Chapter 347 Burning Down the Sunken Mansion

Emperor Xuanzhao looked at Xiao Yunheng, who was kneeling respectfully with his head almost touching the dust, and raised his hand to stop the eunuch's admonition.

"It's alright. The Crown Prince of Xiang is very filial, and I can't bear to let him down."

The trusted eunuch hesitated, but could only go down and take the wine cup from Xiao Yunheng's hand, bowing his head to present it to Emperor Xuanzhao.

Just as he was about to take out a silver needle to test for poison, Emperor Xuanzhao stopped him again.

"I trust the Prince of Xiang and his heir; there is no need for such an unnecessary move."

After saying that, he glanced at Xiao Yunheng, picked up the wine cup from the eunuch's hand, and drank it all in one gulp.

Xiao Yunheng raised an eyebrow, surprised that things would go so smoothly.

However, it wouldn't matter if the eunuch wanted to test the poison.

Although Doctor Xue is not entirely trustworthy now, the poison he left for him is very effective, and it cannot be easily detected by silver needles.

If he hadn't known that Xiao Xuanyou wouldn't drink the wine he offered, he would have liked to offer him a cup as well.

He watched as Emperor Xuanzhao finished his wine, a gentle and respectful smile appearing on his face. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will never forget Your Majesty's kindness in nurturing and protecting me. I wish Your Majesty boundless happiness and longevity, and may you live ten thousand years!"

"Good, good!" Emperor Xuanzhao was overjoyed and bestowed many more gifts upon Xiao Yunheng.

The imperial censors below the stage frowned, but none of them spoke.

Many more people came up to offer toasts, and Xiao Yunheng took the opportunity to retreat to his seat, casually watching the harmonious scene in the hall, seemingly detached from everything, as if it had nothing to do with him, silently calculating the time it would take for the poison to take effect.

Just as the Crown Prince finished toasting and returned to his seat, Emperor Xuanzhao's expression suddenly changed, and he staggered for a moment before reaching out to grab the hand of his trusted eunuch beside him.

The eunuch immediately realized something was wrong and helped him sit down on the dragon throne.

The eunuch immediately tried to send someone to summon the imperial physician, but Xiao Yunheng suddenly stood up and shouted, "Protect the Emperor! The Crown Prince is trying to poison His Majesty!"

Before anyone could react, a large contingent of imperial guards rushed in and instantly surrounded the entire hall.

Emperor Xuanzhao's face turned pale. He stared at Xiao Yunheng in disbelief, pointing his finger at him. His chest heaved violently, but he could not utter a single word.

Xiao Yunheng stepped forward, his expression calm. "Your Majesty, rest assured, this humble subject will certainly not let the Crown Prince escape justice."

Without waiting for Emperor Xuanzhao's reaction, he directly ordered the Imperial Guards, "The Crown Prince poisoned His Majesty; his intentions are despicable. All Imperial Guards, listen to my command: seize the Crown Prince and kill him without mercy!"

That imperial guard was someone Xiao Yunheng had arranged to act today. They were all trusted confidants and subordinates left behind by Yan Wenhong. There were many of them, and now they only followed Xiao Yunheng's lead.

Xiao Yunheng had been planning for a long time, and now victory was assured.

Emperor Xuanzhao had treated him well, and he no longer wanted to take his life.

But today, he wants to send Xiao Xuanyou away from the capital. When he has no power, what difference is there between him and letting Xiao Xuanyou offer his neck for execution?

"Xiao Yunheng, His Majesty only drank the wine you offered," Xie Qi slammed his hand on the table and stood up. "You were the one who poisoned His Majesty and dared to slander the Crown Prince. You deserve to die!"

Xiao Yunheng completely ignored his rebuttal and simply waved his hand to order, "General Xie and His Highness the Crown Prince are accomplices, arrest them together."

Weapons were not allowed to be brought into the palace, and Xiao Xuanyou and Xie Qi were both unarmed.

But that imperial guard was fully armed, wearing armor and carrying weapons.

No matter how skilled Xie Qi was in martial arts, he could not face so many equally well-trained Imperial Guards with his bare hands.

Moreover, this is inside the main hall, where he simply cannot unleash his full power.

