Chapter 54 The Li Clan is Deposed

Su Jingyu shook her head, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face. She saw the lingering fear, anger, and unfathomable heartache in his eyes. She gently touched his cheek with her small hand, "Your Majesty, I'm alright... Thankfully, Your Highness wasn't injured..."

Xiao Jingzhan pressed her icy hand against his cheek, closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, they were covered in crimson blood. "It's my fault, I didn't protect you well... If anything were to happen to you, I..." His voice choked, unable to continue. The fear he felt at that moment was enough to burn him to ashes.

Su Jingyu felt extremely sorry for him and kissed his furrowed brows and his bloodshot eyes.

"Your Highness, I'm here. I and the baby are both alright." She cupped his face in her hands, looking into his still-shaken eyes, her voice soft yet firm, "Don't be afraid."

Xiao Jingzhan shuddered, then pulled her tightly into his arms, his grip so tight it felt like he was about to crush her. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, his body trembling slightly. "Yu'er... I can't lose you." His voice was muffled, carrying the vulnerability of someone who had lost and then regained her.

Outside the tent, Thunder Investigation unfolds.

Lu Chen worked with exceptional efficiency, quickly discovering remnants of a specially made "Beast Powder" hidden in the saddle of the mad horse, and finding an empty porcelain bottle containing the powder in a corner of the stable. Following this lead, he apprehended the distant nephew of the stable's deputy steward—Li's dowry maid—who had last come into contact with the horse. Under severe torture, he confessed that he had been instructed by Crown Princess Li to stage an accident, intending to cause Consort Su to miscarry or suffer serious injury.

Upon receiving the initial statement, Xiao Jingzhan remained expressionless, coldly stating, "The Li family doesn't have the brains or the guts to do this alone. Continue investigating the source of this powder, the people involved, and those who have had close contact with the Li family's palace recently—leave no one out. Especially… see if the Third Prince is involved in this matter."

Lu Chen's heart tightened, and he accepted the order and left. A more in-depth investigation was then launched.

The source of the specially made "Beast Powder" was kept secret, and it was eventually traced back to an inconspicuous pharmacy in the west of the city. This pharmacy was actually intricately connected with the family of the concubine of the Third Prince Xiao Jingxuan!

Even more concerning, a palace maid in the Li family who was in charge of purchasing supplies had a cousin who worked on the estate of the Third Prince's residence and had secretly left the palace a few days ago. In addition, during the inventory of the imperial family members and their entourage near the viewing platform today, two suspicious individuals were discovered. Upon investigation, they were found to have some indirect connection with the Third Prince's maternal family—the Duke of Anguo's residence.

Xiao Jingzhan looked at the compiled intelligence, a cold smile curving his lips. Just as expected, the third brother was still up to his old tricks. Having failed to frame Su's father last time, he now wanted to use the Li family as a tool to kill two birds with one stone!

This would not only eliminate the pregnant Yu'er and strike at the Crown Prince, but also frame the Li family. If it could incite a conflict between him and the forces behind the Li family, the third prince could reap the benefits. Even... if the Emperor were to develop doubts about him as the heir apparent...

"A fine scheme." Xiao Jingzhan tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, his phoenix eyes flashing with a cold light. "It's just a pity that the methods are too crude."

"Your Highness, should we involve the Third Prince?" Lu Chen asked in a low voice.

“No need.” Xiao Jingzhan shook his head, a calculating glint in his eyes. “The evidence against Li is conclusive, and Father will deal with her in his rage. As for the third son… since he’s already involved, he can’t expect to get away with it. Submit the testimonies of Li and the palace maid, the clues from the pharmacy, and the testimonies of the two people connected to the Duke of Anguo’s mansion to Father separately. Remember, only present the evidence, not the conclusions.”

Lu Chen instantly understood. His Highness was laying the clues bare before His Majesty, letting His Majesty see and think for himself. His Majesty was suspicious; seeing these subtle clues pointing to the Third Prince would naturally sow seeds of doubt in his heart. This was far more effective than directly impeaching the Third Prince, and it was also more in line with His Highness's style.

