Song Yinghuai sat at the banquet, his face solemn.
The palace lanterns hanging under the catalpa tree cast flickering light and shadow on his handsome face, mirroring his complex emotions at the moment.
He was not unaware that at this moment, feigning ignorance of Caiyu's identity and choosing self - preservation would be the wisest course of action.
But if he chose self - preservation, what would happen to Caiyu?
Although Caiyu had just received great credit in full view of everyone, it would not stop the emperor from giving a subtle signal to his subordinates later.
He looked up at the stubborn little girl who was oblivious to the approaching danger.
His worry overshadowed his anger.
Finally, he got up and walked to Caiyu's side. Kneeling down beside her with his tall body close to hers, he said,
"Father, I've long known that Lan Caiyu is actually the third young lady of the Lan family. I broke the law by harboring a wanted criminal. But I did so because there were hidden truths behind the case of the Lan family!"
"If no one protected the third young lady of the Lan family, and if the truth of the unjust case were to be revealed in the future, but the Lan family had already been wiped out, what would be the use of reversing the unjust verdict?"
"So, I took the bold step of hiding Lan Jinshu's real identity, only hoping to seek justice for the Lan family!"
Caiyu suddenly turned to look at Song Yinghuai, her beautiful eyes filled with shock.
He had known she was Lan Jinshu all along?
It was impossible!
How could this be?
Suddenly, many things she had never understood before were strung together in her mind.
No wonder Song Yinghuai had always seemed to unobtrusively stand between her and Song Chengyuan ever since he brought her to the capital.
He never wanted her to face Song Chengyuan alone and had even quarreled with her several times over this.
He didn't want her to take credit.
It turned out that there were clues everywhere.
Song Yinghuai had been protecting her, but he had also been preventing her from trying to save the Lan family.
It was because he wanted to step forward and save the Lan family for her.
That was why he had knelt in the Chengde Hall last time.
For a moment, Caiyu was overwhelmed with emotions. Her mind was in a complete mess, with no clear thoughts.
She remembered all the kindness Song Yinghuai had shown her.
But his domineering and self - willed ways were sometimes hard for her to handle.
And his jealousy also exhausted her.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Guangwu on the high platform snorted, "You're quite straightforward... Admitting your mistake so readily. Do you know that harboring a wanted criminal is a serious crime? Even though you're a prince, you can't ignore the laws and regulations of the country and act willfully."
"I'm willing to accept the punishment," Song Yinghuai replied in a deep voice. "I only beg Father to pardon the third young lady of the Lan family for her crime of fleeing. I'm willing to take all the blame for her!"
"My lord!" Caiyu's eyes were flustered, and her heart ached. "You don't have to take my blame. I don't want..."
"Be quiet," Song Yinghuai warned in a low voice. "Lan Caiyu, if you cause more trouble, even I won't be able to save you!"
Caiyu was startled by his cold whisper and involuntarily shut her mouth.
Emperor Guangwu was far away from the people below. Coupled with the fluttering palace lanterns in the imperial garden, it was really hard to tell what the emperor was thinking.
No one knew how complex his emotions were at this moment.
He had personally ordered the unjust imprisonment of his comrade - in - arms.
He couldn't help but feel guilty.
But since ancient times, the path of an emperor had been paved with countless bones. Once he sat on this throne, there were many things he couldn't help but do.
Lan Yuanyi, he owed the Lan family.
So, he felt guilty towards both Lan Jinqin and Lan Jinshu.
If these two girls had been well - behaved and obedient.
Emperor Guangwu might have turned a blind eye and let them live in peace in this world, pretending they were already dead.
But Lan Jinqin had just caused trouble with Song Yinghuai through Xiao Rencheng, and now Lan Jinshu was causing more trouble.
Emperor Guangwu's conscience was constantly tugging at his heart. He couldn't control it at all, like a huge rock weighing on his chest, making him feel suffocated.
Song Chengyuan was the closest to Emperor Guangwu's dragon throne.
