Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?

Upon hearing Yu Wenye ask this question, a flash of sharpness appeared in Yan Shaoxuan’s eyes.

He glanced at Yu Wenye, with a seemingly amused smile: "Prince Qin, Vice Minister Pei was only put into the Ministry of Justice Prison this morning. I haven’t seen him yet and was called to the palace by an imperial decree."

Yu Wenye said, "I know the interrogation hasn’t started, but they arrested Vice Minister Pei at Feishuang Palace and a whole night has passed. It’s impossible they haven’t asked him anything at all."

"..."

"If they found out anything, they wouldn’t possibly keep it from you, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice."

"..."

While saying these words, Yu Wenye’s tone was very calm, even carrying a hint of a smile at the corner of his lips. But his gaze was as sharp as a drawn sword, as if a few more glances could strip the skin from a person’s body. Yan Shaoxuan silently met his gaze for a moment, finally sighing softly and saying, "No."

"Was it because they didn’t ask, or they didn’t get anything from him?"

"They didn’t get anything."

"Did they find out anything else?"

"It’s said that since Vice Minister Pei was captured by guards at Feishuang Palace, he hasn’t spoken a word. His Majesty the Emperor personally met with him and still didn’t get anything. So—"

"So,"

Yu Wenye’s expression finally turned cold: "The interrogation of Vice Minister Pei must be entrusted entirely to you."

Yan Shaoxuan looked at him and said, "Entrusted to the Ministry of Justice."

Yu Wenye was silent for a moment, then looked up again, with a faint smile on his face: "Lord Yan, I wonder if you’ve heard of this saying."

"Prince Qin, please speak."

Yu Wenye looked at him and articulated, "Punishments are not to be inflicted on the great or rituals employed on the common people."

"..."

Yan Shaoxuan’s expression slightly tightened, then immediately laughed: "Prince Qin overthinks this case; naturally, it can’t rely on torture for confession. His Majesty wants the truth."

Yu Wenye said, "That’s best. But I’m also worried that some people don’t want the truth to come to light."

"..."

"Hence, Vice Minister Pei’s safety is of utmost importance."

"..."

At this point, Yan Shaoxuan also understood his meaning. Although he always knew that the case behind this must be complex, after seeing the Emperor and hearing his words, he already felt an immense pressure. Now meeting Prince Qin and hearing his words made his headache even worse.

Seeing his somewhat troubled look, Yu Wenye said, "Vice Minister Pei is loyal to the country and is a pillar of the state. He will surely have a bright future."

"..."

"So, please, Lord Minister, do not delay... his career."

"..."

"And the same goes for Lord Minister."

"..."

Upon hearing his final words, Yan Shaoxuan was slightly taken aback. He looked at Yu Wenye again, his gaze becoming more serious, but he said nothing, just clasping his hands in salute, then turned to take his leave.

Watching his silhouette disappear at the entrance of Qianqiu Palace, Shang Ruyi let out a long breath, immediately turning to Yu Wenye: "He agreed?"

Yu Wenye said, "He’s a smart man."

Shang Ruyi nodded.

At the critical moment of a regime change, Yan Shaoxuan dared to take on the risk of committing the crime of deceiving the ruler to release Shen Shiyan early. It’s evident that he not only has a keen eye but also exceptional courage. This time, he surely knows which side to choose.

After catching her breath, Shang Ruyi immediately gritted her teeth and said, "So, the Crown Prince’s target from the start was Mr. Pei."

Yu Wenye looked at her: "Are you sure it’s the Imperial Brother?"

Shang Ruyi’s tone was firm, leaving no room for doubt: "There’s no other possibility."

"Why?"

"Just now, Lord Yan said that shadows were found on the palace wall, and it’s not the outer wall but the inner wall."

"So what?"

"His Majesty the Emperor personally visited the Hot Spring Palace, surely already prepared for a thorough investigation, and the guards there consist of two groups: one originally there as palace attendants, the other General Ningyuan’s men, and these guards are equipped only with blades and swords, not bows."

"..."

"Moreover, a bow is quite different from blades and swords; it’s not easily brought into the Hot Spring Palace, and can only have been prepared by someone inside the palace."

"..."

"And the Crown Prince, who spearheaded this outing."

"..."

"Moreover, you just confirmed that the assassin appeared at the Hot Spring Palace, rather than Father being attacked."

"..."

"So it wasn’t an attempt to assassinate Father, but using ’assassin’ as a premise to implicate Mr. Pei, and through Mr. Pei, drag you into it."

At this point, Shang Ruyi’s gaze became even colder: "So, in his power struggle and harming others, it seems he lets nothing slip."

Seeing her speak so reasoned, Yu Wenye slightly nodded as well.

In fact, ever since Yan Shaoxuan confidently informed them that an assassin appeared at the Hot Spring Palace, instead of saying the Emperor was attacked there, he understood. What was rare was that Shang Ruyi could analyze the origin of the person from the position on the palace wall and the appearance of the bows.

Previously, he heard people say "women become foolish for three years after childbirth," but upon thinking carefully, it’s only because a cry-baby, clueless child would leave the mother exhausted, naturally with no energy left to contemplate other matters, becoming "foolish."

But Shang Ruyi has Tushere and Chang Wan by her side, with a nanny caring for Little Yuanzi, so she is not overwhelmed, thus she does not lose her intelligence and vigilance.

So, whether a mother becomes "foolish" depends on whether the father has the ability to let her be at ease.

At this moment, Shang Ruyi added, "Since bows and arrows were prepared at the Hot Spring Palace, we should be able to tell Father—"

Yu Wenye shook his head: "No."

"Why?"

"Because they’ve already captured Pei Xingyuan."

"...!"

Shang Ruyi furrowed her brow again.

Right, she nearly forgot, this matter can be done by anyone inside the Hot Spring Palace. They can suspect the Crown Prince, but Pei Xingyuan could also have done it, especially now that he’s already been apprehended. If they easily accuse the Crown Prince, they might make Yu Wenquan think they intentionally implicated him.

If that were the case, things would be even more difficult.

At this, Shang Ruyi’s brows furrowed into a knot. She bit her lower lip and solemnly said, "Then how should we save Mr. Pei?"

"..."

"Should we find out whom Mr. Pei met with, then we might be able to—"

Before she could finish, Yu Wenye suddenly leaned close to her ear and whispered two sentences, Shang Ruyi’s eyes instantly widened with disbelief as she turned to look at him: "You mean, the person Mr. Pei met with is—"

Yu Wenye gently nodded.

Shang Ruyi was frozen for a moment, drawing a deep breath after struggling for a while: "No wonder he hasn’t spoken since being captured."

"..."

"So, what should we do now?"