Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 93

The entire Hall of Justice fell silent at those words.

The Prince of Wei was the first to lose his composure; the other officials all showed expressions of shock and disbelief.

Even Xi Rong, who until now had stood cold and impassive under the questioning of the Emperor and the Three Judicial Divisions, visibly froze. He slowly turned his head to look at Xiao Rong, who had stood up with calm self-assurance.

A judge of the Court of Judicial Review, presiding over the case, cautiously glanced in Prince Xiao’s direction before daring to ask, “Young Prince… what do you mean by this?”

“Young Prince!” Xi Rong’s cold voice cut in sharply. “There has never been any association between us. I ask that Young Prince refrain from meddling in my affairs!”

However, Xiao Rong ignored him, repeating clearly and steadily, “I said, I can testify that on the night before last, His Highness the Crown Prince did not go to the Court of Judicial Review’s prison.”

Cui Xie gave a faint, ambiguous smile. “Surely the Young Prince doesn’t mean to tell us,” he drawled, “that he just happened to encounter the Crown Prince taking a late-night stroll on the street?”

Xiao Rong replied leisurely, “In weather this hot, what pleasure is there in walking the streets?”

“The night before last,” he continued, “His Highness the Crown Prince was with me at the Jade Dragon Terrace. We played chess through the night, drank and conversed until dawn, and left the manor together by carriage in the morning. My personal guards can testify to this.”

Cui Xie’s face instantly darkened.

A murmur swept through the hall.

Even Liu Huai’en stared at Xiao Rong in astonishment, unable to make sense of what his junior brother was trying to do. The heir of Prince Xiao and the Crown Prince… drinking and playing chess together at the Jade Dragon Terrace all night long?

Such a claim bordered on the fantastical. Were it not spoken by one of the parties involved, no one would have believed it.

Everyone knew that the Xiao clan openly supported the Prince of Jin.

And now, Prince Xiao’s heir was publicly testifying in defense of Xi Rong, who was accused of treason and regicide, an act that, paradoxically, lent his words a measure of credibility.

Yet all in the court also knew the Crown Prince was deeply opposed by the powerful Five Great Clans and Seven Noble Houses.

Faces shifted across the hall; even Cui Daohuan looked somewhat grave.

Cui Xie frowned, his hand tightening inside his sleeve before he gave a cold laugh. “If that is the case,” he said, “why did His Highness not say so himself earlier? Could it be that there is some unspeakable secret behind this story?”

“That,” Xiao Rong said evenly, “is my fault. That night, it was I who invited His Highness to my residence for a game of chess. Fearing that it might be misunderstood, I specifically asked His Highness not to tell anyone. His Highness chose to endure suspicion rather than betray his word, proving himself to be a man who honors his promises.” He then added, tone still calm but carrying a quiet sting, “Although it seems my caution was not unfounded. Otherwise, how many others like Lord Cui would leap to conclusions, seeing only what their narrow eyes wish to see?”

The Crown Prince’s guilt, once all but certain, now hung in doubt.

The judge of the Court of Judicial Review found himself in a difficult position. Had the testimony come from anyone else, he might have dared to question its truth. But from Prince Xiao’s heir, even a hundred lives would not be enough courage to cast doubt on his words. He dared not make a ruling and could only bow to seek the Emperor’s decision.

The Emperor was silent for a moment and then turned to Xiao Rong. “Rong’er,” he said quietly, “is what you said true?”

Xiao Rong bowed respectfully. “Your servant would not dare deceive Your Majesty.”

The Emperor pondered briefly and then nodded.

“It seems the Crown Prince’s suspicion can be set aside for now. As for the matter of the northern barbarians’ remnants, let the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice investigate together.” He added, “The matter of the northern rebels is no small thing. Crown Prince, you shall remain at the Court of Judicial Review and cooperate fully until the investigation is complete.”

Xi Rong bowed.

The officials of the two divisions also rose and answered, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor departed for the palace and the court officials dispersed one by one.

Outside the Hall of Justice, Cui Daohuan remarked to Prince Xiao with a trace of amusement, “Playing chess all night; what refined taste indeed. Who would have thought your son and the Crown Prince were such close companions?” Then his smile faded slightly. “Still, allow me to offer a word of caution. The Crown Prince is shrewd and ruthless, not as gentle and compliant as the Prince of Jin. Your heir is young; he may be too easily swayed. It would be wise, my lord, to take precautions early.”

Prince Xiao replied coolly, “The affairs within the Xiao clan need not trouble the Minister of State Affairs. I would not want your remaining hair to turn white from the strain.”

***

The sun blazed high in the sky.

When Xiao Hao arrived, Xiao Rong was kneeling upright in the open courtyard before the Hall of Splendor.

The servants had all retreated far away. On the empty Jade Dragon Terrace, only one figure remained: the solitary silhouette of the young man.

Xiao Hao sighed and stepped straight into the Hall of Splendor.

Prince Xiao stood inside, his back to the sunlight streaming through the windows.

“Jingming, this—”

Before Xiao Hao could finish, Prince Xiao said coldly, “Let him kneel. No one is allowed to speak on his behalf.” There was a rare, deep anger in his tone.

Xiao Hao could only sigh again. “I’ve already heard about it,” he said. “Rongrong’s actions were indeed improper, but perhaps there’s more to it than we know. I heard that during the summer hunt, the Crown Prince saved him from the hunting dogs. Maybe he only wanted to repay that kindness. Why not call him in first and ask what truly happened?”

Prince Xiao replied, “Whether it was repayment or selfish intent, he knows best. He is the heir of the Xiao clan. No matter the time or reason, he must take responsibility for his actions.” He added, his voice cold and final, “You needn’t say more, Uncle. The reason I called you here today was simply to inform you that tomorrow, I will invoke the clan law. Please make the necessary preparations.”

