The three brothers were also greatly alarmed.
Their father murdered the princess? How could that be possible!
"You're spouting nonsense, my father wouldn't do such a thing." Su Siyuan gritted his teeth and lunged forward.
Su Sizhuo stepped forward and blocked him, "No fooling around! Si Qi, keep an eye on him."
Su Siqi glanced at his elder brother, then at his younger brother. He suppressed his unease for the moment, nodded, grabbed Su Siyuan, and covered his mouth.
Su Siqi stepped forward and cupped his hands to Ye Jingyu, "I believe there must be some misunderstanding in this matter. I request the Prince to explain the reason."
A deep gaze flickered in Ye Jingyu's eyes, "General Su, if you wish to confront His Majesty, I fear there is no need."
Su Qingtian was indignant, "Why is there no need? With mere words, it doesn't mean whatever she says is true."
Ye Jingyu shook his head, "She is already dead."
The moment these words were spoken, everyone present changed their expression.
"Dead?" a young and shocked voice came from behind the crowd.
Su Yunmo, wearing a doll's nightgown and still holding a small warm pillow, stood barefoot on the ground.
Ye Jingyu saw her and knitted his brows fiercely, "Go back to sleep."
In such cold weather, her injuries had not fully healed. What was she trying to do by running out like this?
"Father wouldn't do such a thing." Su Yunmo took a step and leaped over the crowd.
The constables wanted to stop her.
The three elder brothers quickly stepped forward to shield her, preventing the constables from getting close.
Su Qingtian's mind was in a complete mess, "This is impossible, that white silk can't strangle anyone to death!"
The little dumpling leaped over the constables and stood beside Su Qingtian, clenching her small fists.
The collar of her nightgown had come undone due to her hasty run, revealing her neck steaming with warmth. A layer of white mist clung to her thick and long eyelashes.
Ye Jingyu was displeased, "Didn't I tell you to go back to sleep?"
What if she caught a cold in this weather?
"Do you think I can sleep?" Su Yunmo asked.
Ye Jingyu took a deep breath, turned to Su Qingtian, "After General Su left the Princess's residence this afternoon, the servants discovered the Princess hanging in her room. Her body is currently at the Ministry of Justice's prison."
"Although the case has not yet begun to be tried, General, you know best what happened this afternoon. You are the most suspected. You know the crime of murdering royalty better than I do."
Su Qingtian's body stiffened abruptly, and his expression gradually turned cold.
Ye Jingyu continued, "There is imperial authority above and the Ministry of Justice below. Yet, the Emperor has solely assigned this case to me. General Su should understand the reason behind this."
Su Qingtian calmed down and said in a deep voice, "Transmit my order: during the period of the mansion's lockdown, Prince Yu shall temporarily handle all affairs within the residence. Everyone must cooperate unconditionally."
After speaking, he turned to look at Zhou Wanyou.
The moment their eyes met, a tacit understanding that only a husband and wife could share passed between them.
They knew best how many enemies the title of Grand General carried in the court. If this case were to be handled by someone else, someone might take advantage of it to stir up more trouble.
Prince Yu doted on Momo. Even if it were for Momo's sake, he would handle matters with exceptional leniency towards the General's mansion. The Emperor's action was already a great kindness.
After all, Ye Yuanlin was dead, and Su Qingtian's actions that afternoon were indeed improper. He had no evidence to prove his innocence.
Even if he were directly convicted, it would be justifiable.
Zhou Wanyou steadied herself, nodded slightly at Su Qingtian, and then looked at the children, "You all go back to your rooms and sleep. Do not come out without my command."
The three brothers, who were protecting their sister, exchanged glances. Although they still had questions, they all obediently swallowed them and said, "Yes."
They pulled the little dumpling to leave, but she shook off their hands.
She looked up at Ye Jingyu, "I want to go with you to investigate the case."
Ye Jingyu frowned, remaining silent.
Qian Xue stepped forward and spoke on behalf of her master, "Little Miss, please do not make things difficult for Master. His Majesty personally decreed that no one in the residence is allowed to go out."
This matter was truly too significant. Tomorrow, when the court officials learned of this, who knew what kind of commotion would arise.
If the little miss were to go out, and someone were to learn of it and use it to instigate trouble, even Master might not be able to protect her.
Su Qingtian reached out and picked her up, "Momo, no fooling around, go back to your room."
"I don't want to! I just don't want to!" The little dumpling struggled, broke free from his grasp, and fell to the ground.
Su Qingtian was startled when he saw her fall and instinctively stepped forward to help her.
Su Siqi, who was closest, also felt his heart jump and took a step forward.
Su Sizhuo narrowed his eyes and reached out to block him.
Su Siqi glanced back at his elder brother, understood his intention, and stood still.
The little dumpling ran barefoot to a spot two steps away from Ye Jingyu, tilted her head up, and looked at him, throwing a childish tantrum.
"Aren't you Momo's master? When the master investigates a case, Momo will follow to learn."
For a moment, all eyes were on Ye Jingyu.
Ye Jingyu looked at her for a moment, sighed, bent down, and reached out to rub her hair, his voice softening, "You be good and go back to sleep. I'll handle things here."
"Little Master!" Linlang, panting, chased after her. She held a pair of shoes in her hand, "Little Master, it's cold. Please put on your shoes first."
As she spoke, she prepared to help the little dumpling put on her shoes.
Su Yunmo didn't even look, waved her hand and threw the shoes away, her eyes wide as she stared intently at Ye Jingyu, sulking.
Zhou Wanyou clenched her five fingers, feeling a little nervous.
Ye Jingyu saw the little dumpling's fair and tender little feet turning purple from the cold and finally relented.
"Only this once." He bent down, picked up the little dumpling, and covered her little feet with one hand to warm them.
Qian Xue saw this and could not say anything more, only retreating to the side.
The three elder brothers simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief. They obediently retreated and headed towards their respective courtyards.
As long as Momo could go out, even if something were to happen to the mansion, at least Momo would have someone to protect her and grow up safely.
A glint of triumph flashed in the little dumpling's eyes. She tightly clasped his neck with her little hands and couldn't help but shiver.
Ye Jingyu wrapped her in his wide robe and looked up at Su Qingtian, "General Su, let's go."
Su Qingtian glanced at the little dumpling in his arms, cupped his hands, and followed the constables away.
The little dumpling rested her chin on Ye Jingyu's shoulder, watching Su Qingtian being taken away, a look of determination in her eyes.
Zhou Wanyou walked down from the steps, "Momo is young, please bear with her, Prince. I entrust her to you."
Ye Jingyu's tone was gentle, "Madam, please rest assured, I will handle this impartially. It is cold and freezing, Madam should return to your room."
He turned to look at everyone, "By my order, all the food, clothing, living, and accommodation for the residents of this mansion must not be neglected. If there is any mistake, I will not forgive lightly."
The constables knelt and replied, "Yes."
The little dumpling turned her head, "Mother and brothers are waiting in the mansion. Momo will be back soon and will bring Father back too."
Zhou Wanyou nodded.
Ye Jingyu hugged the little dumpling and turned to leave.
Qian Xue stepped forward to take the shoes from Linlang's hand and followed closely behind.
Linlang watched the little dumpling's receding figure, her fists clenched nervously.
Su Yunmo was wearing too little, and her small hands were cold.
Ye Jingyu held her tightly and headed towards the Prince's mansion.
The little dumpling shivered in his embrace, "Not going to your house, go to the Princess's residence, I want to see the scene."