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Xiao Chengming seemed to sense Xiao Chengyan's anger and immediately fell silent.
But after a moment, he calmed himself down, changed the subject, and his tone became subtle: "Fourth Brother, even if Yuan Shaoyin is guilty, he should be handed over to the authorities for trial. Fourth Brother is so protective of the Tan family, even going so far as to personally detain officials from the Jingzhao Prefecture..."
His gaze once again swept meaningfully toward Gu Jinghong, "Could it be that there is someone or something in the Tan family that cannot be lost... that makes Fourth Brother so nervous that he can't even care about procedures and rules?"
"Or is it that Fourth Brother's all-out effort is actually for this unfamiliar young lady? I've heard that things haven't been peaceful in the capital lately, with mysterious figures stirring up trouble. Fourth Brother, you must be careful, lest you be caught off guard..."
Before the words were even finished, everyone saw a blur before their eyes, and Xiao Chengyan, who had been standing a few steps away, had already approached Xiao Chengming like a ghost.
With one hand, he gripped Xiao Chengming's wrist, which he had just raised with a pointed gesture, while with the other hand, his fingers were pressed against Xiao Chengming's throat.
"Uh!" Caught off guard, Xiao Chengming swallowed all his words. The sharp pain in his throat and the feeling of suffocation made his eyes widen instantly, and all the color drained from his face.
Xiao Chengyan's voice was icy cold, like a blade of wind in the dead of winter, scraping against Xiao Chengming's eardrums: "Fifth brother, when did it become your place to interfere in my affairs? Watch your eyes and mouth, if you dare to look or talk nonsense again, I won't mind teaching you a lesson!"
"Xiao Chengyan! You..." Xiao Chengming was both shocked and furious. The pressure in his throat made it hard for him to breathe, and his face turned as red as a pig's liver.
Xiao Chengming had never experienced anything like this before. He felt as if the iron fingers in his throat were choking him, cutting off all air and sound, and his vision blurred.
He felt the chill of impending death acutely, and an unprecedented fear gripped him. His limbs went limp, and his eyes rolled back.
That was too impulsive!
If the Fifth Prince were to lose his life in the Tan residence, Xiao Chengyan would be completely proven guilty of harming his own brothers.
Gu Jinghong couldn't help but say, "Xiao Chengyan, let him go!"
Everyone looked at Xiao Chengyan in alarm, only to see him staring intently at Gu Jinghong.
A single sentence brought Xiao Chengyan back to his senses. The violent rage in his eyes subsided slightly. He understood what Gu Jinghong meant—this was definitely not the time to take his life.
His slender fingers suddenly loosened their grip, and Xiao Chengming's face turned deathly pale.
He staggered backward in a disheveled state, only to be hurriedly supported by the guards behind him. He was panting heavily, his throat burning with pain. The fear of surviving the ordeal was quickly replaced by the shame and indignation of being humiliated in front of everyone.
He pointed at Xiao Chengyan, his voice hoarse and shrill due to uneven breathing, yet filled with a fierce but cowardly hatred: "Cough cough, cough—Xiao Chengyan! You, you actually used such a vicious attack on your brother for a woman of unknown origin!"
Xiao Chengyan's voice was icy and piercing, making Xiao Chengming's hair stand on end instantly: "How dare you presume to comment on or spy on my people? If your eyes are of no use, why don't I just remove them for you?"
Xiao Chengming felt his legs go weak for a moment when he recalled it, but with everyone watching, he didn't want to be overshadowed by Xiao Chengyan.
In particular, his uncle Gongsun Lie kept saying that he should not let Xiao Chengyan steal his place in front of everyone, otherwise how would he ascend to the throne in the future?
Therefore, after a moment of calm, he still managed to remain composed, relying on his superior numbers and status.
"Xiao Chengyan! I think you're just... you're feeling guilty!"
He immediately waved his hand and said, "Don't panic, everyone! He wouldn't dare do anything to me! Seize that vixen and all the criminals from the Tan family, and find out the evidence!"
His hands were visibly trembling, but the crowd couldn't see it clearly. Besides, everyone in the capital knew that although the Fourth Prince was incredibly powerful, he was ultimately alone. The Fifth Prince, on the other hand, was different. His maternal uncle was the Duke of Zhenguo, Gongsun Lie, who was renowned for his prestige, and his mother was the most favored Consort Xian in the harem. He could be said to have unparalleled support.
Therefore, upon hearing this, the Fifth Prince's guards exchanged glances, some of them itching to make a move.
Indeed, no matter how powerful King Jin is, would he really dare to murder a prince in front of everyone? As long as the key figures and evidence are obtained, Consort Xian will handle things when they reach the Emperor.
Seeing that the situation was about to escalate, the Tan family members nervously protected Gu Jinghong.
At this critical moment, Changfeng's loud voice pierced the night sky, carrying an iron-blooded aura: "The Capital Garrison Battalion has arrived here by order of the King! Those who disobey will be killed without mercy!"
Footsteps thundered, armor clanged, and elite guards surged into the mansion like a tidal wave, instantly surrounding the Fifth Prince's men. Bows and crossbows were nocked, swords were drawn, and a chilling aura of killing intent filled the air.
Their absolute advantage in both quantity and quality immediately put them in control of the situation.
The Fifth Prince's guards' expressions changed drastically, and they dared not make any further moves.
Seeing this, Xiao Chengming knew that it was impossible to force his way in today, but he still refused to back down: "Fine! Fine, you Prince Jin! You've secretly mobilized troops to surround a prince, are you trying to rebel? If you've got the guts, then keep me detained! When Father finds out, let's see how you explain yourself!"
