Chapter 2: Your Son, Is Wronged

Chapter 2: Your Son, Is Wronged

In the Capital, a team of over a hundred Black-Armored Guards followed a swiftly moving dragon carriage as it quickly departed the Imperial Palace.

Inside the dragon carriage

“Imperial Father, with the help of Chancellor Yin’s daughter this time. Let’s see how Ninth Uncle can protect him this time?”

The speaking young man in purple robes was the Second Prince of Great Xiao, Xiao Yang, the son most valued by Emperor Xiao Dingbang.

Xiao Dingbang, sitting to one side, nodded as he listened: “Yang’er, aren’t you afraid that waste Xiao Ce actually did force himself upon your fiancée? You should know Yin Pan’er is Chancellor Yin’s most beloved only daughter!”

Xiao Yang wore an indifferent expression: “Imperial Father, you don’t know the details. Although this plan was conceived by your son, it was Chancellor Yin himself who persuaded Yin Pan’er, even threatening death to make her agree to act in this play.”

“Your son originally wished for Xiao Ce, that waste, to actually go through with it. It would have been even better if he had! Then Imperial Father could not only rightfully depose Xiao Ce, this waste.”

“But also, as the future Crown Prince, your son could not possibly marry such an impure woman as his principal wife, allowing for an open and just annulment of the engagement. Yin Weiyong, that old fox, wouldn’t be able to say anything then and would have to swallow this bitter loss in silence. His original intention was to use this marriage to manipulate your son and your son’s maternal clan, expanding his own power.”

“What a shame! Xiao Ce truly is a waste, actually even being impotent from birth. But first, let’s deal with Xiao Ce, this waste! As for dealing with Yin Weiyong, that old fox, your son will plan carefully later.”

Xiao Dingbang nodded with satisfaction: “Yang’er, you truly are the child I have my eye on! Today, as long as we catch them in the act, it will be enough to depose that waste. I want to see how Prince of Zhenguo protects him this time!”

“However, the border is unstable now, and the court situation is turbulent. You still need to keep Yin Weiyong steady. Otherwise, even if I want to support you, you will still need Yin Weiyong’s support to firmly hold this kingdom!”

Xiao Yang nodded and said: “Thank you for your instruction, Imperial Father.”

“Did you inform Prince of Zhenguo?” Xiao Dingbang asked.

“Reporting to Imperial Father, of course. If we don’t let Ninth Uncle see, our play would be meaningless! However, Imperial Father, Ninth Uncle has always treated Xiao Ce as his own son. He wouldn’t try to protect Xiao Ce by force, would he?”

Xiao Yang said this intentionally.

Prince of Zhenguo was the Emperor’s ninth brother, the meritorious Prince of Zhenguo, the Ninth Prince! He had fought three times out of Yanmen Pass, routing the Turks and making them flee in defeat.

When the Empress was captured by the Turks, it was Prince of Zhenguo who rescued her. There were rumors among the people that the two had an affair on the way back to the Capital.

Afterward, the Empress became pregnant with the Crown Prince.

The timing made the Emperor always suspect the Crown Prince was not his own. Furthermore, after the Empress died in childbirth, the Ninth Prince never married again. He treated the Crown Prince as his own son.

However, the Emperor, wary of Prince of Zhenguo’s numerous military achievements, never pierced that thin layer of paper.

So, over these years, he had tacitly allowed these princes’ schemes against Xiao Ce, though none had succeeded under Prince of Zhenguo’s protection.

Xiao Dingbang’s eyes were sharp, carrying a hint of ruthlessness: “He wouldn’t dare! I am still the Emperor! Moreover, Old Ninth wouldn’t do that. He is upright his whole life! He cannot tolerate injustice in his sight! This time, if we truly catch them in the act! Not only is it the Prime Minister’s only daughter, but also your fiancée! Let’s see how Old Ninth can shield him then!”

…

The time it takes to drink a cup of tea later, the door to the Crown Prince’s quarters was kicked open with a bang.

Xiao Yang rushed in followed by a group of Black-Armored Guards.

Emperor Xiao Dingbang and Prince of Zhenguo Xiao Dingshan followed closely behind.

“Xiao Ce, you are worse than a beast! Pan’er is my betrothed wife, how could you do…”

Xiao Yang saw the scene inside the room, and his prepared speech abruptly stopped.

Inside the room.

Xiao Ce was lying on the bed, fully dressed, sound asleep.

Yin Pan’er sat by the bedside, also fully dressed and proper in appearance.

Seeing the people rush in.

Yin Pan’er bowed to the newcomers.

“Pan’er, you… you… weren’t you bullied by this beast?…”

Xiao Yang asked, his brow slightly furrowed.

Yin Pan’er bowed and said: “Second Prince, what are you saying? Crown Prince did not bully me.”

Seeing Yin Pan’er not speaking according to their agreement, Xiao Yang kept winking and making faces at her.

But Yin Pan’er acted as if she saw nothing.

Xiao Dingbang saw something was wrong and said sternly: “Yin Pan’er, did this beast threaten you? You need not fear him. Even though he is the Crown Prince! But if he dared to commit such an improper act, not to mention me, even Prince of Zhenguo would not spare him!”

Yin Pan’er just lowered her head and remained silent.

Seeing this, Xiao Dingbang pointed at Xiao Ce, who was snoring soundly on the bed, and said: “Guards, drag this beast down, wake him up! What is he pretending!”

The Black-Armored Guards stepped forward and dragged Xiao Ce onto the floor.

They fetched a dipper of water from the side and splashed it on him.

