WMSG Chapter 38
by VolareGong Xunwu listened to the entire exchange, and he wondered if blood brothers could really say such intimate things? Weren’t they embarrassed?
It could be excused that Ye Yueshen was young, but how could he not know that Ye Yuanshen also had such a sentimental side?
He could easily say those comforting words to Ye Yueshen, but hearing others say them to Ye Yueshen made him feel that it was simply extremely contrived and utterly detestable.
Gong Xunwu snorted coldly and turned to leave. A moment later, Sha Ou came in and said to them, “His Highness invites Young Master Yuan and Young Master Yue to move to Zhaoyang Palace.”
Zhaoyang Palace was where the Emperor resided, and the Imperial Study was within Zhaoyang Palace. The only time Ye Yueshen had been there was when he accompanied Ye Yuanshen.
Ye Yueshen was only weak, but he had not lost his ability to move. Ye Yuanshen accompanied him in the courtyard to adjust for a while, and they went out together. Imperial guards waited outside the gate, and the Emperor’s chief steward led the way, silent but respectful throughout.
Gong Xuyin had secretly told him that the Emperor had ordered that this matter not be spread, but he had been under house arrest for a few days, and the Junzhu had been running to the Empress Dowager’s palace repeatedly. There were many clever and astute people in the palace, and they had heard some true and false rumors more or less.
There were many people in the Imperial Study. Gong Xunwu had left a step earlier than them and was now sitting on a chair next to the Emperor. His side was far from the window, just framed outside the light and shadow, making him appear mysterious.
The Empress Dowager was on a small couch on the side, with the Junzhu accompanying her. Compared to the Emperor’s and Gong Xunwu’s majesty, they were obviously more kind and humane, and their eyes never left Ye Yueshen as soon as they saw him.
Ye Yueshen stepped forward to salute, but before he could kneel down, the Emperor said, “Spare the formalities, you have been wronged.”
Ye Yueshen hummed in acknowledgment and walked towards the Junzhu in front of everyone’s eyes, but Ye Yuanshen grabbed him.
According to common sense, at this moment, Ye Yueshen should humbly answer, “Your Majesty is too kind” or “I dare not,” and so on.
But not only did Ye Yueshen not say it, but he also felt that the Emperor was right, he was really too wronged.
The Emperor was wearing a dark, soft robe, with gold thread embroidered patterns on the cuffs, collar, and hem. A servant came forward and said a few words to him, and then he nodded, and the servant went out.
He then raised his head and first said to Ye Yuanshen, “The last time I saw you and your brother was also in the Imperial Study. He thought I was going to hurt you, so he stood in front of you.”
“Yes,” Ye Yuanshen lowered his head, “so today I am the same, I hope Your Majesty will forgive me.”
The Junzhu’s fingers moved slightly, but she did not say anything. Gong Xunwu seemed to be more concerned than his own mother, and said, “Fuyi, be careful what you say.”
Before long, the chief steward returned, presenting a blood-stained confession. The Emperor only glanced down at it and then raised his eyes, not intending to touch it. Seeing this, the chief steward wanted to take it back to read aloud, but Gong Xunwu took it first.
He quickly scanned the words on it, his expression becoming increasingly gloomy. After a moment, he put down the confession and looked at the speck of blood he had on his fingertip.
The chief steward picked up the confession and read it out loud and clearly.
The cook, Zhang San, claimed to be a cook in a restaurant in the capital. Two years ago, when he was a waiter, he saw Ye Yueshen and was moved by his stunning appearance. He couldn’t help but step forward to strike up a conversation but was despised and reprimanded, so he harbored resentment.
Because he became addicted to gambling and lost all his family property, he entered the palace as an eunuch half a year ago. This time, he followed the hunting party to serve the meals, but unexpectedly encountered Ye Yueshen again. Thinking of his situation, he became even more resentful of Ye Yueshen, so he risked poisoning him.
Of course, this was just Zhang San’s side of the story. Ye Yueshen was the first to feel that something was wrong. The Ye Yueshen in the original book was a person without class distinctions, as could be seen from the Jianghu friends he made. It was impossible for him to speak harshly to a waiter.
As he read to the end, Zhang San’s foul language increased, and the chief steward’s speed became more and more hesitant: “…If he weren’t of noble status, let alone a cook, he wouldn’t even be able to lift a knife. With that face, he could only be sold into a brothel to be patronized by guests…”
“Shut up!” Gong Xunwu glared at the chief steward.
