"At the time, I was just a little confused and didn't think much of it. Later, the Empress was heartbroken because of the death of the Ninth Prince and didn't want to see the four of us midwives, so she sent people to send us out of the palace."
"But not long after, I realized that someone was trying to kill me. I guessed that there was something fishy about the Ninth Prince's death and that they were trying to silence me."
"I was so scared that I packed my things and fled the capital overnight. Later I learned that two of the four midwives who delivered me had died."
As Granny Cui spoke, she trembled with lingering fear. For so many years she had lived in anonymity in order to survive, but she was still found. Now she only hoped that the Emperor would spare her life because she had reported the truth.
"Didn't you notice that the Ninth Prince had been switched?"
The Emperor frowned and asked, "After talking for so long, she still hasn't revealed that Xiao Hao is the Ninth Prince. This nanny is utterly useless!"
"I...I didn't notice. The woman was sent away back then!"
Granny Cui trembled with fright and stammered. She really didn't see it. Although she had her suspicions, she had no evidence.
"Useless trash! What do you have to say? If you have anything to prove the Ninth Prince's identity, speak up, and I will reward you handsomely!"
Seeing that there was no significant gain, the Emperor turned to another old woman named He and asked her a question.
“Your Majesty, I and Granny Cui know about the same thing. Although we have suspicions, we have no evidence. However, I was careful because I wanted to receive more rewards. When the Ninth Prince was born, I was helping Granny Wang. I remember that the Ninth Prince had a birthmark on his lower back, which looked somewhat like a tiger’s head.”
When Granny He heard that there would be a reward, her eyes lit up. She told him everything she had done. She had originally thought that if she was more detailed, she might receive a better reward if the Emperor asked. However, because of the Ninth Prince's death, she did not receive a reward and was even banished from the palace.
I never expected that I would be able to perform meritorious service so many years later.
Upon hearing this, a hint of joy flashed in the Emperor's eyes, and he gave Eunuch Liu a wink.
Eunuch Liu nodded and led Cheng Tinghao to the pavilion. After a short while, Eunuch Liu came out, but his expression was very solemn. He shook his head at the Emperor.
The Emperor and Li Xiaochen's expressions changed upon seeing this. Qiu Tinghao had no birthmark? Could they be mistaken?
The ministers below also witnessed this scene and realized that this so-called Ninth Prince was probably a fake, as he didn't seem to have that birthmark.
Then an official stepped forward and loudly proclaimed:
"Your Majesty, since this child has no birthmark, it means he is not the Ninth Prince. I beg Your Majesty to punish him. You despicable people who dare to impersonate royal blood deserve to be executed by slow slicing!"
"That's right, Your Majesty! Such a person with ulterior motives should be killed!"
Zhao Shijie hadn't said a word the whole time. He knew Xiao Hao's identity and thought the matter was settled, but something still went wrong.
But this child was raised by Yuxin for so long, and he couldn't just stand by and watch the child be killed. So he stepped forward and said to the Emperor:
“Your Majesty, since the child’s identity is in doubt, we can keep him for now and make a decision after we find out the truth. If we deal with him now, it would be bad if he really is the Ninth Prince.”
"General Zhao, your words are too lenient. This child has no birthmarks, which means he cannot be the Ninth Prince. Shouldn't such a person who deceives the emperor be killed?"
Prime Minister Hou retorted sternly, "The position of Crown Prince cannot be handed over to this person of unknown origin!"
"This general is not merciful, and it would be too hasty to determine a child's life or death based solely on the words of a nanny."
Zhao Shijie did not budge, trying to leave the child with a glimmer of hope.
A quarrel broke out over there, and Cheng Tinghao, who had returned with Eunuch Liu, lost his composure. Although he was expressionless, his face was deathly pale as he stared blankly at the ministers arguing about his life or death.
It felt terrible to have his life in someone else's hands. He missed his sister. If she were here, she wouldn't have let him suffer like this.
Gradually, Cheng Tinghao's eyes reddened. He didn't care whether he was the emperor's son or not. If the emperor didn't acknowledge him, he didn't care. He could go back to his sister's side and be her brother forever.
But now, his life was out of his own hands, and in an instant, six-year-old Cheng Tinghao understood the coldness between people.
The Emperor and Li Xiaochen exchanged a solemn glance. They had both heard about Xiao Hao's background from Lin Yuxin's words, but they had no substantial evidence. After such a long investigation, they could only find out some superficial details.
Although they believed Lin Yuxin's true feelings, Consort Xiao's actions back then were too secretive, and now they had reached a dead end and needed to think of a solution.
A glint of light flashed in Li Xiaochen's eyes. It seemed that he still had to let Xin Xin come.
So Li Xiaochen stepped forward and said to the Emperor:
"Your Majesty, I know someone who might be able to find out if Cheng Tinghao is the Ninth Prince."
The surrounding officials all stopped arguing and looked at Li Xiaochen.
The Emperor knew who he was referring to, but his expression remained unchanged as he asked:
Who is it?
"Princess Pingning!"
Li Xiaochen reported the truth.
"Princess Pingning? She's just a woman! What can she possibly do?"
Prime Minister Hou was the first to object. That woman was quick-witted; she had already caused him trouble half a year ago. Her arrival was bound to bring nothing good!
"Your Excellency, please be careful with your words. The woman you speak of saved the lives of tens of thousands of people in Jibei City. The woman you mentioned led people up the mountain to find water sources, plant trees, grow crops, and develop new crop varieties. Your Excellency, you are truly capable. With just a few words, you can claim to have witnessed someone else's efforts?"
Li Xiaochen frowned, staring sharply at Prime Minister Hou, and questioned him word by word.
"You! Me!"
Prime Minister Hou blushed and was speechless after being rebuked.
The surrounding officials dared not speak; it was clear the regent was angry, and they did not want to provoke him.
Zhao Shijie smiled. He knew about the prince and his Yuxin. The emperor's decree had been issued, and they were just waiting for the wedding to take place.
Hehe, this grandson-in-law is great! He likes him!
Seeing that they had nothing to say, Li Xiaochen turned to the Emperor and spoke again:
"Your Majesty, to be honest, Cheng Tinghao was a child that Princess Pingning rescued by chance and has been raising by her side ever since. Princess Pingning is a very shrewd woman, so who knows what she might do?"
The Emperor was moved the first time Li Xiaochen mentioned it. Since Lin Yuxin knew about the child's background from the beginning, she must know how to confirm the child's identity.
Having considered this, the Emperor spoke directly:
"Princess Pingning is here to pay her respects at the palace!"
...
Lin Yuxin was peacefully at home when she saw Eunuch Liu rush in, and he immediately said to her:
"Princess, hurry to the palace! The Ninth Prince is in trouble!"
Lin Yuxin's expression changed, and she stood up abruptly, anxiously asking Eunuch Liu:
"Eunuch Liu, what happened? How could Xiao Hao be in trouble? Wasn't he perfectly fine in the palace?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
