RPAGF Chapter 243 Ye Wenshu's Plea
Chapter 243 Ye Wenshu's Plea
The night was as dark as ink. Inside the ancestral hall of the Grand Tutor's Mansion, candlelight flickered, and Ye Wenshu's plain-colored silk dress spread out on the cold stone floor.
She was slender but her back was straight, and she knelt obediently, her forehead damp with cold sweat.
The maid, Green Oriole, beside her had already cried her eyes out, her voice trembling with sobs as she repeatedly pleaded, "Miss, please apologize to the master. He has always doted on you. If you just soften your stance, he will definitely let you go."
Ye Wenshu seemed not to hear, her eyes fixed on the ancestral tablet, silently praying, "Ancestors above, my only request today is to save the life of a dear friend, and I hope you can protect her..."
The image of Miss Shi kept appearing in her mind. She was a woman who came from the streets, with no background but a heart full of righteousness. She was like a ray of light that shone into Ye Wenshu's world, which had long been secluded.
Miss Shi came from a humble background and struggled in the small town of Xinyang, which fostered her cleverness, intelligence, and free-spirited nature, completely different from the high-class social circle that Ye Wenshu had grown up in.
But fate is so wonderful. Not long ago, she went to Xinyang with the eldest princess and others. Ye Wenshu was impressed by Miss Shi's novel ideas and lively personality.
It attracted all her attention. She had lived in the capital for a long time, and most of the women in the capital were well-educated, polite, gentle and dignified.
However, Shi is a very vibrant girl with many unique ideas and experiences, which she generously shares with herself.
Such a girl, such a life, full of vitality every day, and from then on, their friendship grew stronger day by day.
Now, Miss Shi has angered His Majesty and has been imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison.
The eerie prison was like a giant beast, devouring all hope. Everyone in the capital was afraid of getting burned, and no one dared to plead for mercy under the emperor's wrath.
Ye Wenshu was extremely anxious. She was the princess consort whom His Majesty had personally bestowed upon Prince Xiang. She was of noble status and should have lived a peaceful life. How could she stand by and watch her best friend suffer?
Ye Wenshu pleaded with her father, but was instead confined to the ancestral hall.
The father was furious at her lack of ambition. In his eyes, it was unorthodox for a woman like Shi to attempt to become an official and stir up trouble in the court. He could not allow his daughter to have any further entanglement with her.
"A woman should be a good wife and mother, and not get involved in the affairs of the court!" Her father's words still echoed in her ears, but Ye Wenshu was filled with bitterness.
She knew that the path of seeking help from her father was closed, so what about the Prince? The Prince of Xiang, her future husband, would be marrying into the Prince's mansion in a few months. Although the two were not particularly intimate, they treated each other with respect.
However, the eldest princess behind Prince Xiang values rules the most and is extremely averse to women holding official positions. Miss Shi's actions undoubtedly violated the eldest princess's taboo.
But if she didn't ask the prince for help, she really didn't know what other options she could have.
“Miss, you have been kneeling for eight hours. How can your body take it?”
Green Oriole helped Ye Wenshu up with heartache, but saw her young mistress slowly get up, her eyes showing a stubbornness: "Green Oriole, I can't give up. Sister Shi has been kind to me. I made a promise to her, and I must keep it."
Ye Wenshu straightened her disheveled clothes, took a deep breath, and made up her mind.
She decided to seek an opportunity to meet the prince, even if the chances were slim, she was determined to fight for Miss Shi. Even if it meant defying her father and offending the princess, she would never back down.
Inside the ancestral hall, the candlelight flickered, casting shadows on Ye Wenshu's pale face, her eyes revealing weariness and determination.
Just then, a steady and familiar set of footsteps broke the silence, followed by the authoritative voice of Grand Tutor Ye Jingqing: "Shu'er, have you thought this through?"
Ye Jingqing stepped into the ancestral hall with his hands behind his back. He was dressed in a dark court robe, his expression was cold and stern. His gaze fell on his kneeling daughter, and he frowned slightly, showing both a hint of reluctance and an undeniable determination.
"If you forget that woman from now on, I will let you go."
Ye Jingqing's voice echoed in the empty ancestral hall, each word striking Ye Wenshu's heart.
Ye Wenshu looked up abruptly, her eyes filled with disbelief: "Father, how can you make such a demand on your daughter? Miss Shi has been kind to me, how can I forget her!"
Ye Jingqing snorted coldly: "Hmph, what favor could a woman with no foundation and who dares to break the rules possibly have?"
