Chapter 348 You dared to give birth to me, but you dared not acknowledge me.

However, just as the Imperial Guards were about to attack Xiao Xuanyou, a mournful and stern shout suddenly came from the dragon throne above, "Stop right there, all of you!"

Xiao Yunheng was shocked and turned to look in disbelief.

But Emperor Xuanzhao, who had just been pale and unconscious from poisoning, was now sitting safely at the head of the table, looking at him with a disappointed expression and sorrowful eyes.

"Prince Xiang, I was initially unwilling to listen to the Crown Prince's words and believed that you would take action against me. I never expected that I had misjudged you!"

Before the birthday banquet began, the Crown Prince came to report that Xiao Yunheng was very likely to take action against him, and warned him to be careful.

He naturally couldn't believe it, and even thought that the Crown Prince said such a thing in order to suppress the Prince of Xiang's heir.

The Crown Prince then had himself feign a poisoning attack to see what Xiao Yunheng was really thinking.

Unexpectedly, everything that is happening now is exactly as the Crown Prince predicted!

The pressure around Emperor Xuanzhao was terrifyingly low. The grief of being betrayed by someone he trusted made his eyes look deathly red, which was more frightening than thunderous rage.

Xiao Yunheng's confident expression vanished instantly after a brief moment of surprise.

"Impossible! I saw you drink that glass of wine with my own eyes. How come you're alright?" He could hardly believe what he was seeing. His eyes were wide open, and his heart was pounding wildly.

how so?

Seeing that he still showed no remorse, Emperor Xuanzhao felt a surge of disappointment and anger. "Xiao Yunheng, it is because I have been too lenient with you that you have become so lawless and dared to commit such a heinous act as regicide and rebellion!"

The imperial guards who rushed in with Xiao Yunheng were also dumbfounded.

They originally thought that after the emperor was poisoned and fell into a coma, and the crown prince was taken down, they could at least follow the Prince of Xiang and gain merit for supporting the emperor.

Unexpectedly, Emperor Xuanzhao was unharmed. What should they do now?

With a few sharp "bangs," the swords in the hands of the Imperial Guards were knocked away. Xie Qi charged straight into Xiao Xuanyou's encirclement, his voice carrying the youthful arrogance of a young man, "I was just playing around with you. Did you really think I couldn't beat you?"

"Xie Qi, be mindful of your status. You are now a Grand General, not the heir of the Marquis of Wuyi anymore," Xiao Xuanyou admonished coldly.

Xie Qi touched his nose without saying anything, but his expression was somewhat anxious. "I wonder how Zhizhi is doing?"

Although Xiao Xuanyou was worried, he had to stay here to take charge and couldn't leave easily. "Take some people and go check it out first. I'll come over after I've dealt with things here."

Lu Yuan frowned upon hearing their conversation. "What's wrong with her?"

He was outside the palace and didn't hear the conversation between Xiao Yunheng and Xiao Xuanyou.

Xie Qi didn't bother to say anything more to him, and left after saying goodbye to Xiao Xuanyou.

Xiao Xuanyou frowned and said, "The Prince of Xiang sent men to burn down the Shen residence, and now Madam Shen is in imminent danger."

Lu Yuan's expression changed drastically. He turned around and was about to rush to the Shen residence, but then he stopped abruptly.

He was on duty to protect Emperor Xuanzhao, and with the situation still unclear, he couldn't leave such a mess behind.

So he could only coldly instruct Ye Qi, "Take a few men to the Shen residence and make sure the safety of Princess Qinghe is guaranteed."

Ye Qi knew the seriousness of the matter and immediately accepted the order to leave.

Xiao Yunheng's clothes were in disarray and he was completely bewildered.

He had calculated everything perfectly, but he still failed at the last hurdle!

Emperor Xuanzhao looked utterly weary, having lost all hope in him.

More Imperial Guards poured in and captured his men in no time.

He knew his chances of survival were slim.

"Father!"

Seeing Emperor Xuanzhao being helped away by eunuchs, he suddenly knelt down with a thud and let out a mournful cry.

With just one word, Emperor Xuanzhao stopped himself from taking another step.

"What did you call me?"

"Father!" Xiao Yunheng was now ready to risk everything.

After tonight, he will surely be despised by Emperor Xuanzhao. At best, he will be imprisoned; at worst, he will lose his life. Even his mother may be implicated.

If he doesn't make a final desperate attempt, he will truly be doomed.

Emperor Xuanzhao's face was ashen, and he said to Lu Yuan, "Gag him."

"Don't come any closer!" Just as Lu Yuan was about to make a move, Xiao Yunheng picked up the long sword from the ground and held it to his own neck. "Father, you dared to give birth to me, but you dare not acknowledge me. How can you face the Prince of Xiang and my mother?!"

The ministers present, who had been terrified by Xiao Yunheng's repeated calls of "Father Emperor," were shocked and incredulous upon hearing this earth-shattering news.

Many quick-witted people understood immediately.

No wonder Emperor Xuanzhao treated the Prince of Xiang's family with such favor. No wonder the Prince of Xiang's heir did so many things that angered both heaven and man, yet Emperor Xuanzhao only let them off lightly and did not pursue the matter.

It turns out he was his biological son, which makes all of this make sense.

Lu Yuan frowned and stepped forward, intending to snatch the sword directly.

Xiao Yunheng pressed the sword blade hard against his own neck, and blood gushed out immediately.

Emperor Xuanzhao's forehead veins throbbed, and he had no choice but to stop Lu Yuan's actions.

He strode towards the kneeling Xiao Yunheng, looking down at him with an imperial aura that made it hard to breathe.

"Prince Xiang, do you know that your words today will not only fail to exonerate you, but may very well lead to the death of your mother?"

Princess Xiang already harbored resentment over this matter. If Xiao Yunheng's identity were made public, how could she withstand the condemnation from the world?

Xiao Yunheng smiled sadly, "I have no way out now, all of this is because you forced me! If Father Emperor didn't want to acknowledge me, why did he let Mother Consort give birth to this bastard child? If anything happens to my mother, it's also because you forced her to!"

Emperor Xuanzhao sighed, "Things are not as you think. I have no affair with the Princess Consort of Xiang."

"So you forced my mother?" Xiao Yunheng asked in surprise, looking up as he heard this inside story for the first time.

Why did Mother Consort never mention it?

Emperor Xuanzhao's face darkened. "Of course not!"

Since this matter involved the previous generation, Emperor Xuanzhao would not say it aloud in public, so he could only give Lu Yuan a wink.

Lu Yuan understood, and taking advantage of Xiao Yunheng's distraction, he snatched the long sword from his hand and kicked him hard to the ground.

Soon his men caught up and tied him up tightly with rope.

“Your Highness, I’m leaving this matter to you,” Emperor Xuanzhao said, rubbing his temples. “Since the Prince of Xiang’s son is so eager to know the truth of what happened back then, I will grant your wish.”

Emperor Xuanzhao was about to leave with Xiao Yunheng when a guard rushed in to report, "Your Highness, something terrible has happened!"

Upon seeing that it was the bodyguard he had sent to protect Jiang Zhi, Xiao Xuanyou felt a bad premonition. "Speak."

"The Shen residence is surrounded by fire, and Lord Shen and Madam Shen are trapped inside the main house, their chances of survival are slim!"

Xiao Xuanyou's breath hitched.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuan nearly dropped the Embroidered Spring Blade in his hand.

But then the guard took a deep breath and continued, "Moreover, besides Lord Shen and Madam Shen, Princess Xiang is also trapped inside!"

"What?!" Emperor Xuanzhao and Xiao Yunheng exclaimed at the same time.