Emperor Xuanzhao had fallen into a coma, leaving the court leaderless.

"Father!—" Xiao Chengjin, who had not appeared for a long time, rushed forward and glared angrily at Xiao Xuanyou. "Crown Prince, you dared to murder the emperor in order to ascend to the throne. This is utterly rebellious!"

Xie Qi fought and retreated, but the Imperial Guards had already surrounded Xiao Xuanyou. Xiao Xuanyou's bodyguards protected him in the middle, but they were clearly outnumbered, and it was only a matter of time before he was captured.

Xiao Yunheng's face was filled with indignation, but he was extremely pleased with himself.

Now that Emperor Xuanzhao is poisoned and unconscious, if he "accidentally" kills Xiao Xuanyou, who is resisting, in the main hall, there will be no one to testify against him, and then everything will be under his control.

Another commotion arose outside the main hall.

Lu Yuan was originally ordered to guard outside the palace, but now that he has discovered the abnormality, he is leading his men to forcefully attack inside.

Knowing that there was no time to lose, Xiao Yunheng ordered the Imperial Guards to show no mercy and kill anyone who dared to resist, especially Xiao Xuanyou, whom they were determined to kill today.

"Your Highness, it's all your fault for transferring so many people to the Shen residence," Xiao Yunheng said, looking at the dying Xiao Xuanyou, and couldn't help but sneer, "Is it worth sacrificing your empire and your life for a woman?"

Xiao Xuanyou remained seated. "Prince Xiang, I can understand your hatred for me. But the Emperor has treated you well, yet you still have the heart to lay such a cruel hand on him?"

"You've treated me well?" Xiao Yunheng laughed. "You ignored me since I was little, making my status awkward and subjecting me to countless scornful looks. Now, in order to secure your position as crown prince, you're going to send me away—is this what you call treating me well?"

Xiao Xuanyou sighed, "You have made so many mistakes, and your father is under so much pressure to protect you. Not only do you not know how to be grateful, but you also harbor resentment. You really are a wolf in sheep's clothing."

"This is all he owes me!" Xiao Yunheng remained unmoved, only reacting coldly as he said, "Don't even think about stalling for time. Your guards are all trapped in the Shen residence and probably won't be able to come to your rescue in time. You will surely die today."

"Trapped in the Shen residence? What do you mean by that?" Xiao Xuanyou frowned, his usually calm face showing signs of distress.

"In order to tie down your men, when His Majesty drank that cup of wine, I had poisonous smoke and fire set around the Shen residence."

Seeing Xiao Xuanyou's suddenly changed expression, Xiao Yunheng finally let out a sigh of relief. "Shen Ci'an thinks he can escape this calamity by curing the poison? He's delusional. If he dares to betray me, he can just wait to be burned alive in the Shen mansion along with Jiang Zhi."

His face was filled with a sinister madness, completely unlike the gentle and refined Prince Xiang who was usually polite and courteous in his dealings with others.

This is his true face, which he has long hidden behind the mask.

Xiao Xuanyou had no time to pay attention to Xiao Yunheng, and he also turned a deaf ear to the fighting outside.

Out of pity for Jiang Zhi having to take care of Shen Ci'an, the Emperor specially allowed her to stay at the Shen residence for this birthday banquet.

He guessed that Xiao Yunheng might target Jiang Zhi, so he left a large number of people there.

But no one expected that Xiao Yunheng would be so heartless as to burn down Shen's mansion!

Xiao Xuanyou's bodyguards had been subdued by the Imperial Guards, and Xie Qi was also tied up and unable to spare any attention. Four or five swords were simultaneously held to Xiao Xuanyou's neck.

At this moment, Lu Yuan had already led the Embroidered Uniform Guard to break through the encirclement of the Imperial Guards and charge in.

"Kill the Crown Prince and avenge His Majesty!" Xiao Yunheng gave the order without hesitation.

His dark pupils gleamed with excitement and ecstasy, and even his handsome face, which bore a resemblance to Xiao Xuanyou, was somewhat distorted.

Once Xiao Xuanyou is dead, and Emperor Xuanzhao is poisoned and unconscious, he can do whatever he wants!