Chapter 596: Reversal (5)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“It’s true that I brought the old prince into the palace, but there’s a reason.
Moreover, I didn’t know that he would harm His Majesty.”
As soon as they entered the Yangxin Hall, they heard Song Jingchen’s calm voice.
The imperial guards around him had yet to disperse. Xuanyuan Ce sat down on a stone stool in the courtyard of the Yangxin Hall understandingly, indicating that he would enter after they were done inside.
Shangguan Yu smiled and sat down with him.
Shangguan Pu sneered. “What a good reason. Are you saying that the old prince’s attempted assassination of His Majesty had nothing to do with you?”
“Yes, if I knew that he had such ulterior motives, I definitely wouldn’t have let him enter the imperial study alone.”
It turned out that after Song Jingchen entered the palace, he saw a large amount of thick smoke rising in the direction of Fragrant Teahouse. He sensed that something was wrong, so when he reached the door of the imperial study, he excused himself and didn’t follow the old prince in.
In order to prevent the old prince from biting back, he even analyzed the pros and cons with him again.
For example, as long as the old prince did not mention the matter with the imperial concubine back then, no one would dare to mention it. Moreover, he could also say that he had been manipulated because he controlled the Fragrant Teahouse. He could say that he just wanted to earn more money to buy medicine for the old princess consort.
In the end, he said that if he, an outsider, was in the emperor’s residence, it would definitely not be appropriate for him to bend the law for personal gain.
The old prince thought about it and agreed. He might have to plead for mercy in front of a junior later. He couldn’t wait for Song Jingchen to not be present for such an embarrassing matter.
Hence, he entered the imperial study valiantly.
As Song Jingchen suspected, it didn’t take long for news of the old prince attacking the emperor to arrive.
At first, he was also wondering if the emperor was directing the show himself or if it was done by Lord Jing.
After confirming that it was Lord Jing who planned it, Song Jingchen guessed that he would definitely implicate him. He didn’t appear in time because he wanted to see how much of the forces in the palace belonged to Lord Jing. The outcome did not disappoint him. At the very least, the commander of the imperial guards would not be innocent. Moreover, the entire harem was probably under Imperial Concubine Liu’s control.
After finding out what he wanted to know, he originally wanted to sneak into the place where the old prince was imprisoned and ask about what had happened in the imperial study. He did not expect to see someone trying to push the sixth prince into the water.
The person who attacked him was even wearing the same official uniform as him. Was this the backup plan since he didn’t enter the imperial study?
Although such a clumsy attempt was full of flaws, it was useful.
Song Jingchen naturally wouldn’t let the other party succeed and saved the Sixth Prince.
Then, he saw Shen Yijia’s attack on the other guard. He appeared with the Sixth Prince to attract everyone’s attention.
“Is that so? But I only know that you were the one who brought the old prince into the palace. As for what you said, it’s only one-sided. Who knows if you’re trying to cut ties with this matter?”
“Guards, escort Earl Zhongyi to the prison of the Ministry of Justice.”
Shen Yijia’s heart skipped a beat. She tensed up when she saw the imperial guards enter.
“Wait.” Song Jingchen’s voice sounded.
Shangguan Pu asked, “What else do you have to say?”
“Your Highness, aren’t you going to ask me why I brought the old prince into the palace?”
Shangguan Pu sneered. “Of course, the officials of the Ministry of Justice will investigate this.”
Song Jingchen shook his head and said, “The reason why I brought the old prince into the palace is because His Majesty asked me to investigate a case.”
“Now that the case had been investigated, the old prince was the key person in this case. That was why I brought him to the palace.”
“Therefore, it’s impossible for me to conspire with the old prince to assassinate His Majesty.”
“Hmph, investigating a case? Not only have I never heard of it, but even all the ministers in the dynasty don’t know about it.” Shangguan Pu snorted. “I think you’re simply making it up because my father is unconscious now.”
Lord Jing had eyes and ears around the emperor. As far as he knew, the emperor had only given Song Jingchen verbal instructions and had never issued a secret decree.
However, just as he thought this, he heard the kneeling person say, “I have evidence to prove that everything I said is true.”
Noticing his stunned expression, Song Jingchen smiled mockingly and took out a bright yellow imperial edict..
