The joy on Emperor Ye Yao's face gradually faded. "One month?"
He narrowed his eyes and looked at Ye Jingcheng.
Ye Jingcheng remained kneeling on the ground, his head bowed, his expression unreadable.
"I understand. You may withdraw."
"Yes." Nanny Qin rose and left with the maids.
Silence fell upon the room.
After a long while, Emperor Ye Yao put down his brush. "Minister Feng was falsely accused and died unjustly. I hereby grant posthumous honors and decree further grace. As for Prince Lian..."
He paused, then continued, "Considering Prince Lian's years of meritorious service in assisting the court, and the lack of definitive evidence in these cases, no further action will be taken. The one month of confinement shall suffice as your gesture of goodwill towards the deceased."
Ye Jingcheng was not surprised. "Thank you for your imperial grace, Father Emperor."
He kowtowed his thanks, then stood up. A sidelong glance at Ye Jingyu beside him held a hint of sarcasm.
Trying to bring him down wouldn't be so easy.
Emperor Ye Yao: "However, the matter of Duke Yingguo is indeed suspicious. Order Prince Yu to re-investigate thoroughly."
The smugness in Ye Jingcheng's eyes froze, and he clenched his fists tightly.
Ye Jingyu: "Yes."
"Alright, you two may leave. I am tired and wish to rest." Emperor Ye Yao leaned against the cage, his eyes closed, appearing weary.
The two brothers then withdrew together.
Before leaving, Ye Jingyu glanced at the little dumpling.
The little dumpling smacked her lips and popped the remaining half of the pastry into her mouth. "Imperial Uncle, Momo is sleepy and wants to go back to sleep."
"Go ahead." Emperor Ye Yao rubbed his temples with a headache, then opened his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Wait a moment, I have something to ask you."
The little dumpling, who was already sliding down his leg, stopped at his words and tilted her head in confusion.
Emperor Ye Yao reached out and pulled her back. "Little girl, I heard you've been going to the Cold Palace often lately? Have you seen Consort Liang?"
Su Yunmo blinked, unsure why he was suddenly asking about Consort Liang, but she nodded obediently. "Yes, Consort Liang often gives Momo snacks."
"Is that so?" Emperor Ye Yao's eyes flickered. "Is she well?"
Su Yunmo's heart skipped a beat.
Consort Liang had been confined to the Cold Palace for 'colluding with outsiders.' She had thought he deeply resented Consort Liang.
"Consort Liang is doing well, but it's been cold lately, and she often sleeps and can't get out of bed."
Emperor Ye Yao pursed his lips. After a long moment, he seemed to want to say something but stopped, finally sighing and closing his eyes again. "I understand. You may go."
Eunuch Chang stepped forward and whispered, "Little Miss, this servant will have someone escort you out."
"Okay~" The little dumpling extended her hand.
Eunuch Chang picked her up in his arms, and Eunuch Jiao stepped forward to take her, carrying her out the door.
The door closed.
Eunuch Chang poured a cup of hot tea. "Your Majesty, you have been tired all day. Please have some water to moisten your throat."
Emperor Ye Yao opened his eyes, his gaze filled with desolation. "Chang Hui, do you think they both betrayed me back then? Did I truly do wrong?"
Eunuch Chang sighed. "Your Majesty, please do not torment yourself. I dare not speak of other matters, but regarding Duke Yingguo, you have done enough."
The case of Duke Yingguo was tried by several high officials of the court, with witnesses and evidence all present.
Under such circumstances, His Majesty still insisted that Duke Yingguo would not betray the country, and the case took three months to investigate.
Moreover, Duke Yingguo and Consort Liang did indeed meet privately in the harem at that time, which His Majesty personally witnessed and could not deny.
"You gave Duke Yingguo a chance to defend himself back then and personally visited him in prison. Duke Yingguo himself could not bear it and committed suicide out of guilt."
Now that the person was dead, no amount of thinking would help.
