Chapter 91:- The Little Tricks to Handle His Highness~

Over the next two days, the court was flooded with memorials accusing Minister Li.

At morning court, every voice was impeachment.

In just one night, Minister Li had become a rat that everyone hated, despised as if crossing the street.

Inside the study of the Crown Prince’s residence.

“Xiao Hong’s people have made their move,” Xiao Ji stated calmly.

Pei Chen naturally sensed something was off and asked quietly, “Your Highness, should we pull back?”

Xiao Ji did not answer immediately. Instead, he turned to Xie Yao and asked gently, “What does the Crown Princess think?”

Xie Yao considered for a moment. “Does Your Highness have another plan?”

Xiao Ji looked at Pei Chen. “Do you understand now?”

Pei Chen: “…”

Though he hadn’t eaten yet, he felt strangely full.

Unable to hold back, he asked, “What plan? Why don’t I know about it?”

Xie Yao thought aloud. “Consort Shu said that a few days ago, Father Emperor still softened at Noble Consort’s tears. But these past two days, when he mentioned her, his tone was colder.”

“Since his attitude shifted mid-course, it doesn’t seem like mere anger,” she said curiously to Xiao Ji. “What did Your Highness do?”

“Wait two more days, and Yao-yao will know,” Xiao Ji replied, keeping the mystery.

The next day.

Xie Yao went into the palace to discuss the Longevity Festival with Consort Shu. When a palace maid from Yanxi Palace came in to announce “the Imperial Diviner has entered the palace,” Xie Yao instantly understood.

It was the Imperial Diviner!

His Highness had known that with the court drowning in impeachments against Minister Li, Noble Consort would play this card.

That explained Father Emperor’s change in attitude toward her as well.

Next… it depended on whether Noble Consort’s follow-up scheme fell within His Highness’s calculations.

But as for what the Imperial Diviner said to the Emperor specifically, Xie Yao heard nothing, even while in the palace.

The Imperial Diviner’s talks with His Majesty were always behind closed doors.

By dusk, Xiao Ji came to Yanxi Palace to pick up Xie Yao.

He had walked only a short distance before once again sensing that familiar gaze watching him.

Yanxi Palace… someone was keeping eyes on him.

Once inside the carriage, Xie Yao praised, “Your Highness is amazing. How did you know Noble Consort would ask the Imperial Diviner to intervene?”

Surely His Highness had made prior arrangements. At the moment when Minister Li was pushed to the center of the storm, the Imperial Diviner’s appearance could not save him; on the contrary, it would be the fatal strike!

Xiao Ji did not take credit. Stroking her hand, he said softly, “She had no choice.”

“The Li family’s guilt was nailed in place. She could not save them.”

Even when the Emperor had softened toward her a few days ago, he had already ordered Minister Li into the imperial prison.

His stance had been clear.

Xie Yao understood.

Noble Consort had no idea that her connection to the Imperial Diviner was already exposed—not only to her and Xiao Ji, but even to the Emperor.

So her move now was nothing more than a desperate last attempt to save the Li family.

Just then, the carriage was stopped.

A rider drew up, halting at their side, his voice firm. “Crown Prince, His Majesty summons you.”

“Your Highness…” Xie Yao instinctively clutched his hand.

Xiao Ji returned the grasp, squeezing her hand in reassurance. “Si-nan, escort the Crown Princess back to the residence first. I will return as soon as I can.”

As he spoke, he leaned close and pressed a kiss to her temple.

“All right.” Xie Yao nodded. She guided his hand to her belly. “…I’ll be at home waiting for Your Highness.”

She mouthed the words “we,” without making a sound.

Xiao Ji’s heart softened suddenly, touched by her word “home.”

The Crown Prince’s residence… was the home he shared with his Crown Princess.

He stepped down from the carriage and headed toward the palace. Xie Yao thought for a moment and instructed, “Stop just outside the palace gates. We’ll wait here to go back together when His Highness returns.”

The carriage was spacious.

To make her more comfortable, Xiao Ji had covered the interior with soft carpets. She could easily lie down and rest.

Xiao Ji walked straight into the Yangxing Palace.

Ever since the Imperial Diviner had left, the Emperor had been sitting there all afternoon. At the sound of footsteps, he finally looked up.

No candles were lit in the hall, leaving it dim. The glow of the setting sun spilled onto the doorway, casting a golden light across Xiao Ji’s figure.

The Emperor felt a moment’s daze.

“Your son greets Father Emperor.” The cold, detached voice roused him.

“You and Pei Chen investigated the plague in Nanzhou together. What is your view on the matter?” The Emperor’s voice was hoarse.

“A prince who breaks the law should be punished the same as any commoner.” Xiao Ji’s reply was hard, giving the Emperor no face at all.

Unexpectedly, the Emperor did not grow angry.

After a pause, he waved a hand. “Go back for now.”

Xiao Ji left the Yangxing Palace.

The Emperor watched his retreating back, his expression unusually complicated.

Two days ago, Eunuch Li had mentioned: the Imperial Diviner and Noble Consort might be old acquaintances.

Yet as Emperor, he had heard not the slightest whisper of it. He had immediately ordered Eunuch Li to investigate…

Though no result had come back yet, today the Imperial Diviner had entered the palace and subtly urged him to show leniency to Minister Li.

But last time, the Imperial Diviner had declared the Crown Princess an ill omen, contradicting Master Wufa’s claim that she was a blessed one.

Now again he spoke so oddly… How could the Emperor not doubt?

How much truth had there ever been in the Imperial Diviner’s words?

…

As Xiao Ji stepped out of the palace gates, he immediately spotted the Crown Prince’s carriage waiting nearby.

Si-nan hurried forward with a bow. “Your Highness, the Crown Princess insisted on waiting for you.”

The corners of Xiao Ji’s lips lifted faintly. He stepped into the carriage. “Let’s go back.”

Since becoming pregnant, Xie Yao had grown much sleepier. Now she was drowsy, nearly asleep.

In the dim carriage, her fair face seemed to glow.

Xiao Ji gently drew her into his arms, letting her rest more comfortably.

Perhaps sensing his familiar scent, she nuzzled against him and murmured softly, “Your Highness…”

“Yes,” Xiao Ji answered, waiting for her to continue.

But only her steady breathing followed.

She was asleep.

Xiao Ji chuckled softly, the smile on his lips deepening.

His Crown Princess was truly clingy.

It seemed that without him, she couldn’t even rest well.

In his arms, Xie Yao shifted slightly, still breathing evenly. But where he couldn’t see, her lips curved up in a tiny smile.

The next morning, at court.

While the officials continued their impeachments against Minister Li, His Majesty finally made his decision: Minister Li had embezzled funds and caused the Nanzhou embankment to collapse so he was to be executed immediately!

All male members of the Li family above ten years old were to be exiled to Lingnan; the women were sent into the Slave Bureau.

Even Noble Consort was implicated, she was demoted to Consort Li, stripped of rank, and from then on could only be addressed as Consort Li.

This declaration stunned the entire court.

But very quickly, Pei Chen and others shouted their acclamations of long life, while Xiao Hong’s allies looked awkward before finally following along.

The Li family was finished.

—-

At the Crown Prince’s residence.

Xie Yao and Xiao Ji received the news immediately. Since morning court was so early, Xiao Ji was still lingering in bed, wrapped up with Xie Yao.

She sighed softly.

His Majesty was still protecting the Second Prince, pinning all the crimes on the Li family.

Xiao Ji drew her into his arms. “Don’t worry, Yao-yao.”

“This is only the beginning.”

He had little time left, but before he departed… he would make sure to take Xiao Hong with him.