Chapter 256: Chapter 240: Why Compete with Me for People?_3
Shang Ruyi thought for a moment, then looked up at him and seriously said, "The truth won’t be clear without interrogation."
Chu Yang stared at her for a moment, then suddenly let out a cold laugh.
Then he said, "Ask away."
The two outside naturally couldn’t wait, and Zhai Ying immediately asked: "Young Madam, I heard that you personally went to the Xingluo Granary frontline."
"Yes."
"When did you arrive?"
"The fifteenth of the first month."
"So it was on the day of the Lantern Festival? During such a big festival, why didn’t you stay at the mansion and instead rush there?"
"The battle had made no progress, and the clothes my husband brought were too thin to ward off the severe cold. I went there to deliver winter clothing for him."
"No other reason?"
Shang Ruyi said coldly, "Does a wife need a reason to deliver winter clothes to her husband?"
That question left Zhai Ying stumped for a moment, then he thought about it and continued: "Since you were delivering winter clothes, why did you take a knife to hold Military Supervisor Kou Junliang hostage at the Luokou Ferry’s camp? Moreover, after your appearance, the Wanggang Army raided the camp, killing many. How do you explain that?"
Shang Ruyi steadied herself and immediately said, "I took a knife to hold Kou Junliang hostage because he wanted to attack me first. I was forced to resist; in fact, I only held him to save myself and did not really harm him. As for the Wanggang Army raid—that’s the enemy’s matter. How could a helpless woman like me know when the enemy will attack and how many they would kill?"
Listening to her clear and firm words, Empress Jiang turned her head to glance at her, eyes flickering with a look of appreciation.
At this moment, Chu Yang lazily spoke up: "If you’re going to interrogate, do it properly. I want you to investigate Yu Wenye’s case, not the Young Madam Yu Wen’s case."
The people outside immediately responded, "Yes."
Wang Shaoji lowered his head and signaled to the person beside him, Zhai Ying nodded, and then immediately continued: "Young Madam, did you know that Yu Wenye gave the Wanggang Army fifty carts of grain."
Shang Ruyi’s breath caught.
She hesitated for a moment and said, "I knew."
"This, could it be collusion with the rebel army, secretly assisting them?"
"No."
"Then, why did he hand over the court’s grain to the Wanggang Army?"
"Because at the time we were in a standoff at Xingluo Granary, with a significant disparity in strength. Aside from me, Yu Wenye had only a dozen personal soldiers, while the Wanggang Army had over a hundred people. If we insisted on fighting, we would have no chance of returning alive, and the ownership of Xingluo Granary would be uncertain. However, the Wanggang Army knew their defeat was imminent and merely wanted to take some grain from Xingluo Granary for the winter."
"So, Yu Wenye gave the grain to the rebel army?"
"... Yes."
"Do you know this is a grave crime of treason!"
"..."
Shang Ruyi thought for a moment and said, "My husband did not commit treason. That grain was a sacrifice he made to reclaim Xingluo Granary for the court."
Wang Shaoji immediately sneered, "The grain belongs to the court too, what kind of sacrifice is that?"
Shang Ruyi said, "The sacrifice my husband made was his reputation, and possibly his life. He dared to risk a grave crime to bring Xingluo Granary back under the court’s control. After all, it is essential for the court’s survival, and—"
At this point, she lightly turned her head to glance back and said, "also the foundation of Your Majesty’s grand cause."
The cold eyes of Chu Yang momentarily flickered.
And the two people standing outside the screen seemed to sense something. Wang Shaoji immediately said, "Your Majesty, she is sophisticating!"
Chu Yang only paused in silence for a moment, then said faintly, "Whether it’s sophistry, I will decide. Continue questioning."
The two people outside exchanged a look, their expressions grew more somber.
Zhai Ying then asked, "Alright, Young Madam, I have one last question. Please listen carefully."
Shang Ruyi took a deep breath and said, "Please ask, sir."
Zhai Ying said, "At the Ministry of Justice trial, the Great General once said that Kou Junliang led his troops to blockade him near Zailuo Port, and they took the initiative to shoot his troops with arrows, even—wounding you."
Chu Yang’s breathing suddenly stalled.
Although it was just a slight pause in breathing, in the vast hall, it was very distinct, and Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but glance at him.
But, just meeting those flickering eyes for a moment, she immediately lowered her head again, avoiding his gaze.
Then said, "Yes."
Zhai Ying said, "Originally, you were at the end of the road, but Kou Junliang’s troops were dispersed by a mysterious cavalry, which gave you a chance to survive. Is that correct?"
"Yes."
"Then, whose cavalry dared to attack the court’s troops at that time?"
Shang Ruyi’s breath caught.
The entire palace suddenly fell silent, and all eyes were focused on her.