"Prime Minister Meng, I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now. Please take good care of Wan'er here, and if there is any unusual situation, please have someone notify me."
Prime Minister Meng was clearly taken aback. He looked at him, then turned to his daughter, becoming increasingly confused.
Wan'er?
The fact that Prince Heng addressed her in such a manner suggests that their relationship must be extraordinary. But how could this be? When did Wan'er meet him, and when did they become so familiar with each other?
--
Huangfu Mi hurriedly returned to the palace. By this time, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review had already informed the Emperor of his "prison break". The Emperor was puzzled as to why Huangfu Mi would help Meng Wan, and was also secretly furious that Huangfu Mi dared to break Meng Wan from prison. He was really going to be the death of him!
This seventh brother is getting more and more outrageous!
Thinking this, he heard someone announce that Prince Heng was requesting an audience. Before he could let him in, Huangfu Mi had already walked quickly into the hall and respectfully performed a deep bow: "Father, your son has come to apologize!"
"Apologize? How dare you even show your face here!" The emperor was furious the moment he saw him, and he snorted coldly, his tone clearly showing his anger.
Huangfu Mi lowered his head even further, "Your subject knows his crime, but there were reasons for it. Please forgive me, Father!"
"There must be a reason?" Now it was the emperor's turn to be puzzled: "What reason? Tell me! I want to know, you and that Miss Meng are complete strangers, so why would you do something like breaking her out of prison!"
"Because I heard that someone is using torture to extract confessions." Huangfu Mi raised his head, his eyes clear.
"What?" Now it was the emperor's turn to be taken aback.
Huangfu Mi, however, remained unhurried: "Your Majesty, I was unaware that Lanling possesses such ruthless methods. Not to mention that the young lady of the Meng family has not yet been convicted, even if she has indeed committed a crime, wouldn't those methods be a bit too cruel to deal with a weak woman? Your Majesty, I do not believe that Your Majesty would act in such a way, so I dare to ask: Is the torture of the young lady of the Meng family Your Majesty's idea?"
"How could that be?" Putting aside how much he liked Meng Wan, the rule of the Lanling Dynasty was that only death row inmates could be interrogated with severe torture, a rule that had been passed down for a long time.
Moreover, he only ordered the Dali Temple to interrogate him; how could he allow them to torture and extract confessions?
"Your Majesty, I knew you wouldn't do that, which is why I acted rashly and brought that Miss Meng out. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
The emperor was somewhat taken aback, reflecting on the conversation just now. He realized that Huangfu Mi had completely controlled his actions. In this respect, Huangfu Mi's "prison break" was not a mistake, but rather a testament to his wisdom as emperor.
only...
"It's fine if you're thinking of me, but where is that Miss Meng now? The truth of the matter hasn't been found out yet, and she can't just be let go like this."
"But she is still unconscious and seriously injured. I have already sent her back to the Prime Minister's residence."
"You..." The emperor was somewhat annoyed that he had taken such a presumptuous step, but Huangfu Mi remained calm and composed. He bowed to the emperor, stood up, and then said, "Prime Minister Meng has always been highly respected, and his daughter is deeply loved by Your Majesty. Does Your Majesty intend to watch her be tortured to death in prison? Moreover, the matter of the sachet is indeed suspicious. In the vast Lanling Dynasty, who does not know the difference between dragons and pythons? How could the Prime Minister's family make such a mistake? Therefore, I believe that there may be more to this matter than meets the eye, and perhaps someone is framing him."
V17 True Friendship is Revealed in Times of Adversity (Part 3)
"You..." The emperor was somewhat annoyed that he had taken such a presumptuous step, but Huangfu Mi remained calm and composed. He bowed to the emperor, stood up, and then said, "Prime Minister Meng has always been highly respected, and his daughter is deeply loved by Your Majesty. Does Your Majesty intend to watch her be tortured to death in prison? Moreover, the matter of the sachet is indeed suspicious. In the vast Lanling Dynasty, who does not know the difference between dragons and pythons? How could the Prime Minister's family make such a mistake? Therefore, I believe that there may be more to this matter than meets the eye, and perhaps someone is framing him."
The emperor was not stupid, and he had considered such a reason before, which is why he ordered an investigation. However, he did not expect that the Dali Temple would resort to torture to extract confessions.
However, he will deal with these matters later; what he cares about more right now is his son.
Although the emperor doted on him, he always thought he was an uneducated and incompetent person who only knew how to play and could not do any serious work. However, his words just now were so reasonable that they really impressed the emperor.
The emperor couldn't help but feel a sense of approval, but he didn't say much. He just stared at the emperor with his hawk-like eyes and said, "Then, in your opinion, Seventh Brother, what should be done about this matter?"
"Father, if you don't mind, how about I investigate this matter? I will definitely find out the truth, clear Miss Meng's name, and also find out who cursed you like this!"
"Very well!" The emperor readily agreed, beaming with joy: "Then this matter will be entirely entrusted to you for investigation."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey!" Huangfu Mi accepted the order, but then suddenly remembered something and turned back to the Emperor, saying, "Father, I have something else to say."
"Speak!" The emperor was pleased; his son had become so successful, and his beloved wife could rest in peace.
Huangfu Mi clasped his hands in a fist salute: "The Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review has acted improperly. Your son begs Your Majesty to punish him."
Even if he didn't say it, the emperor would have done it anyway, after all, that guy knew the law and broke it, he deserved to die!
With a wave of his hand, he declared, "Remove him from his position as Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review and demote him to the seventh-rank Imperial Kitchen Supervisor. Execute immediately!"
--
As Huangfu Mi emerged from Zhengyang Palace, Puyang was already waiting outside. He immediately stepped forward to greet him: "Your Highness—"
"Hmm, how is the situation at the Prime Minister's residence?"
"Miss Meng has already taken the medicine and is currently still unconscious; there is nothing wrong with her."
Huangfu Mi nodded slightly, "You don't need to worry about that. Now go and take care of something."
"Please give your instructions, Your Highness."
“Personally guard the residence of Ji Yunhe, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Report all his actions, big or small, to me. In particular, find out who he associates with.”
--
When Meng Wan woke up, it was already evening of the next day. There was only one lamp in the room, flickering on and off. Looking out, she saw a shadow moving around. She called out softly, "Huan Yan?" but her tone was not so sure.
The curtain was lifted, and a pretty figure appeared before them. "Miss, you're awake!"
With a gasp, Huan Yan rushed over and hugged Meng Wan tightly, tears streaming down her face.
Meng Wan was still injured, and the pain made her gasp. Memories from before she fell into a coma began to surface in her mind.
She was clearly being tortured in prison, then she fainted, and then...
Her memory was hazy; she only vaguely remembered someone rescuing her, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't recall who it was. She could only frown and pat Huan Yan's shoulder: "Girl, who brought me back?"
Upon hearing this, Huan Yan quickly wiped away her tears, helped her mistress sit up, and said, "Miss, don't you remember? It was His Highness Prince Heng. He was covered in blood when he brought you back. It scared me to death."