Chapter 260: Chapter 244: Crush Bones and Scatter Ashes
They said there should be a result in five or six days, yet Shang Ruyi waited for over half a month.
During this time, no news came from the palace, and she had no chance to enter the palace again. Moreover, with Yu Wenquan and Yu Wenye both absent, she gradually heard less and less news from the court.
The calm she originally had slowly disappeared with the day-by-day waiting, and a sense of unease began to slowly engulf her.
Why is there still no result?
That day in the palace, she gave that answer, whether it matched Yu Wenye’s confession or not, the Ministry of Justice should have responded, either by determining Yu Wenye guilty or judging Shang Ruyi as deceiving the Emperor. This is not a difficult matter, so why has it been delayed for so long without any movement?
What does Wang Shaoji want to do?
What does Chu Yang want?
Although Shang Ruyi had sent clothing once before, after over half a month, she took out some things and packed them into a bundle, handing it to Chang Wan, along with a package of silver, instructing her to deliver it to the Ministry of Justice and into Yu Wenye’s hands.
Chang Wan said hesitantly, "Young Madam, last time, I couldn’t get inside to see the Second Young Master, and this time I’m afraid—"
Shang Ruyi said, "You don’t need to force it."
"Yes."
"This time, you mainly observe the Ministry of Justice’s people’s attitude towards you."
Chang Wan seemed to somewhat understand, "Yes."
After speaking, she turned and left.
She was gone for most of the day, and when she returned, the sun was about to set. Shang Ruyi sat before a table of dishes, unable to swallow a bite. Seeing her rush back, she immediately asked, "How was it?"
Chang Wan’s breath was uneven, her expression different, but upon entry, she respectfully greeted, "Young Madam."
Shang Ruyi asked, "Did you see him?"
Chang Wan shook her head, "The people at the Ministry of Justice still wouldn’t let me in, same as last time. I had to use silver to get someone to pass the items inside."
"And, how was their attitude towards you?"
"Better than last time, but still, silver speaks."
Chang Wan hurriedly finished speaking and was eager to say more, yet she was panting heavily, struggling to catch her breath. Shang Ruyi noticed her anomaly and asked Tushere to pour her a cup of water, saying, "Take your time to speak."
Chang Wan thanked her, took the cup, drank a couple of sips, and finally calmed down.
Then she whispered, "Young Madam, this time, when the bundle was being passed inside, I accidentally overheard some people at the Ministry of Justice talking and heard something."
"What was it?"
"That person named Kou—Kou Junliang, the supervisor who was killed by the Second Young Master."
"Him?"
Upon hearing this name, Shang Ruyi immediately frowned. Although his death was the focus of this case, he was already dead, merely an insignificant symbol, so why was he suddenly mentioned again?
So, she asked, "What did you hear about him?"
Chang Wan softly said, "I heard that this person seems to have been ordered by His Majesty the Emperor to be ground and scattered to the wind!"
"What?!"
Shang Ruyi, upon hearing this, widened her eyes in astonishment.
Ground and scattered?
Kou Junliang?!
She found it hard to believe her ears. She bowed her head in thought and looked at Chang Wan again, "Is it really him? Was he ground and scattered? You didn’t mishear?"
Chang Wan said, "Though I was waiting outside the wall, those people were not very cautious when talking about this. It seems it’s not a secret, so I heard clearly, and there was no mistake about Kou Junliang’s name."
"..."
"Moreover, even they were puzzled, since Kou Junliang was ground and scattered, why isn’t the Second Young Master released?"
"..."
"Young Madam, every word is true."
"..."
Shang Ruyi looked at her heavily for a while, pondered again, and then said, "You’ve done well; go rest for now."
Chang Wan said, "Yes."
She turned and left.
Once she was gone, Shang Ruyi immediately knitted her brows again. Though not fearful, a heavy worry pressed like a mountain between her brows and on her mind. She looked down at the exquisite dishes on the table and felt even less appetite at this time. She waved her hand, "Take them away."
Tushere, beside her, wore an initially displeased expression upon Chang Wan’s return, followed by surprise, then disbelief. Now equally burdened as Shang Ruyi, unlike her usual talkative self, she silently helped clear the bowls and plates from the table, then brought water and cloth to assist Shang Ruyi in washing her hands.
Once everything was finished, she brewed and served a cup of tea by Shang Ruyi’s hand.
Only then did she say, "Miss, I do not understand."
Shang Ruyi looked up at her but saw that even her brow had formed wrinkles, implying she had been frowning while working, dwelling on this matter all along, unable to suppress a faint smile.
Saying, "What do you not understand?"
Tushere instead asked her, "Miss, do you understand?"
"..."
"That Kou Junliang was appointed by the Emperor, so when he was killed, my husband was detained and questioned. Why, then, was he—reduced to ashes?"
"..."
