Chapter 331 Happy to Play it safe

Emperor Xuanzhao frowned deeply, his eyes showing impatience. "What else do you want?"

Lin Qiyun kowtowed deeply, “Your Majesty, when Madam Shen was in Yaocheng, she used the alias Ji Zhiya and lived in General Xie’s mansion. At that time, the Crown Prince also stayed there temporarily. Madam Shen took the opportunity to seduce His Highness the Crown Prince and often went in and out with him.”

"Even General Xie is infatuated with Madam Shen, who has been given some kind of drug. Oh, and there's also Lord Lu."

Emperor Xuanzhao narrowed his eyes slightly, "Lord Lu?"

“Yes, it’s the current Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Lord Lu Yuan.” Lin Qiyun nodded.

Xiao Yunheng sneered inwardly.

He only learned a few days ago from Lin Qiyun's admission that Lu Yuan also had something going on with Jiang Zhi.

No wonder he targeted me like that during the spring hunt.

It turns out it was a case of settling a personal score while on official business.

Emperor Xuanzhao chuckled.

If she had only mentioned the Crown Prince, it would have been understandable.

But now that so many people have been involved, it's simply unbelievable.

"You mean that my crown prince and court officials are all obsessed with a married woman and are vying for her affections?"

"This sinful woman would never dare to deceive the emperor!" She kowtowed again, trembling with fear.

Emperor Xuanzhao stared intently at her for a long while before speaking in a deep voice, "Go and summon Commander Lu first."

Lu Yuan arrived shortly afterward.

His dark flying fish robes billowed in the wind outside the palace, his face was cold and stern, bringing with it an aura of murderous intent.

After Lu Yuan entered and performed the salutations, he glanced at Jiang Zhi kneeling on the ground without making a sound before speaking, "Your Majesty has summoned this humble subject urgently, but what is the matter?"

Emperor Xuanzhao raised his chin. "Some say that Minister Lu and Madam Shen have an unusual relationship. I wonder what Minister Lu has to say about this?"

"Your Majesty, who said this?"

"She is none other than the former daughter of the Lin family, the Provincial Administration Commissioner."

Lu Yuan turned his head, looking down at Lin Qiyun kneeling on the ground.

He had just come out of the imperial prison, still carrying the lingering smell of blood. His chilling aura was almost tangible, and even without saying a word, Lin Qiyun felt a chill run down her spine and her body trembled involuntarily.

"I ask you, did you see me with Madam Shen?" His voice was low and icy, and his gaze was like a guillotine hanging over Lin Qiyun's head.

Lin Qiyun's face turned pale. "Yes, Lord Lu seriously injured my brother in order to avenge Madam Shen, and then imprisoned him in General Xie's mansion and humiliated him. These matters can be easily ascertained by sending someone to Yaocheng to inquire about them."

"Very good." Lu Yuan chuckled briefly, his expression unreadable.

"What does Minister Lu want to say?" Emperor Xuanzhao asked.

Lu Yuan cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, his tone calm, "Your Majesty, what Miss Lin said is true. This humble subject does indeed admire Lady Chen."

Everyone present was taken aback.

Xiao Xuanyou, lying on the couch, raised an eyebrow at him.

Emperor Xuanzhao frowned deeply, "Lu Yuan, do you know what you're saying?!"

"Your Majesty, may I not admire Lady Chen?" Lu Yuan asked.

Emperor Xuanzhao suddenly remembered that Lu Yuan had mentioned to him several times that the woman he loved had already married someone else.

She even wanted to ask me to grant her a marriage.

"You covet my wife, aren't you ashamed?" he couldn't help but rebuke, but he wasn't truly angry.

Lu Yuan curled his lips, his voice cold and stern, "So what? I'm waiting for Madam Shen and Lord Shen to divorce, then I can take advantage of the situation."

Shen Ci'an, standing beside him, was so ashen-faced he looked like he was about to burst into tears. "Please, Lord Lu, watch your words!"

“I’ve already been very lenient by not trying to forcibly take her away and by letting Madam Shen agree to a divorce,” Lu Yuan said.

"Enough! Lu Yuan, your actions are becoming increasingly outrageous!" Emperor Xuanzhao rebuked again.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I am guilty."

