Yu Wan'er obediently stopped speaking, and Qiu Yun took her back to her palace.
Today, Yu Jingchen was determined to investigate this matter thoroughly. It had just been confirmed that the horse had been treated with a special scent that excited cats. When Yu Wan'er had brought the cat over earlier, she had smelled the scent on the horse, which had startled it.
"Where is the person who watches the horses? Come out!" Yu Jingchen asked again.
"Your humble servant is here," a young eunuch replied.
"The horse had a problem, how do you explain it?" Yu Jingchen looked at his hand.
"Your humble servant is wronged. Your humble servant has no idea what happened. Your humble servant has been watching this horse all day and truly doesn't know why this situation occurred. I beg Your Majesty for mercy, I beg Your Majesty for mercy!" The young eunuch was also an innocent victim; he had no idea why the horse had reacted this way.
"Do you think a simple 'I don't know' will allow you to shirk responsibility? You are responsible for watching the horses, and now there is a problem with the horse, so naturally, you are responsible." Yu Jingchen's tone was somewhat indifferent.
"Your Majesty, spare my life! Your Majesty, spare my life! Your humble servant, your humble servant remembers now. Concubine Jing came by today. Only Concubine Jing approached this horse today!" The young eunuch suddenly recalled.
Yu Yan, upon hearing her name mentioned, was startled. "Your Majesty! Your concubine is wrongly accused! Your concubine merely wanted to select a horse today and happened to pass by. Your concubine absolutely did not administer any such medicine, I implore Your Majesty to investigate!" Yu Yan became flustered.
"Your Majesty, two suspicious individuals were also found in the hunting grounds today," Xing Lai reported.
"Bring them up," Yu Jingchen seemed very calm tonight, but Xing Lai knew that the calmer the Emperor was, the more severe the consequences would be. Concubine Shu had almost met with disaster today; how could His Majesty let this pass easily?
Soon, two figures dressed in black were brought forward. Although they were called "men in black," they didn't look like assassins.
"Who are you? Why were you in the hunting grounds?" Xing Lai asked. The men below trembled like sieves from fear but refused to speak.
"Bring out the torture instruments. Fetch the daggers. Today, we'll play a game. Let's see how many daggers can be inserted into your body before you breathe your last," Yu Jingchen propped his head up with one hand, as if anticipating an exciting spectacle.
"Let the first dagger go into the left hand," Yu Jingchen looked down. As soon as he finished speaking, someone thrust a dagger into the left hand of one of the men in black, piercing through the entire palm and into the ground, then gave it a twist.
"Ah!" A scream pierced the sky. Nan Zhiyun, who had just arrived, was startled by the sound and froze in place.
Sensing the commotion, Yu Jingchen turned his head and saw Nan Zhiyun approaching.
"Your... Your Majesty..." Nan Zhiyun felt a pang of guilt under Yu Jingchen's gaze.
"Why have you come here?" Yu Jingchen's tone was not pleasant. Nan Zhiyun stood in place, unsure of what to do, neither daring to step forward nor wanting to retreat.
"Didn't I tell you to stay properly in your room? Have you taken your medicine? Are you feeling better?" Yu Jingchen's tone was stern.
"It hurts," Nan Zhiyun said pitifully, standing there as if she had been wronged. Yu Jingchen couldn't bear it; it seemed this girl had no intention of going back.
"Come here," Yu Jingchen compromised.
Nan Zhiyun hesitated for a long moment before walking towards Yu Jingchen. However, as soon as she reached his side, she faltered.
Yu Jingchen looked at her, but Nan Zhiyun kept her head bowed. This girl actually knew how to feel afraid?