Chapter 53 Plague (V) The plague in Hezhou has completely subsided, Xiao Wangshu...

The plague in Hezhou was completely quelled, and Xiao Wangshu and his entourage returned to the capital with their triumphant victory. The emperor was delighted and, in the Golden Palace, heaped praise on Xiao Wangshu, calling him a "pillar of the state" and a "meritorious minister to the people." He also ordered a grand court meeting to be held on a chosen day to solemnly confer honors and rewards upon him.

However, behind the glory lies danger.

In the Sixth Prince’s Mansion.

"Congratulations in advance, nephew."

The corners of Liang Wang's mouth rose, and a shrewd light flashed in his eyes:

"However... Xiao Wangshu has made great contributions this time and his reputation is high. If our people were to directly impeach him for his 'affair' with the Crown Prince at this time, I'm afraid it would not be effective and could easily be accused of framing a meritorious official."

"So what does Uncle Wang mean?"

Raising his eyebrows slightly, the Sixth Prince drew out the folding fan from his waist and asked slowly.

"Strike the snake at its most vulnerable part. This matter requires the person who is least likely to falsely accuse him to come forward, so that the attack will be successful." King Liang lowered his voice. "What does your good father hate most? He hates factionalism, he hates the hindrance of aristocratic families, and he hates royal scandals even more!

If Xiao Wangshu's biological father, the Minister of Personnel, Lord Xiao, were to personally come forward and tearfully accuse his son of using despicable means to seduce the crown prince, leading him astray and causing him to misbehave and nearly die in the epidemic area...what would Your Majesty think?

The Sixth Prince's eyes lit up and he laughed loudly, clapping his hands:

"Father sues son... righteousness overthrows relatives... Hahahaha! Wonderful! Wonderful! That hypocrite, Old Man Xiao, values ​​his family's reputation and his legitimate son's future the most!

As long as he is promised a promotion after success, and his precious legitimate son is admitted to the Imperial Academy, and if he doesn't come forward, the exposure of the Crown Prince and Xiao Wangshu's scandal will bring trouble to the entire Xiao family... I'm not afraid that he won't comply!"

He seemed to have seen the scene of the crown prince being deposed and Xiao Wangshu being ruined, and he couldn't suppress the smile on his face.

"Besides, Uncle Wang, we have solid evidence! Our informants reported that the Pisces jade pendant that Xiao Wangshu often wears around his waist is probably a relic of the late queen.

The Crown Prince usually treasures it so much, yet now he is giving it away so easily. Is this private exchange between a ruler and his subjects a normal relationship?"

King Liang nodded with satisfaction:

"This is irrefutable evidence! Also, although one of the several spies planted in Hezhou was defeated, the family of one of the accompanying medical officers is also in our hands.

At that time, he can come forward to testify that he had personally witnessed His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Minister Xiao in the Hezhou government office... their intimate behavior far exceeded the rules of etiquette!

The Crown Prince even personally tested the medicine for Xiao Wangshu and scolded the medical officer regardless of his status! All of this is enough to prove that the Crown Prince has been deeply bewitched! "

"Alright, alright! We have all the evidence! Let's see how they can argue this time!"

On the day of the grand court meeting and the awarding of prizes, the Golden Palace was solemn and all officials stood in awe.

Xiao Wangshu, wearing a purple robe and jade belt, stood in the hall, ready to be conferred. Crown Prince Xie Xuanhui stood at the foot of the imperial steps, looking at Xiao Wangshu with undisguised pride and a burning passion in his eyes that threatened to burn him.

Just as the eunuch was about to speak, suddenly, from the ranks of civil officials, the Minister of Personnel, Lord Xiao, suddenly rushed out and fell heavily to his knees in the center of the Golden Palace with a plop. He slammed his head to the ground and burst into tears:

"Your Majesty! I am guilty! I failed to educate my son properly and deserve death! I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

The whole court was in uproar! Everyone was shocked by this sudden change.

The emperor frowned, looking displeased:

"My dear Lord Xiao, today is the day of the Grand Celebration of Rewards. Why are you doing this? What crime have you committed? I will report it later!"

