Clang—
The spoon in Li Xinyue's hand dropped into the bowl. The splashed water landed on the back of her hand, causing a slight burning pain.
The pitch - black soup noodles reflected her face with a complex expression, which then shattered with the ripples.
"Who?" Did she mishear?
Chu Junyi repeated firmly, "Wei Jinchen, the only son of the Eldest Princess."
Actually, after he learned the identity of the murderer, his mood was also quite complex.
Because the Eldest Princess was one of the few people he respected in his heart.
Although their acquaintance was only based on a few words, those words were enough for him to recognize the admirable qualities of this woman.
Therefore, when he found out that the person involved in an old case that had been suppressed was the Eldest Princess's only son, he could hardly believe it, and his feelings were rather complicated.
But then he thought, well, like mother, like son.
After Chu Junyi finished speaking, he let out a long breath, released the hand that was holding hers, and lay flat on the couch.
Li Xinyue, however, took a deep breath. "You, you, you are really daring! The Eldest Princess is someone even I have to avoid. Yet you've managed to arrest her son.
Do you know how deep the waters are behind the Eldest Princess?"
"Why is a scoundrel like Wei Jinchen even granted the title of a county prince?"
"Because when the Eldest Prince - Consort was alive, he made great military contributions to the Great Yan.
After he died in battle, Father Emperor granted the title of county prince to his only son.
Don't think that just because the Eldest Prince - Consort is dead and the Eldest Princess is alone, she has no connections. In fact, she still has interests tied to the relatives of the Eldest Prince - Consort. This means that if Wei Jinchen dies, the Wei clan behind him will surely fight back crazily.
Apart from the Wei clan, there's also the King of Nanxun.
It is rumored that he has an ambiguous relationship with the Eldest Princess.
So, by doing this, you've really stirred up a hornet's nest."
Li Xinyue looked at Chu Junyi.
Chu Junyi closed his eyes. Of course he was aware, but this was an imperial edict. How could he disobey? Now he just wanted to know, "Are you scared?"
He looked up into her eyes.
She also looked down into his eyes and nodded helplessly. "Scared. This is something even the Crown Prince, supported by the Lin family, turns a blind eye to, yet you've stirred it up.
Although I promised to protect you, I'm just a princess without real power. I'm not the Crown Prince. How can I protect you?"
"Forget it. Since you've arrested the person and investigated the case, we can only handle it according to the law."
It seems that Father Emperor really intends to use him to the fullest.
She wanted to tell him not to be an official anymore in her heart. But then she thought that he took on such a dangerous task just to be on an equal footing with her. Asking him to give up would be disappointing his affection.
Since that was the case, she could only face it with him.
"I have an idea, Your Highness."
"Speak."
"I'm seriously injured and need to search for famous doctors everywhere."
Li Xinyue was stunned for a moment. Then she understood.
Under the night sky, the carriage from the Princess Mansion and dozens of guards rushed out of the city overnight.
The weather was unkind as a strong wind blew. The oil lamp in front of the carriage swayed from side to side in the wind. The thin iron wire scraped against the glass lampshade, making a harsh sound.
The horses' hooves kicked up dust on the ground. The carriage was speeding. The violent bumps caused by the carriage were cushioned by the thick quilts inside. By the time it reached them, the impact had been reduced a lot. But Li Xinyue still lifted his clothes worriedly to check the wound on his back.
Chu Junyi was lying on her lap. He let out a soft, contented laugh, but then grimaced in pain because of the wound that had been stitched. Yet he still joked, "Your Highness, is it really appropriate for you to lift a man's clothes so openly?"
Li Xinyue's finger trembled and she quickly retracted her hand. She turned her head and coughed lightly, stammering, "I'm just worried that your wound might split.
Besides, Doctor Le said that your injury might cause a high fever and asked me to be careful. It would be okay in the mansion, but now we're in the carriage. I'm worried..."
"Don't worry. I'm strong and have practiced martial arts. This little injury is nothing."
But Li Xinyue clearly heard him grunt.
"Alright. If you can't hold on, just tell me."
"Okay."
Li Xinyue propped her chin with one hand, worrying about how to deal with this matter.
Just now in the mansion, Chu Junyi's meaning was, "Why not use this as an excuse to leave the city to avoid trouble? In this way, since the chief judge is not here, the chief judge can't supervise the beheading. Then another person has to be selected as the supervisor of the beheading.
As for the Eldest Princess, even if she wants to vent her anger, Your Highness, do you think the supervisor of the beheading or the chief judge will bear more of her anger?"
"Of course it's the supervisor of the beheading. After all, that's the person who will directly take her son's life." Li Xinyue followed his train of thought. Suddenly, her eyes lit up as she thought of something even more amazing.
"The case has already been made clear and announced to the world. Even if the Eldest Princess wants to do something secretly, it's too late. At this time, the only thing she can do is plead for mercy.
If you're not here, she can only come to me to plead.
If even I'm not here, she can only go to Father Emperor."
Chu Junyi couldn't help laughing, "So, now the pressure is on Father Emperor."
Li Xinyue raised her eyebrows with a complex expression. She didn't know whether to praise him for his cleverness or to say that Father Emperor was unlucky.
But she had to admit that this move was ingenious.
Pulling her thoughts back, Li Xinyue lifted the curtain of the carriage and took a look. They had already left the city.
She had also written leave notes for Chu Junyi for the yamen and the palace, two copies in total, and instructed the servants to send them half an hour after they left the city.
...
"How did I instruct you! I told you to watch over the county prince and prevent him from causing more trouble. How did you do your job! How could he be sentenced to beheading out of the blue!
I told you to deal with the families of the deceased and the girls involved in other cases. Why did they still appear in court!"
"Where's the scapegoat!"
The Eldest Princess slapped the table and stood up. She slapped the personal guard of the Prince An who was reporting this matter across the face.
The guard was thrown out, fell on the steps, and then rolled down the steps. Finally, he clenched his fists, lowered his head, and remained silent.
The male favorites beside the Eldest Princess tried to persuade her to calm down, saying that there might still be a way. But they were beaten by the Eldest Princess. "What do you know! Get out!"
The handsome men covered their swollen cheeks and retreated aggrievedly.
The Eldest Princess fell back onto the cushion angrily, with tears in her eyes. Her delicate hands on the table trembled slightly.
This time, even she had a premonition that something terrible was about to happen.
"Go to the Mansion of Princess Yuanyang!"
The beaten guard raised his head and said nervously, "Princess Yuanyang and her husband - in - law have left the city to search for famous doctors."
"What!"
"When did this happen?"
"Just now."
"Then hurry up and chase them!"
"Yes!"
"Wait! I'll go and chase them myself!"
She was going to fight Chu Junyi and Yuanyang personally!
The Eldest Princess gritted her teeth and calmed down. She walked down the steps in a hurry. As she walked, she quickly tidied up her clothes and tied up her long hair with a gold hairpin.
As she walked by, the wind blew her black brocade robe slightly, showing her powerful aura.
"Yue'er, don't leave! Yue'er..."
In the carriage, the man lying on her lap started to mutter incoherently.
Li Xinyue's heart sank. She felt his temperature with her hand and, as expected, he had a high fever.
Just a moment ago, this guy was still joking with her lively. She thought the thing she was worried about wouldn't happen, but...
After much thought, she decided to stay in the nearby town.