first have Jiang Cairen taken away. Once the truth is investigated, everything will naturally come to light."
Jiang Qingmei instantly panicked.
"I didn’t do it! What is there to investigate!?"
Ye Chutang watched her quietly, her gaze sweeping impassively over the surroundings.
Xiao Chenglin stood in a corner of the crowd, his expression silent and unreadable.
Chen Songshi knew this commotion couldn’t continue and said, "If you did not do it, what do you have to fear?"
"I—"
Jiang Qingmei was speechless, unable to utter a single word for a moment.
Ye Chutang withdrew her gaze and lowered her eyelids slightly, hiding the turbulence in her eyes.
"Guards!" Chen Songshi raised his hand, and members of the Imperial Army immediately stepped forward. "Take her away! No one is to visit her until the truth is ascertained!"
"Yes, sir!"
Jiang Qingmei grew even more flustered. She struggled frantically at first, but she was a woman of the deep palace who had also just recovered from an illness. In her weakened state, how could she possibly be a match for these men?
Before long, she was led away.
Leaving behind the court officials in a tense and strange atmosphere.
Chen Songshi deliberated for a moment and decided to hand the matter over to the Ministry of Justice, with the Imperial Hospital assisting in the investigation.
Ye Chutang and Chu Qiyuan were, of course, included.
After arranging these matters and repeatedly warning everyone not to breathe a word of what happened today, he finally dismissed the crowd.
—Right now, the most important thing was Emperor Muwu.
...
「A side hall.」
Chen Songshi and several other Cabinet Ministers all wore worried expressions.
When the Eldest Princess hurried in, this was the gloomy scene that greeted her.
"How is His Majesty?"
The officials were hesitant, and for a moment, none knew how to answer. They all turned to look at Chen Songshi.
Chen Songshi sighed. "Second Miss Ye and Chu Hospital Director have already examined him. They say His Majesty’s life is no longer in danger, but as for when he might wake up... that’s hard to say."
The Eldest Princess had rushed over as soon as she heard the news and had learned what happened outside the hall on her way.
Hearing this, a weight was lifted from her heart.
No matter what, it was good that his life had been saved.
"Are the two of them still with His Majesty?"
"Yes. The two of them are taking turns watching over him."
The Eldest Princess breathed a sigh of relief.
She trusted both Ye Chutang and Chu Qiyuan. With the two of them there, she didn’t need to be so worried.
"That’s good, that’s good."
Chen Songshi looked up at the Eldest Princess’s face, seeming to want to say something but hesitating.
The Eldest Princess noticed and asked, "Mr. Wang, why that expression? If you have something to say, just say it."
Chen Songshi paused.
"Well... while His Majesty is unconscious, the affairs of the court can continue to be handled as before. But there is another urgent and troublesome matter."
The Eldest Princess asked, "What is it?"
Chen Songshi sighed.
"...The Wazhen Envoy will be arriving in the Capital City in a few days. If His Majesty has not yet woken by then, what are we to do?"