"Your Majesty! My crimes are too numerous to list! I have no face to stand before the court again! It's all because of my rebellious son—Xiao Wangshu!"

Father Xiao suddenly looked up and pointed his finger at Xiao Wangshu in the hall with trembling hands. Tears streamed down his face and his expression was filled with extreme grief.

"This rebellious son! Shameless, disregarding the Emperor's grace, and even defying human ethics! He... he actually used despicable means to seduce the Crown Prince and cling to the Eastern Palace! This caused His Royal Highness to behave erratically, repeatedly misbehaving, and even disregarding his precious life by leaving the Eastern Palace without permission and venturing into dangerous territory!

This is a heinous crime that tarnishes the reputation of the crown prince and undermines the political system of the country! I…I wish I could strangle this evil child with my own hands! I have no face to face Your Majesty, my colleagues, and even the ancestors of the Xiao family! I beg Your Majesty to severely punish this beast, to set things right, and to clear the court of corruption!

These words were like thunder from the sky, silencing the entire court. Then, a huge, uncontrollable discussion erupted! Countless glances were directed at Xiao Wangshu and the Crown Prince with suspicion, disdain, and inquiry.

Xiao Wangshu, standing still, swayed slightly. His face turned pale as snow, but he quickly regained his composure.

He simply stared silently at his father, kneeling on the ground, accusing him at the top of his lungs. His eyes were as deep as a cold pond. The last faint spark of family affection was completely extinguished at that moment, leaving only cold ashes. He even gently, almost silently, curled the corners of his lips, full of mockery.

"Nonsense!" Crown Prince Xie Xuanhui was instantly furious, his eyes filled with bloodshot and murderous intent as if it were real. "Old bastard! How dare you slander me! I think you don't want to live anymore!"

As for the emperor, his face was already gloomy enough to drip water! He already hated the crown prince, the family behind him, and even more so, this royal scandal! Especially since this happened to the "meritorious official" he had just praised so highly, it was a slap in his face!

"Lord Xiao! Accusing an important official of the imperial court, especially one who has just made great contributions, is simply empty talk! Do you have any evidence?!"

Father Xiao seemed to have been prepared and said sadly:

"Your Majesty! How dare this old minister speak so recklessly? I am deeply distressed. If Your Majesty does not believe me, just look at what is hanging around that rebellious son's waist! It is none other than the 'Double Fish Heart Jade Pendant', the late Empress's most cherished possession and the one she later bestowed upon His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!!!"

As soon as these words were spoken, it was like splashing cold water into a boiling pot of oil, causing it to explode instantly! All the court officials' eyes, whether filled with surprise, curiosity, or gloating, were all focused on Xiao Wangshu's waist.

It was almost a subconscious, completely instinctive reaction of the body - the moment everyone's eyes were focused on his waist, Xiao Wangshu suddenly raised his right hand, and quickly and hurriedly covered the lustrous green jade pendant with his palm!

This action was as fast as lightning, but it was clearly seen by everyone in the hall who was staring at him!

The moment his palm touched the cold jade pendant, Xiao Wangshu immediately realized his loss of composure. He dropped his hand abruptly, his fingertips trembling slightly. He tried to straighten his back, trying to remain calm, but a hint of panic inevitably flashed across his eyes, which were always as calm as water.

Then everyone saw that there was indeed a jade pendant hanging from the waist of Xiao Wangshu's purple official robe. The jade was as clear and translucent as water, and seemed to contain no impurities at all.

Not only is the jade material of the entire pendant exceptional, but the carving is also of the highest order. The pendant is shaped like two carp playing in the water, with two carp linked end to end, forming a perfect circle. This symbolizes the harmony of yin and yang, and the continuation of perfection. One glance reveals the exceptional quality of this jade.

More importantly, many of the veteran officials present vaguely remembered that this Pisces jade pendant, with its profound meaning, was indeed a favorite of the late Empress, who often wore it on her body. Later, when the Crown Prince was still young, the late Empress bestowed it upon him, hoping for his safety and profound meaning. The Crown Prince had worn it close to his body for many years, cherishing it with great affection and rarely taking it off.

Such a precious personal belonging that carries the kindness of the late queen and symbolizes the prince's identity and emotions is now hanging on the waist of a foreign minister and a bastard!

