Chapter 544 Death of Liang Youyi (Part Two)
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Yuwen Chu calmly looked at Liang Youyi in front of him.
Liang Youyi’s hat had fallen off, his arms twisted by someone, his head pressed down, kneeling in front of him with his legs trampled on, yet he still resisted, struggling hard and cursing loudly, “Ying Wang, how dare you barge into the palace to arrest people? Did you get permission from both dowagers or from His Majesty? Traitor, it’s people like you who are the real traitors!”
Before he could finish his words, he was grabbed by the hair and slapped hard twice. Liang Youyi felt his vision darken and his ears buzzing, then he spat out two teeth. He shook his head, squinting his eyes, still wanting to curse at Yuwen Chu, only to see Yuwen Chu smile lightly at him. “Let Steward Liang know that I am here under the order of the Great Empress Dowager to arrest traitors and rebels.”
“Why does Your Highness say that this old servant is a traitor? What did I do?” Liang Youyi couldn’t help but sneer. Would the Great Empress Dowager let Ying Wang come to arrest him? What a joke!
Yuwen Chu ignored Liang Youyi and looked at the person beside him.
The person beside him immediately stepped forward and said loudly, “Grand Steward of Changxin Palace, Liang Youyi, ungrateful for the Great Empress Dowager’s kindness, conspired with traitors and rebels to assassinate Madam Fu and the Dali Official Fu Mingzheng yesterday night. He deserves to die.”
Liang Youyi’s heart jumped suddenly. He sneered, “Where’s the evidence? Just because Ying Wang said I’m a traitor, I’m a traitor? I also say Your Highness is abusing your authority! I want to see the Great Empress Dowager! I have grievances to appeal! Do you dare to let me see the Great Empress Dowager?”
Yuwen Chu said coldly, “I don’t kill innocent people at will. Since I dare to take you, there must be sufficient evidence. No one can clear your name for you! Take him away!”
Someone gagged Liang Youyi’s mouth and tied him up, then dragged him out.
Yuwen Chu sat quietly under the grape arbor, drinking the tea in his bowl, before calmly getting up and walking towards the direction of the school. He was tall and imposing, his green prince’s attire making him look very noble and heroic. Just one glance made it unforgettable.
The students, who had quieted down, began to whisper again, all staring at the dignified figure outside the window, speculating about what Ying Wang wanted to do. An Yandong stared at Yuwen Chu intently, his admiration and excitement visible in his eyes.
Is Ying Wang going to arrest him next after arresting Steward Liang? Yuwen Fu’s hands on the table were trembling all along. He swallowed hard, hiding his hands under the table, looking pale as he glanced at Liao Guang. Would Liao Guang help him if Ying Wang really wanted to kill him? He wasn’t sure.
Liao Guang was also watching Yuwen Chu outside the window intently. He didn’t know what terrible thing had happened, nor did he know if Ying Wang’s arrest of Liang Youyi was really ordered by the Great Empress Dowager, or if it was aimed at County Prince Sien. If it was aimed at County Prince Sien, what should he do? Moving forward would be loyalty, but it might lead to an early death with a good reputation. Moving backward would be treachery, but it might lead to wealth and a long life.
He noticed someone looking at him and turned around, seeing Yuwen Fu and Yuwen Guang, who was sitting farther away, both staring at him with pleading and fear in their eyes.
Help or not? Can he help? Liao Guang calmly analyzed the situation and finally thought, even if Ying Wang really wanted to rebel, it wouldn’t be at this moment. Otherwise, he would have gone straight to the Chongzheng Hall or Changxin Palace. How could he come here to trouble a group of children?
Yuwen Chu had already walked to the door.
Without thinking too much, Liao Guang quickly stepped forward, blocking Yuwen Chu and respectfully bowing, “I didn’t expect Ying Wang’s visit, I’m sorry for the oversight.”
Yuwen Chu smiled slightly at him. “So, today’s lecturer is Teacher Liao.” His expression was warm, with no intention of killing or arresting anyone.
Liao Guang relaxed and said loudly, “Yes.”
Yuwen Chu said, “Please continue with the class, Teacher Liao. I haven’t been here for many years. Today, I revisited the old place out of curiosity. After all, I spent many years studying here.”
Liao Guang thought, how can I continue teaching with you here? But he didn’t dare to show any dissatisfaction on his face, and respectfully invited Yuwen Chu to take a seat. An Yandong asked, “Ying Wang, when you studied here in your early years, where did you sit?”
Yuwen Chu smiled faintly and pointed to the seat behind Yuwen Guang. Yuwen Guang was startled by his gesture.
Yuwen Chu’s smile disappeared instantly, and he said coolly, “Disturbed your class, that’s my fault. Please continue.” After saying that, he glanced at Yuwen Fu and left.
Yuwen Fu trembled. He had wanted to chase after Yuwen Chu and ask if Liang Youyi was really involved in the assassination of Madam Fu and if the Great Empress Dowager had really ordered Liang Youyi’s arrest. But he didn’t dare. His feet were like nailed to the ground, unable to move.
By the time Yuwen Chu had left, he still hadn’t recovered from his shock. Liao Guang reminded him anxiously in a low voice, “Your Highness?”
It was only then that he woke up as if from a dream, realizing that his inner robe was soaked with cold sweat. He was so afraid of Ying Wang. He didn’t want to live through such days again. Yuwen Fu looked at Yuwen Guang in panic. Wouldn’t it be great if his third brother were there instead of him?
Yuwen Guang didn’t look at him and kept his head down. The other princes were whispering incessantly. Liao Guang saw the situation and knew that he couldn’t continue the class anymore, so he said, “Let’s end the class here today. You can go.”
Yuwen Fu finally walked out of the school, and An Yandong was standing in the corridor, looking nervous as he asked, “Your Highness, can I go home now?”
Yuwen Fu looked at An Yandong with disgust, feeling a hatred towards him that he had never felt before. He couldn’t understand why the Great Empress Dowager would choose such a companion for him, someone who looked down on him but idolized his sixth uncle. He couldn’t see any benefit in having someone like that around.
Seeing Yuwen Fu staring at him without saying a word, An Yandong remembered his behavior just now and regretted it. He muttered, “Your Highness, my sister will be going back to her maternal home today. It’s been a while since I’ve seen her.”
“Get lost!” Yuwen Fu gritted his teeth and coldly snapped at An Yandong.
An Yandong’s face turned pale, and he simply bowed to him and walked away without looking back.
The eunuch serving Yuwen Fu approached, trembling with fear, and said, “Your Highness, let us accompany you back to Changxin Palace.”
Feng Bingzhong, Liang Youyi’s disciple, cried loudly, “Your Highness, please help my master! He’s innocent! How can they arrest people like this without evidence? Where is justice?”
Yuwen Fu comforted him, saying, “The Great Empress Dowager will make the decision. Let’s go back first.”
As they walked out, they suddenly heard someone say, “Liang Youyi is dead.”
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