Yifeng watched Su Yan's face carefully. She was thinking, planning her response.
Smart girl, he thought. She knows they'll execute her if she repeats her accusations.
"This humble one," Su Yan said slowly, her voice weak and trembling, "was badly injured when she fell from her horse. The arrow wound, the head trauma—" She looked up, and her eyes were unfocused, confused. "I confess I don't remember what I said when I returned. I was hallucinating from blood loss and fever. Seeing things that weren't there. Speaking nonsense." She bowed deeply. "I deeply apologize for any offense caused to Her Imperial Majesty in my delirium. I would never intentionally spread lies or cause discord."
Brilliant.
She was claiming temporary insanity from injury. It gave her an excuse for the accusations while also making her seem harmless, not a genuine threat.
