Chapter 437: Testimony (Third Update)

Hearing these words, Elder Ye thought to himself that this was bad. Didn't His Majesty also want to find something from Situ Xingchen?

With Zong Ye saying this, there was no guarantee he wouldn't become suspicious.

Sure enough, when he turned his head to look, he noticed Emperor Jiawen's brow furrow slightly, appearing somewhat doubtful.

Elder Ye immediately asked

"Zong Ye, since that is the case, then tell us—what exactly did Liuyue snatch from Situ Xingchen?"

Emperor Jiawen also held his breath.

Zong Ye was momentarily choked up.

He hadn't had the chance to tell him what this Situ Xingchen had done yet.

But what he could be certain of was that it must be the very thing Emperor Jiawen wanted to obtain by imprisoning Situ Xingchen!

His eyes flickered slightly as he looked toward Emperor Jiawen.

"As for what she snatched, shouldn't you be the one who knows most clearly, Emperor Jiawen?"

Elder Ye sneered. Zong Ye's demeanor made it obvious that he didn't know! He might even have been making it all up!

Emperor Jiawen fell silent for a moment, casting a glance at the unconscious Situ Xingchen.

"Regarding this matter, it would be better for me to speak with her personally once she wakes up."

Elder Zong Ye immediately became alert

"What do you mean by that!?"

"It means that until the matter is investigated clearly, I must trouble Elder Zong Ye to endure a period of grievance here with Situ Xingchen. Oh, right, the wedding ceremony for Rong Jin and Situ Xingchen is currently being prepared. As Situ Xingchen's elder, it would be excellent for Elder Zong Ye to attend as well."

Having said that, Emperor Jiawen turned to leave.

"Rong Xiao! How dare you!"

Elder Zong Ye was stunned by these words. In his desperation, he actually called out Emperor Jiawen's personal name.

"What kind of thing is that Rong Jin? Is he even worthy of Xingchen!? If you insist on this, do not blame this old man for being impolite!"

Emperor Jiawen stopped in his tracks and gave a cold laugh.

"I address you as Elder Zong Ye out of respect for the Bright Moon Heavenly Mountain. But that does not mean I fear you. Is it not true that there is more than one powerhouse within the Bright Moon Heavenly Mountain?"

Elder Zong Ye felt a lump in his throat.

"You!"

"Making such a large commotion tonight will inevitably attract the attention of many. Elder Zong Ye is a smart man; if you are willing to cooperate properly, I will act as if today's events never happened. But if you refuse... do not blame me for showing no mercy!"

One Situ Yan was not enough; did he think that having another Zong Ye arrive would make everything fine?

Elder Ye stroked his beard.

"This old man recalls that it has indeed been quite some time since I last visited the Bright Moon Heavenly Mountain. It seems I should find some time to return and pay my respects..."

Elder Zong Ye's face flushed red with anger.

He never imagined that he would actually be threatened by Emperor Jiawen and Ye Zhiting!

But unfortunately, this was indeed his weakness!

He could not afford the punishment of the Bright Moon Heavenly Mountain.

If he forced his way out, it wasn't that he couldn't leave this place.

But if he did that, Situ Xingchen would be left here all alone.

He truly could not set his mind at ease.

Thus, after his expression shifted several times, Elder Zong Ye finally gritted his teeth and yielded!

He glared hatefully at Elder Ye

"Ye Zhiting, do not be too proud too early! In my view, that precious disciple of yours has a very deep mind! You might not even know when she eventually pits you!"

Elder Ye said with a beaming smile

"The matters between my disciple and me are not for an outsider like you, Zong Ye, to worry about. If you have the time, you should focus more on Situ Xingchen! If these injuries are left for too long, they might leave permanent consequences—"

"You!"

"Oh, right, after several years of not seeing you, it seems your strength hasn't made much progress. You should take this opportunity to reflect properly!"

After Elder Ye finished speaking, he immediately snapped his fingers!

Countless white feathers instantly surged with intense power, forcibly separating the two! They then quickly retracted!

"I'm afraid I will have to trouble Elder Ye for the next few days," Emperor Jiawen said.

Situ Xingchen was one thing, but Elder Zong Ye... indeed, only Elder Ye could suppress him.

Elder Ye waved his hand.

"This old man has long found him an eyesore; this counts as settling a grudge along the way! However, regarding what he said earlier, what does Your Majesty think?"

Emperor Jiawen hesitated for a moment, but ultimately spoke candidly

"I believe it is not necessarily impossible."

Elder Ye frowned.

"Are you saying, Your Majesty truly suspects Liuyue?"

Emperor Jiawen shook his head with a bitter smile.

"I have no choice... Others may not know how important that object is, but you, Elder Ye, know better than anyone. I am doing this not for myself, but for the entirety of Yao Chen."

Elder Ye pondered for a moment

"Then why not let this old man go ask her directly?"

After thinking it over carefully, Emperor Jiawen felt that this seemed like the best option.

He had always quite liked that child, Chu Liuyue.

On one hand, she was currently Rong Xiu's fiancée; if he moved against her, Rong Xiu would certainly be unwilling.

On the other hand, there was also Mu Qing and...

"Then I shall trouble Elder Ye."

***

The great fire in the palace burned for an entire night.

It was not until the sky began to dim at dawn the next morning that it was finally completely extinguished.

The entire Youhe Hall had been completely destroyed, and the surrounding halls had also been reduced to ruins.

Many palace servants had also lost their lives.

Rumor had it that because Youhe Hall had fallen into disrepair, a fire had accidentally broken out.

In reality, anyone with eyes could see that the bluish-white flames were not ordinary fire; they were most likely ignited by phosphorus incense powder.

And ordinary people simply did not possess such a thing.

It was obvious that this matter involved deep connections.

However, since the palace had already provided an explanation, no one was so tactless as to investigate further.

Yet, Youhe Hall had originally been Rong Jin's residence. Now that he had just been stripped of his status, such a fire had broken out; it was hard to prevent people from overthinking.

This time, it was clear he had no chance of making a comeback.

***

At the Prince of Li's Mansion.

Early in the morning, Eunuch Min arrived in person, saying that His Majesty had summoned him and requested Rong Xiu to enter the palace.

The people of the Prince of Li's Mansion were very surprised.

His Majesty had always placed extraordinary importance on Rong Xiu, and considering his poor health, he rarely requested him to enter the palace.

This summons had come quite suddenly.

Rong Xiu, however, did not seem to think much of it. After a simple tidy-up, he donned a black cloak and followed Eunuch Min into the palace.

Emperor Jiawen was waiting in the Imperial Study.

"Imperial Father."

Seeing Rong Xiu enter and attempting to perform his salutations, Emperor Jiawen immediately said

"Dispense with the formalities for now. I called you here today because there are a few matters I wish to ask you about."

Rong Xiu's jade-carved countenance was as gentle as ever.

"Your son will certainly speak without reservation."

Emperor Jiawen opened his mouth, but hesitation welled up in his heart.

Rong Xiu was his most beloved son.

For all these years, because he could not stay by Rong Xiu's side, he had always felt a great sense of guilt.

Therefore, after Rong Xiu returned, he had constantly been looking for ways to make amends.

Asking him this question now was inevitably somewhat inappropriate.

Rong Xiu stood there quietly, seemingly completely unaware of Emperor Jiawen's internal struggle.

After a long while, Emperor Jiawen finally gritted his teeth, steeled his resolve, and asked

"Rong Xiu, when the fire broke out in the palace last night, something was lost. Someone has testified that Liuyue did it. What are your thoughts?"