“Rest assured, I came here to confirm something with the High Priest,” I said, deliberately pursing my lips and tilting my head to appear more imposing, a tactic I learned from An Jin for interrogation. “If the High Priest answers honestly, I might protect your lover and settle your family.”
She shrank back, hesitating before asking, “What is it?”
“When I had my first trial, you tampered with the golden cup. Whose idea was it?”
She was stunned, thinking before responding, “Prince Ning.”
“Are you sure?”
She lowered her head. “Prince Ning personally discussed it with me, absolutely true.”
An Jin hadn’t lied to me.
For some reason, I felt a huge weight lift, like putting down a massive stone. Yet with this removal, some disappointment emerged. I didn’t expect Yun Qiao to actually do this.
She was unkind to me first – should I be unjust to her in return? Soon after meeting the High Priest, another bombshell news arrived. The High Priest provided new testimony, admitting she conspired with Prince Ning, Jiang Yun Qiao, and the Grand Councilor to sabotage the heir’s trials, though they had failed. This involved Prince Ning and the Grand Councilor, prompting the Emperor to order a thorough investigation by the Censorate, Court of Judicial Review, and Ministry of Justice, with severe punishment for those involved if proven true.
I was stunned. I had secretly met the High Priest to confirm whether Yun Qiao had done that, but she revealed everything the day after our meeting. Liu Hua privately praised me, saying she didn’t expect the Yu Wang to deliver another heavy blow. I could only smile bitterly—would anyone believe I had no part in this?
Just then, the Emperor summoned me. Everyone says he is cruel and ruthless in his pursuit of power, but I don’t believe it. I walked to the wall’s edge, brushing past the tangled vines.
“Father must have loved Mother deeply.”