Despite saying this, there was little remorse on his face; his expression was cold and hard as a knife.

Emperor Xuanzhao's headache started again.

"Alright, alright, there's no need to bring up the matter of Yaocheng again. If the Prince of Xiang can't produce any solid evidence, then let's drop this matter. I'm tired too."

Distracted by Lu Yuan, Emperor Xuanzhao also came to his senses.

It's just a trivial matter of jealousy between men and women, but if this matter escalates, it could damage the reputation of the royal family.

Since Xiao Yunheng could not truly convict the Crown Prince, and the two aggrieved parties, Shen Ci'an and Madam Shen, did not care, he was happy to play the peacemaker.

Lin Qiyun said hurriedly, "But Madam Shen is fickle in the General's Mansion, seducing the Crown Prince and having an affair with General Xie. How can such a woman be worthy of being named a county princess?"

She didn't actually care about the succession struggle at all.

She hated Jiang Zhi to the core. She came to be a witness this time for two reasons: first, at Xiao Yunheng's behest, and second, to see how Jiang Zhi's reputation would be ruined.

However, before anyone else could speak after she finished speaking, Emperor Xuanzhao shouted angrily, "How dare you! The daughter of a disgraced official dares to spout nonsense in the Eastern Palace! Guards, drag her away and give her thirty strokes of the cane, then banish her from the capital!"

"What?!" Lin Qiyun could hardly believe her ears and begged for mercy repeatedly, "Your Majesty, spare my life! Every word I have said is true. I would never dare to deceive you. Please, Your Majesty, investigate thoroughly!"

However, not a single person spoke up for her.

Even Xiao Yunheng remained silent.

"Your Highness, please plead with the Emperor for me!" Lin Qiyun had already been taken away by the Imperial Guards.

Xiao Yunheng's expression was cold and his brows seemed to be covered with frost as he watched Lin Qiyun take him away to be executed.

Things took a completely unexpected turn of events.

His Majesty actually thought he could just let this matter slide.

All of this is because of Shen Ci'an.

If he hadn't betrayed his country at the last minute, and Jiang Zhi had only shown up at the East Palace, then the fact that she had been forcibly taken into the palace by the Crown Prince would have been confirmed, and he wouldn't be in such a passive position now.

Therefore, Xiao Xuanyou and Jiang Zhi knew about his plan all along and were just putting on an act, waiting for him to make his move.

But how could he allow his plans, which he had been working on for so many days, to come to nothing?

“Your Majesty, I have more evidence,” he said through gritted teeth.

Emperor Xuanzhao looked at him with a deep gaze. "Prince Xiang, I will treat you well out of consideration for the Prince of Xiang's sacrifice for the country and will not hold your actions against you today. But if you continue to dwell on this matter, I will not let you off lightly."

Emperor Xuanzhao's expression remained calm, but Xiao Yunheng knew that he was getting angry and impatient.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Please allow me to present one last piece of evidence. If this matter still cannot be proven, I am willing to accept punishment!"

Emperor Xuanzhao remained silent, clearly suppressing his anger.

But in the end, he just closed his eyes helplessly and said, "Okay, go ahead."

"Back then, during the spring hunt, His Highness the Crown Prince won first place and a gemstone and agate dagger passed down from the Holy Ancestor."

"That dagger is extremely precious and unique. Your Highness, may I ask if this dagger is in the Eastern Palace?"

Xiao Xuanyou looked at him leisurely, "Naturally, not long after I won, I gave the dagger to the Crown Princess."

"Is that so?" Xiao Yunheng's face showed a desperate look. "Then why don't you ask the Crown Princess to take it out for me to appraise?"

Li Jinyan frowned. "What exactly does the Crown Prince of Xiang want to do?"

"Your Majesty, that dagger is not in the Eastern Palace at all. It was given to Madam Shen by the Crown Prince as a token of their betrothal. It must still be in the Shen residence. If Your Majesty does not believe me, you can lead a search to find out."

I've had people keeping an eye on that dagger for a long time.

It was placed at the very bottom of Jiang Zhi's dressing case, and had never been touched.

Once His Majesty orders him to send people to search for it, the matter will be settled.

Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Zhi's calm expression changed.