Chapter 27: They Felt Wronged

Chapter 27: They Feel Extremely Wronged

Ye Shaoyang was imprisoned for committing a crime—an unforgivable one. Intercepting the Emperor’s secret correspondence and spying on imperial edicts was a capital offense by law.

Yet, Ye Shaoyang would not die. Although Ye Zhaoru held no hope for this good-for-nothing son, he would not stand idly by and watch others use treacherous schemes to murder him. Furthermore, since Ye Shaoyang had been framed, Ye Zhaoru was even less likely to let the matter rest. If Ye Shaoyang were to be assassinated at such a time, the consequences would be dire.

Indeed, the imperial court was in an uproar. It was clear that someone had framed him and intended to silence him permanently. With the Ye family’s influence pressing down aggressively, Emperor Yang could not execute Ye Shaoyang so easily and was forced to order a thorough investigation. Since Ye Shaoyang did not know how the secret letter had come into his possession, they investigated how it had been lost in the first place.

The trail led to the Leng family. Although the person who had passed the letter had only been in contact with a distant relative of the Lengs, it was enough to make the Leng family a prime suspect. Even Duke Leng was alarmed and entered the palace personally to plead his innocence. Seeing this opportunity, the Ye family seized the chance to attack the Lengs; after all, it was rare to catch them in a compromising position, so why not press the advantage to the bitter end?

The Leng family, refusing to be the scapegoat, launched their own full-scale investigation and even offered many precious tributes to Emperor Yang to plead their case. Eventually, it was discovered that someone else had intercepted the letter—a distant relative of the Feng family.

It turned out that the Feng family were the masterminds, hoping to see the Ye and Leng families turn against each other so they could reap the rewards of the conflict. The Feng family certainly had a clever plan.

The Feng family: They felt that if they said it aloud, no one would believe them, but they truly felt wronged. They had certainly entertained the thought, but they hadn't actually done the deed.

However, no matter how loudly the Feng family cried foul, both the Leng and Ye families pinned the crime on them. Because the matter involved imperial secrets, it was not blown out of proportion. In the end, the necessary scapegoats were executed quietly, the matter was suppressed, and most people remained in the dark as the incident passed. The Feng family was not dismantled, as there was no direct evidence that the family heads had ordered the act. A few individuals were executed as a warning to others, which served as a wake-up call for the Feng family and, incidentally, made them more obedient and loyal. In this turn of events, Emperor Yang had reaped all the benefits.

In the inner palace, little news leaked out beyond the fact that Ye Shaoyang had been arrested and later cleared of wrongdoing.

"Noble Consort, the Empress Dowager has summoned you."

Ye Wanwan set down her book. By her calculations, Ye Shaoyang should be released soon. When she arrived at the gates of the Yongshou Palace, she saw Consort Li kneeling in the center of the courtyard, exposed to the eyes of all.

"How long has Consort Li been kneeling?"

"Reporting to Your Ladyship, she has been here since the hour of the dragon."

Ye Wanwan walked forward slowly, her expression filled with worry and hesitation. "Sister Li."

Consort Li, already near collapse, looked up at the sound, covered in sweat. "Noble Consort."

As she swayed, Ye Wanwan started and hurried forward to support her. Consort Li was indeed extremely weak; she leaned gently against Ye Wanwan, her lips cracked and bleeding. She pleaded, "Noble Consort, the Feng family never intended to frame your brother. This must be a misunderstanding. Could you please plead with the Empress Dowager not to take Fuying away?"

Fuying was Consort Li’s daughter, Princess Fuying, who was only four years old.

Ye Wanwan patted her comfortingly. "Do not worry. I will go and ask for you."

Leaving Qing Sha to care for Consort Li, Ye Wanwan went inside to see the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager was leaning back with her eyes closed, only opening them when she heard Ye Wanwan’s footsteps.

"Greetings, Empress Dowager."

Ye Wanwan bowed, but the Empress Dowager frowned; she had long since exempted Ye Wanwan from such formalities, and this gesture made them seem distant. However, she said nothing. "Shaoyang has been sent home. He suffered an undeserved disaster this time. Although he is a good-for-nothing, he is still the legitimate son of the Ye family. I will never let this go, but I hope that after this lesson, he might gain some sense."

"Wang Wei."

Wang Wei raised his whisk, and several eunuchs approached carrying trays.

The Empress Dowager continued, "You didn't get to see him when you returned last time. Go now on my behalf, share some time as siblings, and give him a stern talking-to."

Ye Wanwan nodded. "I will."