Chapter 369
~ MENG HANDONG IS DEAD ~
Mu Yunyao smiled, and her eyes shone brightly. Now, no matter if it was her or Yue Wang, both of them were carrying too many things on them, and these things could very possibly affect them greatly in the future.
One year is more than enough time to resolve most of these matters. By that time, if their intentions hadn’t changed, they would naturally be able to stay together safely.
Seeing her current state, even Yue Wang could not help but smile too. Her smile carried an indescribable power, causing the surrounding scenery to brighten up involuntarily. Even if it was just for this smile, he was willing to wait for this one year.
When Mu Yunyao and Yue Wang returned to the tent, the imperial guards immediately surrounded them. The Second Prince, Yu Wang, had an unsightly expression on his face. When he saw that the imperial guards were going to detain the two of them, he quickly stopped them, “Impudent! Imperial Father still hasn’t come to a conclusion. Is it your turn to make a move?”
Mu Yunyao’s gaze trembled as a bad premonition arose in her heart.
Yu Wang walked up and quickly said, “Meng Handong of the Meng family is dead. At this moment, Meng Xi brought his corpse to Imperial Father and reported that you killed Meng Handong because the arrow on his body carried your mark.”
In order to make it easier to distinguish between the prey, the feather arrows used in the hunting grounds were marked with various markings so as not to cause a dispute while counting the prey.
Yue Wang nodded his head, and his expression no longer anxious: “Thank you for the reminder, Second Imperial Brother.”
Yu Wang patted his shoulder and turned to look at Mu Yunyao. “You guys must be careful. Hurry up and go to Imperial Father’s tent.”
Mu Yunyao walked forward a few steps before suddenly turning around. “Your Royal Highness, I wonder if I can trouble you to do something?”
Yu Wang was slightly surprised, but he still nodded his head. He waved his hand to signal the guards to back away, “You say.”
Mu Yunyao walked up and said a word in a soft voice. Under the joyful gaze of the other party, she turned around and followed the steps of Yue Wang.
At this moment, Meng Handong’s corpse was placed within the Emperor’s tent.
Mu Yunyao came in with Yue Wang, then after saluting, she shot her gaze over.
Yue Wang shot three arrows in the forest. The first arrow broke off Meng Handong’s crown, the second shot pierced through the palm of his hand, and the third shot pierced through his left shoulder. In other words, there were only two wounds on Meng Handong’s body, and neither of them is a fatal position. But right now, an arrow was nocked in his chest, killing him instantly.
The Emperor didn’t tell them to get up. Instead, his aura was extremely oppressive, “Fourth Child, Meng Xi accused you of murdering someone. I had someone inspect it, and your mark was on the arrow that took Meng Handong’s life.”
Yue Wang turned his head and looked at Meng Handong’s corpse.
“I shot the arrows in his palm and shoulders. As for the arrow in his chest, which took his life, it has nothing to do with me. Imperial Father, please inspect it clearly.”
Meng Xi wiped his tears with his sleeves and said with a sorrowful expression, “Your Royal Highness, although Handong was impulsive and a bit mischievous, he is still a good boy. Even if he offended you, you shouldn’t torture him like this and even kill him in the end. It’s really too cruel.”
Yue Wang turned his head. “According to what Lord Meng said, no matter what Meng Handong has done, then I should understand?”
“This official has no intention of doing so....”
“Since there is no such meaning, how do you know if Meng Handong deserves to die or not?”
Meng Xi did not expect Yue Wang to speak so rudely. His breath caught in his throat, and he paused for a moment before speak, “Handong definitely knows what he’s doing. He’s always sticks to his manners....”
Meng Xi hurriedly shook his head and kowtowed to the Emperor. “Your Majesty, this humble subject definitely does not intend to do that.”
“Do you mean that I have no sense of propriety? Talking about the royal family is a big crime, and the punisment is beheading. Is Lord Meng ready to think about it?”
Meng Xi shook his head quickly and kowtowed at the Emperor: “The Emperor, this minister absolutely have no intention of this.”
Yue Wang’s voice was cold: “Meng Handong shot an arrow at me with the intention to assassinate me. Fortunately, Miss Mu helped me out and saved my life, so this did not cost this my life, which is why I didn’t kill him. I only shot his palm and shoulder also gave him a small warning. Does Lord Meng think that I has done wrong?”
“Your Royal Highness, the small punishment and the big admonition in your mouth is take Handong’s life!”
Yue Wang bowed towards the Emperor, “Imperial Father, someone has deliberately killed Meng Handong to framed this son and intends to put this son to death. I would like Imperial Father’s help to uphold the justice.”
Looking at the imposing Ning Junyue in his words and deeds, a complicated look flashed across the Emperor’s eyes. “You say that someone was framed you?”
“That’s right. Imperial Father, please think about it carefully. Your son’s identity is the prince of the Imperial Court, so it’s easy for me to make things difficult for Meng Handong. Even if I have to kill him, I just need to make an excuse. Why should I take the risk to secretly kill him?”
Meng Xi was a little dumbfounded. He didn’t expect that Yue Wang would come forward with confidence and tell the truth. In the end, he was blocked by Yue Wang and was speechless. “Your Majesty, this is all a fabrication by Yue Wang. The feather arrow on Handong’s body is an indisputable fact. Is it true that the judgement of the case only listens to reasonable and unreasonable, but does not look at whether there is evidence or not?”
The Emperor frowned, “Fourth Child, do you have anything else to say?”
Mu Yunyao suddenly spoke, “Your Majesty, this humble daughter has something to say.”
“You?” The Emperor swept his cold gaze across the place, and the emotions deep within his eyes were inexplicable.
“Your majesty, this humble daughter was present at that time, which can be said to be the only witness.”
“Oh? Then tell me, what kind of proof can you make?”
“Your majesty, this humble daughter can testify. Your highness Yue Wang is innocent.” Felt the increasing pressure in the tent, Mu Yunyao’s expression did not show the slightest trace of panic as she spoke in a clear voice.
“Where is the evidence?”
“The evidence is on Meng Handong.” Mu Yunyao pointed at Meng Handong’s corpse. “The arrow that killed Meng Handong hit him squarely in the chest. It went from the back of his heart to the front of his chest and killed him with one shot. The Emperor could ask the imperial physician to examine the other two wounds on his body. Both arrows were shot from the front, which can be easily judged from the wounds.”
Meng Xi was unconvinced. “Handong sensed the killing intent of Yue Wang, so he must have wanted to turn around and flee. Don’t tell me that he stay where he is, waiting to be killed by Yue Wang? An arrow in the chest must have been shot while he was running!”
Mu Yunyao nodded, “Why do you say that? It’s as if Lord Meng saw it with his own eyes.”
“I was only guessing. Naturally, I didn’t see it with my own eyes.”
“Didn’t you say just now that the case was based on evidence and not a fabrication?” Mu Yunyao tossed the words that Meng Xi had said back to Yue Wang. “I’m a witness at the scene, and I’ve personally seen what I said.”
Meng Xi angrily gritted his teeth. “You … Who knows if your words are true or not? ” Since Yue Wang favored her, she would naturally help Yue Wang!
At this moment, the Second Prince, Yu Wang, quickly walked in. “This son greets Imperial Father. I have found evidence to prove Fourth Imperial Brother’s innocence.” The Emperor raised his head, “Present it!”