Chapter 1209 - 886: Stopping at the Right Point
Yu Wenquan’s face darkened: "You mean—"
Shang Ruyi’s heart was in her throat, her gaze fixed tightly on Yu Wenqian, fearing he would mention Shen Tu Tai, because if Shen Tu Tai was involved, Yu Wenye would truly be dragged down with them!
Just as Shang Ruyi was so tense that her fists were clenched tightly, Yu Wenqian suddenly sighed softly, and in a resigned tone said, "Your son is only worried."
Yu Wenquan’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Seeing this, Shang Ruyi’s heart sank further—earlier, she worried about what Yu Wenqian might say, but now his silence signaled something even worse. Sometimes, saying too much does not necessarily win trust, but leaving things half-said prompts deeper suspicion.
The fear lies in stopping just at the crucial point!
Observing the flash of light in the depths of Yu Wenquan’s eyes, Shang Ruyi understood that trouble had arrived.
However, she could not say anything more.
In contrast to Yu Wenqian’s stopping short, the more she said now, the more Yu Wenquan’s thoughts would deepen. After all, Shen Tu Tai, having suddenly pledged allegiance to them, previously earned recognition through significant merits in the Fufeng battle, which justified Yu Wenquan’s acceptance of him into court. Yet now, matters entangled with the lingering forces of Wanggang Village and the assassination attempt on the Emperor, making that underlying suspicion start bubbling to the surface.
Moreover, Shen Tu Tai commands troops outside.
At this moment, Shang Ruyi’s breath stopped, cautiously observing Yu Wenquan.
The entire Liangyi Hall fell into an asphyxiating silence.
After an indeterminate time, Yu Wenquan spoke, exhaling a lengthy breath, unclear if it signaled relief or another emotion, as he slowly lifted his head and expressionlessly said, "I know everything."
Everyone’s eyes flickered with unease, except Yu Wenqian, who slowly lowered his head.
After another pause, Yu Wenquan spoke again, his voice carrying a slightly intimidating authority, asking: "Have you interrogated the old man named Jiang Yu and Doctor Su, did they confess anything?"
Yan Shaoxuan responded promptly: "The man Jiang Yu is someone who practices cultivation, responding with three ’I don’t know’; the ministers continue to interrogate intensively. As for Doctor Su—she claimed complete ignorance of Jiang Xian’s true identity and seemed significantly impacted after discovering he belonged to Wanggang Village, rendering her silent. It’s unclear whether she was deceived."
"Whether deceived or not, interrogation will reveal the truth."
"Yes."
"However,"
Yu Wenquan’s gaze coldly shifted towards Lou Yingxiong: "Even if these two are involved, they are merely accomplices; what matters are Jiang Xian and Liang Youying. When can you apprehend these two?"
"This—"
Opening this topic, Lou Yingxiong broke into a cold sweat, his Adam’s apple moved before he cautiously spoke: "This humble one will exert every effort to capture the offenders. However, these two are exceptionally cunning, and it’s likely they’ve already fled."
On hearing this, Yu Wenquan’s face immediately darkened.
Lou Yingxiong’s face turned even paler.
Truthfully, everyone knew this matter was challenging; if Jiang Xian’s family resided within Chang An City, sealing the city gates and catching them like fish in a barrel would guarantee capture. However, they lived in a village outside the city, and locals reported not seeing them for some time; coupled with Liang Youying’s disappearance, it’s likely they’ve already left Chang An, fleeing elsewhere.
Currently, with the world in chaos, and escaping Dasheng Dynasty’s borders, various rebel forces roam, making their capture increasingly difficult.
The long-silent Shang Ruyi raised her head, stating to Yu Wenquan: "General Lou’s words hold reason. Moreover, your son heard previously that the village Jiang Yu resided in is quite large and populous, making it hard to locate them."
"Oh?"
Probably not expecting Shang Ruyi to speak for Lou Yingxiong at this moment, Yu Wenquan looked at her: "Ruyi, how do you know?"
Yu Wenqian also glanced at her in surprise.
Shang Ruyi placed her hands on her knees, smiling honestly: "When the plague ran rampant in the city, did the Emperor not order the Left and Right Brave Guards to search outside the city for infected people and bring them in for treatment? At that time, your son assisted with medicine and diagnosis in Changle Square, so heard of it."
On hearing this, the expressions of those within the hall changed slightly.
Lou Yingxiong, seizing this lifeline, hurriedly said: "Indeed, Your Majesty, even the Left and Right Brave Guards found it difficult to discover them; this humble one—"
Yu Wenquan abruptly sneered, and Lou Yingxiong immediately shut his mouth.
Yu Wenquan sneered, saying: "Well, a Fourth Master from Wanggang Village lived comfortably under your nose, just outside Chang An City, for so long. If they hadn’t made a move, they might have settled into the city, even to Liangyi Hall!"
The crowd frightenedly rose and knelt to the ground: "Forgive us, Emperor!"
Yu Wenquan coldly observed them, while those kneeling trembled, struggling to breathe, especially the continually silent Yu Mingyue, whose face was now livid. Though bowing, she slantingly glared at Lou Yingxiong, as if wishing to dismember him!
Understandably, the Left Brave General responsible for searching outside the city for the sick was her father, Yu Dingxing!
Although circumstances have changed, some matters remained.
For example, Jiang Xian always lived there.
For example, Jiang Xian’s identity.
The Left Brave General, responsible for seeking the sick, actually let someone like Jiang Xian, a remnant of Wanggang Village, the Fourth Master, slip beneath his watch. Compared to the present inability to capture offenders, such oversight is the greater negligence!
Lou Yingxiong’s words dragged Yu Dingxing down with him!
Lou Yingxiong seemed aware of the Crown Princess Consort’s gaze but couldn’t afford distractions; with Jiang Xian and Liang Youying fleeing, he faced felony charges. Without drawing someone into the sinking vortex with him, he risked sinking alone.
However, Yu Dingxing is the Duke Wushan, previously injured at Longmen Crossing, and Yu Wenquan couldn’t pursue past responsibilities now.
Long as Yu Dingxing isn’t held accountable, Lou Yingxiong’s culpability lessens.
Indeed, after a lengthy silence, Yu Wenquan exhaled, albeit with some evident anger, and said: "Rise."
The crowd shakily stood.
Yu Wenquan sternly declared: "However things stand, this affair must be thoroughly investigated. Neither external enemies nor internal traitors will be spared!"
The crowd promptly responded: "Yes!"
Yu Wenquan waved a hand: "Dismiss!"
Only then did the crowd bow, as if escaping death, leaving Liangyi Hall in haste.