After he said that, there was no room for maneuver. The Fourth Prince shuddered and collapsed to the ground as if exhausted. He was carried away by the guards who came after hearing the news.
Next, it was his turn. Xiao Lingyu swallowed his saliva and spoke first, "Father, I know I was wrong. I was only thinking about protecting my fourth brother and didn't consider the overall situation. I am truly unworthy of the position of crown prince. I beg for your punishment."
【Strike first, great!】
The Emperor: "... Stand up. I know you value love, but you must know your limits."
The emperor's voice when speaking to him was much softer than when speaking to the Fourth Prince.
Lan Xi lowered his head, deep thought flashing in his eyes.
A hint of mockery flashed across Xiao Lingyu's eyes, then disappeared in an instant. When he raised his eyes again, his eyes were filled with pure admiration.
[That's what we call acting. The spy just now wasn't good enough. Today's Oscar is for you.]
emperor:"……"
Xiao Lingyu: "..."
Xiao Lingyu's pupils trembled.
Fortunately, the emperor couldn't hear her inner voice. If he had heard it...
hiss.
The emperor's eyes deepened slightly, and he did not continue the topic. Instead, he asked, "You are old enough now, do you have a girl you like?"
Xiao Lingyu was stunned for a moment, then chuckled: "Father, this matter is not urgent."
Not in a hurry yet? The emperor looked up at him, his lips slightly pursed.
Xiao Lingyu is now eighteen years old. The young masters of his age, even if they do not have a wife, have several concubines and maids. What's more, some even have several male prostitutes at home.
But Xiao Lingyu was the only one who had no wife, no concubines, and no maids. The emperor once thought that Xiao Lingyu was a homosexual and sent several women to his house.
He did accept the people, but he accepted them as servants. The servants fell in love with each other, so he did not punish them. He just gave them some silver and returned the indentures and let them go back on their own.
I don't like men, nor do I like women...
The emperor lowered his voice, his eyes even showing a hint of pity as he glanced at his lower body. "Is there something wrong? No problem, Zhiyu is here, let her take a look at you."
Xiao Lingyu: “???”
He subconsciously glanced at Jiang Zhiyu who was standing next to him, and her unbridled laughter echoed in his ears.
Xiao Lingyu's face flushed instantly: "Father, I am not sick!"
His voice was quite high due to his excitement, just like the rage and shame he felt after being exposed.
When the eunuchs and palace maids serving in the palace heard such explosive news, they all lowered their heads, fearing that the prince would see them.
Jiang Zhiyu laughed so hard that her whole body almost fell over.
The emperor sighed softly and looked at him disapprovingly: "Don't be shy about seeking medical treatment. Zhiyu's medical skills are obvious to all. He will definitely be able to cure it."
The emperor didn't believe his words at all. How could a normal man not have any desire for this matter?
Jiang Zhiyu resisted the urge to laugh and echoed the emperor's words, "Yes, Your Highness, if you are ill, you must seek treatment early. You can't delay."
Xiao Lingyu: "..."
Xiao Lingyu's face was as ugly as an overturned palette. Seeing that he was hesitant to move, the emperor gave Jiang Zhiyu a look that meant, "Go!"
[Dele! ]
Jiang Zhiyu's mouth corners were raised harder than AK. Relying on the emperor's presence, he grabbed his stiff arm and began to take Xiao Lingyu's pulse under his death gaze.
Xiao Lingyu looked up at the sky and took a deep breath.
It had been a long time since he had lost control of his emotions like this.
Jiang Zhiyu put his hand on his pulse and made a sound from time to time. Xiao Lingyu gradually recovered from his initial pale face.
The emperor was waiting for the result. After seeing Xiao Lingyu recover from his socially dead state so quickly, Jiang Zhiyu also gave up his teasing thoughts.
"Your Majesty, His Royal Highness is not ill. He has just been overworked recently and has become irritated."
Xiao Lingyu withdrew his hand and stood quietly aside.
"As long as you're not sick," the emperor sighed softly. "Is it because of that Lu Daizong incident?"
Xiao Lingyu nodded. "The incident involving Emperor Lu Daizong is quite suspicious. The assassin must be a highly skilled martial artist. I have already sent guards to search the entire city. I believe we will soon have results."
Hearing this, the emperor nodded and said, "I leave this matter entirely to you. Shengjing is under tight security, yet this man still dares to act so presumptuously. We must apprehend this daring lunatic and bring justice to Marquis Anle."
Xiao Lingyu bowed and said, "I will definitely live up to your trust."
The emperor looked at him with relief, then changed the subject: "Since you're not sick, go out for a walk more often. Shengjing is so big, don't you have a woman you like?"
Xiao Lingyu: "..."
"I'll give you another year. If you still can't find someone, I'll personally arrange a marriage for you."
Xiao Lingyu: "...Yes, Father."
Seeing that he agreed, the emperor waved his hand and signaled him to leave.
After Xiao Lingyu retreated, the emperor pressed his temples hard.
I have a severe headache every day.
"Zhiyu, please prepare some medicine for my headache."
Jiang Zhiyu took out a small porcelain bottle from the sachet: "This is medicine for headaches. Take it before meals, two pills at a time, three times a day."
The emperor nodded, took it, and swallowed two pills without hesitation.
After waiting for a while, the headache was gone.
The emperor was about to give her some reward, but when he turned his eyes, he saw Jiang Zhiyu staring at him, her eyes full of - condemnation???
emperor:"???"
[Alas, arranged marriages are unacceptable. The child is only eighteen years old, barely an adult, yet she has to suffer such cruel consequences.]
emperor:"……"
[Besides, you have poor judgment. Look at the concubines in your harem. How many of them truly love you? Then look at the consort you chose for the princess. He even broke up a couple who were in love. You can imagine the person you want to marry Xiao Lingyu...]
【well. 】
emperor:"……"
He silently covered his heart.
It's really heartbreaking.
Jiang Zhiyu saw him suddenly raise his hand to cover his heart, his eyes puzzled: "Your Majesty, what's wrong? Is your heart hurting?"
The pain in the heart was a serious matter, and Lan Xi couldn't help but look up quickly.
The emperor waved his hand and said, "It's not a big deal." He looked at Jiang Zhiyu and patted her shoulder. "Zhiyu, you don't want to know what you missed."
Jiang Zhiyu: “???”
The emperor, who thought he had won back a victory, raised his head proudly.
I was just thinking of giving her a reward, but now I won’t. Let’s talk about it next time.
…
Inside the prison, there was the sound of gurgling water.
The captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard sat at the table, took a leisurely sip of his teacup, then raised his eyes to look at the woman in front of him, who was controlled by chains and half immersed in water.
"Confess, sign your name sooner, and you can end this pain sooner. Why be so persistent? No one is more important than you."
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