Chapter 5: Why Aren’t You Pretending This Time?

Chapter 5: Why Aren’t You Pretending This Time?

Xiao Yang looked at Xiao Dingbang with disbelief. “Imperial Father, what are you saying? What did Chancellor Yin show you? How could he be found not guilty?”

Gritting his teeth, Xiao Dingbang threw the memorial in his hand towards Xiao Yang, angrily saying, “I said, the Crown Prince is not guilty! See for yourself if this isn’t irrefutable evidence!”

Xiao Yang hurriedly picked up the memorial that had been thrown to the ground.

The contents of the memorial were a copy of the written pledge Xiao Yang had written the day before.

Seeing Xiao Yang standing there frozen, speechless.

Xiao Dingbang waved his hand and said, “Enough! Since this case has reached a conclusion, court is dismissed!”

After saying this, Xiao Dingbang left in a huff.

Xiao Yang walked over to Yin Weiyong with a grim expression. “Chancellor Yin, what were you doing?”

Before Chancellor Yin could answer.

The Emperor’s personal eunuch walked to the side of Xiao Yang and Yin Weiyong and said, “Chancellor Yin, Second Prince, follow me. His Majesty wishes to speak with you.”

The two nodded and quickly followed.

The ministers nearby were even more confused, whispering amongst themselves as they left.

The Prince of Zhenguo walked over to Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce smiled and cupped his hands. “Thank you, Ninth Imperial Uncle, for speaking up for justice at the crucial moment.”

But the Prince of Zhenguo’s face was dark. “You, come with This Prince.”

…

Inside the Imperial Study, the atmosphere was frozen.

Xiao Dingbang sat at the desk.

Xiao Yang stood on the right, Yin Weiyong stood on the left.

No one dared to speak first.

Emperor Xiao Dingbang broke the stalemate. “Xiao Yang, what is the story with that pledge document? Were you afraid others wouldn’t know of your misdeeds, so you wrote a confession yourself?”

Seeing this, Xiao Yang threw himself to the ground with a thud. “Imperial Father, this pledge was forced out of your son by Chancellor Yin’s daughter… Your son didn’t know…”

Before Xiao Yang could finish, Yin Weiyong interrupted. “Your Majesty, after the young lady was wronged yesterday, she found no comfort from Second Prince. Instead, she felt his distance and threat. That is why she forced Second Prince to write this document, to prove her own innocence.”

“After learning of this, Old Minister already reprimanded her. After all, if this matter were to get out, it would be damaging for Old Minister, for Second Prince, and even for Your Majesty.”

Xiao Dingbang snorted coldly. “Chancellor Yin, if you knew, why use this thing to let that good-for-nothing off the hook! If you hadn’t brought this out today, I would have definitely thrown that useless one into prison! Are you going to let him, that waste, bully your daughter and roam free?”

Yin Weiyong bowed. “Your Majesty, how could Old Minister not know? But, my daughter said that after the Crown Prince violated her yesterday, he cleaned up all the evidence. Not only that, but he also planted those false clues to mislead you!”

“Your Majesty, all of this was a carefully prepared trap by them! They must have found out about our plan in advance and turned it against us. Someone must have leaked the information beforehand.”

Seeing Yin Weiyong looking at him, Xiao Yang quickly said, “Chancellor Yin, what do you mean? Are you suspecting I leaked the message? I suspect you have been bribed by Xiao Ce! Otherwise, why would you take out the pledge I wrote to help him!”

Yin Weiyong was instantly furious. “Second Prince, Pan’er is Old Minister’s only beloved daughter. If Old Minister had known beforehand, even at the cost of my life, I would never have let Pan’er enter that den of wolves to be sullied by the Crown Prince!”

“Moreover, Old Minister did not originally want to present the document you wrote. But before court today, my daughter repeatedly pleaded not to let this matter escalate, otherwise she would not live! Old Minister also hinted several times to you, Second Prince.”

“If not for Your Highness insistently demanding to verify my daughter’s purity, for the sake of my daughter’s reputation, Old Minister had no choice but to produce that document!”

“The Crown Prince acted completely unafraid, and the Prince of Zhenguo hadn’t even spoken yet, seeming like they still have backing! Your Majesty, we both know the Crown Prince is mediocre. He couldn’t possibly have such cunning and foresight. Clearly, someone is advising him from behind.”

“If this matter escalates, whether we can bring down the Crown Prince or not, my daughter will ultimately be the biggest victim! My daughter is strong-willed. If this becomes known throughout the city, she would have no face left to live in this world!”

“That is why Old Minister risked everything with this last resort! In truth, from the moment the Crown Prince violated my daughter, I had already lost!”

“Please forgive Old Minister’s love for his daughter, Your Majesty. Old Minister regrets it! I should not have let my daughter act as bait!”

Xiao Dingbang calmed for a moment. “Chancellor Yin, you are right. I don’t blame you. That good-for-nothing doesn’t have such cunning. There must be someone plotting behind him.”

Xiao Yang’s voice was cold and sharp. “It must be Ninth Imperial Uncle! Your son said he was unusually composed this time, not saying a word. It must be his scheme. They must be thinking that by turning our plan against us and violating Chancellor Yin’s daughter, they can win over Chancellor Yin to support the Crown Prince!”

Yin Weiyong said sternly, “They are dreaming! Your Majesty, the reason Old Minister acted as he did today is entirely because he thought of a better remedy. On one hand, it allows my daughter to have a decent end. On the other hand, it can completely solve the problem of the Crown Prince.”

Seeing Yin Weiyong say this, Xiao Dingbang’s eyes sharpened. “Oh? In this situation, is there any other way?”