He had been silent all night. Seeing Song Yinghuai make a mistake, he thought the firepower had been diverted from him. So he opened his mouth to speak:
"Father..."
"Shut up!" Emperor Guangwu suddenly interrupted him. "This is not your place to speak!"
He was really annoyed by Song Chengyuan's tendency to cause trouble with his words!
Song Chengyuan was so frightened by the scolding that he quickly shut his mouth.
Only then did Emperor Guangwu suppress his thoughts and restrain his surging anger. His face quickly returned to calm.
He looked at Caiyu, still looking amiable. He didn't seem angry at all because the girl below was a wanted criminal. Instead, he became even more kind - looking:
"So... You're Jinshu. I still remember that when you entered the palace at the age of six, I even held you in my arms."
Caiyu was stunned. She was a bit frightened by Emperor Guangwu's amiability and immediately replied, "Yes... Shu'er still remembers. Back then, Your Majesty's arms were so strong. Father said that Your Majesty's arms were the ones that held up the country, so it was no problem for Your Majesty to hold Shu'er."
Emperor Guangwu laughed. "You're a smart one."
He remembered the time when Lan Jinqin came to the palace to see Empress Ma and accused Wen Zilong. He couldn't help but say, "The women of the Lan family are all extraordinary."
Emperor Guangwu's uncharacteristic mildness surprised everyone, but at the same time, it also made them feel a bit more at ease.
Judging from the emperor's attitude, it seemed that the crime of the third young lady of the Lan family's fleeing would not be pursued.
Only Song Yinghuai felt even more heavy - hearted.
This was not in line with Emperor Guangwu's personality.
How could an emperor be so easy to deal with?
What was Emperor Guangwu's real intention?
Caiyu replied timidly, "Shu'er... Thanks for Your Majesty's praise."
She was extremely nervous. If the emperor was so amiable, why had Song Yinghuai's request for a retrial of the case failed last time?
She stammered and looked up, asking again, "Your Majesty still remembers Shu'er. Then Your Majesty must also remember the original aspirations between Father and Your Majesty and must also remember Father's loyalty. Your Majesty, Shu'er requests a retrial of the case of the Lan family!"
A retrial of the case of the Lan family!
The court officials in the imperial garden all quietly looked up at the emperor on the high platform.
The Lan family was brought up again!
They still remembered the emperor's great anger in the Chengde Hall. The events of that day were still vivid in their minds.
Would Emperor Guangwu get angry as usual this time?
Even Sheng Jiangli's heart started pounding because of Caiyu's words.
Was there hope for the Lan family?
Facing everyone's expectant gazes, Emperor Guangwu burst into laughter. "Your filial piety is praiseworthy! It moves both heaven and earth! Good! Very good!"
Everyone looked at Emperor Guangwu in confusion.
What did "good" mean?
Then Emperor Guangwu spoke, "Lan Jinshu, the legitimate third daughter of the former Marquis of Yongchang, Lan Yuanyi, has made great contributions to controlling the epidemic. I hereby commend her for her merits. I will not pursue the crime of her fleeing after being sent to the music and dance troupe. She is released without guilt!"
Caiyu was overjoyed. The corners of her mouth suddenly turned up, showing a bright smile. Her body trembled slightly with excitement!
She was finally free!
She was free!
"My lord!" She whispered, trying to suppress her voice, and called out to Song Yinghuai who was kneeling beside her. "My lord!"
She didn't know what to say to Song Yinghuai, and it wasn't the right time to express her feelings.
But she just instinctively wanted to call out Song Yinghuai's name.
To let him know that she wasn't Lan Caiyu, she was Lan Jinshu!
She, Lan Jinshu, was free!
Song Yinghuai gave a low response, but there was a hint of barely noticeable worry in his voice. "The emperor hasn't finished speaking. Calm down."
Caiyu let out an "oh" and then focused on listening to Emperor Guangwu's next edict.
Would Emperor Guangwu reopen the retrial of the case of the Lan family's treason?
Caiyu could hear her heart pounding in her chest.
Thump, thump, thump...