At this mont, there was no room for them to act more, or even think more. Shang Ruyi lifted her head, glancing around. Those officials who had been sitting composedly on the cushions, so even dozing off earlier, had now completely gathered around, surrounding her so tightly that even the wind couldn’t pass through.
Everyone’s gaze and breath converged, creating a heat that was almost about to ignite her.
Yet, she, at the very center, felt cold.
Especially when she sensed Yu Wenye stepping away from her side, her heart seed to plunge into an abyss, though the bone-chilling sensation made her even calr at this mont.
However, she didn’t even turn to glance at him.
She t the resentful eyes of Ji Hong and calmly said, "Lord Ji, have you co here to inquire how His Majesty died?"
Ji Hong let out a cold laugh, glanced at Yu Wenquan and Yu Wenye beside him, then said, "Actually, I want to ask much more. But since the Duke is protecting you, just answer the most crucial question. How exactly did His Majesty die!"
Shang Ruyi gave a faint smile and said, "Lord Ji, there’s no need to hold back."
These words left everyone stunned, even Yu Wenquan frowned slightly. Yet, Shang Ruyi calmly smiled and said, "Lord Ji, you can ask all you wish, from beginning to end, so that there won’t be any doubts after today. Moreover, asking every question to clarify the causes and effects would make the whole affair clearer, wouldn’t it?"
"..."
Ji Hong slightly narrowed his eyes, seemingly sowhat surprised at this Young Madam of the Duke Mansion.
Over the years, he had distanced himself from the court, even further from its struggles. Even when his own son died in Jiangdu, he regarded it as a civil servant’s loyal sacrifice; But the news of the Emperor’s assassination at Jiangdu Palace brought him imnse grief, even considering following the late Emperor. Yet today, suddenly inford by so in the court that the rumored regicide, Shang Ruyi, had returned to Daxing City, he rushed here surrounded by protectors to clarify.
Unexpectedly, this alleged regicide was so unflinching.
Even to the point of arrogance.
Was she fearless, or—aware that she had committed an unforgivable sin and was dood, so she no longer cared?
But whatever the case, getting to the truth was his purpose for coming today.
So, Ji Hong let out a cold laugh and said, "Fine, then I’ll ask, and you answer!"
Shang Ruyi said, "Please, ask."
Ji Hong said, "The first question, it is heard that when His Majesty led officials south to Jiangdu Palace, Young Madam was originally on the roster, yet why did you not accompany?"
Shang Ruyi said, "I believed that at that ti, going south to Jiangdu Palace was detrintal to the state, detrintal to the court, so I did not accompany."
There were already people around snickering.
Soone said, "If it’s detrintal to the state and court, does that justify defying imperial orders?"
"Her eyes see nothing of His Majesty, no wonder she dared to regicide!"
"It must be her—"
As people were accusing all at once, Shang Ruyi suddenly turned her head and gave them a cold glare.
Even though she was a re woman, incapable of suppressing the surrounding officials, her cold gaze brought a chill to their hearts, and they subconsciously closed their mouths.
And in that mont of silence from them, Shang Ruyi said, "Do you all think that Lord Ji would also commit regicide?"
At these words, everyone was shocked.
Even Ji Hong frowned with anger, "What did you say?!"
Shang Ruyi turned back to him, calmly saying, "Years ago, when the late Emperor moved east to Luoyang, Lord Ji knelt outside Daxing Palace to stop His Majesty from moving, correct?"
"..."
"At that ti, didn’t you also say in your persuasion that His Majesty’s construction of the Eastern Capital was wasteful and harmful to the state and court?"
"..."
"I simply did not want to follow, but Lord Ji, you personally went to stop His Majesty’s move east."
"..."
"If my actions can lead you to think of regicide, then Lord Ji’s actions wouldn’t just suggest regicide, but defiance against the entire court and realm!"
Hearing this, Ji Hong choked up, unable to speak.
Even more, everyone around was speechless.
No one expected that the revered Ji Hong, whom even Yu Wenquan hesitated to press, was refuted by Shang Ruyi using Ji Hong’s own actions to explain her own.
It was as if she had placed a shield of innocence upon herself.
As long as today, Ji Hong could still stand here and question her, then Shang Ruyi was innocent!
What a tactic!
At this mont, even Yu Wenquan’s eyes brightened.
He naturally knew the intelligence of his old friend’s daughter and had long seen the ingenuity of his daughter-in-law, but he didn’t expect her to remain so calm in the face of questioning by important court officials, with so many adversaries, and fight back from the brink of despair.
Now, even the articulate Ji Hong was rendered speechless by her words.
Yu Wenquan couldn’t help but nod slightly.
However, Yu Wenye, standing beside him, still looked grave, not feeling a hint of relief despite Shang Ruyi gaining this mont of respite.
Then, applause ca from the crowd, and a voice coldly laughed, "What eloquence, what eloquence."
Everyone quickly turned their heads, and Shang Ruyi also slightly frowned, looking up to see a middle-aged man erging from the crowd. It was Zhou Ying, Doctor of Universal Discussion, who had been standing behind Yu Dingxing. He slowly walked in front of Shang Ruyi, lowered his head, and smiled, "Young Madam Yu Wen is quick-witted, truly admirable."
Shang Ruyi said, "It’s not about quick wit, just speaking the truth."
Zhou Ying said, "Then, Young Madam, please do explain. Since you believed going south to Jiangdu was detrintal to the state and the court, why did you go to Jiangdu anyway? Moreover, rumors spread from Jiangdu Palace about you staying close to His Majesty, drinking and reveling together?!"
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