"She has repeatedly defied the emperor and incited the people to criticize the government, which has now enraged His Majesty. His Majesty has ordered that she be executed in the court in three days in front of all the civil and military officials."
Ye Wenshu was struck dumb, collapsing to the ground with no strength. Her hands trembled as she propped herself up, muttering to herself, "Impossible, why? Why can't His Majesty tolerate such a talented and beautiful woman as Miss Shi? Why are there so many restrictions on women in this world?"
Her eyes filled with tears, and images of her past acquaintance and friendship with Shi flashed through her mind like a revolving lantern.
When they first met, Ye Wenshu was harassed by a wicked servant on the street. At that time, the girl was eloquent and, with her familiarity with the rules of the marketplace, she managed to frighten the wicked servant into running away in a few words.
From that moment on, Ye Wenshu was attracted by Shi's free-spiritedness, intelligence, and courage, and the two explored the local customs together in the streets and alleys of Xinyang.
Miss Shi was compassionate and spoke up for the oppressed people. She also taught Ye Wenshu how to understand people's hearts and break free from the dogma of the elite.
"Father, I beg you, please let me out. I need to go to the prison to see Miss Shi."
Ye Wenshu crawled a few steps on her knees, grabbed Ye Jingqing's clothes, and burst into tears.
"She is my daughter's benefactor and someone she admires greatly. How can my daughter live with peace of mind for the rest of her life if she is allowed to die unjustly like this?"
Ye Jingqing's face darkened, and he flung her hand away with a flick of his sleeve: "Absurd! You are now Prince Xiang's fiancée, and your every move concerns the face of the royal family and the reputation of the Grand Tutor's mansion. How can you have any further dealings with that criminal? I am saving you!"
Ye Wenshu seemed not to hear her and continued, "Miss Shi is only concerned with the well-being of the people. She is merely speaking out what others dare not say. What crime has she committed? This world is unjust, and I will fight for it!"
Ye Jingqing glared at him angrily: "Don't be so stubborn! If you step out of this ancestral hall, I will pretend I have no daughter!"
Ye Wenshu smiled bitterly: "If I cannot save Miss Shi, what is the point of my living? Even if Father beats me to death today, I will still go to the Heavenly Prison!"
Having said that, she resolutely stood up, her gaze fixed firmly on the outside of the ancestral hall. Even though her legs were weak and her body swayed, she did not retreat a single step.
Ye Jingqing was shocked. The daughter in front of him seemed both strange and familiar. She was familiar with her stubbornness, but strange with her reckless courage. He was speechless for a moment.
Taking advantage of the moment, Ye Wenshu quickly ran towards the entrance of the ancestral hall, her hair disheveled and her clothes fluttering.
Ye Jingqing snapped out of his daze and roared, "Stop!"
Just as he was about to reach out to stop her, he saw Ye Wenshu trip and fall forward.
Just then, a figure flashed in and caught Ye Wenshu steadily.
Ye Wenshu looked up and saw the handsome face of Prince Xiang, which was also somewhat anxious.
"Your Highness..." Ye Wenshu choked out.
The Prince of Xiang held the woman in his arms tightly and gently comforted her, "I'm here, don't be afraid."
He then looked at Ye Jingqing and bowed slightly: "Grand Tutor, I heard that Wen Shu is being punished here, so I came to visit her."
Ye Jingqing frowned and bowed: "Your Highness, this is my family matter. My daughter has been disobedient and has committed treason, and she should be punished."
The Prince of Xiang smiled faintly: "Grand Tutor, I understand your good intentions, but Shu'er's sincerity is truly precious. I am willing to work with her to find a way to save that Miss Shi."
Ye Jingqing's eyes widened: "Your Highness, this matter concerns His Majesty's will, we must not act rashly!"
The Prince of Xiang remained calm: "Your Majesty is wise, but has been deceived by treacherous people for the time being. I have a way to let Your Majesty know the truth and clear Miss Shi's name."
He looked down at Ye Wenshu, who was weak but had a burning gaze in his arms, and said, "How could I bear to see my fiancée sad and heartbroken? She risked her life for the one she loved. I will protect this love with her."
Upon hearing this, Ye Wenshu's eyes were filled with surprise and emotion. She leaned on Prince Xiang's shoulder and wept uncontrollably.
In this desperate situation, the appearance of the Prince of Xiang was like the dawn breaking, illuminating her path forward and giving her the strength to fight against the world and the imperial power to the end. Even if the road ahead was full of thorns, with him by her side, she had nothing to fear.