Yin Weiyong said, “The Crown Prince’s mediocrity and incompetence are known to all. Yesterday, my daughter told Old Minister that the Crown Prince is indeed infatuated with her, head over heels for her, even proposing to her, saying he would marry her later and make her his Crown Princess.”

“Old Minister thought, since they like to turn our plans against us, why don’t we do the same? Let my daughter pretend to agree, then scorn him for having no ability, no achievements, and make him go and earn some merits!”

“Lately, the Turkic tribes have repeatedly invaded our Northern Desert borders; battles are frequent. We can urge the Crown Prince to volunteer to garrison the Northern Desert Region.”

“This way, saying he is guarding the border is actually equivalent to exile. With the Crown Prince’s frail health, he’d probably be jolted to death before even reaching the Northern Desert! Even if he survives by chance, the Turkic raids in the Northern Desert wilderness are far at the border. If the Crown Prince were assassinated or something, it would surely be the work of the Turkic!”

Xiao Yang’s eyes brightened. “Chancellor Yin, this plan is excellent! Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

Xiao Dingbang’s expression shifted slightly. “Chancellor Yin, would that cowardly waste Xiao Ce dare to go? Even if Xiao Ce is foolish, is the Prince of Zhenguo foolish too? Even if they both agree, and furthermore, are you really willing to marry your daughter to that waste?”

Yin Weiyong cupped his hands, his face showing a fierce expression. “Your Majesty, in truth, Old Minister deeply regrets it. But now that things have reached this point, what’s done is done. That waste must pay the price. My daughter also wants to personally take revenge for being sullied by the Crown Prince.”

“Moreover, Old Minister also has selfish motives. As the saying goes, parents who love their children plan for their long-term future!”

“Second Prince will surely shoulder great responsibilities in the future. Although my daughter made Second Prince write that pledge, Old Minister knows his place. I have no face to ask Second Prince to marry my daughter.”

“As long as the Crown Prince dies at the Northern Desert border! My daughter will at least have the title of Crown Princess! Then, I beg Your Majesty to grant her a fief, so she can live a wealthy, worry-free life for the rest of her days. I wonder if Your Majesty can grant this!”

Xiao Dingbang’s eyes gleamed slightly. “Chancellor Yin, if you can truly succeed in this matter, even having Second Prince marry your beloved daughter would not be impossible!”

After hearing Xiao Dingbang’s words, Xiao Yang looked reluctant, but Xiao Dingbang stopped him with a look.

All of this was seen by Yin Weiyong. “Your Majesty, after this incident, even if Second Prince harbors no resentment, my daughter cannot accept it. In truth, what Old Minister proposed is the best outcome for her. And Old Minister will spare no effort in assisting Second Prince!”

Xiao Dingbang nodded. “Good, Chancellor Yin! As long as your beloved daughter can trick that waste of a Crown Prince into volunteering to garrison the Northern Desert border, I will surely reward you handsomely.”

Yin Weiyong bowed. “Your Majesty, this time Old Minister will surely not fail the mission. Then Old Minister will take his leave first.”

Xiao Dingbang nodded. “Good, Chancellor Yin, but remember to be careful this time! It must be foolproof!”

Yin Weiyong bowed and withdrew.

“Imperial Father, can we trust that old fox Yin Weiyong? What he said makes some sense, but if not for his help, we couldn’t have let Xiao Ce that waste go free on the spot today! Could he have been bribed by the Prince of Zhenguo?” Xiao Yang stepped forward and said.

Xiao Dingbang’s gaze was profound. “Probably not! The Prince of Zhenguo tried to win him over several times. Yin Weiyong looks down on that waste Xiao Ce! Yang’er, don’t worry! No matter what happens with this matter, you must not get involved. Let’s wait and see. If that waste really volunteers to garrison the border, then what he said might be right!”

“Yin Pan’er, if she really fools Xiao Ce into going to the Northern Desert border, won’t Ninth Imperial Uncle want to tear them to pieces?” Xiao Yang said with a bit of excitement.

Xiao Dingbang showed a sinister smile. “Definitely. I hope Yin Weiyong doesn’t disappoint me.”

…

Inside the Prince of Zhenguo’s Mansion.

Xiao Ce told his plan in full detail to the Prince of Zhenguo, Xiao Dingshan.

Based on the Original Host’s memories, Xiao Dingshan was someone absolutely trustworthy.

Not a father, but better than a father.

That the Original Host, a waste, could live until now was entirely thanks to Xiao Dingshan’s help. Otherwise, he would have died hundreds of times over.

After listening, Xiao Dingshan looked worried. “Crown Prince, you are playing with fire! Why do you think Chancellor Yin will help you? His mother, Consort Yu, holds the Emperor’s favor alone. Second Prince currently enjoys great imperial favor, and his maternal family holds great power in court. Why do you think Chancellor Yin would abandon such a son-in-law to help you!”

Xiao Ce smiled and said, “Because his daughter is already mine! That alone forces him to stand on my side! He has no other choice. Yin Pan’er is Yin Weiyong’s Achilles’ heel! I don’t know how such a shrewd person could make such a bad move, using his most beloved only daughter as bait!”

Xiao Dingshan laughed. “Isn’t it because they failed several times to frame you and got impatient? After this year, according to Great Xiao law, you are to establish the Crown Prince’s court and begin to personally handle state affairs gradually! Can they not be anxious?”

“But, Crown Prince, you really have fooled everyone! Even This Prince didn’t see that you actually had such cunning and calculation!”

Xiao Ce detected a trace of doubt in Xiao Dingshan’s tone and said wryly, “Ninth Uncle, it’s all for self-preservation.”

“Then why did you decide not to pretend this time?” Xiao Dingshan asked, looking sharply at Xiao Ce.