Chapter 1206 - 883: "The Truth
"What!?"
Upon hearing that Su Qinglan had been arrested, Shang Ruyi’s face showed a look of surprise, and she immediately asked, "What crime did Doctor Su commit? Why was she arrested?"
"Collusion with assassins, attempting treason."
"Assassins?"
"Correct, the assassins that appeared in the Hot Spring Palace."
"Doctor Su colluded with the assassins in the Hot Spring Palace? How is that possible!?"
Shang Ruyi looked incredulous: "General Lou, Lord Yan, Doctor Su is cautious and loyal to the court. I hope you verify the facts thoroughly and don’t wrong a good person."
Yan Shaoxuan lowered his head, not daring to speak.
However, Lou Yingxiong smiled and said, "Don’t worry, Princess, we are acting under orders and will naturally uncover the truth."
"..."
"Although this ’truth’ may be difficult for some to accept."
Shang Ruyi was taken aback: "What do you mean?"
Lou Yingxiong said, "Princess, do you know who Vice Minister Pei was secretly meeting in the Feishuang Palace?"
Seeing him suddenly divert the topic to the secret meeting at Feishuang Palace, Shang Ruyi’s breathing became heavy. She glanced at Yu Wenquan, whose gaze was lowered, making it almost impossible to discern his current expression or mood, but judging by his demeanor, he had clearly learned something from Yan Shaoxuan, who was also very calm.
So she said, "Has the Ministry of Justice already interrogated him?"
Lou Yingxiong smiled and said, "Vice Minister Pei is very tight-lipped, but fortunately, justice prevails in the end."
"What do you mean?"
"I happen to know the person Vice Minister Pei was meeting."
"What?"
Shang Ruyi looked at him in surprise: "You know? Who is it?"
Lou Yingxiong enunciated slowly, "The one meeting Vice Minister Pei at the Feishuang Palace was none other than the famous Fifth Master of Wanggang Village!"
"What did you say!?"
This time, Shang Ruyi was truly astonished. She thought for a moment, then turned to look at Yu Wenquan, whose expression remained serious, except for the gleam that flashed in his keen eyes, as if he too was moved by this revelation.
Even he was like this, let alone Shang Ruyi.
They had been contending with Wanggang Village since the time of Emperor Yang, and one could say that Wanggang Village was brought down by her, Yu Wenye, and Shen Wuzheng. It was then that Shen Wuzheng told them about the identities of Wanggang Village’s leaders, among whom the most mysterious was the Fifth Master, because she was the only female among the Nine Great Households of Wanggang Village.
However, no one knew her name or appearance, and few outsiders had ever seen her.
But now, Lou Yingxiong claimed that the person Pei Xingyuan was secretly meeting in the Feishuang Palace was the Fifth Master of Wanggang Village, which meant—
Shang Ruyi looked into Lou Yingxiong’s cold eyes: "Who is she?"
Lou Yingxiong sneered and said, "The Princess has also met her."
"Oh?"
"This woman’s surname is Liang, and her name is Youying."
"...!"
Shang Ruyi slowly withdrew her hand into her sleeve, and under the cover of her sleeve, she silently pinched her own fingertips, trying hard to calm the storm in her heart, to appear more composed.
Even though her heart was pounding like a drum now.
Liang Youying is indeed the Fifth Master of Wanggang Village!
She was indeed!
No wonder a woman could have such martial skills, injuring Pei Xingyuan the first time they met, and also possessing such a steadfast heart, remaining unperturbed when meeting Prince Qin and Princess Qin, her attitude neither arrogant nor servile.
Only now did Shang Ruyi recall that the last time she "peeked" at Pei Xingyuan and Liang Youying meeting in the Divine Tired Pavilion, a person in luxurious clothing rushed out from the next room, and at that time Tushere merely found the back familiar. Later, in the Imperial Garden, she encountered Lou Yingxiong and recognized him.
Back then, Shang Ruyi only found it strange; Lou Yingxiong going alone to drink at the Divine Tired Pavilion wasn’t anything unusual, but the way he left in a hurry clearly seemed like he was avoiding something.
Now thinking back, it all makes sense.
He was avoiding Liang Youying.
Whether he was deliberately following or stumbled upon them—now thinking about it, it was likely deliberate—at least in Changa An City, only he could recognize Liang Youying, for before joining the Dasheng Dynasty, Lou Yingxiong had been stationed in Anyang for many years. He was the military general who had engaged with Wanggang Village the most during the Da Ye Dynasty. Yet, despite recognizing Liang Youying, he didn’t want her to recognize him.
He recognized her, yet restrained himself until now!
He was waiting for now!
He waited for Pei Xingyuan’s relationship with Liang Youying to grow closer, enough to make Yu Wenquan suspicious, then by using a bow and a single shadow in Hot Spring Palace to drag Pei Xingyuan down!
Seeing Shang Ruyi barely maintaining a facade of calm while gradually turning pale, a cold smile appeared on Lou Yingxiong’s face, and he said, "So, Princess understands why Doctor Su must be arrested, right?"
"..."
"I’ve heard that the Princess has a close association with Doctor Su—that Doctor Su has always been caring for the Princess and the Young Master."
"General Lou, you might as well say outright that she’s very close to me."
Lou Yingxiong chuckled and said, "I wouldn’t dare, but surely the princess knows some of Doctor Su’s personal matters, such as whom she interacts with and is already considering marriage."
Shang Ruyi took a deep breath and said, "I know of this person, his name is Jiang Xian."
"Is the Princess familiar with him?"
"I’ve met him a few times."
"Where and when?"
"Last year, when the plague broke out, both Prince Qin and I were treating patients at Changle Square, and during that time, Jiang Xian forcibly broke into Changle Square."
"If I recall correctly, both Changle Square and Yanzuo Square were sealed under orders from Your Majesty, with anyone attempting to enter to be executed without mercy."
"... Yes."
"Then why is he still alive?"
"The situation was complicated at the time; Jiang Xian’s father, Jiang Yu, had entered the city for medical treatment after falling ill and was taken to Changle Square for treatment by our people. Jiang Xian, away from home, was unaware of what was happening in the city. After returning and learning that his father was confined within Changle Square, he broke in to rescue his father. Prince Qin and I, considering his commendable filial piety, showed leniency and forgave him."
At this point, Shang Ruyi immediately turned to Yu Wenquan and said, "I ask for Your Majesty’s forgiveness for our unauthorized decision-making."
Yu Wenquan was silent for a moment and then said, "Indeed, commendable filial piety."
Hearing this, Lou Yingxiong realized he couldn’t capitalize on this matter, but quickly smiled and said, "Prince Qin and Princess truly are magnanimous, but if this magnanimity is extended to rebels, it might spell disaster for the people."
By now, Shang Ruyi’s mind was clear as day.
She turned to Lou Yingxiong and said, "General Lou means that this Jiang Xian—"
Lou Yingxiong said, "He is the Fourth Master of Wanggang Village!"