Instantly, the hall was filled with gasps. Some might have previously suspected that Father Xiao had framed them, but now, upon seeing this undeniable jade pendant, many people's expressions changed—becoming complex, surprised, disdainful, and even a bit of "as expected" realization.

Xiao Wangshu's subconscious reaction, coupled with this priceless and profoundly significant jade pendant, became the coldest and most powerful evidence to prove Xiao Wangshu's "seduction of the crown prince" and "clinging to the Eastern Palace"! It silently revealed the intimate relationship between the two, far beyond that of monarch and subject, and pushed Xiao Wangshu completely into the abyss.

"This is something that belongs to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and is of extraordinary significance! How could it appear in the hands of a rebellious son! If not... if not for selfish motives, how could it have come to this?!" Father Xiao burst into tears.

There was another commotion in the court. The Crown Prince gifting a minister with something dear to his heart was highly unusual!

Almost the second after Father Xiao finished speaking, Xie Xuanhui said sternly:

"I rewarded him! So what? I appreciate the meritorious officials and give them personal belongings, so what's wrong with that?!"

"Your Highness!"

At this time, another official stepped out and said loudly:

"If it's just to appreciate a meritorious official, then of course it's fine. But according to Wang Bin, the medical officer who returned from the epidemic area in Hezhou, your Highness's words and actions with Minister Xiao in Hezhou have long since exceeded the boundaries between monarch and subject!

Wang Bin had personally witnessed His Highness lingering in Minister Xiao's room for a long time late at night before leaving. Furthermore, His Highness treated Minister Xiao with the utmost care, even personally tasting and testing the temperature of his medicine. He then flew into a rage when the medical officer was even slightly slow in treating him. Such behavior was not typical of an ordinary monarch or his subjects.

It's clear...it's clear that you have been deeply bewitched by the flatterers and have lost your mind, Your Majesty!"

The chain of evidence and witnesses reinforced the allegation of "affair" and "bewitching" even more. The prince's gift of the jade pendant and Hezhou's testimony of "witnessing it" were particularly powerful.

The Crown Prince's unauthorized departure from the capital is a serious crime! !

The emperor looked at the Pisces jade pendant, and the veins on his forehead throbbed with rage! Any remaining doubts he had completely vanished, replaced by a raging rage at being deceived and his authority challenged!

"Great! What a pillar of the country! What a hero to the nation!"

The emperor's voice was icy and full of sarcasm.

"So, the great achievements you made were earned by seducing the Lord like this?! Xiao Wangshu! What else do you have to say?!"

Amidst the crowd's gazes of either contempt or surprise, Xiao Wangshu and the prince looked at each other from afar. Time seemed to stand still at that moment, but the next moment he shook his head gently, and before the prince stood up for him, he slowly knelt down, his voice calm, yet with a hint of determination.

"Since Your Majesty has already fully believed me, I have no right to argue."

"What a speechless person!" The emperor laughed in anger. "Come here! Strip the guilty minister Xiao Wangshu of all his official titles and honors, and throw him into the Heavenly Prison to await trial! Crown Prince Xie Xuanhui, for failing to discipline his subordinates and behaving improperly, is confined to the Eastern Palace from today. Without my written permission, you are not allowed to step out of the palace! Dismiss the court!"

The guards charged forward like wolves and tigers. The Crown Prince's eyes were bloodshot, and he wanted to resist, but he was subtly restrained by the masters around the emperor. He could only watch as Xiao Wangshu was taken away, his scarlet eyes filled with madness and murderous intent.

Even though he was unwilling, Xie Xuanhui was still forcibly taken back to the Eastern Palace, where the gates were heavily locked. Like a trapped beast, he frantically smashed everything in the palace, his roars terrifying.

"Let me go! You dogs and slaves! Let me go!"

He tried to force his way out several times, but was stopped by the elite guards sent by the emperor.

He collapsed in the mess until he was exhausted, his chest heaving violently, as if he was back in the helpless scene of his childhood, but his eyes gradually changed from crazy rage to an extreme coldness and cruelty.

Until the dead of night, he whispered in a nearly hoarse voice to the deserted corner of the palace: "Darkness."

