The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 753 - 715: Something Big Is About to Happen (Part 1)
Song Wei heard this and frowned deeply, "Mr. Cui trying to send His Highness to the Imperial Clan Court based on just one word, isn’t that too frivolous?"
Mr. Cui sighed lightly, "If there were other choices, this old servant wouldn’t want to do so either..."
He didn’t finish his sentence, turned around, entered the tent, and soon came out with a tray. On the black lacquered gold-trimmed tray lay an arrow. The Mystic Iron Arrow Tip was stained with a lot of blood, and upon closer inspection, it also had skin and flesh brought out when the arrow was extracted. The tip bore the inscription belonging to the Crown Prince, half covered in blood, the other half exposed, making it a shocking sight.
Song Wei was at a loss for words for a moment, turning his eyes to Zhao Xi.
Zhao Xi, usually calm and composed, had a faintly pale face, and his perfectly curved lips were trembling slightly.
The arrow that hit Yang Xueru a few days ago, he was absolutely sure it had nothing to do with him. But today, he couldn’t completely clear his name, because indeed there were two arrows that missed their target. The one that hit Emperor Guangxi was most likely one of them.
If that were the case, his path to becoming Crown Prince would likely come to an end.
While Zhao Xi was lost in thought, a group of Imperial Guards with spears in hand had already surrounded him. The leader of the group, a burly man with a rough voice, said, "Your Highness, please!"
The fingers inside the Purple Gold Narrow Sleeve gripped tightly one by one, yet Zhao Xi stood still.
The burly man was about to speak again when Song Wei interjected, "It’s only temporary custody at the Imperial Clan Court for investigation, Your Highness, please rest assured. Leave the matter to this humble official."
Zhao Xi’s eyes shifted slightly, looking over, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
On this hunting trip, he had a bad feeling as soon as the Empress was left in the palace, but he never expected Emperor Guangxi would force him in such a manner.
The despair of being mistrusted and unvalued made him question the bond between father and son for the first time in his life.
Gazing towards the entrance of the grand tent, Zhao Xi felt a cold chill settle in his heart.
Being defeated by a snotty-nosed brat, he was unwilling, yet, resigned.
Turning around, Zhao Xi looked at no one else as he spoke to Song Wei, "Sorry to trouble you, Song Shaoqing."
Song Wei cupped his hands, his tone heavy, "Respectfully see Your Highness off."
Seeing this, the other ministers looked at each other and then bowed to see him off.
Song Yuanbao had not left, just stood at a distance. Seeing Zhao Xi being escorted out by the Imperial Guards, his face turned ashen, and his forehead throbbed.
Zhao Xi stopped briefly, shifting his gaze to him, his tone exceedingly calm and ordinary, "Go back, I’m fine."
Song Yuanbao’s fists clenched with a cracking sound, suddenly gritting his teeth, he raised his head, full of determination, "Your Highness, I will get you out of there."
Zhao Xi merely looked at him, saying nothing.
Song Yuanbao glared at the leading Imperial Guard, fiery words spewing from his mouth, "Tell the Imperial Clan Court, if they dare mistreat His Highness unlawfully before the truth is clear, they won’t get away with it!"
——
Everything seemed like a dream. The once most perfect and promising Crown Prince Zhao Xi, overnight, became half a prisoner accused of attempting to assassinate the Emperor and was detained in the Imperial Clan Court.
The Crown Prince Faction hadn’t even reacted before supporters of the Second Prince began attacking and accusing Zhao Xi of various faults. Some even suggested that the Crown Prince’s supposed southern tour for private inspection was actually a result of mental derangement due to the death of a bedroom maid in the inner court, that the tour was fake, and recovering health was the true goal.
The Crown Prince Faction immediately rebutted upon hearing this.
The situation escalated, causing chaos in front of the Emperor’s grand tent.
Eunuch Sanbao attempted several times to step forward and defend his master but couldn’t get a word in.
Mr. Cui’s face was not looking good, and seeing that the ministers had no intention of stopping, he shouted sternly, "Presumptuous!"
As a eunuch, his voice was sharp and penetrating.
In the blink of an eye, the heated debates subdued, and the ministers stood upright, looking in his direction.
Mr. Cui scolded, "With His Majesty severely injured, this is a time for peace and quiet. What are your intentions in causing such a ruckus?"
The ministers, red in the face, recognized they were in the wrong and didn’t speak.
Mr. Cui flicked his horsetail whisk, "To prevent you from disturbing His Majesty’s peace, it’s best for all of you to disperse. When there’s any improvement in His Majesty’s condition, we will naturally inform you."
Pausing, he turned to Song Wei, "Song Shaoqing, you stay."
Everyone looked at Song Wei in surprise.
Mr. Cui continued unhurriedly, "With His Majesty’s accident, Princess Yong’an must be extremely anxious. Why don’t you come inside with me and take a look, so you can give the Princess an explanation later?"
Song Wei nodded, "Thank you, Mr. Cui."
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Song Wei followed Mr. Cui into the grand tent.
...
A quarter-hour later, he came out, his face noticeably more solemn than when he entered.
