Chapter 118: Did the Second Prince Finally Grow a Brain?

Outside the Yangxing Palace, the silence lasted only for a breath. Very soon, like a droplet of water falling into a pan of boiling oil, the scene exploded into chaos.

“Imperial Physician! Summon the imperial physicians at once!”

“Not good! Murder! Someone has been murdered!”

“……”

Fortunately, with the Emperor present, the situation was quickly brought under control. Xiao Hong was restrained on the spot and immediately thrown into the Imperial Prison.

Xiao Ji and Xie Yao exchanged a glance. Both felt the development of events was beyond expectation, yet also within reason.

After a long while, Xie Yao finally whispered, “He really…”

“Seized the opening,” Xiao Ji finished for her.

The one who had stepped in front of Xiao Ning wasn’t anyone else, but her husband, the hostage prince from the Northern Frontier, the Third Prince, Hu Lianyuan.

Hu Lianyuan was carried into Xiao Ning’s palace within the imperial harem.

All the imperial physicians were summoned.

Hu Lianyuan represented the Northern Frontier. If he were to lose his life in the palace, it would no doubt signal the breaking of the peace treaty.

Though the Xia Kingdom feared no war, no one actually wanted to fight.

“Your Majesty, the sword wound is between the organs. Fortunately, no vital points were struck. With timely treatment, there should be no danger to his life.”

The imperial physicians quickly gave their conclusion.

He would not die.

Xie Yao’s lips curved faintly. Just as she had expected.

She did not believe for a moment that Hu Lianyuan was so deeply in love with Xiao Ning that he would willingly die for her. That was nothing but nonsense.

Hearing this, the Emperor let out a long breath of relief. “That is good.”

“Your Majesty,” Consort Li finally felt her heart settle as well, “since the Prince Consort is safe, then release Hong’er. He only acted in a moment of desperation, he—”

“Enough!” The Emperor’s cold voice cut her off. “In a moment of desperation, he sought to kill his own elder sister?”

“I see clearly, he has been ruined by your indulgence.”

Consort Li bowed her head, not daring to raise it, weeping with grievance. “Your Majesty, Hong’er is still our child…”

“Ning’er…” She looked toward Xiao Ning, hoping her daughter would plead as well. But Xiao Ning merely sat quietly at Hu Lianyuan’s bedside, holding his hand, her back turned in desolation.

When Consort Li called out, Xiao Ning turned after a delay, eyes slightly red, face full of pitiful grievance.

“Elder Sister Consort Li,” Consort Shu’s voice came at just the right time, “were it not for the Prince Consort, it would be the Eldest Princess lying there now.”

“These are both your children. Shouldn’t you ask your daughter as well?”

Instinctively, Consort Li replied, “But Ning’er is fine—”

Her voice trailed off as the Emperor sneered, “Ignorant woman!”

With that, the Emperor turned and left. Consort Shu followed close behind.

Xie Yao and Xiao Ji also departed.

They had truly witnessed a grand spectacle today. After this, the Emperor would likely lose all hope in Xiao Hong completely.

As for Xiao Ning… she had gained the appearance of an innocent victim.

A cheap advantage for her.

Xiao Ji seemed to see through Xie Yao’s thoughts, turning his gaze toward her. “Father is no fool.”

Because of the ledgers from Nanzhou previously, the Emperor already harbored suspicions about Xiao Ning. Of course, he would also suspect her in this matter.

Not to mention the evidence presented by the Ministry of Justice.

Otherwise, Xiao Ning would not have deliberately sought to be injured by Xiao Hong earlier. Her intention was a “self-sacrifice ruse,” hoping to win the Emperor’s pity.

Xie Yao nodded, but after thinking a moment, she murmured, “…I’m not so sure.”

Xiao Ji raised his brows.

Xie Yao said, “Song Wenbo belongs to Xiao Ning. Recently, he’s been enjoying Father’s special favor.”

Moreover, he was part of the Astronomical Bureau. Just a few fabricated words before the Emperor could absolve Xiao Ning of many things.

Xiao Ji recalled what Si-nan had reported that day, his gaze flickering with contemplation.

He looked back at Xie Yao, only to find his Crown Princess already walking ahead.

