kvmb Chapter 789 I want to ask you to perform an autopsy
Chapter 789 I want to ask you to perform an autopsy
The world is full of wonders.
Just like Xue Wanyue, her aunt was of lowly status, just a peasant's daughter. She was chosen by the master's family to be a concubine because of her beauty. Going back several generations, she could not necessarily be connected with the bloodline of the Marquis Yan's family, but she was born out of nowhere, and she looked very much like the late Empress Yan Chengyue.
From the moment her features became clear enough for people to recognize her, she became a commodity to be sold.
Those who discovered this secret were all thrilled, plotting how to sell her for a higher price.
She lost her name, lost her life, and became a pawn to be manipulated, following the path they had set for her.
But it was also this face that led her step by step into the vortex of power in this dynasty, making her a pawn on the chessboard.
Originally, she was not qualified.
So sometimes, fate is truly mysterious.
Looking at the girl in front of her, Lu Yangyang realized that in just over two years, she had undergone a complete transformation. She no longer had the delicate and timid demeanor she once possessed. Instead, she exuded a relaxed and confident air, and even in her illness, her eyes and brows still held a touch of captivating charm.
She looked like the late empress, and Zong Que also resembled the late empress somewhat. Just looking at their faces, Lu Yangyang found it hard to feel any ill will.
From this one encounter tonight, it wasn't hard for her to guess that Xue Wanyue had gained favor after entering the palace, and last year she even adopted a prince. If she was lucky, she might even be able to plot for the throne. But her situation in the palace was obviously not easy. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, she was alone in the temple, and someone wanted to take her life.
If it weren't for the bad weather today, Xue Wanyue would have suffered a lot even if she had managed to return to the palace safely.
But Xue Wanyue keeping her behind alone was probably not just because she recognized her.
Lu Yangyang couldn't figure out Xue Wanyue's stance, so she naturally didn't want to get entangled with her any longer: "You've kept me here, it can't be just for catching up, can it? Tell me, what do you want to say to me?"
Xue Wanyue's eyes flickered, and she lowered her gaze gently, her fingers, hidden under the covers, unconsciously clenching.
Actually... she really just wanted to catch up with her.
I miss her, I want to talk to her greedily, look at her a few more times, and spend a little more time with her.
So far in her life, she has spent all her time scheming and being schemed against. The only time she spent as a classmate with Lu Yangyang was when she was able to fight for a life that truly belonged to her.
And Lu Yangyang, whom she met during that time, was the only true love in her life.
But these naive words, once spoken, sound like lies.
Xue Wanyue concealed her disappointment, looked up at Lu Yangyang and smiled, "I'd like to ask you for a favor."
Lu Yangyang had already guessed that Xue Wanyue probably wanted to negotiate with her, which was why she asked her what she wanted earlier. Now that she had laid it all out, she waited patiently for Xue Wanyue to continue.
Xue Wanyue said softly, "I would like to ask you to help me investigate a case."
"Investigate a case?" Lu Yangyang looked at Xue Wanyue in surprise, momentarily confused. Ask her to investigate a case? Not to mention that she was still living in the shadows in the capital as the deposed crown princess, what kind of case could a doctor like her investigate? What was wrong with Xue Wanyue's brain to have such an absurd idea?
Lu Yangyang raised an eyebrow uncertainly: "Are you kidding me?"
Xue Wanyue smiled and shook her head. "I'm serious. I want to ask you to help me investigate a case. More than half a month ago, on the night of the late Empress's death anniversary, the Tenth Prince suddenly fell ill and died in my palace. He almost strangled the young prince and set fire to my palace, almost burning down my entire palace."
Hearing her words, Lu Yangyang became even more confused: "Tenth Prince?"
"The Tenth Prince is fifteen years old this year. According to regulations, he can leave the palace and establish his own residence after the New Year. His mother is Consort Yu, the niece of Minister of War Shen. The birth mother of the young prince, who is being raised under my name, is Consort Xu, a distant cousin of Consort Yu. The two are related by marriage. Originally, it was not my turn to raise the young prince. It was His Majesty's decree that he was sent to my palace."
Xue Wanyue smiled and said, "Consort Yu is kind-hearted and often brings the Tenth Prince to my palace to visit the young prince. Over time, the Tenth Prince has grown very fond of his younger brother and occasionally comes to visit on his own. On the night of the late Empress's death anniversary, His Majesty was in a bad mood and asked me to go and serve him. I was gone for an hour when the incident occurred in the palace. All the evidence points to the fact that I harmed the Tenth Prince. The incident happened in my palace, and I have no way to defend myself."
Xue Wanyue's words were veiled, but Lu Yangyang already understood what she meant.
After the deposed crown prince, the most popular choice in the court was to recommend the Third Prince to become the crown prince, but the emperor was in his prime, and the other princes might still have a chance.
The Jiangnan Saltworks case has completely eliminated the Fifth Prince. Among the remaining princes, the most promising one should be the Tenth Prince.
When Zong Que was still the crown prince, although the emperor had many sons, only a few grew up. The rest were still young. With the outstanding princes in front of him, no one would pay attention to the younger ones.
But now, more than two years have passed since the deposed crown prince, and His Majesty's princes have begun to grow up one by one.
Being able to leave the palace and establish a residence at the age of sixteen means that the next step is to enter the imperial court.
With the Minister of War as a powerful figure to rely on, regardless of who the Minister of War is behind the scenes, on the surface, the Tenth Prince has a bright future.
Consort Xu is related to Consort Yu, but her rank is low, and the only person she can rely on is Consort Yu. Naturally, the child she gives birth to will also be an asset to the Tenth Prince. In fact, just in case, this child will also be a backup option for Consort Yu.
That must be the Shen family's plan.
No one could fathom the emperor's thoughts. With a single decree, the emperor transferred the child born to Consort Xu to Xue Wanyue's name, disrupting the plans of countless people.
This could even be a warning or a test from the emperor.
Having suffered such a loss, the Shen family and Consort Yu naturally couldn't just sit idly by. That's why Consort Yu, being kind-hearted, often brought the Tenth Prince to visit the young prince.
However, the death of the Tenth Prince, a prince who was about to come of age, in Xue Wanyue's palace, on the anniversary of the late Empress's death, meant that even if Xue Wanyue was innocent, she could not escape blame.
No wonder I went to the temple at this time and was ambushed.
Xue Wanyue is now in dire straits. No matter how many people are using her as a pawn, after this incident, she will most likely become a discarded piece.
As for whether the emperor will protect her, it probably depends on his mood.
Lu Yangyang had assumed Xue Wanyue's current situation was not good, but she never expected it to be this bad.
Even so, Lu Yangyang still didn't understand: "The prince was murdered. The Dali Temple handles that. What case can I help you investigate?"
"I heard that you have performed autopsies before." Xue Wanyue looked at Lu Yangyang with a slight nervousness, but also a hint of secret expectation. "The body of the Tenth Prince is still kept in Dali Temple. Because the Tenth Prince died unjustly, His Majesty has granted permission for the body to remain in state for twenty-one days in order to find out the truth. There are still three days left. I would like to ask you to perform an autopsy."