He cut straight to the truth behind this murder.
Even though he had been away from the capital for a year and was no longer in the whirlpool of the power struggle, the surface of Wen Congbai's murder was so complicated and full of fog. But he saw through the mystery at a glance.
The Crown Prince looked straight at Liang Yuzhou. There was admiration and appreciation in his eyes.
He was judging Liang Yuzhou from the perspective of a future king, rather than regarding him as a love rival.
"Tell me," the Crown Prince said in a calm tone, showing respect for Liang Yuzhou like a lord seeking the advice of a worthy man.
The man sitting opposite him had eyes as deep as a cold pool, and there seemed to be a glint of fire in his pupils, as if he could see everything clearly.
It was hard to believe that such a Liang Yuzhou was blind.
"It's obvious. The Princess Royal sacrificed her favorite male concubine just to give you a big New - Year gift. However, she probably underestimated Wen Congbai's courage. She thought Wen Congbai would only beat Cheng Jingxuan up, but she didn't expect that Wen Congbai would let Cheng Jingxuan's blood splash on the steps of the Princess Royal's mansion.
She wanted to use Shen Yuhe to stir up the conflict between the Cheng and Wen families. One is the Marquis of Wude, and the other is the Marquis of Pingwei. They have the same title. The decline of the Cheng family is irresistible, while the Wen family has a first - rank official. The three sons of Grand Tutor Wen have also made achievements. The Crown Prince has the support of the Wen family, while the Cheng family can only send men to the Princess Royal's bed. How could the Princess Royal not be jealous?
She wanted to use the matter of Wen Congbai to incite the two families to fight, and she would fuel the flames behind the scenes to wipe out the Wen family in one fell swoop."
The Crown Prince nodded appreciatively. "You're absolutely right. The Princess Royal's partisans have been frantically attacking Grand Tutor Wen, accusing him of failing to educate his children and conniving at his eldest legitimate son to kill someone in the street. They not only asked the emperor to execute Wen Congbai but also shouted that the title of the Wen family should be deprived and Grand Tutor Wen should be demoted. But they didn't mention a single word about why Cheng Jingxuan was killed!"
If the Wen family lost their marquis title and Grand Tutor Wen was demoted, the Crown Prince would lose a powerful supporter.
"That old bitch is really vicious!"
Song Wanchu was startled when she heard Taoist Priest Qiu scolding a woman for the first time.
She then noticed that this kind - looking and carefree old man could show such a look of hatred.
It was as if the Princess Royal was a rotten rat in the gutter. Just standing nearby and taking a whiff would make one stink all over.
"She got what she wanted. I definitely won't have a good New - Year this time!"
The Crown Prince's expression was grim. Although he seemed calm, his ten fingers were as tense as a bowstring, and each knuckle was cold.
"Lord Shi has always been impartial and discerning. His will cannot be shaken by the Princess Royal."
Shi Jinglu, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, was the uncle of Shi Minglang. The two of them shared the same integrity.
When the Princess Royal framed her uncle and put him in prison, Shi Minglang had withstood the pressure and secretly helped her protect her uncle.
"Shi Jinglu has temporarily postponed the trial of the case and said that he will reopen the court after the New - Year."
The Crown Prince also admired Shi Jinglu very much.
Liang Yuzhou said, "He's stalling for time and waiting for outside help. Your Highness, the situation in the court is changing rapidly. We can't wait any longer. We must set off for the capital immediately after the New - Year's Eve."
The other three people at the table looked stunned.
The Crown Prince pointed to himself and stared at Liang Yuzhou's eyes suspiciously. "We? Do you mean us?"
Why did these two words sound so serious and absurd when they came out of his mouth?
Taoist Priest Qiu was excited and relieved. "Qingzhou, you've finally grown up."
Song Wanchu whispered, "Are you willing to go back to the capital?"
The other day when Xiao Anzi came to pass on the message, didn't Liang Yuzhou get so angry that he drove the man away?
The Crown Prince admired Liang Yuzhou's overall view.
As long as Song Wanchu was not involved, he was a great man with foresight.
The Crown Prince was willing to bury the hatchet with Liang Yuzhou. "Liang Yuzhou, thank you for your loyalty to the Great Zhou."
