Chapter 1225 - 901: Eyes Sharp as Knives
Yu Wenquan glanced up and said, "Ruyi, what do you want to say?"
Though he was just angry with Du Ruoming, when he turned his attention to Shang Ruyi, his expression clearly softened, and Shang Ruyi cautiously stepped forward and said, "Father Emperor, your child begs you to forgive Doctor Du."
"Oh?"
Yu Wenquan raised his eyebrows slightly, "Why?"
Shang Ruyi said, "Doctor Su has been serving at Qianqiu Palace since Yuanyuan was born and couldn’t immediately detect this matter. Doctor Du, he only came to serve at Qianqiu Palace after Doctor Su was imprisoned. Such matters are indeed not something that can be noticed overnight."
Yu Wenquan did not speak, but his expression softened further.
Shang Ruyi continued, "Therefore, your child believes that Doctor Du is at fault, but the mistake is not grave enough to be criminal."
"..."
"I beseech Father Emperor to show mercy outside the law and forgive him this time."
Du Ruoming had been scared out of his wits earlier and never expected Princess Qin would plead for him at this time, causing him to hold his breath nervously while cautiously watching Yu Wenquan.
The little baby in the swaddling clothes was completely unaware of the tides surging within the hall and continued to giggle.
His crisp laughter once again caught Yu Wenquan’s attention, who lowered his head to look at this little grandson, his eyes softening once more, offering even a slight, barely discernible smile.
Raising his head again, his face remained composed yet bore the formidable majesty of an Emperor.
He said, "Du Ruoming."
Du Ruoming hurriedly straightened up from his kneeling position, "Your Majesty, this guilty minister is here."
Yu Wenquan said, "This time, I will follow Princess Qin’s words and spare you. However, you will be exempt from death, but not from punishment. As of today, you are demoted to Medical Director, your salary is docked for a year, and you are forbidden from entering Qianqiu Palace again."
Du Ruoming breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.
Although he was demoted two ranks and had his salary docked, compared to the "misdiagnosis" crime he committed, which might have been deemed as an attempt to harm the Imperial Heir, this punishment was very light. He repeatedly kowtowed to Yu Wenquan in gratitude, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Yu Wenquan said, "You should be thanking Princess Qin."
Du Ruoming turned to look at Shang Ruyi and then glanced at Nanny Feng standing far behind her, a complex expression in his eyes tinged with a hint of darkness. Though he indeed felt a bit grateful to Princess Qin, who spoke up for him at this time, he immediately realized—was Su Qinglan truly unaware of anything? Did she not tell Princess Qin anything? Did things just happen to stir up coincidentally when the Emperor summoned everyone?
From the beginning, he had been tricked.
But he still bowed and said, "Thank you, Princess Qin."
Shang Ruyi said, "No need for such pleasantries, Doctor Du."
Having said these words, Du Ruoming dared not linger in Liangyi Hall any longer and hurriedly left, even stumbling over the high threshold as he exited the door, nearly falling.
Soon, his hastily retreating figure disappeared outside the great hall.
Yu Wenquan continued, "Su Qinglan."
Su Qinglan hurriedly responded, "Your Majesty."
Yu Wenquan looked at her for a moment, then glanced at the little Yuanyuan in her arms, and said, "This time, you have rendered meritorious service while wearing shackles. I grant you restoration of your position, and you may continue caring for Princess Qin and the young prince in Qianqiu Palace."
Su Qinglan was both surprised and delighted, quickly kneeling, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"
Yu Wenquan then said, "However, the case is not yet solved, and things are unresolved. You remain a convict, and if during this time you display any misconduct or inappropriateness, I will not only punish your crime immediately but will also execute your entire clan!"
Su Qinglan’s frail body trembled violently.
But she took a deep breath and immediately said, "I understand, but I am wholeheartedly devoted to the court and will not betray Your Majesty’s trust. This heart and intent are clear to the sun and moon!"
Yu Wenquan casually waved his hand, "You may leave now."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
After speaking, Su Qinglan stood up, relieved and joyful, perhaps too much so due to her experiences during these days which left her quite weakened, causing her to stagger slightly upon rising, with Shang Ruyi beside her reaching out to steady her.
Su Qinglan looked into Shang Ruyi’s smiling eyes and said deeply, "Thank you, Princess."
Shang Ruyi shook her head.
Su Qinglan prepared to leave but paused as if remembering something, hesitatingly looking at Yu Wenquan, "Your Majesty, about Jiang Yu—"
Yu Wenquan’s expression darkened, "What?"
Seeing the Emperor’s face change, Su Qinglan was instantly terrified, but she thought about it and bravely spoke, "I met Jiang Xian while treating patients in Changle Square, just within the past year, and have visited his home. This person is indeed very cautious, never revealing his background to me from start to finish, and his father always told me he was a horse trader running the roads."
Yu Wenquan narrowed his eyes, "Are you trying to protect that Jiang Yu?"
Su Qinglan trembled but still said, "I am only relaying what I know to Your Majesty, perhaps Jiang Yu really knew nothing."
Yu Wenquan coldly said, "You are still a convict, unable to protect anyone. As for whether Jiang Yu knew anything and whether he’s guilty, I’ll decide after clarification. Don’t speak further."
"Yes!"
At this point, there was no need to say more, especially since Su Qinglan had already exhausted all her courage and strength to open up this topic, covered in cold sweat, without the guts to say anything more. She simply saluted Yu Wenquan and the others and turned to leave Liangyi Hall.
Watching her retreating figure, some seemed to sigh in relief while others grew solemn.
Among the crowd, the most disgruntled one was Lou Liangdi, who remained silent the whole time.
Ever since Yu Dingxing arrived and Yu Mingyue spoke up, she realized that this was a setup orchestrated by Yu family father and daughter to undermine Lou Yingxiong’s achievements. However, constrained by her status, she remained silent until Princess Qin "rashly speculated," leading to another "misdiagnosis" drama, whereby Yu Wenquan released Su Qinglan, still a convict.
This left only Jiang Yu, limiting further examination, and given the old man was quite elderly, he might perish if subjected to slightly harsh punishment, closing the matter unresolved.
This case, originally accredited to their father and daughter, would be quietly settled without any resolution!
Thinking of this, she glanced at Yu Mingyue and her father, her eyes almost gleaming with knives.
Despicable!
While she seethed in resentment, Yu Wenquan sighed and addressed the ministers, "It is late, you may all go back and celebrate the New Year."
The ministers dared not speak more, bowing and leaving one after another while Yu Wenquan also stood and said to the younger generation, "Let’s go to Bai Fu Hall."