Xiao Hao’s expression changed slightly. Seeing that Prince Xiao’s mind was set, leaving no room for persuasion, he left the hall heavy-hearted. He paused for a moment outside and then walked up to where Xiao Rong was still kneeling.

His tone softened into earnest concern. “Rongrong, go and apologize properly to your father. Say something nice and admit your mistake, promise you won’t do it again.”

Xiao Rong lifted his head and smiled faintly. “I appreciate Granduncle’s kindness,” he said quietly.
“But you’re getting on in years, don’t trouble yourself with my affairs.”

Xiao Hao shook his head helplessly.

“Rongrong, really, before us old folks, you always know how to sweet-talk and charm your way through anything. Even your old-fashioned master praises your silver tongue. So why is it that in front of your father, you can’t say a single soft word? He is your father, after all. He… has his share of burdens too. What good will defying him do to you? In this, you’d do well to learn from your cousins in the Third Branch.”

Xiao Rong pressed his lips together and fell silent.

“Think carefully about what I said,” Xiao Hao told him. “Don’t let your temper lead you astray.” Seeing that he could not persuade him, Xiao Hao sighed once more and left.

By the afternoon, the military generals began to arrive for the council.

News of the day’s events had already spread. Seeing Xiao Rong still kneeling before the Hall of Splendor, no one dared speak a word. They simply hurried past him into the meeting chamber.

Xiao Yulin and Xiao Yuke arrived shortly after.

Xiao Yulin paused, surprised at the sight, and gave Xiao Rong a brief, respectful salute before continuing on.

However, Xiao Yuke, rarely getting such a chance to see Xiao Rong in disgrace, deliberately lingered a step behind. Stopping in front of him with a smirk, he arched an eyebrow. “Xiao Rong, as the heir of the Xiao clan, you can’t even tell where your loyalties lie. No wonder Fourth Uncle punished you. The other day, I thought that guard of yours looked unfamiliar. Turns out there was something fishy. To bring an outsider into the Jade Dragon Terrace of all places… Did you really think the clan laws were just decoration?”

Xiao Rong curled his lips and lazily lifted his eyes. “Xiao Yuke, even kneeling here, I’m still the heir of the Xiao clan. Looks like that slap I gave you last time wasn’t enough to make you remember your manners. If you can’t hold your tongue, I don’t mind teaching you some discipline again on behalf of your entire Third Branch.”

Mo Dong, standing nearby, immediately stepped forward when he heard this.

“I won’t argue with you now,” Xiao Yuke muttered, his expression darkening at the memory of their last encounter. But he quickly regained his arrogant air. “Anyway, I’m not the one kneeling here before everyone. I’m not the one losing face.” With a cold hum, he turned and strode into the council hall.

Xiao Rong lowered his gaze, expressionless.

Mo Dong spoke softly beside him, “Shall I fetch some iced drink for you, Young Prince?” Seeing the pale look on Xiao Rong’s face, Mo Dong asked softly, “Young Prince, are you all right?”

Xiao Rong shook his head. “No need.”

Because of the day’s commotion, the atmosphere inside the council hall was heavier than usual. By the time all the generals had finished their reports, dusk had already fallen, and from outside came a low, rolling clap of thunder.

Zhang He immediately rose and said, “Your Highness, it’s going to rain. Why not let the heir come inside first?”

Many of the generals present had watched Xiao Rong grow up; hearing this, several of them also stood and voiced their agreement.

However, Prince Xiao remained silent for a moment, then ignored them and turned instead to Xiao Yulin. “Report on your progress,” he said.

Seeing this, the others had no choice but to sit down again.

Moments later, with a loud and echoing crash of thunder, the rain began to pour and sheets of water fell in an instant.

The Jade Dragon Terrace stood several meters above the ground, so the thunder there sounded even closer, sharper, and more violent than elsewhere.

Xiao Rong’s face instantly drained of all color. He trembled violently.

“Young Prince!” Mo Dong cried out. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m fine,” Xiao Rong forced out through gritted teeth, biting his lip hard as he struggled to suppress the fear that had tormented him for years.

It was just thunder. Thunder couldn’t kill him.

He was being ridiculous, cowardly.

However, he couldn’t forget. When he was six years old, he had once witnessed a bolt of lightning strike a tree behind a temple, setting the whole forest ablaze. From then on, he had feared storms.

A laughable weakness, if he ever admitted it aloud.

It’s fine.

It’ll be fine.

He repeated it over and over to himself.

There would always be times when he had to face things head-on. He couldn’t keep running away. What if one day he had to preside over a ceremony held in the rain? He couldn’t afford to lose composure in public. No one in this world would indulge him forever.

Xiao Rong tried not to shake, but his body refused to listen and his trembling grew worse.

Another peal of thunder exploded, followed by a blinding flash of lightning that tore through the sky. Xiao Rong, bracing himself against the rain-soaked ground, felt the roar reverberate above his head until suddenly, he thought he might truly collapse.

I won’t actually die from fright here… will I?

That would be too humiliating.

That was his last coherent thought…

…before a pair of strong arms pulled him into a firm, burning-hot embrace.

For a moment, all sound vanished.

Only warmth surrounded him.

Xiao Rong lifted his head and saw a familiar face.

Xi Rong.

“I’m sorry, Rongrong,” Xi Rong said, his eyes bloodshot, breath uneven. “I came too late.”

Xiao Rong froze, certain he wasn’t imagining it. His first instinct was to push Xi Rong away. “Your Highness, I told you you mustn’t come here again. Go. Quickly!”

“Rongrong,” Xi Rong said calmly, resolutely, “I’m not leaving. I’ll kneel with you. This happened because of me. How could I let you face it alone?”