"The Second Prince keeps saying he didn't harm the Princess Consort, so please produce evidence. As long as you can prove your innocence."
And to make me truly convinced, I, along with the entire household, will personally apologize to you.
Minister Xing roared directly at Nangong Jingyao.
"Nangong Jingyao, what else do you have to say?"
The fact that the emperor addressed him by his given name indicates that this matter is of utmost importance, and he will likely have someone else investigate it secretly.
"Father... Your son is innocent!"
Nangong Jingyao went out with Ye Qianning yesterday, but he firmly believed in his heart that Ye Qianning would not harm him.
Ye Qianning wants to spend the rest of her life with him. They are one, sharing both glory and loss.
"Guards, convey my decree: imprison the Second Prince in his residence. If it is confirmed that he killed the Princess Consort, punish him according to the laws of Nanning."
After speaking, he turned to look at Minister Xing: "Minister Xing, this concerns matters of state, and I cannot overlook any detail."
Please, you and your wife, remain calm and patient.
Minister Xing had long anticipated this outcome; he hadn't expected to bring down the Second Prince with just these two pieces of evidence, after all, he was a prince.
"Yes, I hope Your Majesty can have pity on my old age, a white-haired man sending off a black-haired man."
After dealing with Xing Sisi's matter, the emperor turned his attention to the assassin that Nangong Chiyu was escorting.
With weary eyes, he asked, "Prince Yu, has the identity of this thief been confirmed?"
Nangong Chiyu looked at Nangong Jingyao and replied to the emperor.
“He himself admitted that he was one of the Second Prince’s men, and I have also verified that such a person does exist.”
It seems that what this person said earlier was true; it really was Nangong Jingyao who sent someone to assassinate Nangong Qing.
It's hard to guarantee that someone who killed his wife and brother won't one day try to force him to resign.
"No, Father, I was framed. I didn't do any of this."
"Nangong Jingyao, there are witnesses and physical evidence to prove your inability to even refute. How can I possibly believe you?"
Do you still want to say that your subordinates went to assassinate your third brother?
Do you know that if it weren't for the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, your third brother would be dead by now?
I never knew you were so treacherous. Your third brother is neither competitive nor greedy, and he poses no threat to you whatsoever.
Why did you kill him? What was the reason? Ah… give me a reason.”
Nangong Qing was the emperor's most beloved son, and this unexpected turn of events caused him immense grief.
"Father, why are you so biased towards my third brother? Is he your son, but I am not?"
Nangong Jingyao had long been dissatisfied with the emperor's favoritism, and now it had further fueled his resentment.
Seeing this, Huo Qi saw it as the perfect opportunity and immediately spoke to provoke Nangong Jingyao.
"Your Majesty, the Third Prince is a stumbling block to the Second Prince's ascension to the throne. Only when the Third Prince dies can he truly rest easy."
But you're showing too much favoritism, making the Second Prince even more uneasy, leaving him with no choice but to resort to this drastic measure.
Huo Qi's words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly splashed on Nangong Jingyao's head, making him shiver.
The resentment in his heart vanished instantly; Huo Qi was clearly trying to sow discord.
"Huo Qi, when did I ever say such a thing? You traitor!"
Faced with the facts, Su Luo stepped forward and spoke calmly.
"Your Highness, since this assassin came to the main hall, Prince Yu has never mentioned his name."
"And Your Highness, how did you know his name was Huo Qi?"
Su Luo's words completely crushed Nangong Jingyao.
Yes, how would he know the name Huo Qi?
Unless Huo Qi is his man, then every word Huo Qi has said has become a knife that will kill him.
Now, the emperor couldn't even deceive himself anymore. The moment he raised his hand, the imperial guards outside surged in.
"Guards, imprison Nangong Jingyao in the Prince's residence, and arrest all the maids and servants inside."
All the property of the mansion shall be deposited into the national treasury and donated to Minister Xing for the construction of a reservoir.
Upon receiving the imperial edict, Nangong Jingyao knelt down and kowtowed in supplication.
"Father, please forgive me. I know I was wrong. I was blinded by greed. I was wrong, Father."
At this point, there was no point in trying to defend himself; all Nangong Jingyao could do was beg for mercy.
He was terrified; his father's decree clearly meant he was to be deposed.
He dismissed his servants, confiscated his property, was imprisoned, and had his wife and brother killed. Even if he hadn't died, he would have been abandoned.
The emperor stood up, furious, his eyes bloodshot. He picked up all the books and memorials on the table and threw them at Nangong Jingyao.
"I forgive you, but the person you should beg is not me, but your third brother, or your princess consort."
Look at the mess you've made! Do you even know that I've already drafted an edict?
Just wait patiently, you almost...you almost..."
The emperor covered his face with his hands, implying that everyone in the hall understood.
The emperor said that he had drafted an edict, and that Nangong Jingyao was the future successor of Nanning.
But his sudden outburst today has completely ruined his future.
Nangong Jingyao was filled with remorse. Why did he have to target Nangong Qing for the sake of a construction supervisor?
He admitted that he ordered the incident, but he denied that he killed the princess.
"Father, I was truly wrong. I beg you to give me another chance, Father..."
The emperor addressed the imperial guards who entered, saying, "Take them away..."
"Father..."
Nangong Jingyao was escorted out, and Minister Xing and his wife also withdrew.
Only Su Luo, Nangong Chiyu, and Huo Qi, who was still in Nangong Chiyu's hands, were in the main hall.
After a long pause, the emperor finally spoke again, pointing at Huo Qi.
“Your Highness, this traitor attempted to assassinate the prince. Drag him out and beat him to death with clubs. Hang him at the city gate for three days to show public anger.”
"yes!"
The emperor vented all his anger on Huo Qi.
He was really tired today. He hadn't slept all night, and the big incident had left him physically and mentally exhausted.
Su Luo left the main hall and went out of the palace with Nangong Chiyu.
She didn't sleep all night to save Nangong Qing, and leaned on Nangong Chiyu's shoulder, feeling no sleepiness at all.
"Luo Luo, the death of the Second Prince's wife is really suspicious. Do you really think she was killed by the Second Prince?"
Su Luo shook her head: "No, there are many suspicious points in this matter, and His Majesty is aware of that as well."
But the fact that he murdered Nangong Qing is true, and it is something His Majesty cannot tolerate.
If only Nangong Qing is injured, Nangong Jingyao will still have a chance to save himself.
But what he wanted was Nangong Qing's life, and now no one could save him.
Unless Nangong Qing recovers and personally pleads with His Majesty to release him, the outcome might be better.
"It seems that the whole thing today was for one purpose: to frame the Second Prince."
I wonder who he offended, that they would go to such lengths to catch him completely off guard.
Su Luo doesn't know who the person behind this is yet, but it's true that there's a mastermind behind it all.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com