Chu Chu quickly embraced Xiao Jin Yu's body. "Wang Ye, don't worry, most of these are old injuries, not many new ones... She's in our home now, no one would dare bully her again!"
Xiao Jin Yu pressed his lips together, took two slow breaths, then said quietly, "Chu Chu... when was the earliest injury on her body?"
Chu Chu carefully watched Xiao Jin Yu's expression. "It should be about ten years ago."
Xiao Jin Yu froze. Ten years - that was roughly when Xue Rucheng's last wife passed away, and Shi Niang became the Pavilion Master of As Returning Pavilion... Xiao Jin Yu remained silent for a long time before nodding slightly. He gently stroked Chu Chu's abdomen and softly kissed her temple. "It's late... let's sleep."
"Then... should we still record these in the case files?"
Xiao Jin Yu turned slightly, drawing Chu Chu's warm, soft body into his embrace. Finding a comfortable position on the pillow, he gently closed his eyes.
"We'll write it tomorrow..."
☆ ☆ ☆
Early in the morning, Xiao Jin Yu had Chu Chu bring Qing Ping back. Qing Ping was still deeply asleep, but when Xiao Jin Yu took him in his arms, the child smelled the familiar herbal scent on Xiao Jin Yu and drowsily opened his eyes to call out "Daddy." His little face nuzzled against Xiao Jin Yu's chest before he fell back into deep sleep.
Perhaps because he was used to being held by Xiao Jin Yu, Qing Ping felt particularly comforted by the herbal scent. When placed in the wet nurse's room, he would cry incessantly, impossible to soothe. But when handed to Gu He Nian and placed in the medicine room of One Heart Garden's backyard, he could sleep soundly without anyone comforting him.
"Wang Ye, do you think he might become a doctor in the future?"
"Whatever he becomes is fine..." Xiao Jin Yu gently patted the particularly fragile, thin little body in his arms. "As long as he can live a peaceful life."
Xiao Jin Yu truly spent the entire morning quietly playing with Qing Ping, telling the guards not to admit anyone unless the Emperor came. Chu Chu thought he was just saying it, but as the sun began to set in the west, the Emperor actually arrived.
Not only did the Emperor come, he was accompanied by twenty imperial guards. Sitting upright in the main seat of Er Quan Hall, his face was as dark as a burnt pot bottom. Paired with the dragon robe he wore and the cold-faced imperial guards standing on both sides, he projected an unusual authority.
Before Chu Chu and Xiao Jin Yu could pay their respects, an imperial guard standing beside the Emperor spoke in a deep voice: "Prince An Xiao Jin Yu, Princess Consort Chu Chu, and Prince Cheng Xiao Qing Ping are suspected to be descendants of rebels. Effective immediately, they are placed under house confinement in Prince An Manor, to be investigated by the Dali Temple. Until the investigation is complete, they may not leave the manor, receive guests, or exchange letters. Any violation will be treated as defying imperial decree and deceiving the sovereign."
Chu Chu's heart sank, and she quickly looked at Xiao Jin Yu. Xiao Jin Yu still held Qing Ping in his arms. As if understanding something, Qing Ping lay quietly in Xiao Jin Yu's stiff embrace without making a sound, only clutching a corner of Xiao Jin Yu's robe, blinking his clear eyes as he gazed quietly at him. Xiao Jin Yu remained as calm and composed as ever. "Your Majesty... I have detailed in the memorial I submitted last night that I am undoubtedly the son of Ning Jun Wang Xiao Heng. If Your Majesty still has doubts, you may summon Grand Tutor Xue Rucheng for verification."
The Emperor's face darkened so much it seemed about to fall off, barely managing to squeeze out words through clenched teeth: "Whether to ask or not is for me to decide."Xiao Jinyu wore a faint smile that nearly dazzled the imperial guards standing nearby. Most of them had seen Xiao Jinyu before, but usually in formal settings where official business was conducted. Few had ever seen him smile, especially not with such an expression of serene tranquility at a time like this. With this conspicuous smile lingering on his lips, he said calmly, "If His Majesty did not wish to hear a few words from your subject, why would you have come in person?"
The Emperor's cheeks twitched stiffly. Under the watchful eyes of the imperial guards, he had no choice but to reply sternly, "Speak."
"I ask for nothing else, only that Your Majesty imprison my entire family in the same cell—the one where my father resided before his execution... I wish to bring my wife and child to pay our respects and fulfill our filial duties."
Xiao Jinyu spoke with such calm composure, as if he were merely planning to stroll in, kowtow a few times, and then leave. The Emperor could only direct his frustrated gaze toward Chu Chu, who was still standing there dazed, as if hoping to salvage something from this straightforward and pragmatic woman. He enunciated each word clearly, "Once this matter is confirmed, regardless of Prince An's achievements, it cannot mitigate the punishment of death by a thousand cuts. Considering Prince Cheng's youth, I believe it would be better to investigate thoroughly before making a decision."
Seeing the Emperor staring intently at her, as if waiting for her to say something, Chu Chu—though still unable to grasp what was going through Xiao Jinyu's mind—lifted her chin and replied without hesitation, "I'll follow Wang Ye's lead."
The Emperor's face flushed a deep crimson. Casting aside all imperial dignity, he slapped the armrest of his chair and sprang to his feet. He glared at this family, who remained so unnervingly calm, for a long moment before taking a deep breath and exhaling heavily. "Guards... take them into custody."
Before the words had fully left his mouth, he hurried out as if fleeing in defeat.
As arranged by the Emperor, the three of them were quietly transported by carriage from Prince An Manor. From the manor to the familiar Heavenly Prison, Xiao Jinyu held Qingping tightly, speaking only one soft sentence to Chu Chu.
"Don't be afraid."
Unfortunately, Xiao Jinyu didn't realize that Chu Chu's mind was currently a muddled mess, entirely preoccupied with his earlier performance, leaving no room for fear.
Xiao Jinyu remained as calm as an empty shell, his spirit seemingly wandering elsewhere. It wasn't until they entered the clean yet gloomy cell, heard the warden wrap the chains around the iron bars, lock the door, and depart, that he finally looked down. He gently kissed the forehead of Qingping, who was trembling with fear in the eerie prison, and patted her soothingly. With a pale smile, he whispered, "Be good, Ping'er, don't be afraid. Your father and mother are here..."
It had been two years since he last entered this cell. The memory of her rushing to accompany him back then was still vivid in his mind. The cell was just as cold and damp as before, but since they were prisoners the Emperor had reluctantly arrested, the warden didn't dare neglect them. All the necessities for daily life were provided, and everything had been replaced with new items. After looking around for a while, Chu Chu ran her hand over the smooth wall and sighed sincerely, "Wang Ye, Grand Tutor Xue has cleaned this place spotless!"
Xiao Jinyu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He had worried that such a sudden turn of events would frighten her, but now he gazed at this frowning yet utterly fearless woman and asked, "Chu Chu, aren't you afraid we might truly die here?"
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