Emperor Ye Yao shook his head, fatigue accumulating in his eyes, making his gaze appear somewhat clouded.
"Later, send someone to tell that girl from the Su family that she can make all the arrangements for the Cold Palace."
Since he could not stay by Xue'er's side, he would let that child take care of her more in his stead.
Eunuch Chang sighed again. "Yes, this servant understands."
He bowed and retreated.
At this moment, Su Yunmo had just exited the study. Eunuch Chang Hui caught up with her and conveyed Emperor Ye Yao's wishes. "Please, Little Miss, take good care of her."
The little dumpling wiped the pastry crumbs from the corner of her mouth and patted her chest. "Tell Imperial Uncle not to worry, Momo will definitely take good care of Consort Liang."
"Good, then this old servant is relieved." Eunuch Chang bowed and turned back to the study.
Su Yunmo watched him leave, the clarity in her eyes gradually becoming complex. "What's going on with your father?"
Ye Jingyu emerged from behind the wall, frowning disapprovingly. "Do not be disrespectful."
Su Yunmo spread her hands and shrugged. "He's your father, isn't he? That's how people refer to him in the common folk. Besides, no one else heard."
Ye Jingyu lifted her collar and dangled her in the air. "I haven't even spoken to you yet. Didn't I tell you to wait properly with Mother Consort? What are you doing here?"
"It's a rare opportunity to see Ye Jingcheng in trouble, how could I miss it?" The little dumpling crossed her arms and snorted.
Then she pouted, immensely disappointed. "It's a shame it didn't happen in the end."
Ye Jingyu held her in his arms. "Don't worry, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to see it in the future."
Now that Father Emperor had agreed to let him investigate Duke Yingguo's matter, Ye Jingcheng's downfall was not far off.
"Then I'll just wait." Su Yunmo excitedly rubbed her hands.
Ye Jingyu tapped her forehead. "I'd be happier if you could just stay put."
Don't just say it, then go and act on your own.
Su Yunmo was carried out of the imperial palace and onto the carriage. "I can stay put, I can stay put. If you agree to one thing for me, I promise to listen to you for the next few days."
Qianxue drove the carriage back to the manor.
Ye Jingyu placed her on his lap. "What mischief are you up to now?"
"It's nothing much, it's just that it's a bit inconvenient at my home these past couple of days. Can I stay at your manor for a few days?" Su Yunmo said with a fawning expression.
Ye Jingyu narrowed his eyes and looked at her. After a moment, he raised an eyebrow. "Is this about the embroidery lessons?"
Su Yunmo wrapped her arms around his neck. "Brother Yu, you're so smart. So, can you do Momo this favor? Momo likes you the most."
Ye Jingyu: "..."
If she wasn't asking him for a favor when she acted cute, he would be even happier.
The carriage traveled all the way back to the Prince's manor. As soon as the carriage stopped, they heard Qianxue's surprised voice from outside, "Second Young Master, why are you here?"
The carriage curtain was lifted.
Su Siqi stood outside, his gaze sweeping across the carriage's interior, finally landing on the little dumpling. "Momo, Second Brother is here to pick you up."
The little dumpling's eyelids twitched, and she wriggled like an eel into Ye Jingyu's embrace.
Not going back, not going back, I'd rather die than go back!
Su Siqi's eyelids twitched.
This little girl was becoming more and more like the third one, even daring to find a backer outside.
Ye Jingyu glanced at the little dumpling hiding like an ostrich in his arms, a smile flashing in his eyes, and looked up at the person by the carriage. "I heard you were making her learn embroidery to earn money for the family?"
Su Siqi crossed his arms. "This is our family matter. Prince Yu doesn't seem to have the right to interfere, does he?"
He paused. "Besides, this isn't about earning money for the family. I'm teaching her something."
As a result, she had run off after just one morning, causing those people to insist on returning the money. The money he had just received was gone before it even warmed his hands.