He had already made up his mind. At this moment, his father must be in his mother's palace. As long as he made a scene in front of the emperor, his mother would have a way to deal with it.
At this moment, Gu Jinghong slowly walked up to the old servant whose face was ashen. With a slight twitch of his nose, he said coldly, "The 'Ink Bamboo Fragrance' on your sleeve is bitter and strong, just like the Fifth Prince's scent. There is only the smell of medicine in the Tan family mansion, but no earthly fragrance."
Xiao Chengyan glanced at Gu Jinghong, then his gaze swept over the limp Yuan Weike and Xiao Chengming, whom he had subdued, and a cold smile appeared on his lips: "Since Fifth Brother has mentioned Father, that's perfect. Tonight's events involve many things and are indeed extraordinary."
"Since Fifth Brother is so concerned about the case, why don't we go to the palace together to meet Father Emperor and report the events of tonight to him for His Majesty's judgment?"
He surveyed the entire room, then looked at Xiao Chengming with an extremely provocative gaze: "Changfeng, prepare the horses. This king and the Fifth Prince are to enter the palace immediately!"
Xiao Chengming snorted coldly, unaware that Xiao Chengyan had only said "involving many," without specifying the exact nature of the "many." He was simply consumed by the anger and intimidation he felt from Xiao Chengyan's threats and suppression, forcefully flicking his sleeve and looking at Xiao Chengyan with a defiant expression: "Go to the palace then!"
When he arrived before his father, his mother defended him, but Xiao Chengyan was different. Heh, Prince Jin, can't you see that your father doesn't actually like him?!
Thinking this, Xiao Chengming walked towards the door, seemingly deep in thought.
He had just stepped out the door when he suddenly realized something and stopped in his tracks: "That's right, that ebony box is important evidence. We must take it with us, otherwise, when we get to Father Emperor, won't it be you, Fourth Brother, who calls the shots?"
Xiao Chengyan's face was ashen. He moved his hand slightly, and Dean Tan reluctantly handed the ebony box to Xiao Chengming.
Xiao Chengming rarely saw the four of them working together so well, and suddenly felt that he was superior to them. He was also very proud and strode away.
Xiao Chengyan turned and glanced at Gu Jinghong, his sharp eyes suddenly seeming to hold a thousand unspoken words.
Gu Jinghong looked at his gaze falling into her eyes, and then at his back as he turned and left with the Fifth Prince. Suddenly, she felt that things... seemed to be not over yet.
—He must be trying to say something? What exactly is it that he wants to say?
After the two princes left, Yuan Shaoyin, who had been terrified, finally came to his senses and shook his stiff legs.
Although Yuan Weike was furious, seeing that Changfeng and the garrison were present at the Tan residence, his small fry were no match for them. Therefore, he could only leave dejectedly.
As Gu Jinghong watched him leave, she suddenly felt like laughing and said loudly, "Young Master Yuan, take care. When you get back, remember to think carefully about how you will explain your 'duty-bound,' 'meritorious service in protecting the emperor,' and 'sowing discord among brothers' feats tonight when His Majesty summons you tomorrow."
Yuan Weike paused, realizing how foolish the mistake he had made that day had been.
The Fourth Prince and the Fifth Prince were His Majesty's own sons; their rivalry was nothing more than a playful squabble between sons, something he was already used to. But if someone had to be punished for this, wouldn't he, as an outsider, be...?
As Yuan Weike pondered this, a layer of cold sweat seeped down his back.
This woman is so beautiful, how could she be so vicious!
Not long after Yuan Weike left, Changfeng also led his troops away, and the Tan residence returned to its previous tranquility.
The group sat in the living room, and Zhu Xin ordered someone to brew tea. Gu Jinghong and Xuan Ru both had Biluochun tea with jasmine fragrance. Although it was winter, the aroma was still intertwined and refreshing, showing the care taken by the person who preserved it.
Dean Tan, on the other hand, had a cup of longan, red date, and astragalus tea.
Gu Jinghong scanned the courtyard to make sure there were no more eyes and ears before walking up to Tan Xuan and Xuan Ru: "Headmaster Tan, Aru, this is not a place to stay for long. We need to discuss this as soon as possible."
Tan Xuan raised his head, his eyes still filled with lingering worry and fear: "Miss Gu, tonight... I thank you and His Highness. However, the Fifth Prince and the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion are very powerful. Now that we've completely broken ties, they will definitely not let this go!"
"When have they ever thought of giving up?" Gu Jinghong asked calmly. "The bigger the story behind this, the less likely they are to give up. Forgive my bluntness, but you and the Tan family will definitely not escape this."
Tan Xuan had lived a simple life as a doctor and never imagined he would get involved in any conflict. For a moment, his eyes darted around as he looked at Gu Jinghong: "Then what should we do?"
Gu Jinghong pondered for a moment before saying, "Why did His Highness Prince Jin act this way just now? He clearly had the capital's garrison in his hands, yet he didn't move, insisting on bringing the battlefield to the emperor's presence. It must have been to temporarily protect the Tan family's peace and buy us time."
Suddenly, her eyes lit up. "Oh, the journal! We need to know what was written in the journal!"
Xuanru frowned, a lingering sorrow still lingering in her eyes. "What's the use of time? The crucial parts of Mother's notes have been destroyed."
"Therefore, we need to find out what exactly Valley Master Xuan discovered that made her feel that even recording it was such a huge risk."
Xuanru looked at Gu Jinghong, paused for a moment, and then suddenly said, "Ah Hong, have you noticed that you and the Prince... seem to be becoming more and more alike?"
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