Chapter 1301 - 977: Who Are You Doing This For?
"Must I, personally, ask?"
No sooner had the words left his lips than Han Yuhui fell to her knees with a thud. Her eyes were bloodshot, her face as pale as paper, trembling as she tried to speak, but when she opened her mouth, her words were incoherent.
"Your Majesty..."
Yu Wenquan’s gaze finally shifted from that pile of silver notes to her.
Since learning that someone wanted to harm Yuan Qian and hearing about the sufferings Yuan Qian endured, Yu Wenquan had been seething with anger, his eyes bloodshot, as if he wanted to tear the mastermind to pieces. Yet now, as he looked at Han Yuhui, who had served him for decades, the anger in his eyes was tinged with heart-wrenching disbelief and unwillingness to accept the brutally painful truth that lay before him.
He said heavily, "It is you."
"..."
"It really is you."
"..."
"Why did you do it? Why did you harm my Yuan Qian!"
"..."
"For whom?"
Upon hearing this, Han Yuhui, who had been trembling and incoherent, suddenly shuddered all over. She raised her head sharply to look at Yu Wenquan and said in a deep voice, "I, I did it for the late Duke Shenwu!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall fell into silence.
The crowd wore expressions of disbelief and gravity, while Shang Ruyi, looking at Han Yuhui’s bloodshot eyes and then at Yu Wenquan, who had initially intended to remain silent, now lowered her eyelids and said nothing.
Yu Wenquan took a deep breath, "For... him..."
"..."
"For him, you would harm my grandson?!"
Han Yuhui said, "I know my crime is unforgivable, but I must say, Duke Shenwu died unjustly!"
"..."
"He dedicated himself to Your Majesty, the Dong Family sacrificed everything for Your Majesty’s dynasty and worked tirelessly until death, with unwavering loyalty. Duke Shenwu told me more than once that he wished to expand the empire for Your Majesty, even if it meant dying on the battlefield."
Yu Wenquan’s face gradually grew pale.
Han Yuhui, still kneeling, moved forward several steps, sobbing uncontrollably, "Duke died at the Longmen Crossing, fulfilling his wish, but did he really deserve to die there?"
"..."
"Your Majesty knows best in his heart!"
"..."
"Duke Shenwu did not deserve to die, not at the Longmen Crossing, much less be—"
"Enough!"
Yu Wenquan suddenly roared in anger, shaking the hall to its core, abruptly cutting off Han Yuhui’s words. She could only look at him with tears streaming down her red eyes. Yu Wenquan exhaled heavily and said, "Take her away, lock her up! Wen Ying, execute by the rod!"
Several little eunuchs immediately came in, dragging the unconscious Wen Ying out. But as they reached Han Yuhui, they hesitated. Eunuch Yu quickly understood and quietly asked, "Your Majesty, where should she be detained?"
The atmosphere in the hall stiffened once more as everyone looked at Yu Wenquan.
Deciding where to imprison someone indicated the seriousness of the matter and the Emperor’s judgment. For instance, though there had been suspicions about Shang Ruyi before, in the absence of clear facts and not wanting to tarnish the Imperial Family’s reputation, Yu Wenquan did not imprison her but restricted her to Chengqian Hall, signifying his stance. But this time—
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Yu Wenquan coldly said, "Hand her over to the Ministry of Justice!"
Shang Ruyi took a deep breath.
The little eunuchs complied and immediately went to pull Han Yuhui up from the ground. But before they could touch her, she bowed with her forehead to the floor, then stood up and left on her own.
Not until her silhouette disappeared outside the Liangyi Hall did Yu Wenquan raise his head, giving her a long, profound look.
This glance was filled with resentment and anger, yet Shang Ruyi seemingly saw deep sorrow and helplessness within it, like someone already in a frigid world, losing their last few pieces of warmth clothing, leaving only piercing cold in their life’s remainder.
But such vulnerability was only fleeting.
The next moment, Yu Wenquan had collected himself, facing everyone in the hall, saying, "All of you, stand up."
Only then did everyone rise to their feet.
Yu Wenquan continued, "How is Yuan Qian now?"
Chu Ruoyan immediately replied, "After discovering a problem with the herbal medicine, I didn’t give it to Yuan Qian. He is only reacting badly to the previous medicine mixed with clove powder, crying non-stop. Fortunately, the amount isn’t much, so he’s not in danger. But—"
Shang Ruyi quickly said, "I request that Father Emperor allow Doctor Su to re-evaluate Yuan Qian’s condition."
Yu Wenquan turned his head towards Eunuch Yu, who said, "I will send the message immediately."
Yu Wenquan nodded.
Then, he looked at Shang Ruyi again, his eyes gentle yet apologetic, "These days, you have been wronged."
Shang Ruyi hastily responded, "Father Emperor speaks too highly. If Father Emperor hadn’t found a witness, I couldn’t have cleared myself of accusations. It was I who burdened Father Emperor with worry."
Yu Wenquan waved his hand.
Shang Ruyi continued, "However, there’s one more thing I’d like to speak out about."
Yu Wenquan said, "Speak."
Shang Ruyi said, "Since it has been proven that Sun Xianyue did not visit Qianqiu Palace that night for a so-called ’private meeting’ with me, he is innocent. Can Father Emperor release him?"
"..."
Upon hearing this, Yu Wenquan’s expression darkened immediately.
Shang Ruyi’s heart leaped into her throat, cautiously watching him. After a while, Yu Wenquan said, "He committed no such acts, but coming to the palace to perform, his intentions were suspicious."
"But—"
"Enough, say no more."
Yu Wenquan waved his hand, cutting off Shang Ruyi, his tone blunt but still gentle, "I will decide how to handle Sun Xianyue; there’s no need for you to worry. You’ve been through much these days, return to Qianqiu Palace for a good rest."
"...Yes."
"And Yuan Qian, when the Imperial Medical Bureau visits, inform me at once of any concerns."
"I understand, Father Emperor."
Yu Wenquan then looked at Chu Ruoyan, his gaze much gentler than before, "This time, it is also thanks to you."
Chu Ruoyan, always cautious before him, had taken a bold step by accompanying Shang Ruyi to confront the Liangyi Hall. Now that the dust had settled, and the truth revealed, she seemed to regain her composure, feeling weak all over. Hearing Yu Wenquan’s voice caused cold sweat to pour.
She hurriedly bowed her head, saying softly, "Thank, thank you, Father Emperor."
Yu Wenquan’s gaze swept over everyone present, then said, "You may all withdraw. Your loyal service to Princess Qin and the young prince will be richly rewarded."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"