Posomeng's words were undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire.
This made Li Changyu's situation even more passive.
The emperor narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at the crown prince. His previously proud gaze now held a strong hint of doubt.
"Looks alone don't seem to tell us anything..."
Perhaps to justify himself, the emperor said slowly.
After all, it would be very embarrassing for him to admit in front of so many people that the son he had raised for so many years was a fake.
"Your Majesty, appearance should not be used as a basis for argument. Not all fathers and sons in the world look alike. Look at the Fourth Prince and the Fifth Princess, don't they look like you?"
"Perhaps the Crown Prince's appearance is inherited from the Empress?"
After Murong Fuhai finished speaking, everyone immediately turned their attention to the Empress.
Then he looked at the Crown Prince again.
It was just that the mother and son didn't look particularly alike. The crown prince was strikingly handsome, almost otherworldly, possessing some of Li Shengyuan's former air of authority and an innate imperial presence.
That's about it.
At that moment, Li Shengyuan's expression grew increasingly grim.
Mi Shan knew that Li Changyu was now completely suspicious, and if Li Changyu didn't do something, he would face utter destruction.
"Father, instead of guessing here, why not use a more authoritative method, such as a blood test to determine kinship?"
"Your Majesty, you mustn't! Doing this would be too hurtful. Besides, it's not accurate at all; it's just a rumor." Mi Shan said instinctively.
Everyone was surprised, not expecting Mi Shan to speak up for the Crown Prince.
To avoid making Mi Shan appear suspicious by leaving him alone, Bai Lingyu quickly added, "Yes, it was just something that blind envoy said casually. Why did we take it seriously and make things difficult for His Highness the Crown Prince?"
"I don't support doing this either," Feng Qianzhong said, her brows furrowed, her worried gaze falling on Li Changyu.
Immediately afterwards, several other concubines spoke up.
This made Mi Shan appear less prominent, and Mi Shan breathed a sigh of relief. Xun'er watched her nervously.
"Your Majesty, we'd better not get involved in this mess; it might just get us into trouble."
Xiao Mingzi: "Yes, Your Majesty. I dare not speak for other servants, but this time it is for real. It is best to mind your own business."
“I understand, it was just a momentary impulse.” Mi Shan lowered her eyes.
They also knew that the Crown Prince had been injured while saving Mi Shan, and that there was a certain unspoken relationship between them.
"A bunch of women's sentimentality!" At this moment, Xilong of the Northern Desert said coldly, a disdainful smile on his lips. "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince's status is related to the fate of the nation. How can you listen to the words of these women in the harem? If you ask me, they shouldn't be here at this time!"
Although those present dared not say anything, they all nodded in agreement, seemingly acknowledging his words.
A hint of displeasure flashed across Mi Shan's face.
That Prince Xilong is really annoying!
"Shut up! It's none of your business to criticize my concubines! They are kind-hearted women who are considering the relationship between me and the Crown Prince, and I don't think they are wrong."
"this……"
Upon hearing this, Xilong was taken aback and could only lower his head, "Alright, it was your fault for speaking out of turn."
"Your Highness, what do you think? You're not a child anymore. I'm leaving the decision to you."
Li Shengyuan has always been good at pretending.
He naturally wouldn't agree to something that would affect their relationship so readily; it would be better to use it to test the Crown Prince.
Xie Ling smiled and said, "No problem, Father. It's just a blood test to prove kinship. It can be used as a reference. As long as it can clear my name, I'm willing."
"Xu Ninghai, go and fetch a bowl of water."
"Here you are."
A moment later, a bowl of water was brought up.
Seeing Xie Ling's confident expression, Li Xuanche was filled with suspicion. Was his identity truly genuine? Or did he have a plan in place?
"Wait!"
He suspected there was something wrong with the bowl of water!
Li Xuanche called out, telling Xu Ninghai to bring the bowl of water.
In front of everyone, Li Xuanche picked up the water, took a sip, and found it to be colorless and odorless—undoubtedly water.
"Okay, take it and try it."
Li Shengyuan sneered: "Ache, you're overthinking it. Would the people around me ever betray me?"
"Your subject has been rude." Li Xuanche lowered his head, feeling extremely embarrassed.
Li Shengyuan raised his hand, bit his finger, and let blood drip into it.
When it was Xie Ling's turn, he slowly bit his finger and squeezed out the blood.
Blood trickled down his fingertips, across his fingernails, and he had hidden a small amount of alum in it.
It can accelerate the dissolution of blood together.
Sure enough, the two drops of blood quickly mixed the moment they were put in.
"Is there a problem with that?" Li Shengyuan laughed heartily, letting his guard down. "He is indeed my son!"
“This is impossible…” Xilong was stunned. He looked at Acuo, who had already lowered his head and dared not speak.
"Your Majesty, wait a moment. It is too early to draw conclusions now. Just now, Consort Mi Hui also said that the blood test for kinship lacks evidence and is just a simple method passed down among the people."
Xilonghan stammered, nervously trying to explain himself.
"In my humble opinion, this method alone is not enough to clear the Crown Prince of suspicion."
"What else do you want to do?" Li Shengyuan asked angrily, glaring at him. "Just now you said that my beloved concubines are too soft-hearted. Now, you're using Consort Mi Hui's words as an excuse? How ridiculous!"
"It was my fault. I spoke without thinking and offended Consort Mi Hui. But I have a more authoritative method than the blood test."
"It may be offered to His Majesty for a try."
"That's the bone-dripping method!"
"What? This method is too cruel! The Crown Prince is a living, breathing human being! How can you do such a thing to him!"
Upon hearing this, those present who had heard of this method changed color slightly.
Mi Shan was also startled, looking at Xi Long with surprise and anger in her eyes.
He's really gone mad.
The blood-dripping method, usually used between the dead and the living, involves digging up the grave of the dead person and dripping the blood of the test subject onto the bones of the dead person.
Observe whether there is any seepage.
If it seeps in, it means there is a blood relationship.
If not, then the opposite is true.
But Xie Ling was a living person; how could he endure such excruciating pain? And he couldn't possibly harm the emperor. It could only be Xie Ling.
Not to mention that this method may not even be based on any evidence, and its reliability is even lower than that of blood kinship testing.
Even just scraping the flesh down to the bone requires enduring immense pain.
They simply disliked the crown prince and wanted to make him suffer more.
“This method works in our Northern Desert. I just don’t know if you, Crown Prince, dare to try it?” Xilong said, looking at Xie Ling triumphantly.
He was certain that Xie Ling would not dare to agree.
This ancient art of divination is terrifying to hear about; how could he, as a fake crown prince, not be wary of it?
However,
To his surprise, Xie Ling maintained her nonchalant attitude, giving a cool smile: "What's there to be afraid of?"
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