Chapter 10: The Astonishing Truth

Empress Yang frowned. Had Le Qianxue truly saved Yu Nanfeng?

But her voice was stern as she commanded, “Though Le Qianxue saved the Fourth Prince, Le Yongcheng attempted to murder him—there is undeniable evidence! Seize Le Qianxue! Convey my order: arrest all members of the General’s Mansion and await judgment!”

Le Qianxue turned her gaze upon the Empress. This woman was truly troublesome, always targeting her family.

Yu Guhan hadn’t expected matters to turn out this way. Le Qianxue had saved Yu Nanfeng, yet was still destined for imprisonment.

He hurriedly spoke, “Mother, the Virtuous Consort and the Prince of War have already agreed: since Qianxue saved Fourth Brother, the accusation of attempted murder need not be pursued.”

The Virtuous Consort bit her lip. Today, she had seen Empress Yang’s true face; she wanted her son dead, and forgiveness was out of the question.

She stood, declaring, “Empress, I did indeed promise Le Qianxue. This matter need not be pursued further.”

But Empress Yang, seeing an opportunity, would not let it pass.

She retorted, “Attempted murder of the Fourth Prince is a matter of state, not for a mere consort to decide. With the Emperor away on his southern tour, my word is law.”

The Virtuous Consort pressed her lips together, surprised to be so suppressed at this moment.

Yu Guhan frowned. He was Crown Prince, and when the Emperor left on his tour, it was he who was entrusted with governing. Why should the Empress have authority now?

“Mother, it was I whom Father appointed as regent,” Yu Guhan said.

Empress Yang, clearly prepared, would not let Yu Guhan be arrogant.

“Crown Prince, my decision is not wrong. Your Highness should act impartially and not show favoritism. It is clear Le Yongcheng wounded the Fourth Prince; witnessed by many, there is no denying it. All members of the Le family should be arrested. Even if Le Qianxue saved the Fourth Prince, that cannot absolve her of her family’s crimes!” Empress Yang’s words were forceful, leaving no room for rebuttal. “Even if the Prince of War were here, I would say the same.”

Yu Guhan scowled; at this moment, his title as Crown Prince was of no use at all.

Yet Le Qianxue remained calm, unruffled. She spoke, “Your Majesty, since you have come to the Crown Prince’s palace, why did you not summon the Chief Justice of the Grand Tribunal? Cases of attempted murder of a prince, aside from the Emperor, only he can investigate and judge. This rule was established at the founding of Tianlong. Does Your Majesty now consider yourself the Chief Justice, or even the Emperor?”

The last time she had been falsely accused of poisoning Zhan Lianjing, she had repressed her anger.

The Yang family thought they could wield their power unchecked, doing as they pleased?

Last time, it had been her own affair, and she could let it pass. But now, with the Empress seeking to imprison her entire family, she could not swallow this indignation.

Empress Yang’s face paled. Le Qianxue was right; she had intended to settle matters privately.

But she thought, last time she had deliberately slandered Le Qianxue, fearing the Chief Justice would interfere. This time, many had witnessed Le Yongcheng stabbing Yu Nanfeng. No matter how Le Qianxue struggled, her family could not escape destruction.

She sneered, “Very well, let us proceed according to the rules and have the Grand Tribunal investigate!”

“Oh, what lively proceedings! I hope I’m not late?” a voice sounded from outside, and a figure entered.

Le Qianxue recognized him at once—the youngest prime minister in history, Fu Xiao.

The Left Prime Minister was known for his unorthodox ways, yet the Emperor had appointed him regardless, causing quite a stir at the time.

Fu Xiao’s arrival today—whether to help or to hinder—remained uncertain.

“Why has the Left Prime Minister come?” Empress Yang asked.

“I was merely passing by, accompanying the Chief Justice. Upon hearing of the Fourth Prince’s assassination attempt, he came to investigate. He wishes to see if the Fourth Prince has awakened, so he might question him about what happened,” Fu Xiao explained, as the Chief Justice of the Grand Tribunal also entered.

The Grand Tribunal was not under the authority of the Prime Ministers, answering only to the Emperor. Its guards, the Crimson Guards, obeyed solely the Chief Justice.

The Chief Justice’s rank equaled that of the Prime Ministers, and he was known for his impartiality and integrity.

Empress Yang felt a surge of pride. With the Chief Justice investigating so strictly, the Le family was surely doomed.

“Has the Fourth Prince awakened?” the Chief Justice asked.

Doctor Li, nervous at the tense situation, replied with a tremor in his voice, “The Fourth Prince has not yet regained consciousness…”

But Le Qianxue stepped forward, producing a silver needle. “He is awake.”

With that, she swiftly pierced the Fourth Prince’s acupoint.

The Chief Justice narrowed his eyes. Le Qianxue possessed remarkable courage.

At that moment, Yu Nanfeng let out a soft moan—he had awakened.

