Xue Shen completely tore off the mask of peace he was pretending to wear.

He looked at the palace gate and said to the eunuch who had come out to find out what was going on, "Go and tell Emperor Cheng'an that if he continues to hide in the palace, I don't mind breaking down the palace gate and confronting him face to face."

The young eunuch shrank back in fright and hid behind the imperial guards.

Xue Shen gave a mocking smile, then looked at Xie Lian Hong. He bowed deeply and spoke earnestly: "The evidence and witnesses from back then are irrefutable. I have been keeping quiet all these years in secret to collect evidence."

"Lord Xie is upright and honest. He has been praised and relied upon by three emperors of our dynasty and is loved by the common people. I do not trust others, but I am willing to believe that Lord Xie is fair in his dealings."

He straightened up, looked directly into Xie Lianhong's eyes, and said, "This matter involves two emperors and is a secret of the palace. It should not be made public to avoid becoming a laughing stock. However, Emperor Cheng'an murdered his brother and usurped the throne, a heinous crime. If we cannot make him confess and be executed, I fear that the unjustly killed late emperor and empress will not be able to rest in peace."

"Therefore, I ask Grand Chancellor Xie to come forward, thoroughly investigate this matter, and set things right. If it is certain that Emperor Cheng'an murdered his brother and usurped the throne, he should be executed as a traitor and a villain."

Xie Lianhong was shaken. After a slight hesitation, he bowed deeply and said, "This matter is unheard of, and it is unprecedented for a subject to judge a monarch. However, I have been deeply appreciated and promoted by the late Emperor Taizu and the late Emperor. If Your Majesty has indeed committed such a heinous crime, I will defy the world and expose it to the public to comfort the departed souls."

*

This matter should have been handled by the imperial clan, but the imperial clan of the Great Wei was not numerous to begin with. After Emperor Cheng'an ascended the throne, he felt guilty due to rumors and found a pretext to slaughter many members of the imperial clan.

Now, the only remaining member of the imperial clan who can speak with authority is Prince Duan.

Therefore, Xie Lianhong and Prince Duan jointly investigated the matter from that year.

The officials present exchanged glances, none daring to utter a single word. To try an emperor for his crimes was unprecedented in history; not everyone possessed the courage to do so.

After explaining the situation, Xue Shen glanced at the pale-faced and anxious officials, and then at the excited and chattering common people who seemed to be reading a storybook. He felt no ripples in his heart.

All of this was part of his plan. He knew everyone's personality very well; otherwise, he wouldn't have revealed this matter in public and entrusted it to Xie Lianhong in front of everyone.

Now the pieces he has laid out are beginning to be put into action, and all that remains is to await the final result.

Xue Shen turned his head and glanced at the layers of palaces behind the palace gate. His gaze was deep for a moment before he led his men away on horseback.

He didn't go anywhere else, but went straight back to the Prince of Qin's residence.

In the courtyard of the Prince of Qin's mansion, the heavily pregnant Shen Youying was struggling to walk in circles, supported by two maids.

Her due date was approaching, and to minimize the suffering during childbirth, both Master Huodong and the midwife advised her to move around more in the coming days. However, Shen Youying was carrying twins, and her belly was much larger than that of an average pregnant woman. Just standing up caused her to experience slight abdominal pain, and walking made her feel even more uncomfortable with the heavy weight of her belly.

When Xue Shen returned, Shen Youying had already walked three laps, her forehead covered in fine sweat, and her face slightly pale.

Xue Shen approached, waved away the maid who was supporting her, and personally helped her up.

Shen Youying smiled at him, her face pale: "Why are you back so soon?"

Xue Shen gently wiped the sweat from her forehead with a touch of heartache: "I came back because I was worried about you." He looked at Shen You's pale face and couldn't bear it, saying, "How many laps have you walked today? Why don't you rest for a bit? If you really can't take it anymore, then don't walk anymore."

"Only three laps."

Shen Youying shook her head and said, "Master Huodong also said that if we suffer a little now, the delivery will be smoother later."

Xue Shen's expression darkened slightly. He touched her large, almost frighteningly swollen belly and frowned, saying, "Just this once. We won't have any more children in the future."

He slowed his pace, supporting Shen Youyin as they walked slowly, his expression as if facing a formidable enemy.

Although Shen Youying was exhausted, she wasn't as nervous as him. Seeing his furrowed brows and worried expression, she smiled and comforted him, "Even if you want to have another child, I won't."

Xue Shen nodded: "My father and mother only had me as their child. Now that you have two children, that should be enough to explain to those ministers."

He gently tucked a stray strand of Shen Youying's hair behind her ear with tenderness, and said solemnly, "After you finish your postpartum confinement, I will go and find some contraceptives."

Shen Youying laughed at his words, blushed, and glared at him, saying, "You certainly think ahead."

Xue Shen smiled faintly, pursing his lips, and patiently and gently accompanied her as she walked around the circle.

*

The Prince of Qin's residence was filled with warmth and affection, while the palace was in a state of panic and unease.

Upon learning of the incident at the palace gates, Chang'an was so angry he nearly fainted. However, he had been taking great care of his health lately, neglecting court duties and cultivating his mind and body with various precious medicinal herbs. As a result, his health had improved considerably, and despite trembling with rage, he managed to hold on.

However, at this moment, looking at the eunuchs and guards kneeling before him with lowered heads and trembling eyes, he would rather faint.

If you faint, you won't have to deal with these unpleasant things.

Emperor Cheng'an paced anxiously in the hall: "How dare they! I am the emperor, this world belongs to me, who gave them the audacity to criticize me?"

"What a joke! They want to judge me? I'd like to see who dares to do that!"

Emperor Cheng'an berated him for a long time, his words harsh but his heart weak, before finally summoning the commander of the Palace Guard and ordering, "Prince Qin has committed treason and disrespect for his elders and the emperor. You shall immediately lead men to surround Prince Qin's residence and arrest him."

He gritted his teeth and said, "I will have him torn to pieces and executed by slow slicing, so that the world can see what happens to those who disobey me!"

The commander of the Palace Guard listened to his words but did not move for a long time.

He held down the 'd' key and when he didn't respond, he suddenly stepped forward and kicked the man: "Are you deaf? Didn't you hear what I said?"

However, Emperor Cheng'an was physically weak, and the kick was nothing to the commander of the Palace Guard. He remained kneeling there steadily, raised his head and looked at Emperor Cheng'an: "I am sorry that I cannot obey."

Emperor Cheng'an stared at him in disbelief, his fingers trembling: "How dare you disobey the emperor's orders? Are you planning a rebellion?"

The commander of the Palace Guard met his gaze calmly and spoke with composure: "If Your Majesty is the sovereign, then I am the one who is disobeying Your Majesty's orders; but if Your Majesty is not the sovereign, then my actions have not been wrong."

His words were practically a direct challenge to Emperor Cheng'an, implying that it was still uncertain whether he could continue as emperor.

Emperor Cheng'an opened his eyes wide and stared at him intently: "When were you bribed by Xue Shen?"

The commander of the Palace Guard smiled at him: "It is not that I have been bribed by His Highness Prince Qin, but that I am His Highness Prince Qin's man."