The Crown Prince Faction hurriedly stepped forward to ask about the situation.
"Song Shaoqing, how is His Majesty’s injury?"
Song Wei sighed, "He remains unconscious."
"Does Mr. Song also think this incident was caused by His Highness?"
Song Wei stared straight ahead, his face emotionless, "The truth will eventually come to light."
"Mr. Song, His Highness is already the Crown Prince, he would never commit regicide and dig his own grave, you must find a way to clear his name!"
...
Having finally shaken off that crowd, Song Wei returned to his own tent.
Wen Wan had already heard the news of the Crown Prince being taken back to the Imperial Clan Court and was anxiously pacing. Seeing him enter, she hurriedly approached, "Husband, what exactly is going on? How could the Crown Prince..."
Song Wei took her hand into his palm, and after sitting down, spoke softly, "I went to see him."
"Who?" Wen Wan didn’t react for a moment.
"The Emperor."
Wen Wan’s heart raced a bit, "How is the Emperor Uncle’s condition?"
"Indeed wounded by an arrow, and the wound is quite deep."
Seeing Song Wei’s expression didn’t seem deceitful, Wen Wan felt a heavy heart, "Is that arrow really the Crown Prince’s?"
"Yes," Song Wei responded quietly.
It was true that Emperor Guangxi was injured and unconscious, and it was also true that the arrow was from the Crown Prince. That was the most troublesome part.
Wen Wan was almost on the verge of tears, "I heard from Yuanbao that the Crown Prince has already been taken to the Imperial Clan Court, husband, what should we do now?"
Song Wei pondered, "The best outcome is waiting for the Emperor to wake up and personally clear the Crown Prince’s name."
"And the worst outcome?"
"The worst outcome is also the Emperor waking up."
Wen Wan immediately understood.
What others say doesn’t matter; what matters is the Emperor’s attitude.
As long as Emperor Guangxi declares Zhao Xi innocent, he will return to being the revered Crown Prince of Cloud.
But if Emperor Guangxi is convinced of his conspiracy to assassinate the Emperor, then Zhao Xi’s life is ruined.
Wen Wan anxiously twisted her hands, "I keep feeling something big is going to happen."
Song Wei’s voice softened, "Does Wanwan have a premonition again?"
"I haven’t seen anything yet," Wen Wan shook her head, "I just feel exceedingly uneasy, as if something is pressing down, making it hard to breathe."
Song Wei said, "Perhaps it’s because the weather is getting colder, and the wind in the hunting ground is strong, you may not be used to it."
Wen Wan couldn’t explain it clearly.
When she heard both Empress Qi and Consort Qing were kept in the palace, she felt something was off, and now that feeling was getting stronger.
Perhaps something indeed is about to happen, but it’s not related to Song Wei, so she couldn’t foresee it.
Seeing her like this, Song Wei couldn’t help but worry with her, "Wanwan, don’t overthink. Regarding His Highness, I will do my utmost to investigate the truth clearly."
Seizing the moment, Wen Wan leaned into his embrace, sniffling, "Suddenly, I feel so flustered, so scared, husband, investigate all you must, but please be careful, don’t get caught in it yourself, I don’t want anything to happen to you. If something happens to you, Jinbao and I will be left with no support."
Song Wei comfortingly patted her back, "Don’t worry, I know my limits."
——
Yang Family’s tent.
Hearing that Zhao Xi had been taken back to the Imperial Clan Court on the suspicion of "regicide," Yang Xueru immediately turned pale, flung aside the brocade quilt, and ran to find Chief Minister Yang.
"Grandfather!"
Chief Minister Yang was in the middle of discussing matters with several colleagues, and upon seeing her rush in regardless, his expression turned somewhat displeased. He dismissed the colleagues and then frowned at her, "Why have you come running out looking like this?"
Yang Xueru urged, "I heard that His Highness has been taken back to the Imperial Clan Court, is it true?"
Chief Minister Yang’s face was somber, "The Crown Prince is suspected of regicide, and since the Emperor is currently unconscious, naturally he must remain there for a while."
"His Highness is an upright gentleman, how could he possibly commit regicide?" Yang Xueru shouted hoarsely, "There must be some misunderstanding, Grandfather, you must help him, otherwise..."
Before she could finish speaking, Chief Minister Yang interrupted sharply, "Nonsense! Your injuries haven’t even healed yet, what position do you have to speak of his innocence?"
Yang Xueru was momentarily at a loss for words.
After a moment, she bit her lip, "The one who shot me that day wasn’t the Crown Prince at all."
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Chief Minister Yang’s old face turned dark.
"Grandfather, granddaughter is not lying," Yang Xueru cried, "That day, it was granddaughter’s selfishness that led her to lie to everyone. The one who shot me was someone else, not His Highness, he didn’t want things to escalate, so he took the blame willingly. In truth, in truth, he had nothing to do with it. Grandfather, granddaughter begs you, please save His Highness, he couldn’t possibly commit regicide, he is innocent."
Chief Minister Yang’s eyes turned cold, and he pointed outside, "Out!"
