Chapter 206 Who Pushed Him
"You mean Third Brother didn't fall into the water accidentally, but was pushed into the water by Qi... Fourth Brother during an argument?"
The prince said reflexively, a gloating look in his eyes.
A piercing chill ran down his spine, and Xiao Zhuzi was filled with fear and trepidation. "Your Majesty, spare my life! That's not what I meant. I was just reporting what I saw and heard truthfully!"
The prince snorted coldly, "But from what I understand, it seems that Fourth Brother pushed Third Brother. Otherwise, how could Third Brother have fallen into the water?"
Ah Sui retorted: "I didn't push Third Brother, don't slander me!"
His hand was injured and he couldn't put his hands on his waist, so he could only hold his arms horizontally, his momentum undiminished.
Pei Qian raised his head and agreed, "That's right! My cousin is not like that! The three of us have a good relationship. Cousin Crown Prince, please don't try to sow discord!"
The Crown Prince ignored the two and could not help but complain to Emperor Jingxuan: "Father, if it wasn't my fourth brother who pushed him, why is he so excited?"
Unexpectedly, Emperor Jingxuan simply glanced at him indifferently, his tone ambiguous: "I see you're quite excited too. As the eldest brother, are you so happy about the quarrel between brothers?"
These words were like a bucket of ice poured on the prince's head, and the pride in his heart was instantly extinguished.
"Father, Your Majesty, that's not what I meant..." He lowered his head and nodded hesitantly.
Upon seeing this, Concubine Xian frowned slightly.
She smiled and tried to smooth things over, speaking for the Crown Prince: "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is also worried about the Third Prince, who fell into the water for no apparent reason. We must find out the truth and give an explanation to the Third Prince and Sister Lu."
Yun pursed her lips, a look of indifference crossing her beautiful face. "If we want to find out the truth, we must seek evidence and listen to testimonies, rather than believing one-sided accounts, distorting the truth, and misleading others."
She raised her eyes and looked at the two of them, with a tone that seemed to be mocking and sarcastic: "Don't the Concubine Xian and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince understand this truth?"
The virtuous concubine's smile faded and she did not respond.
Seeing that the two were silent, Yun Wan questioned Xiao Zhuzi, "Since you saw them arguing, do you know what they were arguing about?"
Xiao Zhuzi hunched his back and said anxiously, "I heard it all clearly. After the fish was hooked, the two princes disagreed on when to reel in the line."
"The young prince believes that the fish hasn't bitten yet and needs to wait patiently for a while, while the third prince believes that we should reel in the line now."
Hence this dispute.
"I was just hesitating whether to step forward to dissuade him, but in the blink of an eye, His Highness the Third Prince fell into the lake."
After saying this, he lowered his head, and it sounded like he was indeed stating an objective fact.
Ah Sui explained with a serious face, "We had a disagreement, but we didn't get angry, let alone fight. It was just a fish, gone, gone. How could I hurt my closest relatives?"
"Who knows?"
The prince muttered softly, and Pei Qian heard it and glared at him fiercely.
I really want to beat the prince up.
The prince sneered and didn't bother with this well-built barbarian.
Yun Wan patted Asui to comfort him, then turned and asked, "Since you were so close, what did you do after Chenghui fell into the water?"
Xiao Zhuzi: "I don't know how to swim. After the Third Prince fell into the water, I quickly went to call for help."
Knowing that he had failed in his duty, he crawled on the ground and waited for punishment.
However, he did not wait for any reprimand. Yun Wan withdrew his gaze and said to Emperor Jingxuan:
"Your Majesty, I believe Sui'er isn't the kind of person who would be so cruel as to murder her own brothers and sisters. However, outsiders don't know Sui'er's character. To ensure fairness, why not wait until Chenghui wakes up tomorrow and ask him about it before making a final decision?"
Xiao Zhuzi was just a bystander, but his words made Asui the object of suspicion. Whether he did it intentionally or unintentionally, the third prince would know when he woke up.
Whether he was pushed into the water or fell down on his own, you will know by asking.
Emperor Jingxuan nodded: "The Queen's words make sense."
He turned around to announce the decision when a figure appeared at the door and hurried in.
It’s Concubine Lu.
"Your Majesty! Where is Hui'er?" As soon as she entered the room, she looked around, looking for the figure of the third prince.
She had rushed over from the Imperial Palace, exhausted. When she didn't see the Third Prince, she panicked and asked, "How's Hui'er? I heard he was pushed into the water. Who was it? Who was so bold?"
She spoke in a hurried tone, and her thin face showed a bit of gloom and paranoia.
Seeing this, everyone frowned, wondering if Concubine Lu had gone crazy. Was she questioning the Emperor and the Empress in such a tone?
Only Concubine Xian explained to her, "Sister Lu may have misheard. It is still unclear whether the Third Prince fell into the lake on his own or was pushed into the water by the Young Prince."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Lu turned to Asui with a fierce look in her eyes: "It must be you! It must be you! Our Hui'er is so good to you, why did you push him?"
After saying this, she looked at Yun Wan, crying and laughing: "Empress, even if you have a grudge against me, please come after me and don't attack Hui'er. He is innocent!"
Yun Wan was shocked by her behavior and felt that Concubine Lu was in a bad mood.
Emperor Jingxuan only took one look and ordered in a cold voice: "Come here, Mrs. Lu is hysterical and talking nonsense, take her away!"
"As the Queen said, we will investigate the truth after Chenghui wakes up tomorrow." He gave an order.
"This matter has not yet been concluded. If I hear any rumors that smear the reputation of the Queen and her son, I will punish them by cutting off their tongues."
.........
That night, the third prince indeed developed a high fever. After treatment by the imperial physicians, the fever eventually subsided and he survived the critical moment.
Everyone left exhausted, and the remaining palace maids leaned against the bed, keeping a close eye on the Third Prince's condition.
The sound of footsteps at the door woke up the sleepy palace maid.
Seeing the person coming, she was startled, "Empress Lu?"
Concubine Lu said with a cold face: "I can't sleep, so I came to see Hui'er."
Thinking she was worried about the child, the maid took the initiative to inform her: "Your Highness's fever has subsided and there is no longer any danger to his life. Your Majesty, please rest assured."
Concubine Lu nodded, looked at the Third Prince with rosy cheeks and pale lips lying on the bed, and signaled the palace maid to go down.
"I haven't seen Hui'er for a long time. I want to spend some time alone with him."
The maid hesitated for a moment, then nodded, remembering that she was the Third Prince's mother. "Then I'll make you some tea."
She went down quietly, leaving the mother and son alone.
The flames on the candlesticks flickered. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Concubine Lu lowered her eyes, her eyelids covering the emotions in her eyes.
She has sorted out the whole story.
Now the blame for Hui'er falling into the water is directed at Yun Wan's son, so His Majesty plans to wait until Hui'er wakes up before making a decision.
Thinking of Hui'er's alienation and cold treatment over the past six months and the grievances she had suffered, Concubine Lu's eyes darkened.
If the child is gone, will there be no evidence?
Are the good days for Yun Wan and her son over?
The Queen's son murdered his siblings, and rumors can kill people.
A strange excitement and madness flashed in Concubine Lu's eyes. She slowly took out the handkerchief from her sleeve and looked at the little face sleeping on the pillow.
Cover it up.
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