After a few steps, realizing she was alone, she stopped, turned back, and hooked her arm through Xiao Ji’s. “What’s on Your Highness’s mind? Come on, let’s go.”

The corners of Xiao Ji’s lips lifted slightly. He gave a soft grunt of assent, letting her pull him along.

Just as Xie Yao had said, as the two left the palace, they saw Song Wenbo hurrying in.

Dressed in crimson robes, he looked quite dignified as he strode quickly toward the Yangxing Palace.

Soon enough, an imperial decree was issued.

Streams of rewards flowed into the Princess’s residence both for Hu Lianyuan and for Xiao Ning.

As for Xiao Hong, he remained imprisoned. But notably, no punishment was declared.

Xiao Hong shouted and raged for several days in the Imperial Prison, but no one came to answer.

“Your Highness.”

Si-nan entered. “The Second Young Master requests to see you from the prison.”

Xiao Ji’s eyes glinted with a dark light. “Very well.”

That night after coaxing Xie Yao to sleep, he left the Crown Prince’s manor.

The prison cells flickered dimly with oil lamps.

Led by Si-nan, Xiao Ji arrived before Xiao Hong’s cell.

No one else was housed nearby.

Xiao Hong’s quarters were different from the others, with wood furniture, cloud-brocade bedding…

The only filthy thing was Xiao Hong himself, his clothes still stained with blood.

At the sound of footsteps, Xiao Hong snapped his head up, a grumble in his voice. “You finally came.”

Xiao Ji: “…”

And he still dares complain he was late?

Xiao Ji gave a cold laugh and turned to leave.

“Wait!” Xiao Hong shouted quickly. “I know! That day at the palace gates, you deliberately helped me.”

Xiao Ji arched a brow, surprised he could say such words. “You don’t know.”

There was no reason to admit to such a thing.

Xiao Hong choked, but quickly pressed on. “So to repay you, I’ve decided to tell you a truth.”

Xiao Ji simply stood there, listening to him spin his tale.

“The plague in Nanzhou, it really wasn’t me. It was Third Brother. He wants you dead.”

The Third Prince?

Xiao Ji truly hadn’t expected Xiao Hong to drag him into this.

That prince had always been timid, honest, and utterly without presence.

“You don’t believe me?”

Xiao Hong grew anxious. “It’s true, it was him! I know you’ve only got two years left to live, why would I waste effort on you?”

“But Third Brother doesn’t know. It was him, I’m telling you!”

Xiao Ji murmured: “…That does make some sense.”

Indeed, it gave him a new angle. Perhaps the one who tried to kill him in Nanzhou truly did not know of his shortened lifespan.

Interesting.

Xiao Hong exhaled in relief. “Elder Brother, you must not let Third Brother off!”

Hatred twisted within him. If he hadn’t overheard that day… he would never have known. His own full-blooded sister, conspiring together with Third Brother!

“Third Brother only pretends to be meek. In truth, he’s long coveted the position of Crown Prince.” Xiao Hong’s eyes blazed. “Elder Brother, you mustn’t let him succeed!”

As soon as Xiao Ji left the prison, he ordered Si-nan, “Investigate thoroughly, who has had contact with Xiao Hong these days?”

The words just now were not something Xiao Hong could have come up with himself.

Si-nan immediately replied, “Other than Consort Li, no one has visited Second Young Master recently.”

Xiao Ji’s brows furrowed. “Investigate every prison guard.”

By the time he returned to the Crown Prince’s manor, it was already near midnight.

The autumn night carried a chill. After bathing and changing, Xiao Ji stepped into the main chamber.

Candles flickered softly, casting a peaceful glow.

He glanced toward the canopy bed.

Xie Yao’s fair face rested gently against the pillow, her sleeping expression serene, breath faint. His heart abruptly settled into peace. He slowed his steps and came to her side.

He reached out, tucking away the strands of hair beside her ear.

His warm fingertips brushed her delicate cheek, finally landing upon her rosy lips, tapping lightly.

The next instant, Xiao Ji felt a sudden warmth at his finger.

Unconsciously, Xie Yao had drawn his finger between her lips, murmuring faintly as she stirred awake. Her voice was languid with sleep.

“Your Highness?”

Cultural Notes:

Prince Consort: means the husband of imperial princess.