Chapter 1238 - 914: Clear-Eyed Bystander
Upon hearing this, Yu Wenye immediately furrowed his brows and, after a moment’s thought, said, "You wanted to, but didn’t succeed?"
"Yes."
"Who were they?"
"The prison guards didn’t recognize them, but according to their description, the intruders were a young man and woman..."
Hearing this, Yu Wenye already fully understood. He turned back to exchange a glance with Shang Ruyi, whose expression was solemn, clearly grasping the situation as well.
A young man and woman, it should be Jiang Xian and Liang Youying; they wanted to rescue Jiang Yu.
But, they didn’t succeed.
In fact, it’s not surprising. Although common folk might read fanciful stories or listen to storytellers narrate legends involving knights and bandits breaking into prisons, in reality, such feats are nearly impossible.
The Ministry of Justice Prison is heavily guarded. Once the iron gates are shut, it’s nearly impossible for even a small military force to break through; beyond the gates lies a pitch-dark passageway lined with thick stone walls, leading to the entrance of the dungeon where the heavy prisoners are held; a narrow tunnel, wide enough for two to walk abreast, leads to the spacious cells within, and even a single prison guard stationed there can hold off numerous attackers.
Therefore, breaking into such a prison to rescue someone is impossible without inside help.
Jiang Xian and Liang Youying attempted to break into the Ministry of Justice Prison today, clearly knowing that the iron gates only open during interrogation or release of prisoners. They intended to seize the opportunity during the Emperor’s interrogation of Pei Xingyuan, but they underestimated the formidable security of the Ministry, resulting in their failed attempt.
However—
The glances exchanged between the two suddenly sparkled with a hint of insight, and at this moment, Eunuch Yu entered to report: "Emperor, the Crown Prince and General Lou request an audience."
A tension settled over the hall once again.
Yu Wenye slowly turned his head, listening as Yu Wenquan instructed to bring them in. Shortly after, Yu Wenqian and Lou Yingxiong followed Eunuch Yu into Xuanzheng Hall. The Crown Prince, Yu Wenqian, retained his usual calm demeanor, yet perhaps due to just stepping in from the freezing cold outside, he bore an aura of chill. One couldn’t discern if the chill in his eyes masked his usual calm or restrained fury.
On the contrary, Lou Yingxiong beside him displayed unabashed anger.
The two approached the Emperor, bowed in salute, and Yu Wenquan casually gestured, "Rise. You came quickly."
Yu Wenqian stood firm, saying, "Your son heard of a prison break attempt, so I came at once." After speaking, he glanced at Yu Wenye: "I didn’t expect Second Brother to be here too."
Yu Wenye said, "Did Imperial Brother hear about an assassination attempt on a prisoner, but not that I was present?"
Yu Wenqian shook his head, "No."
Yu Wenye continued, "I was there and saw everything clearly. There were two groups: the first intended to kill Pei Xingyuan, and the second rescued him from the assassins’ blades. Therefore, it wasn’t as Imperial Brother stated—a prison break attempt."
Yu Wenquan observed him, his eyes subtly reacting.
Yu Wenqian, expressionless, said, "I may not know the details, but I heard the scene was chaotic, so I’m surprised Second Brother saw so clearly."
Yu Wenye replied, "An onlooker sees more clearly."
Yu Wenqian said, "I see."
At this, Lou Yingxiong coldly remarked, "But I heard that Prince Qin’s men were involved; how can that be merely as onlookers?"
Yu Wenye replied, "That must have been a misunderstanding by those below."
After speaking, he turned back to Yu Wenquan, "Father Emperor, although the scene was chaotic, there is a clear distinction between murder and rescue, and those guards should be able to explain what happened clearly."
Yu Wenquan didn’t speak but glanced at the scroll on the imperial desk.
Then he said, "What did your men do?"
All eyes turned to him, and Yu Wenye calmly explained, "Your son and Ru Yi went early to the tavern by the street, waiting to catch a glimpse of Pei Xingyuan’s carriage as it passed by. As the carriage approached, Doctor Su appeared and spoke a few words to Pei Xingyuan inside the carriage, and then suddenly someone shot arrows at the carriage."
Yu Wenquan glanced at Su Qinglan beside him.
These were the same words Su Qinglan had just reported, fully corroborating the story.
He said, "Continue."
Yu Wenye said, "There wasn’t just one archer, nor were they all in one place; immediately the guards pursued these assassins, and the civilians in the street became chaotic. At this time, another group of assassins rushed out from the tavern across the street, intending to assassinate Pei Xingyuan while the guards were distracted. It was only then that I sent my men over."
He added emphatically, "Otherwise, Pei Xingyuan would have already died at the hands of those assassins!"
Then, Lou Yingxiong commented, "Perhaps these assassins were Pei Xingyuan’s accomplices, rebels from Wanggang Village. They killed him due to internal strife, to silence him."
Yu Wenye said, "Since entering prison, has Pei Xingyuan confessed a single word?"
Lou Yingxiong paused, speechless. Yan Shaoxuan gravely replied, "No."
Yu Wenye continued, "Without a confession, what is there to silence?"
"..."
"Moreover, it was only after these assassins appeared that Jiang Xian and Liang Youying intervened, and their intervention was to fight these assassins, rescuing Pei Xingyuan from them. Clearly, they were two separate factions: one to kill, the other to save."
Without waiting for anyone to retort, Yu Wenye immediately looked to Yu Wenquan, "Father Emperor, please discern clearly: I was indeed present, and my men indeed took action, but only to protect a key witness from being murdered, with no ulterior motives."
"..."
Yu Wenquan remained silent, his gaze slowly shifting from Yu Wenye’s face to the scroll in front of him.
This was the testimony submitted by the returning guards, after thorough questioning. Although many testified, their accounts were consistent; initially, a group attempted to assassinate Pei Xingyuan, causing chaos among the guards and the surrounding crowd. Suddenly, from a hidden position in the tavern, others emerged intent on killing Pei Xingyuan, but he was rescued by someone, one of whom was from Prince Qin’s men, and subsequently, a young man and woman took advantage of the chaos to take Pei Xingyuan away.
The statements and testimonies matched perfectly.
Yet, the matter was indeed exceedingly complex. It required him to clear his mind, to avoid being biased or gullible.
As Yu Wenquan sat in silence, Lou Yingxiong suddenly stepped forward, angrily stating, "Emperor, no matter what, Pei Xingyuan’s collusion with Wanggang Village is true; the rebels from Wanggang Village rescuing him is also true, and the truth of the Hot Spring Palace case lies here. This matter cannot be let go lightly!"