CHAPTER 672: CHAPTER 554

Emperor Liang was extremely fond of his grandson, Lu Qi; after Lu Yuan was conferred as the Guardian Qilin, to prevent the court officials from believing Lu Qi was being neglected, the Emperor specially allowed three days off court for his grand wedding.

The officials were pleased to enjoy a few leisurely days.

Only Gongsun Yanming entered the palace early in the morning.

Unexpectedly, though early, there was someone earlier than him.

As he reached the Imperial Garden, he heard the laughter of children, and saw Treasure Piggy and Nie’er playing on the grass.

The two little ones, innocent in their friendship, played joyously.

Emperor Liang’s eyes were full of joy.

Consort Jiang was there as well.

However, she was not there to seek attention from Emperor Liang, but happened to encounter him.

Consort Jiang moved aside.

If she had known he was coming, she wouldn’t have come.

"Your Majesty, Princess Consort Hui."

Gongsun Yanming stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting.

Emperor Liang nodded, "Have a seat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Gongsun Yanming sat down on a stone bench nearby.

Consort Jiang asked coolly, "What wind blew the State Preceptor here?"

Eunuch Yu sensed Consort Jiang’s aggressive tone, discreetly glancing at Consort Jiang and Gongsun Yanming.

After tearing with Consort Hu, Consort Jiang had come to resent the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, of which Prince Jin’s line was a part.

Gongsun Yanming spoke in his usual tone, "Today, I entered the palace due to an important matter to report."

Consort Jiang replied irritably, "When the court was in session, you didn’t report. With rare days of rest, you still won’t let His Majesty have peace."

Emperor Liang: Was this concern coming from Consort Jiang?

Consort Jiang had been in the palace for years, this was the second time she spoke for him.

The first time was when he was young and drunk, muttering nonsense that living was pointless, better to end it all.

Consort Jiang promptly handed him a knife.

Emperor Liang composed himself, cleared his throat and said, "Since the State Preceptor came personally to report, it must be a serious matter. Speak."

Consort Jiang snorted and rolled her eyes.

Gongsun Yanming rose without looking sideways and cupped his hands towards Emperor Liang, "Your Majesty, last night my younger brother rashly offended the Crown Prince in the course of apprehending a traitor; I failed to supervise him properly, and came today to beg forgiveness from Your Majesty!"

Emperor Liang said, "Last night’s incident, I have already heard about it. Yuan’er, young and vigorous, was not particularly courteous to your brother and did not understand the court’s etiquette, causing you grievance."

Gongsun Yanming quickly stooped, "I am terrified!"

His eyes moved slightly, clearly not expecting someone to make the first accusation.

Consort Jiang leisurely said, "State Preceptor, it’s not for me to speak out of turn, but the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion apprehending a traitor is your business, barging into the Crown Prince Mansion may sound like concern for the Crown Prince’s safety, but put bluntly, are you suspecting the Crown Prince Mansion of harboring the Pavilion’s traitor? It’s no wonder the Crown Prince is displeased; if it were me, I might chase you all out with a shovel!"

Gongsun Yanming calmly replied, "What Her Highness says is indeed correct, the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion has been thoughtless."

Emperor Liang sighed, "Alright, I trust that the State Preceptor did not intend to trouble the Crown Prince Mansion."

Consort Jiang scoffed softly.

Emperor Liang: "..."

Emperor Liang looked at Gongsun Yanming, "Who is the traitor?"

Gongsun Yanming stated solemnly, "Yan Xiaojiu."

Emperor Liang’s face turned grim.

Consort Jiang coldly laughed, "I guessed that the National Master Hall would eventually deal with her."

The report that might have been smooth was punctuated and crushed by Consort Jiang’s interjections from all sides.

Emperor Liang frowned slightly, asking, "Do you have evidence?"

Gongsun Yanming replied, "A disciple of the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion saw with their own eyes, she went to raid the dungeon, Elder Qiu stopped her and was stabbed to death by her; afterwards, she escaped from the Pavilion with Yan Hanshuang."

Consort Jiang mocked, "Your Thousand Mechanism Pavilion disciples, naturally they’ll say whatever you, Pavilion Master, instruct them to say."

"Your Majesty."

At this time, Meng Qianqian entered the Imperial Garden with a basket of petals.

Gongsun Yanming frowned, a hint of suspicion flashing in his eyes.

Consort Jiang smiled, "Finished picking?"

Meng Qianqian softly said, "These should be enough to make a batch of pastries."

Consort Jiang continued, "You arrived just in time, the State Preceptor accuses you of murdering someone in the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion last night and abducting your master Yan Hanshuang."

Meng Qianqian exclaimed in surprise, "Was Elder Qiu murdered? Was my master really abducted? But last night... I didn’t return to the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, after attending the wedding banquet at Jin Prince Mansion, I went to the street to buy some herbs. The Imperial Grandson can testify, the shopkeeper can testify!

After buying the herbs, I planned to return to the Pavilion, halfway I met Miss Zhaozhao, who had overeaten at the banquet, suffering from abdominal pain, and accompanied her to the Crown Prince Mansion. All night, I stayed in Miss Zhaozhao’s room, never left."

Consort Jiang suddenly realized, "No wonder you brought Zhaozhao into the palace this morning."

Meng Qianqian whispered, "When Miss Zhaozhao opened her eyes, she cried for her Great-Grandfather..."

This last sentence very much pleased Emperor Liang.

Of course, Emperor Liang was a person who adhered to evidence.

He summoned the two guards assigned to Meng Qianqian.

The guards testified that upon leaving the Jin Prince Mansion, Miss Yan did follow Prince Changsun to the herbal shop and indeed met the crying Miss Zhaozhao halfway, then went to the Crown Prince Mansion together.

Throughout the night, they remained outside the courtyard, and Miss Yan only emerged at dawn.

Consort Jiang bluntly said, "State Preceptor, could it be that you knew Yan Xiaojiu was in the Crown Prince Mansion, so you deliberately sought to capture her at the Mansion? Ensuring that there was ’caught with the act’ situation."

Gongsun Yanming looked fixedly at Meng Qianqian.

Meng Qianqian appeared aggrieved as she faced him, the calm in her eyes betraying a hint of provocation.

Indeed, it all had been arranged by her.