A figure that almost blended into the shadows knelt silently in front of him. It was the leader of his secret guards.

Xie Xuanhui's eyes were frighteningly cold, and every word he said seemed to have been fished out of an ice cellar:

"Move immediately, at all costs, and inform the old general of the events in the capital as quickly as possible. Tell him..."

He paused, a glint of crazy determination in his eyes.

"Tell him that my father is unjust and has listened to slanderous words, intending to cut off my arms and end my life. If he still recognizes me as his young master, if he still remembers my mother's instructions... then let him lead the troops... and 'clean up the imperial court'!"

As for the noble families, we will notify them after the old general arrives."

"Yes!" The dark guard didn't hesitate at all. His figure flashed and disappeared like a ghost, as if he had never appeared.

Sitting alone in the darkness, Xie Xuanhui dug his fingers deep into the ground, unaware of the blood oozing from his broken nails. A devastating storm surged in his eyes.

"Wangshu...wait for me...whoever dares to hurt you, I will bury his entire clan with him!"

At this moment, deep in the sky prison, Xiao Wangshu leaned against the cold wall, looking at the narrow sky outside the small window with an indifferent expression. No one knew what he was thinking.

Leaning against the cold stone wall, the air was filled with the smell of mold and despair. Almost inaudible footsteps were heard, and the figure of Imperial Preceptor Chi Hua appeared silently outside the prison door, as if he had been standing there all along.

"Master Xiao."

Chihua's voice was still vague and no emotion could be heard.

Slowly raising his head, Xiao Wangshu's face showed no surprise:

"Is the Imperial Master here to see me off, or to laugh at me?"

"I never laugh at people's jokes," Chi Hua said calmly. "I just came to inform you that when His Royal Highness the Crown Prince learned that you were imprisoned, his reaction was...very violent. He has been forcibly confined to the Eastern Palace by His Majesty."

His pupils shrank as Xiao Wangshu suddenly grabbed the bars, his fingertips turning white from the force.

"He...what did he do?!"

"Trying to break in by force is almost crazy." Chi Hua said concisely.

Xiao Wangshu closed his eyes and a look of pain flashed across his face. This was what he was most worried about.

"Mr. Chihua!"

He looked at Chihua eagerly, with a rare pleading look in his eyes.

"Mr. Chihua! Please stop him no matter what!

Now is definitely not the right time to start a rebellion! His Majesty is furious. If he makes a mistake at this moment, he will be doomed!

I... I may not be guilty of a capital crime, and Your Majesty could at most use this as an excuse to depose him from the throne. But if he rebels, there will be no turning back!"

Looking at him quietly, Chihua's eyes, which seemed to be able to see through the world, were filled with a hint of inquiry:

"Sir Xiao, in such a situation, you are still only considering the Crown Prince. Is it worth it?"

Letting go of the railing, Xiao Wangshu slowly leaned back against the wall, a tired and bitter smile on his face.

"You owe money, you pay it back. You owe your life... naturally you have to pay it back. It's my lack of caution that has led me to this situation. I have no one else to blame."

He was referring to the fact that he accepted the jade pendant and did not conceal his interactions with the prince in Hezhou, which gave the enemy an advantage.

After a moment of silence, Chihua finally nodded:

"I will do my best. But the Crown Prince's character... Your Excellency should know that it is not something that can be judged by reason."

"Thank you, sir." Xiao Wangshu breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Chi Hua was willing to take action, he would be able to temporarily stabilize the prince.

Just like when Chihua Tathagata came, he disappeared silently.

Silence returned to the prison. Xiao Wangshu subconsciously reached for his waist, his fingertips touching the cool Pisces jade pendant. He gripped it in his palm, the delicate and warm touch still there, but now it felt incredibly heavy.

He had never imagined that this was actually a relic of the late queen. Back in Zhu County, when the prince had forced the jade pendant on him, insisting on having it with him, he had thought the prince was being willful, and with all sorts of complicated emotions, he had reluctantly accepted it, never once delving into the origins and value of the jade pendant.

Thinking back now, the prince had handed him the thing he cherished most, the thing that represented his mother's longing, in a manner that bordered on brutality. This feeling, heavy and scorching, left him at a loss, and now it had become a death warrant.