The chief steward embarrassedly put away the confession and lowered his head, saying nothing.
Originally, the Empress Dowager wanted to speak out and scold him, but she did not expect Gong Xunwu to speak first, so she said, “What dirty thing dares to covet someone else’s precious treasure? It’s really hateful, we can’t let him have an easy time!”
The Junzhu trembled slightly with anger, and the muscles on Ye Yuanshen’s face were also very tense.
Ye Yueshen was only preoccupied with thinking about whether he should refute it now. Since the other party had prepared this defense, they had obviously prepared a layout with evidence to support this claim. If he denied it, would it bring more supplementary evidence? Would everyone believe it?
Or should he go along with the flow, get rid of the charge of plotting to harm Gong Xunwu, and leaving that ghostly place was the important thing.
After hesitating for a moment, he told the truth, “Yueshen doesn’t remember.”
The Junzhu got up and said, “Your Majesty, since he is innocent, can you let him go home today?”
The Emperor pondered for a moment and looked at Gong Xunwu: “Do you believe this confession?”
Gong Xunwu got up: “In reply to Royal Brother, this subject believes it.”
There was an indescribable smile at the corner of the Emperor’s mouth. He nodded: “Since it wasn’t Ye San who poisoned him, he should naturally go home. You must have been frightened these many days. The Empress Dowager said you like Nanzhao’s…”
Ye Yueshen was obviously very weak, but his eyes were very clear, and he said neither humble nor arrogant, “Your Majesty, Yueshen has a request.”
Everyone looked at him with complicated expressions, and even the Junzhu and Ye Yuanshen frowned.
The Emperor gave a short laugh, as if he found it interesting: “Speak.”
“Since the poisoning has nothing to do with Prince Qi, as the victim, can Yueshen take that cook away?” Ye Yueshen asked.
The Junzhu was the first to object: “What nonsense are you talking about? Since the Emperor has cleared your name, how to deal with him should be according to the law. What are you taking him back for?”
The Emperor pondered for a moment, glanced at Gong Xunwu, who was obviously leaning forward, and actually agreed: “I grant it. If you want to take him away, then take him away.”
The Junzhu glared at Ye Yueshen with great disapproval, but due to the presence of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, she did not say anything after all.
Ye Yueshen didn’t use any of the long list of arguments he had prepared. He was stunned for a moment before thanking the Emperor, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Yongning, accompany Empress Mother back to the palace.” The Emperor raised his hand: “Yuan’er hasn’t been to Heyun Palace for a long time, has he? Go sit there too. Rest assured, if I want to punish Ye San, I will give you a chance to stand in front of him.”
Ye Yuanshen couldn’t refuse and agreed.
The Emperor only left Ye Yueshen behind, and did not intend to let Gong Xunwu leave either.
After everyone had walked away, the Emperor picked up a handkerchief from the table and casually threw it in front of Gong Xunwu: “Wipe your hands.”
Gong Xunwu waited a while before picking up the handkerchief, but the blood on his fingertip had long since dried. He made a wiping motion and nonchalantly put the handkerchief down.
The Emperor seemed to have just remembered and clicked his tongue, saying, “Look at my memory, Ye San is still kneeling on the ground, quickly get up and find a place to sit.” He then blamed Gong Xunwu: “Why didn’t you remind me? Aren’t you very fond of the younger generation?”
Gong Xunwu showed an insincere smile: “What do you mean by that, Royal Brother?”
“The Empress Mother and Yongning have both mentioned that you took Ye San to your mansion the day before the hunt and kept him overnight.” The Emperor asked him, “I haven’t kept Ye San in the palace yet. You’re his maternal uncle, so it makes me seem unfeeling.”
While listening to them speak, Ye Yueshen walked back and forth next to the places where he could sit. The small couch was where the Empress Dowager and the Junzhu had just sat, and it looked very comfortable, but it was probably only noble people who could sit in such comfortable places.
Ye Yueshen felt that he didn’t seem to have the qualification to sit comfortably in front of the Emperor.
He walked to the small stool next to him, but it was too close to the Emperor. He looked at a round stool at the door. This position was good, it had distance and was uncomfortable. Although it was too far away, it wouldn’t cause him to make a mistake.
