Free Web NovelChapter 1101: Chapter 795: Corpses!
Regarding King Qin, Yu Wenqian’s originally grave expression deepened at this moment, but he promptly said, "Not yet."
"Hasn’t arrived yet?"
This time, Yu Wenquan’s face clearly showed dissatisfaction, murmuring, "Earlier, he refused to come along; later, he suddenly proposed to wait until Ru Yi went to Dayan Temple to pray before catching up with the Imperial Carriage. I knew he only cared about his wife. That’s fine, but it’s been several days, and he’s still not here."
Yu Wenqian said, "Second brother might have encountered something on the road, causing a delay."
Yu Wenquan said, "What could he encounter? From Chang An to Tongguan, it’s just a couple hundred miles. On horseback, it’s not far; by carriage, it’s not far; even on foot, he should have arrived."
"..."
"Hmph, when I’m done here and return, I’ll see where he actually is!"
Yu Wenqian was silent for a moment, softly saying, "Yes."
While the father and son were speaking in hushed tones, Yu Dingxing quietly moved to Yu Mingyue’s side, lowering his voice as much as possible, "Where are your people?!"
"I—"
Yu Mingyue’s face also showed a hint of unease.
The people she arranged should have been waiting on the opposite bank long ago. As soon as they saw Yu Wenquan’s Imperial Carriage approaching Longmen Crossing, they should immediately prepare to cross the river and report the abnormalities on the opposite side.
Why have they still not appeared after all this time?
As she craned her neck to look across, she saw the ferry slowly approaching from upstream. Once the boat docked, Yu Wenquan would board it. If no one had reported by then, even if she had prepared beforehand, she couldn’t stop the Emperor from crossing the river without reason. After all, speaking without evidence would likely lead the Emperor to suspect her, even if Jiang Chong’en on the opposite side had indeed set a trap to lure Yu Wenquan to kill him.
She had earlier displeased Yu Wenquan, and now she managed to win a bit of his favor. What if she incurred the Emperor’s suspicion again—
Thinking of this, Yu Mingyue glanced at Yu Wenqian beside her.
At this moment, a panicked shout suddenly erupted from the bustling riverbank—
"Bodies! There are bodies here!"
That shout was like a bolt from the blue, exploding on the riverbank, and everyone panicked instantly. Several guards immediately grabbed the hilts of their swords and rushed over, surrounding Yu Wenquan in the center, and vigilant eyes scanned the surroundings. Yu Wenquan’s face also showed astonishment, but he was accustomed to such situations and wasn’t easily thrown into chaos. He simply frowned and looked in the direction from which the sound came.
Next to the riverbank, a patrolling guard stood beside a large stone, face filled with terror as he looked behind it.
Yu Wenqian’s face also showed astonishment, not panic, but somewhat stunned, and hurriedly instructed those below him, "Check clearly, who is it!"
The other guards rushed over cautiously, carefully moving to the guard’s side, peering behind a giant rock—a rock the size of half a carriage. Facing the Yellow River, part of the stone was submerged, and underneath there was a hollow depression, so when the Imperial Carriage arrived, everyone, busy as they were, hadn’t noticed at first. Behind the stone were piled two or three bodies!
Upon closer inspection, they were all thirty-something robust men, modestly dressed, each with several knife wounds. Their blood had washed away long ago with the river water, and their injuries were swollen and pale from soaking.
It seems they died quite a while ago!
What’s the matter?
The guards dared not be negligent, rushing back to report this to the Emperor, while Yu Mingyue nearby glanced at it and her face instantly turned pale.
At this moment, Yu Dingxing also walked over to the rock. After looking, a strong sense of unease surged in his heart, especially when he turned and saw his daughter’s pale look. He quickly walked to her side, taking advantage of the fact that no one noticed to whisper, "These people are—"
Yu Mingyue bit her lower lip and nodded lightly.
Yu Dingxing’s face also turned white immediately.
These people were arranged by Yu Mingyue! How did they all end up dead here!
What’s going on? Why is this happening?
Moreover, if anyone discovers that these people were arranged by Yu Mingyue, how could Yu Wenquan not suspect them?!
He was both startled and panicked, trying with all his might to suppress the unease in his heart, not daring to say anything further for fear that the people around him might catch a single word and involve him in the matter. But deep down, his fear was overwhelming. He glanced at Ming Yue, hoping to find some comfort in her, only to see that this usually composed daughter now also had an expression of panic and helplessness.
This time, even Ming Yue was a bit flustered.
Ever since she came into this world, she had everything under control. The matters she arranged, even if not perfect, would at least not go terribly wrong. But this time, things suddenly changed with no prior indication, and indeed at the most crucial moment!