Just when his thoughts were in a mess, this small prison welcomed an uninvited guest.

The Sixth Prince, Xie Anwen, was dressed in finery, looking completely out of place in this gloomy prison. With a smug smile on his face, he slowly strolled to the prison door.

"Lord Xiao, how are you? Oh, seeing how bad my memory is, I should now call you the guilty subject Xiao Wangshu."

His tone was frivolous and his words were full of malice.

This time, Xiao Wangshu didn't even raise his eyelids.

Seeing that the other party ignored him, the Sixth Prince did not mind and continued to speak:

"Tsk tsk, what a shame. A capable minister of his generation ended up like this. Is it worth it for someone who doesn't care whether you live or die? If Xie Xuanhui really cared about you, how could he let you fall into this situation? How could he have the heart to let you bear this eternal infamy for him? He just treated you as an interesting toy."

After a moment of silence, Xiao Wangshu finally spoke in a calm voice:

"Your Highness, have you come to this filthy place late at night just to tell this to me? Or... is Your Highness trying to recruit me?"

The Sixth Prince laughed heartily and clapped his hands, saying:

"Smart! Talking to smart people saves effort. Yes, I do value talent. If you are willing to abandon your evil ways and pledge your loyalty to me, I might ask my father to spare your life."

Xiao Wangshu finally looked up at him, with a hint of sarcasm in his eyes:

"Even if I agree to be loyal to His Highness now, will His Highness... believe it?"

The Sixth Prince's smile instantly turned cold and sinister:

"Sure enough. That's right, I don't believe it. How could someone who is so devoted to Xie Xuanhui betray him so easily?

This king is here today..."

He leaned closer to the cell door and lowered his voice, his tone filled with cruel pleasure.

"First, I came to see your pitiful appearance as a homeless dog;

Second...it would be really fun to trick you into begging for mercy and watch you desperately struggle for survival. But unfortunately, you are too smart and too boring."

He stood up and clapped his hands. From the shadows behind him, a man dressed as a jailer walked out, holding a bowl of pitch-black medicine that exuded an ominous aura.

"Since I can't cheat, forget it."

The Sixth Prince shrugged, his tone as casual as if he was discussing the weather:

"My time is precious, and I don't have time to waste it with you. You're always a nuisance when you're alive, so it's better to be dead. Don't worry, this medicine isn't painful. In a few hours, you'll pass away quietly in your sleep..."

The jailer opened the cell door, forcibly held Xiao Wangshu down, and forced him to drink the bowl of medicine.

The medicine was bitter and stinging, with a fishy smell. Xiao Wangshu didn't struggle violently, knowing it was useless. After the medicine was poured into his mouth, the jailer and the Sixth Prince withdrew and locked the cell door.

The drug took effect quickly, causing cramps in his internal organs and numbness in his limbs. At this moment, Xiao Wangshu felt strangely calm. All his calculations, resentment, and resentment seemed to slowly dissipate with the passage of time.

He just... there's still one last thing he can't let go of.

"Your Highness..." He murmured softly, his consciousness beginning to blur. "Don't do anything stupid... Live well... "

With this final concern and worry, his consciousness sank into endless darkness, he slowly closed his eyes, his breathing gradually became weaker until it stopped.

There was dead silence in the prison.

After an unknown amount of time, the figure of the Imperial Master Chi Hua reappeared. He looked at Xiao Wangshu, who seemed to have already died, and sighed:

"Fool... why would you do this..."

He walked forward, placed his fingertips on Xiao Wangshu's cold wrist for a moment, then took out a fragrant, scarlet pill from his sleeve, carefully pried open Xiao Wangshu's mouth, put the pill into his throat, and used a trace of internal force to help it dissolve.

"Faking death and escaping is also a blessing. Xiao Wangshu, your calamity is not over yet..." Chi Hua whispered to himself. After doing all this, his figure disappeared quietly again, as if he had never appeared.

In the cell, only the "dead" Xiao Wangshu remained, lying quietly on the cold straw mat. And the Pisces jade pendant still lay quietly in his palm, emitting a cold light.