Chapter 117: The Second Prince Kills Xiao Ning

Xie Yao only knew that he was born with a lonely fate. She did not know that his body had another hidden cause. Xiao Ji did not want to tell the crown princess about this now.

The crown princess was carrying a child, how could she worry about his matters as well?

Xie Yao’s eyes flickered, but she did not press further, only leaning against Xiao Ji’s chest.

After calming her, Xiao Ji returned to the study.

He carefully looked through the papers already sorted on the desk. After confirming nothing was wrong, he handed them to Si-nan. “Deliver these quietly to the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Justice.”

Si-nan did not dare to peek, bowing respectfully. “Yes, Your Highness.”

He had said before, not one of them would be spared and he meant it.

Xiao Hong had paid the price. Now… it was the next one’s turn.

—-

For several days, the capital was under strict martial law.

Pei Chen led the search for criminals. Besides that, the Ministry of Justice, the Capital Prefecture, the Imperial Guards, and other offices were all deeply invested in this matter.

The previous Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Justice had met with misfortune in Nanzhou. The newly appointed one, despite his anxiety, breaking out in mouth sores from the stress, had still found nothing.

Late at night.

Assistant Minister Cheng Xu of the Ministry of Justice was still poring over case files when he suddenly heard a sound from the courtyard outside.

Startled, he immediately rose and stepped outside. “Who’s there?!”

The courtyard was empty.

Frowning, Cheng Xu glanced around. Turning back inside, he found several sheets of paper lying on his desk.

He rushed forward and his brows knitted tightly at once…

—

The next morning.

Assistant Minister Cheng Xu reported during morning court, accusing Princess Xiao Ning of harming her younger brother Xiao Hong out of revenge for the banquet incident.

And he presented corresponding evidence.

During court, Cheng Xu spoke each word with firm conviction. After reviewing the evidence, the emperor pressed the matter down without comment.

But news still spread rapidly, and soon the entire capital was abuzz with gossip.

Naturally, Xie Yao and Xiao Ji also heard of it quickly.

“What now?” she asked Si-nan.

Si-nan replied, “The eldest princess is already kneeling outside the Yangxing Palace, declaring her innocence.”

As for the matter of Xiao Hong’s severed finger, indeed, Xiao Ning truly was innocent.

Xie Yao instinctively glanced at Xiao Ji beside her, meeting his gaze. In those eyes there was not the slightest hint of guilt.

“Does Xiao Hong know of this?” Xiao Ji asked. “It concerns him, so he ought to be informed.”

Si-nan nodded. “He knows already, and is making a fuss about entering the palace.”

Because of the last incident with his finger, the Imperial Guards dared not ignore him as before.

But to enter the palace, Xiao Hong was now a ‘commoner,’ and not permitted inside.

Xie Yao turned to Xiao Ji. “Your Highness, this matter is grave. Father Emperor will surely be angered. As his children, we should advise him to take care of his health.”

Xiao Ji nodded deeply in agreement. “The crown princess speaks very truly.”

A chill ran down Si-nan’s spine. A bad premonition filled him. Quickly, he turned to arrange the carriage.

Xie Yao then looked back at Xiao Ji. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

She knew everything.

From that instinctive glance earlier, Xiao Ji had already guessed. Now it was confirmed.

“Yao-yao.” He picked up a cloak from the side and carefully fastened it for her. “You needn’t thank me.”

She was carrying their child. Protecting her was his duty.

Moreover…. after tying the sash, he pulled her gently into his arms, lowering his head to nip at her ear. “Yao-yao knows what I like even more.”

Her face flushed scarlet. She glared at him once, then turned and hurried out.

—-

When their carriage reached the palace gates, Xiao Hong was there as well.

The Imperial Guards on duty stood around in dismay, at a loss. The gatekeepers barred Xiao Hong from entering.

“Out of my way, you dogs!”

Xiao Hong still carried himself like a second prince, arrogant and domineering. “I will enter today, no matter what!”

Xiao Ning …. damn that Xiao Ning!

He wanted her dead!

As the guards struggled to hold him back, they turned to bow to Xie Yao and Xiao Ji. “Crown Prince, Crown Princess.”

Xiao Ji acknowledged with a faint sound, helping Xie Yao alight from the carriage.

Meanwhile, Si-nan scolded the guards, “Why haven’t you dragged him away yet? Blades have no eyes, if Second Young Master is hurt, you…”

Ssshhhk….

Before Si-nan could finish, Xiao Hong suddenly snatched a guard’s sword.

Then, he held it across his own neck.

“All of you, back off!” Xiao Hong barked fiercely. “If you don’t let me into the palace, I’ll kill myself right here!”

“And when I do… each and every one of you will accompany me in death!”

The entire scene froze.

The guards dared not utter a word.

When Xiao Hong said such things… he just might do it.

After all, because of that severed finger, even the commander of the Imperial Guards had been punished. How much more so them?

In this situation, Xiao Hong stormed forward with sword in hand, heading straight for the Yangxing Palace.

Xiao Ji and Xie Yao naturally followed close behind.

From afar, they saw Xiao Ning kneeling before the hall. Her figure was thin, yet she knelt upright and straight.

“Father Emperor, your daughter truly did no such thing.”

“Bullshit!”

Xiao Hong charged forward angrily, cutting her off. “Xiao Ning, don’t treat us like fools. I already know, it was you!”

He raised his hand, pointing the sword at her. The blade gleamed coldly under the sun.

Xiao Ning’s eyes flickered slightly. “It must be someone framing me! I didn’t do this! How could I ever harm you?”

Xiao Hong sneered. “Wretch! You’re the one who most wants to harm me!”

“Presumptuous!”

The emperor emerged from the hall, supported by Chief Eunuch Li. “Xiao Hong, what are you doing? Pointing a sword at your sister?”

“Father Emperor.” Xiao Hong’s voice was both aggrieved and furious. “Xiao Ning harmed me.”

“Even so, you cannot point a sword at her. Put it down.” The emperor’s tone was cold, his words betraying the fact that he had already made his judgment.

But Xiao Hong could not hear it. He only felt more wronged, turning his head aside, refusing to look at the emperor.

Beneath her sleeves, Xiao Ning’s fists clenched tight. Her lowered gaze flickered with mockery. Raising her head again, she said, “Hong’er, this truly has nothing to do with me. Someone is framing…”

Before she could finish, Xiao Hong thrust the sword straight toward her chest.

Xiao Ji instinctively shielded Xie Yao.

Both of them had seen clearly, though Xiao Ning spoke of explanations, at the angle hidden from the emperor she had flashed a provocative look at Xiao Hong.

She had done it deliberately.

As for the sword, Xiao Ning hadn’t even tried to dodge…. rather, she leaned into it herself.

She only shifted slightly, ensuring it struck her shoulder and arm.

She could not allow herself to truly die.

Just as she waited for this “self-sacrificial act” to make the emperor and courtiers give up on Xiao Hong completely—

A figure darted in front of her even faster.

Squelch!

The sound of a sword piercing flesh.

Xiao Ning looked up.

Before her, the man bared a smile, relief written on his face. “Thankfully, Your Highness… is safe.”

Cultural Notes:

Ministry of Justice: A major judicial office responsible for investigations and trials.