The emperor was the first to react, moving to stand in front of Ling Xiao, completely shielding him, before loudly ordering:
"Quickly cover up the shameful act of these two disgraceful creatures!"
The servants used whatever was available, pulling off a bed sheet and covering the two of them.
The tall man on the ground had his head down, his long hair disheveled, and he covered his face with his hands, refusing to show himself.
However, some people in the crowd have eyes that are good at discovering beauty.
This agile figure, slender waist, and the swallow character embroidered on the clothes scattered on the ground.
Isn't that the famous Prince Yan from the capital?
Tsk tsk tsk, what audacity! To sneak out of a palace banquet to have an affair, and even more ingeniously find a eunuch!
Everyone was now in high spirits and excited. As everyone knows, it is human nature to gossip, and even with the emperor present, the whispers among the people could not be suppressed.
The eunuch was already unconscious, and his body was in a terrible state.
Even the most dissolute playboys in the capital city were humbled by Yan Xun, their gazes filled with admiration. What a brave warrior!
The emperor knew perfectly well who this show was originally intended for, and upon seeing Yan Xun's disgraceful act, he understood everything almost instantly.
It must be that the daughter was tricked but cleverly escaped, and somehow managed to send the Yan family's son to such a state.
What? The emperor didn't realize his beloved daughter was so ruthless.
It was others who tried to harm Miaoying first, so how can you say she was wrong?
The emperor, his face grim, rebuked Yan Xun, "You scoundrel, how dare you defile the palace! Is the Duke of Yan's mansion plotting a rebellion?!"
The mere mention of the word "rebellion" caused even unrelated people to hastily kneel down, let alone Yan Xun, who was being directly interrogated.
His mind was already in complete chaos, and he was immersed in agitated emotions.
At this moment, being interrogated by the emperor's piercing words, he was terrified and remained silent, as if he were admitting it.
Without hesitation, Yan Cai Ren saw that the Duke of Yan and the others were trembling and doing nothing. She made a snap decision and rushed forward to slap Yan Xun twice hard across the face.
He said sternly, "You filthy bastard, it's one thing to like men, but why are you setting your sights on eunuchs?"
Yan Xun was completely dumbfounded. Yan Cairen knew that things had changed. That wretched girl from Luoyang hadn't been tricked. Instead, it was her nephew who was outmatched and captured.
The emperor probably already has some idea of what's going on; in order to avenge Luoyang, the Yan family is about to face a great calamity.
One wrong move and your whole family could be ruined!
In order to protect her mother's family and herself, she had no choice but to blame Yan Xun's strange quirks.
We need to get through this part first, so that there will be room for maneuver later.
Even though Consort Yan was filled with remorse and hated Princess Luoyang to the point of bleeding, she still looked at Yan Xun with a face full of disappointment and disappointment.
Good grief, Yan Xun likes men?
The fact that such explosive news came from Yan Cai Ren's own aunt greatly increased its credibility.
"Your Majesty, the Yan family is unfortunate to have produced such an unfilial and rebellious person."
It's all because his family spoiled him too much and covered up his shameful deeds. Who knew he would become even more outrageous and go so far as to take a liking to a palace eunuch?
With tears streaming down her face, Consort Yan kowtowed and begged for mercy for the grave mistakes her nephews and nieces had made. Her voice choked with sobs and grief, and most people believed her words.
Ling Xiao peeked out from behind the emperor to watch this scene, wishing he could take out some melon seeds and watch while he was eating.
"With this acting skill, I won't accept it unless it wins a Golden Horse Award," she exclaimed to the system in her mind.
Yan Xun finally came to his senses, a great sense of panic filling his heart. He listened blankly as his aunt recounted those love affairs that never happened to him, almost to the point of madness.
Before Consort Yan could finish speaking, the Emperor coldly interrupted her:
"Shut up! I'm not asking you. If you say another word, you'll lose your tongue."
Yan Cai Ren shut her mouth stiffly, like a chicken with its neck being choked.
The emperor turned to Yan Xun and demanded sharply, "Tell me, do you have an affair with a eunuch, which is why you disregarded shame and engaged in licentious behavior in the palace!"
Yan Xun looked up at his aunt, whose eyes were full of pleading and threats. Then he looked at his parents and younger sister kneeling in the crowd, trembling with fear. His heart felt like it was being soaked in bitter water.
Looking behind the emperor, Ling Xiao smiled maliciously at him, her eyes and brows full of mockery.
He was about to think some more when the emperor impatiently kicked him, saying, "I'm asking you a question. If you hesitate again, I'll have you dragged out and beaten to death!"
Yan Xun was kicked in the right shoulder, his bone throbbing with pain. He endured the pain and replied, "Yes...it was because I was infatuated that I committed this shameful act."
Every word he uttered felt like a whip lashing Yan Xun's heart, causing him to tremble and feel dizzy with pain.
He was finished; Yan Xun had never realized this fact so clearly.
The emperor showed him no sympathy whatsoever, and spoke swiftly and forcefully:
"So, it's the shameless Prince Yan who seduced a palace eunuch for illicit relations, seeking thrills by taking advantage of the palace banquet to have sex with him, isn't it?"
The gazes fixed on Yan Xun were a mixture of mockery, surprise, and disdain, forcing him to prostrate himself on the ground in a disheveled state, almost vomiting blood as he said:
"It's Yan Xun who's shameless."
The emperor looked down at him and sneered:
"To indulge in male beauty and hinder one's offspring is unfilial; to despise the monarch and defile the palace is disloyal. What face do such unfaithful and unfilial people have to stand in the world?"
"Guards, convey my decree."
The unlucky Grand Secretary stepped forward, trembling. Damn it, it's his shift again today.
"Your subject is present."
"The Duke of Yan's family failed to properly educate his son, and he has been demoted to viscount. Yan Xun has committed the heir apparent crime and has been stripped of his title. I hereby forbid him from holding office for the rest of my reign. Any future ruler who disobeys this rule shall not be my descendant!"
Yan Xun's face turned deathly pale instantly; he hadn't expected the emperor to be so cruel.
Even if the second prince is fortunate enough to succeed to the throne, how can a son defy his father, who is both the ruler and his subject?
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