Liang Yuzhou was not interested in the sudden praise. He tilted his head in Song Wanchu's direction. "I'm only loyal to Wanchu."
Four pairs of eyes focused on Song Wanchu's face. She was both confused and embarrassed.
Taoist Priest Qiu gave Song Wanchu a thumbs - up. "Wanchu, only you can persuade him!"
Song Wanchu was even more confused. "I didn't..."
The other day, when it came to whether to return to the capital, she had only just brought it up, but Liang Yuzhou had firmly opposed it, so she had dropped the subject.
Liang Yuzhou held her hand under the table. His pitch - black eyes were filled with lingering affection.
"Wanchu, you don't have to say anything. I already understand. From now on, you just make the decision, and leave the charging to me."
His words were sonorous and powerful, and the after - sound lingered in Song Wanchu's ears for a long time.
It was like a gentle spring breeze, warm and pleasant, blowing open the most wrinkled corner of her heart.
Song Wanchu quietly held his hand back.
The Crown Prince was annoyed and whispered, "Damn it, he's showing off again!"
Even when seriously discussing important court affairs, he could still take the opportunity to confess his love to Wanchu. There was really no one like him.
Liang Yuzhou smiled slyly. "Your Highness, don't you know that blind people usually have extremely sharp hearing?"
The Crown Prince tightened his handsome face. "Really? Then next time I'll whisper in your ear."
"Come on, you two!" Taoist Priest Qiu slapped each of them on the back of the head.
The two of them were like naughty children in front of Taoist Priest Qiu.
Song Wanchu couldn't help but laugh.
Only Taoist Priest Qiu had the status and the courage to slap Liang Yuzhou and the Crown Prince!
The Crown Prince became serious. "Strategist Liang Yuzhou, I'm stretched thin now. Tell me, how can the Wen family break the deadlock?"
"Witnesses."
Liang Yuzhou said succinctly, "One is Mama Lin from the Red Rouge Tower, and the other is Shen Yuhe. Both of them were on - site witnesses and are the most powerful evidence in court."
The Crown Prince's face was solemn. "The difficult part lies in the witnesses."
Mama Lin was just a madam. Would she dare to offend the Princess Royal?
And Shen Yuhe was still an unmarried girl. If she had to tell what had happened in court after experiencing such a nightmare, wouldn't her reputation be completely ruined?
Liang Yuzhou didn't know much about women, so he fell silent.
"Mama Lin will definitely be willing to testify," Song Wanchu said with certainty.
Liang Yuzhou frowned. "How do you know a madam?"
"I don't know her, but Shen Yuhe does. All the girls in the Red Rouge Tower are on good terms with Shen Yuhe."
Song Wanchu said, a smile curving her lips. "The girls there often get sick, but many doctors think they're dirty and unlucky and are reluctant to treat them. Only Yuhe doesn't care.
She often disguises herself as a man and enters the Red Rouge Tower through the back door to treat the girls. Mama Lin is very grateful to her. I think the group of drunkards that Yuhe met were also arranged by the Princess Royal. Since Mama Lin dared to stop them from assaulting Yuhe, she will dare to testify in court."
These few words revealed the hardships of many women.
What was even more admirable was their kindness and courage.
The three men had never expected to learn about a group of women they had always despised from Wanchu's mouth.
"What about Shen Yuhe?" the Crown Prince asked again.
Song Wanchu was silent for a moment and said uncertainly, "I think Yuhe herself would be willing. She has always regarded external things lightly, but her grandfather..."
"Old - fashioned Shen Mu?" Taoist Priest Qiu picked up her words.
"Everyone knows that Imperial Physician Shen cares more about his granddaughter Yuhe than his grandsons."
Song Wanchu slowly exhaled. "Yuhe's parents died early, and she grew up under Imperial Physician Shen's care. Although Imperial Physician Shen is old - fashioned, he couldn't resist Yuhe's request and taught her medical skills. He cares more about Yuhe's reputation than Yuhe herself. I'm afraid..."
Although the Shen and Wen families were old friends, Imperial Physician Shen would never let his granddaughter testify in court.
"Who can persuade Imperial Physician Shen?"
The Crown Prince was also in a difficult situation.
"Your Highness, maybe I can give it a try," Song Wanchu said.