The guards behind him scattered in a rush, completely sealing off Chang Le Palace from the inside out, to the point that not even a fly could get in or out.
"Yes." Xiao Xizi knelt on the ground in fear.
"You kept a good watch all night!" Li Zhaoxian's eyes were deep.
Song Tangli carefully grabbed Li Zhaoxian's hand and coaxed, "Crown Prince, my sister was just momentarily bewitched. I took her place in the marriage, so it's normal for her to be unhappy..."
"How can this be your fault? She was the one who barged in halfway and stole the engagement! Now she's consumed by jealousy. You're just too kind. No one is allowed to speak up for her today. I will make sure that adulterous couple is drowned in a pig cage!" In his rage, Li Zhaoxian lost his temper and spoke without thinking.
The voice wasn't quiet, and both Xiao Xizi and Cui Xi broke out in a cold sweat. Xiao Xizi was frightened, while Cui Xi felt a little guilty.
Her eyes darted left and right, barely managing to steady herself. Nothing was certain yet; the young lady had created many miracles, and this time would be no exception.
"Your Highness, the Crown Princess has always been cautious in her words and deeds. During her days of self-reflection, she has never stepped out of the palace! I beg Your Highness to investigate!" Cui Xi knelt on the ground and began to kowtow.
These maids who accompanied their mistresses shared in their fortunes; if their mistresses were to suffer, they would be implicated as well.
"She didn't step out?" Li Zhaoxian's smile was sinister and terrifying. The palace servants in Chang Le Palace knelt on the ground, and even in the middle of summer, they felt a bone-chilling cold.
"If she doesn't go out, can't others come looking for her?" Li Zhaoxian kicked over the wooden table next to him, still not satisfied. In his anger, he remembered Song Tangxue's rejection.
She acts like a saint in front of him, but who knows how provocative she might be in front of others.
The more Li Zhaoxian thought about it, the angrier he became. How could others get something so easily when he himself hadn't? It was utterly ridiculous.
No wonder Xie Qianzhong targeted him at every turn in the court! In the end, it was all because of a woman.
Cui Xi's heart skipped a beat, her heart pounding as if it would jump out of her chest. From Li Zhaoxian's words, it was clear that he knew about Song Tangxue's secret rendezvous with Lord Xie.
Cui Xi's breathing became erratic, while Song Tangli looked at the tightly closed door with a sense of relief in her heart, though her face remained troubled.
"Didn't you say your master never leaves the inner palace? Then go and wake your master up!" Li Zhaoxian took his anger out on everyone in the hall, believing them to be accomplices to evil.
"Sister didn't get up even with such a commotion. Are you feeling guilty and scared?" Song Tangli covered her mouth, but her voice was not quiet at all. At least Li Zhaoxian could hear her clearly.
He raised his dark pupils to look at the main hall's doors, his eyes revealing a murderous intent.
"If Sister comes out and properly admits her mistake, Crown Prince might spare her life." Song Tangli muttered to herself, turning her head away because she couldn't bear to look at her. "We've spoiled Sister, letting her be so willful and reckless."
"Her Majesty caught a cold last night and slept soundly after taking her medicine. She specifically instructed me not to disturb her. I'll go and wake Her Majesty now." With that, Cui Xi was about to get up to deliver the message. As long as she was quick enough, Lord Xie wouldn't be seen.
"Wait!" Li Zhaoxian suddenly interrupted her, as if he had become interested: "Shanxing, send someone to catch up with the people in the palace and tell Father that I have important matters to discuss with him!"
He had disliked Xie Qianzhong for a long time. Song Tangxue was definitely on Xie Qianzhong's territory now. When he found Song Tangxue, he would make Xie Qianzhong unable to defend himself.
A two-birds-with-one-stone strategy.
Li Zhaoxian clenched his fist. Xie Qianzhong wielded considerable power... "Holding sway over the court" was not just an adjective.
"Remember to invite Lord Xie." Li Zhaoxian temporarily suppressed his anger.
Song Tangli said to Cuixi in a sarcastic tone, "Let your mistress rest well for now."
Song Tangli realized Li Zhaoxian's intentions and, feeling smug, had someone clear out the stone table next to her and set out breakfast. She gently urged Li Zhaoxian to eat.
This was a complicated matter, and Shanxing, fearing that his apprentice might cause trouble, decided to report it himself.
They rushed to explain the situation before the court assembly, but the emperor's face turned green. Even Eunuch Sheng shook his head and sighed, lamenting that the crown prince was also a clueless person.
Family matters can't compare to national affairs; even the most important things must be put aside.
Previously, I only thought that the Crown Prince was mediocre and incompetent in his life. If he didn't make any major mistakes, he could hold onto the country with the help of his ministers.
But now it seems...
The emperor opened his eyes, his gaze cold and devoid of any emotion.
With the antique jade thumb ring on his hand, the emperor had already suppressed his emotions. As the ruler of a country, it was the most basic thing for him not to show his emotions.
After the court session, the emperor went to the imperial study. Xie Qianzhong was naturally kept behind. The emperor changed into casual clothes, while Shan Xing and others chatted with Eunuch Sheng outside.
"Godfather, I think this is a bit risky." Shan Xing was the godson of Eunuch Sheng, which is why he was able to leave the palace and establish his own residence with the Crown Prince.
Shan Xing revealed the whole story to Eunuch Sheng. Eunuch Sheng, who served the emperor closely, was accustomed to the ways in which the concubines vied for favor in the harem. He could roughly guess the gist of it from Shan Xing's few words.
Moreover, this matter involves Lord Xie. Lord Xie is always meticulous in his actions, how could he be so negligent as to be seen by someone?
"Mind your own business, and don't get too close to the Crown Princess in the future." Eunuch Sheng frowned. "I'm starting to regret sending you to the Crown Prince's side."
The Crown Princess will become an obstacle for Lee So-hyeon.
Recently, posts impeaching the Crown Prince have been flooding in, and most of the impeachments are related to Song Tangli, the Crown Princess with a notorious record.
Shan Xing nodded solemnly. His master treated him very well, and his master's words were like an imperial edict to him: "Then what do you think of this Crown Princess?"
Eunuch Sheng remained noncommittal. Since Xie Qianzhong was involved in this matter, he must have been involved. Anyone who could get mixed up with Lord Xie was no saint either.
"What is your opinion on the Crown Prince, Minister Xie?" The Emperor sat at his desk and slowly picked up his teacup.
"Your Majesty, I believe that the Crown Prince has repeatedly made minor mistakes, and now he has even missed court sessions without cause. The court officials will surely have something to say. The Crown Prince represents the future of the country and should set a good example." Xie Qianzhong knew the Emperor's words were a test.
They only discussed the matter at hand, without mentioning at all the discussions in the court about deposing the crown prince.
Recalling Li Zhaoxian's actions today, the emperor rose with some disappointment: "Let's go see what kind of trouble my crown prince is up to this time!"
Xie Qianzhong respectfully lagged half a step behind, expressionless, and followed the emperor out the door. Shan Xing and Eunuch Sheng were waiting at the palace gate.
Inside Chang Le Palace, the palace servants knelt in a row, their knees a little weak, but no one dared to move. As the sun gradually rose higher, beads of sweat slowly dripped from their foreheads, and everyone felt uneasy.
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