Mu Rong Yunqian was able to come up with countermeasures in such a short time and defuse the accusations one by one without any real danger. There must be a mastermind behind him giving him advice.
That Empress Zhao had taught him to feign madness, endure humiliation, and bide his time. Wasn't it all for her dear son to one day sit on the supreme throne?
Fine. She would deal with them one by one slowly!
Empress Zhao and the Tenth Prince. Could they evade her forever?
The faint fragrance on Yu Zixi's body made her feel extremely at ease. After chatting with him for a while, Wei Dongling fell into a deep sleep in his arms.
When she woke up again, it was already broad daylight. Ruan Niang and La Mei were guarding by the bedside. Seeing her wake up, La Mei was extremely excited and rushed out happily to call others.
Wei Dongling grabbed Ruan Niang's hand and felt secretly distressed seeing her haggard face. Ruan Niang must have exhausted herself to save her.
Seeing Wei Dongling in tears, Ruan Niang comforted her softly, "Silly girl, there's no one I can't save. Don't worry. In less than two months, I'll surely nurse you back to health!"
With teary eyes, Wei Dongling looked at Ruan Niang's dark circles under her eyes from staying up late and choked out, "Ruan Niang, I want to go home..."
Hearing this, Ruan Niang's eyes turned red. The two held hands and had a long heart - to - heart talk.
The Emperor, the Empress Dowager, Noble Consort Rong, and Noble Lady Shu rushed over upon hearing the news. The room was crowded with people.
Ruan Niang bowed her head and saluted, then stepped back.
The Empress Dowager hurriedly stepped forward, grabbed Wei Dongling's hand, and murmured with tears in her smile, "Blessed by the Bodhisattva. My Wanlin girl has finally woken up."
With teary eyes, Wei Dongling looked at the Empress Dowager and choked out, "Grand Imperial Mother, I thought I'd never see you again, wuwuwu..."
The Empress Dowager's eyes turned red and she said tremulously, "My poor grandchild has suffered! Don't worry. As long as your grand imperial mother is here, I won't let you be wronged in vain!"
The Emperor looked at Wei Dongling's blood - less face and felt extremely heartache. He asked in a deep voice, "Noble Lady Shu claimed that the scoundrel who attacked you that day was your younger imperial brother, Mu Rong Yunqian. I believe Yunqian would never do such a heinous thing. Wanlin, tell me the truth. Who was the one who attacked you so brutally that day?"
Wei Dongling glanced at Noble Lady Shu, who was kneeling respectfully on the ground, and then at Chief Eunuch Cao and the eunuch in charge of the Inner Court Department, who were standing beside her and sizing her up. After thinking for a long time, Wei Dongling sighed and said, "Father, it was pitch - black that night. I didn't see the person's face clearly. Although the scoundrel did look somewhat like the Tenth Imperial Brother in terms of figure, I think the imperial brother is still young and would never do such a thing as harming his older sister."
Wei Dongling's words made Noble Lady Shu, who was kneeling beside her, look ugly. Noble Lady Shu looked at Wei Dongling in disbelief, unable to believe that she would say such unpredictable words.
The Emperor and the Empress Dowager clearly let out a sigh of relief. Chief Eunuch Cao and the Inner Court eunuch exchanged a look but said nothing.
Didn't Wei Dongling want to act pitiful and identify Mu Rong Yunqian as the murderer? But she knew very well that even if she swore, cried, made a scene, and threatened to kill herself at this moment, without absolute and clear evidence, she couldn't do anything to Mu Rong Yunqian.
Because for the Emperor and the Empress Dowager at present, since the death of the Fourth Prince, the Tenth Prince had become the optimal candidate for the crown prince. Even if he had made such a small mistake, as long as no one died, it wasn't a big deal.
Moreover, the meaning of the Emperor's question just now was obvious. It wasn't asking her to tell the truth at all. It was clearly asking her to say what everyone wanted to hear.
Seeing that Wei Dongling was quite sensible, the Emperor nodded and said, "I think so too! Wanlin, don't worry. I'll surely investigate this matter to the end and give you an explanation!"
What explanation would he give her? Would he just randomly find a few people to take the blame to maintain the appearance of peace?
At this moment, Wei Dongling suddenly felt that everyone in this huge imperial palace was extremely ridiculous. All this made her feel inexplicably disgusted.
But even though she was dissatisfied in her heart, at this moment, she could only force a smile and say, "Then I'll thank Father first!"
The Emperor nodded and smiled gently, instructing her to take good care of herself and ask the Internal Affairs Office for whatever she wanted to eat or needed.
Wei Dongling grabbed the Empress Dowager's hand and rubbed it against her face, saying softly, "I thought I was going to be reunited with my mother this time. But in my half - dream and half - awake state, I suddenly heard someone calling my name, and then I woke up. It must be that my grand imperial mother's sincerity touched the Bodhisattva, which is why I'm safe and sound! Grand Imperial Mother, I always remember your great kindness and will surely be filial to you in the future!"
The Empress Dowager was amused by her and showed a smiling face, nodding repeatedly and praising her for being well - behaved and sensible.
Seizing the opportunity, Wei Dongling said, "I suffered this ordeal this time. I'm afraid the scoundrels don't want others to continue investigating the arson in the Jingyang Palace that year, which is why they attacked me. I don't want to let them succeed. I hope Grand Imperial Mother can uphold justice for me." Although these words seemed to be a plea to the Empress Dowager on the surface, in fact, she was deliberately saying them to the Emperor.
The Empress Dowager glanced at the Emperor and pretended to be angry, "No one must wrong my grandchild!"
The Emperor nodded hurriedly and said seriously, "Naturally. After Wanlin recovers a bit, I'll interrogate the matter myself."
Wei Dongling quickly replied, "Father, I feel much better!" Seeing everyone looking at her in surprise, Wei Dongling coughed lightly and said, "Actually, I'm worried that if someone wants to cause trouble, there may be more unrest. After all, there are people eyeing me covetously, which makes me feel extremely anxious and unable to eat or sleep well just thinking about it."
The Emperor ordered Commander Fang, "Dispatch two teams of imperial guards to guard the entrance of Yaoguang Pavilion. Patrol day and night to ensure the safety of the Fifth Princess."
"Yes!"
The Emperor comforted her softly, "Your health is the most important. You must take good care of yourself. When you can get out of bed after recovering gradually, I'll surely interrogate the matter myself!"
Wei Dongling nodded and smiled, "Thank you, Father!"
Everyone came in a flurry and left in a flurry.
Yaoguang Pavilion received a lot of rewards. Two big boxes were filled with jewels and jade. Wei Dongling asked the palace maid Yue E to bring them to the bedside one by one. Lying on the bed, she fondled them lovingly, overjoyed in her heart.
The Emperor ordered extra rewards for Ruan Niang and intended to keep her in the palace as a medical officer. Ruan Niang declined politely, citing that her elderly and children at home couldn't do without her.
Ruan Niang didn't like being restricted. Moreover, since Wei Dongling lived so aggrievedly in the palace, how could she be willing to come?
Yu Zixi hoped that she could stay. At least she could take care of Wei Dongling in the palace. Moreover, Wei Dongling had been having inexplicable heart palpitations recently, which made him extremely worried.
Regarding the heart palpitations, Ruan Niang was at a loss. According to the prescription, the pill bestowed by the Empress Dowager was indeed a great tonic. But why did Wei Dongling have frequent heart palpitations after taking it?