"As for the two spies planted by the Duke of Anguo's mansion," Xiao Jingzhan said indifferently, "find a suitable opportunity to make them 'show their true colors' in front of General Zhou's men, and deal with them on the spot on the grounds that they are 'acting suspiciously and causing a disturbance.' Remember, do it cleanly, as if it were an accidental discovery."

"Yes!" Lu Chen accepted the order, thinking to himself that His Highness was using the investigation as an opportunity to cut off the Third Prince's wings while leaving no one with any evidence against him.

Inside the emperor's tent.

Seeing the irrefutable evidence, the emperor was furious and immediately issued an edict to demote Lady Li to commoner status, banish her to the cold palace, and strip her family of their titles and exile them. The emperor was well aware of the potential threats that the crown prince had "incidentally" eliminated, and even quite admired him—this son was ruthless and steady enough to know how to use others' strength against them and leave no future troubles.

With the dust settled, Xiao Jingzhan embraced Su Jingyu and briefly explained the investigation results and the disciplinary decisions. Su Jingyu leaned against him, listening quietly, feeling little satisfaction, only a sense of the treacherous nature of the palace, and clung to him even tighter.

"Were you scared?" Xiao Jingzhan gently kissed the top of her head.

"With Your Highness here, I have nothing to fear." Su Jingyu shook her head, touching her slightly protruding belly, then looked at his furrowed brow and anxious face, her eyes glistening with tears, "I've made Your Highness worry..."

He took her hand, kissed it, and solemnly said, "Yu'er, the Li family has been deposed. After you have safely given birth and recovered, I will petition the Emperor and Empress to make you the Crown Princess. You are my only wife, the mother of Yu'er and our future child, and the rightful mistress of the Eastern Palace."

Su Jingyu was stunned and looked up at him. Crown Princess... she didn't care about these positions, as long as he protected her.

“Your Highness…” she choked up.

"Don't say anything, I understand." Xiao Jingzhan gently wiped away her tears with his fingertips. "This is what you deserve. I want to give you, and our child, the most honorable and secure everything." His eyes were filled with undisguised affection and determination. "I will never allow anyone to hurt you in the slightest."

Su Jingyu burst into tears, moved and relieved. She kissed his lips, opening her mouth to pour out all her dependence and love.

...

After the incident at the hunting grounds was dealt with, the atmosphere in the palace was oppressive.

The Li family had been deposed, and the imperial decree for their exile had been issued. But as the emperor looked at the clues presented by the crown prince concerning the pharmacy, palace maids, and the Duke of Anguo's mansion, his anger and disappointment mingled, and he could not calm down for a long time. He dismissed his attendants, leaving only his trusted chief eunuch by his side.

"Summon the Third Prince to see me."

Before long, the Third Prince Xiao Jingxuan was brought into the imperial tent.

He already knew that Lady Li had been deposed, and he was filled with shock and doubt, wondering if his father had discovered something. Upon entering the tent, he saw the emperor's gloomy face, and his heart tightened even more. He quickly knelt down and bowed, saying, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

The emperor did not tell him to get up, but stared at him coldly for a long time before slowly speaking, his voice devoid of any warmth: "Third Prince, do you know your crime?"

Xiao Jingxuan's heart pounded wildly, but he forced himself to remain calm: "Your Majesty, I do not know what you are referring to. Is it... is it about the Crown Princess? Your Majesty, I am terrified. I truly do not know that that wicked woman would dare to do such a thing..."

"Shut up!" The emperor slammed his hand on the table, making the teacups clatter. He abruptly stood up, pointed at Xiao Jingxuan, and roared in fury, "Even now, you still dare to speak so eloquently in front of me! Do you think what you've done is flawless?!"

Xiao Jingxuan trembled with fright and prostrated himself on the ground: "Father, please calm your anger! Your son is innocent!"