Xiao Ce trembled artificially, putting on a confused expression of someone just awakened: “Imperial Father, you… why are you here…”

Before the Emperor could speak, Xiao Yang pointed at Xiao Ce from the side and said: “Xiao Ce, you waste! You forced yourself upon and bullied my fiancée? Why do you think we are here??”

“Forced? Bullied your fiancée? Second Brother, how did this come about?”

Xiao Ce looked at Yin Pan’er on the side and said: “Miss Yin, you… you… why are you at my place? I didn’t even know you came…”

“Say something, prove my innocence. I didn’t even know when you came here.”

Xiao Yang said from the side: “You’re still trying to act! Just now, Yin Pan’er’s servant heard her crying for help, saying you were bullying Yin Pan’er, and only then came to me for help!”

Xiao Ce opened his acting skills wide, looking as wronged as Dou E at the black-faced, silent Prince of Zhenguo: “Ninth Uncle! You must stand up for me!”

Prince of Zhenguo, with a dark face, said to Xiao Ce: “Crown Prince, did you do those things Second Prince mentioned? If you did not do them! This Prince will certainly clear your name. If you did do them, This Prince will certainly not let you off!”

Xiao Ce prostrated himself on the ground: “Ninth Uncle, I am wronged!”

Seeing this, Prince of Zhenguo stepped forward and looked at Yin Pan’er: “Miss Yin, what exactly happened? Why were you in the Crown Prince’s Temporary Palace? Why did someone say you were crying for help?”

Yin Pan’er bowed slightly, her voice trembling: “Reporting to Ninth Prince, during the banquet earlier, Crown Prince drank too much. Second Prince was concerned for Crown Prince’s well-being and asked this humble girl to accompany him to ensure nothing unfortunate happened. This humble girl was thus tending to him at his side the whole time, and Crown Prince remained drunk and sound asleep, without any improper actions.”

Xiao Yang’s gaze was sharp, his voice carrying a hint of threat. “Yin Pan’er, are you certain he did not take liberties with you? No matter what he did, you are this prince’s fiancée, and this prince will remain faithful to you, never abandoning you. However, the Emperor is here. If you do not speak the truth, it is the crime of deceiving the sovereign!”

Yin Pan’er’s expression shifted slightly as she said: “Second Prince, Crown Prince truly did not touch me once.”

Prince of Zhenguo then said to the Emperor: “Imperial Elder Brother, this matter is already very clear. Miss Yin has said so herself! Clearly, someone is intentionally framing Crown Prince.”

Xiao Yang said coldly, “Ninth Uncle, do not be so quick to draw conclusions. Pan’er is concerned about her own reputation! Bring forward that servant of Yin Pan’er’s who came to report for help!”

As he spoke, a trembling young male servant was brought forward.

Yin Pan’er looked at this servant, her face growing much paler.

“You, servant, what did you see just now? What did you hear? Answer truthfully. His Majesty is here. If there is a single false word, it is deceiving the sovereign. This prince will surely have you torn apart by five horses!”

The servant knelt and said: “Re… reporting to Second Prince, this humble one heard the young lady’s pleas for mercy, and the sound of the young lady’s clothes being torn. And… also… the sound of the bed shaking…”

Listening to the servant’s report, and looking at Yin Pan’er’s evasive eyes and flushed face.

He vaguely guessed something—perhaps Yin Pan’er really had been taken advantage of by Xiao Ce, and for the sake of her own chastity, she did not cooperate with him.

Thinking this, Xiao Yang grew somewhat excited: “You said Miss Yin was pleading for mercy? How exactly?”

The servant trembled as he mimicked Yin Pan’er’s earlier words.

Xiao Yang asked again: “And you said you heard the sound of Miss Yin’s clothes being torn?”

The servant trembled and nodded.

Seeing Yin Pan’er’s face redden to the back of her ears, Xiao Yang became even more sure of his thoughts.

Now he also noticed that Yin Pan’er’s clothes were different from those during the banquet. He asked: “Pan’er, then why are your clothes different from during the banquet? Did this waste force you to say this!”

Yin Pan’er’s face changed dramatically. She stammered, unable to say anything, and tears streamed from her eyes.

Xiao Yang then looked sternly at Xiao Ce: “Xiao Ce, what do you say? Why did Yin Pan’er change her clothes?”

Xiao Ce trembled all over, like a frightened rabbit, instinctively glancing toward the area under the bed behind him: “I… don’t know.”

This action of his was fully seen by Xiao Yang.

Following the direction of Xiao Ce’s glance, Xiao Yang bent down and looked under the bed.

At a glance, he saw a set of torn clothes.

Instinctively, he looked at the bed and immediately noticed the bright plum-red stains on the bedsheet.

“Pan’er, are these your clothes?”

Then he pointed at the plum-red on the bed: “And this blood on the bed, what is that about?”

Before Yin Pan’er could speak.

Seeing this, Xiao Yang felt he understood the situation and said: “Imperial Father, Ninth Uncle! Now we have both witness and material evidence! Clearly, Pan’er was threatened by this beast, which is why she dared not speak the truth!”

Xiao Dingbang, sitting to the side, gave no chance for Xiao Ce to explain.

With a dark face, he raised his hand, picked up a teapot from the table, and threw it at Xiao Ce, roaring angrily: “You beast! You won’t even spare your brother’s wife! You deserve to die ten thousand deaths! Guards! Take this beastly waste away, throw him into the death cell!”

Xiao Ce could not avoid it in time. The teapot struck his head solidly.

His forehead was immediately cut open, and blood flowed down from it.

He trembled as he prostrated on the ground, crying out that he was wronged, but a triumphant smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.