Chapter 465: Unlucky Yuwen You (Part 2)
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Fu Mingzheng happily admired Yuwen You’s expression, trying to find any clues about Jiang Shanshan’s whereabouts.
However, Yuwen You remained silent for a while before saying indifferently, “If it weren’t for the people from the Central City Military Department and the Dali Temple meddling inside and letting in the wrong thief, my mansion wouldn’t have encountered such a thing. I demand compensation from the Central City Military Department and the Dali Temple for my losses.”
Well, his skill in avoiding the subject had improved. Fu Mingzheng clapped his hands for Yuwen You. “Your Highness knows that I asked about Jiang Shanshan’s whereabouts, but you answered by saying that you want compensation from the Central City Military Department and the Dali Temple for your losses. Your ability to evade the question is getting stronger. Indeed, we should be more attentive after a three-day parting!”
Yuwen You sneered, “I don’t know anything. How can I answer you?” With that, he closed his eyes again, refusing to say another word. Jiang Shanshan was locked away somewhere unknown even to Shen Nan and Ruan Qingshang. No one knew where she was, let alone a mere burnt study. Even if the entire Yuwen Mansion burned down, Jiang Shanshan would still be alive and well. Unless he couldn’t survive either, then Jiang Shanshan would starve to death.
“Your Highness is really obstinate.” Fu Mingzheng sighed, got up, and left, instructing his confidant Lu Zhi, “Take good care of His Highness. He’s of noble blood and cannot be neglected.”
Lu Zhi understood and nodded obsequiously, bringing hot water and food for Yuwen You. Yuwen You washed his face and hands, hesitating as he looked at the steaming delicious food.
Lu Zhi knew what he was worried about and smiled as he picked up chopsticks to eat to reassure him, “Your Highness, don’t worry. This is the Dali Temple! You are of noble blood, and if anything happens to you here, no one can escape responsibility.”
Yuwen You couldn’t be sure of that. No one really cared about him or felt sorry for him. If he died, no one would cry out for him. Seeing Lu Zhi happily eating, his hungry stomach couldn’t help but rumble, but he still didn’t dare to eat. He waited for a while until he was sure Lu Zhi was fine before picking up the chopsticks.
By then, the food had cooled down and was no longer appetizing. He picked at it reluctantly, but ultimately lost his appetite and put down the chopsticks.
Lu Zhi, true to his name, watched him with a simple and honest smile, serving him attentively. Even if Yuwen You was angry, he couldn’t lash out at Lu Zhi, so he said, “I want to see His Majesty.”
Lu Zhi grinned even more foolishly, “His Majesty is busy.”
“I want to see Qian Muyi.”
Qian Muyi was the name of the high ranking official of the Dali Temple. Lu Zhi grinned even more foolishly, “Minister Qian left early to pay respects in the palace and I don’t know when he’ll be back.”
Yuwen You was furious, “I want to see the Empress Dowager.”
“I have a low rank and can’t relay messages, but I’ll do my best. It just requires a little something. You know, in such a place, it’s easy to see the king of h*ll but hard to dodge a little demon…” Lu Zhi was very embarrassed and felt very sorry: “Your Highness is in trouble, and I shouldn’t be telling you this, but you also know, I have a low position, with an elderly person and young children to support, and my salary is really meager…”
He even made it rhyme! Yuwen You’s temper couldn’t help but flare up, and he grabbed a bowl and threw it at Lu Zhi. Lu Zhi exaggeratedly exclaimed, “Oh my god!” and dodged quickly, staring at Yuwen You with an even more foolish smile.
But Yuwen You felt a chill running down his spine at his foolish smile. “Stop staring at me and smiling!”
“Okay.” Lu Zhi immediately lowered his eyes.
“You…” Yuwen You suddenly felt a sharp pain in his stomach, his face turning deathly pale. Beads of sweat the size of beans dripped from his forehead, and his eyes bulged as he pointed at Lu Zhi, “How dare you poison me!”
“Oh my goodness! What’s wrong with Your Highness?” Lu Zhi was shocked and tremblingly went to support Yuwen You, crying very sadly, “Your Highness, please don’t die! This humble one doesn’t want to die either…”
“Get out, bring me a chamber pot…” Yuwen You’s whole body was drenched in cold sweat, and he almost went crazy.
Lu Zhi hurriedly ran to fetch the chamber pot, unafraid of the smell, and stood by attentively, not bothering the dignified prince.
But Yuwen You knew it was bad. This time, he was afraid he would be carried out of the Dali Temple horizontally. Fu Mingzheng and Yuwen Chu couldn’t torture him or force him too hard, but they would eventually act to expel him from the palace. So they could only torment him in such a covert way.
Unless he submitted, otherwise they wouldn’t stop the diarrhea.
But he wouldn’t submit. He had waited so long for this opportunity. Submitting would be equivalent to death. He thought of Jiang Shanshan locked up in the dungeon, of her half-torn picture, and his blood boiled with excitement.
This willpower had been supporting him through countless times, but finally, he was dehydrated, dizzy, and couldn’t even sit steadily. He grimaced and said, “Lackey, tell your master that I’m not so easy to bully. Even if it’s death, I’ll die standing!”
Lu Zhi, rarely serious, earnestly fed him porridge and sugar-salt water to help him continue purging. “Your Highness, don’t worry, I’ve reported it, and the doctor will come soon.”
Fu Mingzheng glanced from outside before turning and walking away.
Outside, the sun was shining brightly, and people on the street were discussing the fire at the Yuwen Mansion last night. There were various opinions, but the most widely spread rumor was surprisingly about the vengeful ghost of Jiang Shanshan, who had allegedly died unjustly and returned to set fire to the Yuwen Mansion as revenge. It was a vivid story, claiming that on their wedding night, Linan Wang didn’t go to the bridal chamber with the Wusun Princess but secretly met with Jiang Shanshan. The jealous Wusun Princess killed Jiang Shanshan out of jealousy, and Linan Wang covered for her as an accomplice.
Fu Mingzheng’s face darkened. Where did this rumor come from? Although it seemed to smear the Wusun Princess and Yuwen You, upon closer examination, it was actually aimed at Mingzhu. Because many people saw Mingzhu disappear for a while that night. Presumably, after hearing this rumor, those people would immediately suspect that Mingzhu had fabricated it to exonerate herself.
Fu Mingzheng entered Ying Wang mansion, where Mingzhu and Yuwen Chu were enjoying the sun by the window, drinking tea and chatting, both looking pleased to see him.
“Your Highness looks much better,” Fu Mingzheng said as he sat down in the seat Mingzhu offered, asking her to pour him some tea. He got straight to the point, “Have you heard about the rumors outside?”
Mingzhu replied calmly, “Yes, I’ve heard. The Central City Military Department just sent someone over, asking me not to leave home. They have questions to ask me.”
Yuwen Chu gestured for Fu Mingzheng to drink tea and said leisurely, “Rumors are just rumors and can’t bite. Fourth Uncle need not pay too much attention to them. Last night, Jing Song went to explore Linan Wang’s study and encountered another group of people. It should be that Zhongshan Wang couldn’t help but make a move.”
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