Empress Yang and Yang Zhentian exchanged shocked glances, surprised by Le Qianxue’s skill.

The Chief Justice approached. The Virtuous Consort had already questioned Yu Nanfeng, but his gaze remained fixed on Le Qianxue, as though he saw no one else.

The Virtuous Consort grew anxious. “Feng’er, what’s wrong? Are your eyes injured? What is happening?”

Le Qianxue found it odd as well, waving her hand before Yu Nanfeng; his pupils reacted slightly.

“Fourth Prince, can you respond?” Le Qianxue said helplessly. Was Yu Nanfeng frightened out of his wits?

Hearing her voice, Yu Nanfeng immediately gripped her hand. “It’s you! It’s really you!”

Everyone in the room was stunned, unsure of what had transpired.

Le Qianxue herself was baffled. Was Yu Nanfeng delirious? How could the Chief Justice question him now?

The Virtuous Consort, seeing her son’s strange behavior, grew teary-eyed. “What is going on? Feng’er, why are you holding Le Qianxue’s hand?”

Yu Nanfeng, oblivious to all else, said, “It was you… you saved me…”

Le Qianxue was startled. At least Yu Nanfeng retained some awareness. She hoped he would be more courteous to her in the future, less vain.

She nodded. “Fourth Prince, the Chief Justice is here to investigate. Please answer a few questions.”

Yu Nanfeng took a moment to compose himself.

Recalling the events of the day, he felt he had been blind.

The Chief Justice, observing Yu Nanfeng’s demeanor, asked, “Fourth Prince, was it General Le who stabbed you? Do you recall what happened?”

Yu Nanfeng glanced, intentionally or not, at Le Qianxue.

Though his injury involved the General’s Mansion, Le Qianxue had saved him. If he told the truth, the family would surely be implicated.

Empress Yang, impatient, pressed, “Fourth Prince, speak freely. Whoever harmed you, I will not let them go unpunished.”

But Yu Nanfeng replied, “There were many assassins attacking. General Le drew his sword to fight them… but… at that moment, I slipped and collided with General Le’s sword.”

His words shocked everyone.

Le Qianxue breathed a sigh of relief. Unexpected, yet just as she had hoped—Le Yongcheng would never have intentionally harmed Yu Nanfeng.

Only the Chief Justice’s expression remained unchanged. He nodded, “It was merely an accident, unrelated to General Le.”

Yu Nanfeng affirmed, “Yes… it had nothing to do with General Le or the General’s Mansion. It was my own carelessness.”

Empress Yang, unwilling to accept this, stepped forward. “Fourth Prince, are you sure? Many saw General Le stab you—not you falling onto his sword!”

Yu Nanfeng dared defend the Le family—he must be mad!

The Chief Justice frowned slightly. “Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince speaks the truth. The Grand Tribunal has investigated thoroughly. The witnesses were panicked at the time and misreported what they saw.”

Empress Yang was speechless. The Chief Justice was not partial to anyone; why would he help the General’s Mansion now?

“Chief Justice! This matter remains unclear. I suspect you are showing favoritism!” Empress Yang declared.

The Chief Justice replied calmly, “Your Majesty, I dare not. The Prince of War sent eyewitnesses to the Grand Tribunal earlier. I have investigated thoroughly. If you doubt me, you may question them yourself.”

Empress Yang’s face turned ashen. The Prince of War had intervened?

Even Le Qianxue was surprised. It seemed Zhan Lianjing was not ungrateful after all—she had saved his life once.

“So the Prince of War truly treats the Le family differently!” Empress Yang said bitterly, then departed in anger.

Le Qianxue, seeing the matter resolved, thanked the Chief Justice.

He was a cold, reserved man; he merely nodded and departed with the Crimson Guards.

Left Prime Minister Fu Xiao then tugged at Le Qianxue. She regarded his lewd, roguish manner with distaste. How could such a man be a prime minister?

Fu Xiao grinned, “Le Qianxue, you should thank the Prince of War. Without him, your family could never have escaped this fate.”

She replied, “Left Prime Minister, he only lent a little help.”

“It’s not so simple, little girl. Such matters are not easily resolved.”

“What do you mean?” Le Qianxue asked.

It sounded as if Zhan Lianjing had helped her far more than she realized…

Fu Xiao leaned in, “Give me a kiss, and I’ll tell you.”

Le Qianxue stepped back, full of contempt. “Then don’t bother.”

She had no interest in his explanations.

Fu Xiao persisted, “Since you’re so curious, I’ll tell you anyway.”

Le Qianxue’s lips twitched—was this man deaf?

He gave her an ambiguous smile. “The Fourth Prince didn’t slip. He was pushed by your younger sister, causing him to collide with General Le’s sword. The Prince of War knew the Fourth Prince wouldn’t speak the truth, so he arranged for the Grand Tribunal to investigate.”

“So it was her?” Le Qianxue was astonished. Le Linglong had nearly destroyed the General’s Mansion!