Chapter 367: Return (Four Updates)

This sentence was nothing less than a bolt of thunder, suddenly exploding!

Everyone in the great hall was filled with shock.

Even Rong Jiu frowned imperceptibly.

Emperor Jiawen asked in a heavy voice

"Is what you are saying true? Did Situ Xingchen really say that?"

The Empress nodded repeatedly

"If Your Majesty does not believe it, you may certainly ask Situ Xingchen yourself!"

Chu Ning suddenly spoke

"Empress, may I ask where you heard these things from?"

"Naturally, Situ Xingchen said it with her own mouth!"

By now, the Empress could no longer care about appearances and had to confess that she and Rong Jin had been exchanging information all along.

And this matter was something Situ Xingchen had told Rong Jin, who then told her.

"...Your servant knows this is not right, but... Rong Jin did it for the sake of Rong Zhen, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Jiawen felt a splitting headache.

Things seemed to be getting more and more complicated; everyone held a different version of the story, and the contents of their claims differed vastly from one another.

Someone was definitely lying, but he could not immediately determine who it was.

Seeing a momentary flicker of hesitation in Emperor Jiawen's expression, the Empress immediately said

"Your Majesty, Situ Xingchen is already aware of Rong Zhen's disappearance and intends to return this time along with Rong Jin to help find him. Why not wait until they have both returned, and then have them face each other in a confrontation?"

Emperor Jiawen was somewhat disapproving

"Chu Liuyue is going to Taiyan Academy for a month, and only one-third of that time has passed. If we truly wait for her, regarding Rong Zhen—"

"Your Majesty, Yue'er will be back soon. She previously said she would only go for ten days," Chu Ning said.

These words surprised the others once again.

Such a rare opportunity, and Chu Liuyue was only staying for ten days?

Emperor Jiawen fell silent for a moment before finally making a decision

"In that case, we shall wait until they are all back, and then conduct the inquiry together!"

The Empress finally breathed a sigh of relief, her body going limp as she nearly collapsed to the floor.

With Situ Xingchen as a witness, Chu Liuyue would absolutely not be able to escape this time!

When the time came, even if she didn't die, she would be stripped of a layer of skin!

"Father is wise. This way, Rong Zhen can surely be found as quickly as possible, and Lord Chu Ning will not be wrongfully accused. Lord Chu Ning has always been loyal to you; it would not be good if his heart were wounded because of some misunderstandings this time."

Rong Jiu said, cupping his fists.

The hall fell silent for an instant.

Everyone knew that this so-called "misunderstanding" was entirely caused by the Empress.

Emperor Jiawen's gaze grew much darker.

"You all may leave. The Empress is to stay."

Walking out of the hall, Chu Ning solemnly thanked Rong Jiu

"I thank the Third Prince for his assistance this time."

Otherwise, he might truly have been detained.

Rong Jiu's expression was indifferent

"Lord Chu Ning need not be polite. My helping you is actually just for my own sake."

Chu Ning was stunned; he hadn't expected Rong Jiu to be so candid.

He could, of course, guess Rong Jiu's purpose for coming here today.

From beginning to end, Rong Jiu had only targeted one person—the Empress.

Especially the words he had spoken just before leaving the hall; they had essentially given the Empress a direct push.

And the reason Rong Jiu did this was most likely because his biological mother, Noble Lady Ying, had been harmed by the Empress in the past.

Although there was no definitive conclusion or evidence regarding that matter, Chu Ning had been at the height of his influence back then and was highly valued by Emperor Jiawen, so he knew a thing or two.

Looking at Rong Jiu's manner, he had clearly come prepared.

"Regardless, I must thank the Third Prince. I will surely repay this kindness in the future."

Rong Jiu, however, seemed not to care.

The two chatted briefly before parting ways.

Chu Ning hesitated for a moment but decided to return to his residence first.

Earlier, Lu Yun had brought so many people to ransack the house, leaving it in a mess; he had to hurry back to tidy up. If Yue'er saw it, she would surely be very worried.

Chu Liuyue did not return with Rong Jin and the others in the end.

She used only one sentence to dissuade Rong Jin's attempt to stop her.

"I have already made an appointment with Vice General Mu to return. Whoever delays us will be responsible."

Rong Jin had just entered an engagement with Situ Xingchen and was at the height of his triumph. He had intended to show off his prestige as the Crown Prince in front of Chu Liuyue, but unfortunately, he had not been completely blinded by arrogance. He knew who he could afford to provoke and who he could not, so he could only yield the way to Chu Liuyue with great frustration.

As for Situ Xingchen, she had hardly said a word from beginning to end, remaining an outsider as if she had already forgotten that it was because of the words she told Rong Jin that he had come to cause trouble for Chu Liuyue.

Chu Liuyue soon returned to the Imperial Capital smoothly.

Just as she arrived home, before she could even knock, the main door was opened from the inside.

Standing inside the door was none other than Chu Ning.

Seeing him, Chu Liuyue was both joyful and surprised

"Father, why are you at home?"

Today was not a day off.

Chu Ning first looked her over, ensuring she was unharmed and well, before he breathed a sigh of relief.

"It is good that Yue'er has returned safely. Father has some things to ask you."

The father and daughter returned to the room together.

Chu Ning told Chu Liuyue everything that had happened, in its entirety.

"...Yue'er, regarding the disappearance of the Fourth Princess, does it truly have something to do with you?" Chu Ning asked somewhat uncertainly.

Chu Liuyue smiled, her eyes curving beautifully

"Did Father not already say that in front of His Majesty? You said you believed Yue'er did not do it. Since you have said so, then naturally, these things have nothing to do with Yue'er."

Only then did Chu Ning breathe a sigh of relief.

"That is good, that is good. I heard the Empress say earlier that Situ Xingchen once saw you with Rong Zhen; Father was still somewhat worried..."

What kind of status did Situ Xingchen hold? Her words carried immense weight.

He believed in his daughter, but the development of events seemed to be becoming somewhat uncontrollable.

Chu Liuyue gave a nonchalant, faint smile

"I know about this. Before returning, Rong Jin insisted that I be held responsible for Rong Zhen's disappearance because he had heard these things from Situ Xingchen."

Chu Ning frowned: "Situ Xingchen has no grievance or enmity with us, so why would she make such a grand spectacle of this?"

Chu Liuyue's eyes flickered slightly

"Perhaps she saw incorrectly."

Chu Ning found it somewhat hard to believe.

He knew exactly what kind of person Situ Xingchen was; she would know the impact her words would have.

This could very likely harm Yue'er!

If she truly had seen incorrectly, she should not have made such a loud announcement without certainty.

This was truly inconsistent with Situ Xingchen's rumored character.

"This Situ Xingchen... is a bit strange..." Chu Ning murmured.

Not wanting him to worry, Chu Liuyue patted his arm and said with a beaming smile

"Father, do not worry. Yue'er knows what she is doing and will never allow anyone to bully her!"

However, the worry in Chu Ning's heart did not completely dissipate because of this.

"But... His Majesty said that once you all return, he wants you to face each other in a confrontation. What will we do then?"

If Situ Xingchen insisted until death that Yue'er was the one who did it...

The corners of Chu Liuyue's lips curled slightly.

"I would be delighted."