"Could it be, could it be that the Emperor already knows he was in the wrong?"
Although she considered this possibility, her limited knowledge prevented her from expressing deeper thoughts, yet Shang Ruyi already understood her meaning.
This realization had just struck her, leaving her shocked.
Since the court detained and questioned Yu Wenye because of Kou Junliang’s death, it implies that the court’s initial assumption was that Kou Junliang was in the right, representing the dignity of the court and the Emperor, and the murderer needed to be held accountable for his death.
However, reducing him to ashes overthrows this initial assumption.
Furthermore, it was ordered by the Emperor.
But what could have caused the Emperor’s attitude toward him to change so drastically?
Shang Ruyi pondered, instinctively turning her head to look at her own shoulder—the arrow wound that had healed well since her return because of proper care. Moreover, she used the Scar Removing Cream that Chu Yang gave her, and those ugly scars had started to gradually fade and smooth out. Perhaps in a while, there would be no trace of the arrow left on her body.
However, being shot by an arrow was a genuine reality.
She was indeed shot at Xingluo Granary, and it was Kou Junliang who besieged her, allowing his subordinate to shoot her.
Shang Ruyi instinctively reached out to touch her slightly emaciated shoulder. Although it was far from her heart, at that moment, an uncontrollable heartbeat surged involuntarily.
Was it for her?
Because it wasn’t until the day she entered the palace and answered Zhai Ying’s questions that Chu Yang learned she had been injured at Xingluo Granary. Shortly after, he immediately left the palace to bring her medicine for her wound, clearly showing how much he valued her being shot and injured.
And Empress Jiang had also said—your injury must not be in vain.
When she said that, it seemed as if someone would definitely stand up for her and avenge this arrow wound.
Thus, even though Kou Junliang was dead, he was still reduced to ashes.
Shang Ruyi suddenly felt her heart pounding terribly, even painfully, and she slowly moved her hand from her lightly touched shoulder to her heart, pressing down firmly.
As if trying to suppress that inappropriate turbulence.
Tushere became anxious by the side: "Miss, you look unwell. Is the wound hurting again?"
"..."
Shang Ruyi was silent for a long time, finally taking a deep breath and pressing down that peculiar heartbeat firmly, before saying, "It’s nothing."
"Miss, about that Kou Junliang—"
"Being reduced to ashes represents His Majesty the Emperor’s stance on this matter."
"Stance?"
"By dealing with Kou Junliang, it means they have determined he was wrong."
Tushere’s eyes widened with surprise: "Really?"
Shang Ruyi nodded.
Although she had a fleeting thought that Chu Yang might be acting for her, upon reconsideration, Chu Yang dealt with Kou Junliang not furtively but openly without concealing it from the Ministry of Justice, which signifies he had determined Kou Junliang was wrong, and thus dealt with him.
The revenge sought was not a "personal" vendetta.
Still, the method of reducing one to ashes carries a hint of personal sentiment.
But regardless of personal vendetta or sentiment, since Kou Junliang has been dealt with, the outcome of this case is quite simple. If Kou Junliang was wrong, then Yu Wenye killing him was not problematic, nor was there a crime of rebellion or treason.
Hearing Shang Ruyi say this, Tushere let out a long sigh of relief, exclaiming with delight, "That’s excellent!"
Yet Shang Ruyi was not as pleased as her.
On the contrary, the shadows between her brows deepened.
Seeing her this way, Tushere became puzzled and asked, "Miss, why aren’t you happy? You said that the Emperor had determined Kou Junliang was in the wrong, which means your husband is innocent."
Shang Ruyi glanced at her and said, "It’s been more than half a month since I was questioned in the palace."
"..."
"And Kou Junliang being reduced to ashes surely didn’t happen in just the past few days."
"..."
"Since the Emperor already determined Kou Junliang was at fault and dealt with him, Yu Wenye should have been released, yet until now, there has been no movement from the Ministry of Justice."
Hearing these words, Tushere suddenly realized.
It must be noted that Yu Wenye is the Great General who just recaptured Xingluo Granary and achieved great merit. He enjoys high prestige among the people. This time, instead of being honored upon returning to the court, he was detained by the Ministry of Justice for questioning, sparking considerable debate among the populace. Many people are dissatisfied with the court, believing that it harms loyal officials and destroys the Great Wall by such actions.
Under such circumstances, the court should promptly release him.
Tushere immediately felt a wave of worry and softly said, "Miss, why hasn’t the court released him?"
Shang Ruyi replied, "The Emperor already knows the truth, but over this half month, no news has come out, nor has anyone been released. This seems like they are waiting for something."
"Waiting for what?"
Shang Ruyi shook her head, remaining silent.
As she pondered, a rider charged through the wind and snow, finally entering the Eastern Capital City just as the gates were about to close.
The person on horseback had a pair of determined and resolute, yet world-weary eyes.