“I also heard that Ouyang Siqing came last night!”
“Yes!” Xie Jing’an offered no further words, merely responding reflexively.
“What did you and Qin Yun say in the room? Why did Ouyang Siqing faint after listening? What stimulus did he receive?”
Qin Yun’s disguise as a man must not be revealed! Revealing it would not only implicate Qin Yun but also himself. If he withheld information, his Imperial Uncle would surely punish him.
“Imperial Uncle also knows that Qin Yun has a fiery temper. She came to argue with me last night and spoke ill of Ouyang Siqing midway. Ouyang Siqing, upon hearing it, became enraged and fainted!”
Upon hearing this, Xie Qianmo’s brow furrowed slightly. Xie Jing’an was actually lying to him!
“To my knowledge, Ouyang Siqing is not a petty person. What malicious words did you both utter about him that caused him to faint from anger!”
“Furthermore, Qin Yun came to your palace in the middle of the night, solely to argue with you?”
Xie Jing’an nodded. “Yes, didn’t Imperial Nephew injure her during that hunt? Who knew she was so petty as to come and scold me!”
“If she came to scold you, then why was she discussing Ouyang Siqing?” Xie Qianmo pressed from above, his gaze interrogative.
“Ouyang Siqing was also present that day at the hunt, and some unpleasant things happened between us!”
Xie Qianmo let out a cold laugh and decided to play along. “Is that so? I never realized Qin Yun was such a petty person! From now on, you and Qin Yun should cease all contact!”
Xie Jing’an’s heart fluttered upon hearing this. “Imperial Uncle, I…?”
“What? Are you questioning my decision?”
Xie Jing’an lowered his head, dejected. “No!”
“It is best that you do not! I shall summon Ouyang Siqing and Qin Yun now. If their accounts do not match yours, do not blame me for disregarding our uncle-nephew relationship!”
Xie Qianmo emanated an aura of authority from his entire being. This oppressive presence left Xie Jing’an struggling to breathe.
“Everything Imperial Nephew has said is the truth! May Imperial Uncle see all clearly!”
He was well aware of Qin Yun’s situation. Qin Yun herself would not speak of it, and Ouyang Siqing would not either. He only feared there might be some discrepancies in their accounts.
“You shall remain here and reflect properly!” Xie Qianmo had learned nothing and was in a foul mood. Xie Jing’an had practically grown up under his watch! If even he wouldn’t speak of it, it must not be a trivial matter. He was determined to uncover precisely what had transpired last night and the content of their discussion!
After leaving Xie Jing’an’s palace, Xie Qianmo’s first action upon returning to the Imperial Study was to wait.
“Observe that brat’s every move today. He will surely write letters and send people to secretly deliver them to the Zhuangyuan Mansion and Ouyang Mansion!” He knew Xie Jing’an too well. If what happened last night was crucial, Xie Jing’an would not sit idly by. He would undoubtedly take action.
Clearly, Xie Qianmo had guessed wrong this time! By evening, there was still no sign of Xie Jing’an dispatching anyone. For the first time, Xie Qianmo doubted if his assumptions were correct.
“Fang Jing, summon Ouyang Siqing to the palace to see me!” He was determined to see what game these three were playing!
An hour later, Fang Jing led Ouyang Siqing into the Imperial Study. Upon seeing Ouyang Siqing, Xie Qianmo’s brow knitted slightly. In just two days, Ouyang Siqing had become thinner and more haggard!
“Your subject greets Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live!” Ouyang Siqing knelt and bowed.
“Rise!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
“Minister Ouyang seems to have lost considerable weight. I wonder what has been troubling you lately?”
Ouyang Siqing chuckled. “Merely some trivial household matters, hardly worth mentioning!”
“Is that so?” Xie Qianmo rose and slowly approached Ouyang Siqing.
“I heard that Minister Ouyang has been feeling unwell. Have you seen the imperial physician?”
“Your subject is in good health. It is simply the recent turn in the weather; I caught a chill at night. I did not expect to trouble Your Majesty with my concern! I am ashamed, truly ashamed!”
“If you are unwell, you should remain in your residence and rest properly. Why then did you go to the Second Prince’s palace in the middle of the night?”
Ouyang Siqing’s eyes flickered. Had His Majesty discovered something? Or was he probing?
“It has been a long time since I last saw the Second Prince. Last night, I was merely bored and happened to pass by to see him.”
“I heard that Minister Ouyang fainted last night?”
Ouyang Siqing offered an awkward smile. “My body is simply not strong enough; I fainted at a critical moment! It has become a joke for Your Majesty.”
“So, you fainted merely because you were unwell?”
This conversation made Ouyang Siqing clearly sense that something was amiss. Why was His Majesty interrogating him so intensely? Should he answer yes or no?
“Your Majesty, such a trivial matter should not require your concern. Am I not fine now?”
“Are you? I also spoke with Xie Jing’an today, but your accounts differ greatly from his. Therefore… you are lying to me!” Xie Qianmo stared coldly at Ouyang Siqing, his eyes filled with a murderous intent.
Ouyang Siqing recoiled two steps in fear. Xie Qianmo had no intention of letting him off, slowly stepping forward and asking sharply, “Will you confess truthfully, or shall I resort to force?”
“Minister Ouyang should know my methods! Since you have already lied, you should understand the consequences!”
Ouyang Siqing fell to his knees. “Your Majesty may kill or torture me as you please. Your subject will obey.”
Ouyang Siqing offered no defense. Speaking more would only reveal more, which would only be disadvantageous to Qin Yun.
“Very well! Minister Ouyang willingly accepts punishment. In that case, I must impose it!”
“Guards, seize Ouyang Siqing and give him fifty heavy blows, then imprison him in the great jail!”
Ouyang Siqing was quickly taken away by the imperial guards. Throughout the ordeal, he uttered not a single word, nor did he cry out in injustice or plead for mercy.
When the Imperial Study was once again silent, Xie Qianmo said to Fang Jing beside him, “Convey this news to Qin Yun!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Fang Jing trembled. He did not know why Ouyang Siqing had lied to His Majesty, but he could see that Ouyang Siqing seemed to be deliberately concealing something from His Majesty. What was he hiding? To the extent of gambling with his own life!
The news of Ouyang Siqing’s severe punishment and imprisonment soon reached Qin Yun. Upon hearing this, Qin Yun felt a complex mix of emotions. His Majesty must have discovered something! Or perhaps he was beginning to suspect things! Had he questioned Ouyang Siqing? And perhaps he had also questioned Xie Jing’an! With both Xie Jing’an and Ouyang Siqing questioned, their accounts did not match. Therefore, Ouyang Siqing was implicated. What about Xie Jing’an? He likely wouldn’t fare any better! What should she do? If she were to see His Majesty, what could she say? If she were to plead for Ouyang Siqing, what reason could she possibly give? In her panic, Qin Yun summoned Qingshan. She asked anxiously, “Has Tutor Ouyang received the news? Has he seen His Majesty yet?” Qingshan nodded. “I heard that after Minister Ouyang was severely punished and imprisoned, Tutor Ouyang immediately went to the palace to see His Majesty!”
“What was the result? Do you know how His Majesty handled it?”
“According to the eunuchs in the Imperial Study, Tutor Ouyang knelt outside the hall for an entire day, but His Majesty did not summon him.”
This matter had arisen because of her. It seemed she could not escape it.
“Prepare the carriage, I must go to the palace to see His Majesty.”