Chapter 723: Seeking Death
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Falling from the pavilion and becoming unrecognizable? This seemed rather eerie. Yuwen Qiang asked, “You didn’t release anyone from the Yang residence, did you?”
Xie Boheng replied, “No, I didn’t dare.”
Yuwen Cong then harshly said, “Immediately bring out that Donghui and that other woman, what’s her name, Meimei? Have them publicly identify the body. Do you understand what I mean?”
“Understood. No matter if it’s truly the Regent Wangfei or not, we must claim it isn’t. We must say it’s someone pretending to be her with ulterior motives. Is that right?” Xie Boheng saw Yuwen Qiang nod and went to make the arrangements.
The Yang residence was crowded with frightened people, all gathered around the body, pointing and whispering, “Is this really the Regent Wangfei?”
“How could it not be? She admitted it herself.”
“Wasn’t she supposed to go east? How did she end up in Yicheng?”
“The people in the eastern convoy were decoys. Haven’t you heard of creating a diversion?”
“It’s pitiful, both she and her baby died.”
“That’s terrible. Didn’t you hear the special envoy was negotiating peace with Huan Wang? With this happening, none of us will have good days ahead. The people from the Huan Wang Mansion are like wolves. Locking us up won’t help. The news will get out eventually,” someone complained, and others quietly agreed. They had enjoyed peace for so long that none wanted war.
“Make way, make way.” Guards from the Huan Wang Mansion shouted, “Huan Wang is here. Silence!”
In resplendent robes, Huan Wang Yuwen Qiang walked solemnly into the light, looked around, and said loudly, “I meant well. Hearing that the Regent Wangfei was here, I wanted to invite her to the mansion to live comfortably. I didn’t expect such a strange event to occur.”
Xie Boheng added, “Your Highness, this person is suspicious. I doubt she’s the Regent Wangfei. I suggest letting the Regent Wangfei’s close maidservants identify her.”
Yuwen Qiang waved his hand, and two beautifully dressed women, Donghui and Meimei, were pushed forward. They had been threatened on the way and were told they must identify the corpse as not being Mingzhu, or else they would suffer greatly.
Donghui was very familiar with Mingzhu. Even in the dim light, she could tell the body wasn’t Mingzhu. However, she had been confined for a long time and was unaware of the current situation. Unsure of what to say that would be best for Mingzhu, she kept her mouth tightly shut, refusing to speak.
Seeing Donghui’s silence, Meimei also kept quiet.
Yuwen Qiang’s eyes flashed with anger. He was about to threaten them when a subordinate whispered, “Linan Wang is here. He insists on coming in, saying he knows how to handle this.”
Yuwen Qiang looked at Xie Boheng, “Go see what he wants.”
Xie Boheng quickly went out to meet Yuwen You, then respectfully led him inside. Yuwen You glanced at Donghui and said calmly, “I grew up with the Regent Wangfei. I can best identify if it’s her. Let me do it.”
Yuwen Qiang feigned a courteous bow, “I’ll trouble Ninth Brother then.”
Yuwen You stepped forward, examined the body thoroughly, and then covered his eyes, weeping, “This is my sister-in-law! Sister-in-law, you’re so unfortunate! You undertook this dangerous journey for the Great Empress Dowager despite being pregnant, only to lose your life!”
Everyone present was stunned. Yuwen Qiang was furious, angrily whispering to Xie Boheng, “Is this his solution? What did you tell him?”
Xie Boheng, drenched in sweat, stammered, “He didn’t say this before.”
Yuwen Qiang kicked him hard. Xie Boheng fell to the ground, unable to move. Yuwen Qiang’s kick had broken his leg, but he dared not cry out in front of everyone. Drawing attention would mean Yuwen Qiang would abandon him forever.
Meimei nervously grabbed Donghui’s hand. Donghui shook her head, indicating they should wait and see. Donghui believed Yuwen You had an ulterior motive. Likely, Mingzhu was in his hands, or he knew her whereabouts. Either way, it indicated Mingzhu was still alive, which was a good sign.
Yuwen Qiang kicked Xie Boheng, then seeing Yuwen You still performing a heartfelt scene between in-laws, he couldn’t help but rush up and grab Yuwen You by the collar. “What do you mean by this? How is she Fu Mingzhu? How can you tell with her face smashed?”
Yuwen You sharply knocked his hand away, glaring back with a cold smile. “She is Fu Mingzhu. Could Huan Wang, who has been living in Yicheng, be more familiar with my sister-in-law than I am?” He then lowered his voice, “Don’t worry, brother, I have a way to handle this without ruining the plan.”
Huan Wang, suspicious and anxious, gritted his teeth and threatened, “I warn you, you better not make me angry. When I get angry, I recognize no kinship!”
Ignoring him, Yuwen You continued to cry beside the corpse, “It’s all my fault. I heard you were kidnapped by Yuwen Cong, the son of Zhongshan Wang, so I asked Huan Wang to rescue you. But who would have thought that Yuwen Cong, driven to desperation, would push you off the pavilion? That beast, worse than a pig or a dog! He wouldn’t even spare a pregnant woman to force Huan Wang’s hand. His malicious intent is rare in the world!”
Huan Wang suddenly understood. Yes, it didn’t matter if she was dead or alive as long as everyone believed Fu Mingzhu died at Yuwen Cong’s hands. That was the fact. He smacked his forehead, realizing he’d been confused by Yuwen Cong. He joined Yuwen You, pretending to mourn beside him. “Sister-in-law, it’s all my fault. If I had arrived a moment earlier, you wouldn’t have been harmed by that b*stard Yuwen Cong.”
Despite his excruciating pain, Xie Boheng chimed in from the side, asserting that the Regent Wangfei was killed by Yuwen Cong’s men, who then framed Huan Wang to force a rift between Yicheng and the capital, leaving them no choice but to follow Zhongshan Wang in rebellion against the imperial forces.
The gathered elites of Yicheng, most of whom were not keen on war, feared the court’s wrath if the Regent Wangfei died there. They all agreed with Xie Boheng’s statement, blaming Yuwen Cong and Zhongshan Wang, and ensuring it had nothing to do with Yicheng. They hoped the Regent would hold Zhongshan Wang responsible.
Seeing this, Yuwen You felt it was time and turned to Yuwen Qiang. “I hear Yuwen Cong is in Yicheng. Please, Huan Wang, bring justice for the deceased.”
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