As everyone on the riverbank was panicking due to the sudden discovery of several corpses, another gust of wind carrying moisture blew in.
A massive shadow engulfed them.
Looking up, they saw that the river crossing ship had already sailed downstream and stopped right in front of them!
Seeing this luxurious and grand crossing ship, and then looking at the corpses surrounded by guards, Ming Yue instinctively wanted to say something. However, the concern in her heart felt like an invisible thread tightly binding her heart, making her hesitate; and just at her moment of hesitation, Eunuch Yu, who had been closely following Yu Wenquan, stepped forward and solemnly said, "Your Majesty, this old servant humbly requests that Your Majesty not cross the river!"
Upon hearing this, Yu Wenquan’s expression, already heavy, flickered slightly.
He did not speak but merely looked at Eunuch Yu, who, despite violating the taboo of speaking out of turn by those in the eunuch service, persisted boldly, "Although both officials led the crowd in surrender, what the situation across the river truly is, Your Majesty does not know; now, with unexpected strangers’ corpses appearing here, I fear there may be changes."
"..."
"For Your Majesty’s safety, this old servant implores Your Majesty not to risk your noble self lightly!"
As soon as Eunuch Yu spoke and the Emperor did not immediately refute him, nor did any anger surface on his face, the ministers who were already opposed to the Emperor crossing the river immediately gathered around, talking over each other, "Eunuch Yu’s words are wise!"
"Emperor, a wise man does not stand under dangerous walls."
"Sacrificing the noble self for minor righteousness is what the ancients did not approve!"
As they crowded around Yu Wenquan, they immediately pushed away those originally standing next to him, especially Yu Dingxing and Ming Yue, the father and daughter. The two exchanged glances and looked at Yu Wenquan, who was not only not angry but nodded gently, seemingly ready to succumb to the crowd’s advice and retreat to the riverbank. Both of their expressions turned ugly.
This time, even the credit for persuading Yu Wenquan was lost.
Their previous plan was to "wait" until those sent to deliver news of anomalies across the river made their report, and then to dissuade the Emperor from crossing, ensuring their reasoning would be sound and not lead to suspicion from the Emperor. They planned this partly because of their guilty conscience, aware that someone was attempting rebellion, even plotting to assassinate the Emperor, which is of great consequence. In case Yu Wenquan suspected they were colluding with the people on the other side, it would be troublesome.
Yet because of this guilty conscience, they dared not act rashly, resulting in their hesitation even as corpses appeared, with Ming Yue delaying to speak.
In her moment of hesitation, Eunuch Yu seized the opportunity to speak first, and once he did, the ministers followed suit, making it a natural progression that, in truth, was the ministers’ instinctive reaction upon discovering strangers—and possibly assassins—among the corpses on the riverbank. Preventing him from crossing was sensible, and Yu Wenquan naturally had no reason to suspect anything amiss.
Ultimately, it was due to their guilty conscience!
Thinking of this, Yu Dingxing felt terribly regretful and also angry, but saying anything now was too late, as several guards immediately escorted the Emperor away from the riverbank and up the embankment, while other ministers hurriedly reported to request His Majesty’s immediate return to camp or directly back to Tongguan for utmost security.
But at this time, Yu Wenquan instead regained his composure.
Just a few corpses weren’t enough to scare him into a complete retreat, especially since the situation on the other side was still uncertain.
He walked to the shade under the awning and slowly sat down, the moisture-laden wind still blowing incessantly, but now the earthy scent lingering around carried hints of blood. Yu Wenquan looked at the other side, lush with greenery, shading the road from the east completely, and couldn’t help but speak in a low voice, "What exactly is going on over there..."
Upon hearing this, everyone’s expressions immediately tensed again.
Everyone looked at each other, unable to say anything for a moment.
Clearly, the Emperor had begun to harbor suspicions about the situation on the other side, but which was the problem—was it Fan Cheng’en, or was it Jiang Chong’en, or were both at fault? Was it Jiang Chong’en? Or Fan Cheng’en? Or perhaps both were innocent, while someone else awaited their opportunity?
As everyone felt uneasy, their thoughts swirling round and round, Ming Yue’s gaze was fixed on the guards below as they briefly examined the corpses and then returned to the embankment. But Eunuch Yu was quick to react, immediately meeting them, heard their report, and returned to Yu Wenquan once more.
Yu Wenquan asked, "What’s up with those corpses?"
Ming Yue’s breath caught, her fists clenched as she nervously watched Yu Wenquan and Eunuch Yu.