After not hearing Gong Xunwu’s reply for too long, the Emperor didn’t urge him, but turned back and asked Ye Yueshen, “Haven’t you picked a place you like?”
Ye Yueshen quickly walked to the door and sat down on the round stool, but the reactions of the Emperor and Gong Xunwu were a little strange. They both looked at him for a while, then exchanged a glance.
Although there was no verbal communication, Ye Yueshen felt that he was being ridiculed.
His gaze unintentionally fell on the opposite wall. A round stool was also placed on the opposite wall at the same height as him, but a round vase was placed on the round stool, with a large bud of pink lotus inside.
This wasn’t a round stool, it was a simple flower vase stand. Ye Yueshen slowly got up, feeling that he should just stand for a while, he didn’t necessarily have to sit down.
Gong Xunwu ignored him and said to the Emperor, “If Royal Brother wants to keep him, then keep him. The younger generation are all very obedient. However, I can’t keep people lately. Ye San has a very big temper. This time, after confining him for a few days, I’m afraid he’s going to give me a bad face.”
The Emperor’s expression was natural: “Oh? He dares to give you a bad face? Even the Empress doesn’t dare to give me a bad face.”
Ye Yueshen was not surprised. The matter between him and Gong Xunwu had reached the Emperor’s ears. Regardless of whether the Emperor believed Gong Xunwu’s explanation, it was necessary to give him a warning.
Gong Xunwu ignored the Emperor’s unreasonable comparison of Ye Yueshen with the Empress and said lightly, “He’s not afraid of anything, so I took him away that day and taught him a few lessons.”
The Emperor smiled: “It turns out you are more unfeeling than I am.”
Gong Xunwu looked at Ye Yueshen: “The Junzhu spoils her youngest son, teaching him to be lawless. I can’t stand it, so I have to discipline him.”
It was impossible to tell whether the Emperor believed him or not, but regardless of whether he believed him or not, Ye Yueshen felt very angry.
In this scandal, he only existed as Prince Qi’s “blemish,” so there was no need to ask his position, only Gong Xunwu needed to provide an explanation.
Ye Yueshen was deeply hurt by their arrogance, and the disgust and rejection made his stomach churn, and he couldn’t help but want to vomit.
To flirt with malicious intent in front of the Emperor, with only him being able to detect it, how dare Gong Xunwu?
Ye Yueshen half-turned his body and bent over, vomiting all the porridge that Ye Yuanshen had fed him.
Gong Xunwu came over with water to pat his back, but he took a step back and refused, “Your Majesty, I beg your forgiveness.”
He didn’t care whether the Emperor would punish him for his disrespect and turned around and ran out. He didn’t want to stay inside for even a second, so he simply confirmed the charge of having a “big temper.”
But he didn’t need Gong Xunwu’s lessons.
What was he? He was just the son of his mother’s foster mother. A polite way to say it was that they were foster siblings, but there was no blood relationship at all, and they hadn’t even spent many days together. That’s what Ye Yueshen thought.
That feeling of mental confusion returned, and Ye Yueshen didn’t even remember how he returned to the Marquis’s mansion. He only remembered that he repeatedly asked the Junzhu in the carriage if she had brought the cook along.
He went home, took a shower, and slept a very deep and long sleep. When he woke up, it was already dawn. Ye Lingshen was next to him, his eyebrows dancing as he asked him, “I heard that you presented a pile of vomit to the Emperor and Prince Qi?”
Ye Yueshen frowned: “Don’t say it so disgustingly.”
“Am I not telling the truth?” Ye Lingshen blinked: “That’s what Ye Da Yuan said. He can’t possibly lie, can he?”
Returning to his own bed after a long absence, Ye Yueshen felt a little uncomfortable. He had a bit of a headache from sleeping, and he rubbed his brow as he asked, “Did Eldest Brother go to court?”
“Didn’t go.” Ye Lingshen leaned over and sniffed Ye Yueshen’s face: “He’s in the front hall, discussing with Mother and Father how to deal with that Zhang San.”
Ye Yueshen pushed his face away, and after a while, he realized who Zhang San was.
The name Zhang San was carelessly like a fake, more like a temporary name taken by an assassin.
He wasn’t interested in the cook’s real name, but the cook was still useful.