Chapter 562 Hearts Turn Cold
The Empress bowed first, saying, "Your Majesty, I understand."
The Prince of Jin also said, "Father, rest assured, I will definitely perform well."
Yuwen Jue and Jiang Ning exchanged a glance and agreed.
Emperor Ming's cold gaze swept over Zhang Zhiming and Zhu Xiaotian.
"You two have embezzled and accepted bribes, misappropriated disaster relief funds, and disregarded the lives of the people! Zhang Zhiming is to be thrown into death row immediately and executed at a later date. As for Zhu Xiaotian and Gao Zhan, who framed Prince Jin, they are also to be executed."
Zhu Xiaotian burst into tears on the spot.
“Your Majesty, I am telling the truth. Why don’t you believe me? It must be because the Empress and Prince Jin heard that Zhang Zhiming had returned to the capital and misappropriated the embezzled disaster relief funds! I really did not lie, Your Majesty…”
For a fleeting moment, he thought he might be able to save his life, but in the end, it was all for naught...
Emperor Ming was incompetent and foolish, favoring Prince Jin and unwilling to punish him. Otherwise, how could this crime of embezzlement have been so easily overlooked?
However, Emperor Ming's face darkened, and he completely ignored Zhu Xiaotian's accusations.
Yuwen Jue couldn't help but plead for Zhu Xiaotian.
"Father, why not imprison Zhu Xiaotian for now? Although what he said may not be the truth, it may not be a lie either. I think there is still room for further investigation."
Emperor Ming's face was cold and stern, and he looked at Yuwen Jue with a wary gaze, saying, "Fourth brother, so you firmly believe that your eldest brother is guilty?"
Yuwen Jue's eyes flickered, unsure how to answer.
He can guarantee that the Prince of Jin is indeed guilty.
However, there are only witnesses and no physical evidence, and Emperor Ming is unwilling to punish Prince Jin. What can he do?
Jiang Ning smiled and said, "Father, the Prince does not doubt my elder brother. Rather, he promised the Zhu family back in Yunshui City that if they were willing to tell the truth and testify to help capture Zhang Zhiming, His Highness would do his best to plead for Zhu Xiaotian in front of you. If you insist on killing Zhu Xiaotian, wouldn't that make the Prince go back on his word?"
Jiang Ning said with a teasing tone and a smile, "You know my prince's temperament. He is extremely trustworthy. If he really breaks his promise, he will probably be restless and unable to sleep day and night in the future."
Emperor Ming pondered for a moment, then looked coldly at Zhu Xiaotian.
"Since both Prince Ling and Princess Ling have pleaded for your life, I will spare your life for now and only imprison you in jail."
Zhu Xiaotian looked at Emperor Ming in disbelief and kowtowed deeply to him.
"Thank you, Your Majesty! Your humble servant will never forget Your Majesty's kindness!"
After saying this, he kowtowed to Yuwen Jue and Jiang Ning with tears streaming down his face.
"Thank you so much, Prince Ling and Princess Ling. I will never forget your great kindness!"
He breathed a sigh of relief, still trembling with fear.
Yuwen Jue and Jiang Ning kept their promise and saved his life...
Had he known this would happen, he shouldn't have colluded with the Prince of Jin, which ultimately led to his downfall...
Beside him, Zhang Zhiming looked at the Empress and Prince Jin with a wry smile, and sighed heavily in his heart.
The Empress and Prince Jin only cared about themselves and had no intention of showing him any consideration.
On the contrary, Zhu Xiaotian has been protected by the Ling Prince's Mansion, and now they are even going so far as to plead for him before the Ming Emperor.
Had he known this would happen, he shouldn't have followed those two heartless mother and son; he should have pledged his loyalty to the Ling Prince's Mansion instead...
But it was too late. There's no going back. No matter what he said, he couldn't change his fate...
He could only learn his lesson and be a smarter person in his next life, so he wouldn't follow such a heartless and ungrateful master!
The imperial study fell silent.
The Empress was very satisfied with Emperor Ming's handling of the matter and rose to bow to him.
"Your Majesty is wise. Now that this matter has been resolved, why not have Princess Ling conduct blood tests on Prince Jin and Xiao Bao to see if they are indeed father and son?"
Thinking of this, Emperor Ming was also quite looking forward to it.
He nodded repeatedly and said, "Eunuch Su, go to the academy and bring Xiao Bao here. I want to see if he is really my grandson."
During the time Jiang Ning was away from the capital, he often let Xiao Bao come to the Imperial Study to play.
Looking at the lively, adorable, clever, and sensible Xiao Bao, Emperor Ming was very appreciative and longed for his grandchildren.
It's a pity that although several of the princes and dukes have already come of age, they have no children yet. To this day, he hasn't even been able to hold a grandson, which is quite a laughing stock.
Eunuch Su agreed, saying, "Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant will go and fetch the young master right away."
Jiang Ning's brows furrowed, and she said, "Eunuch Su, I'll go with you."
Eunuch Su subconsciously looked at Emperor Ming, and seeing that Emperor Ming nodded, he led Jiang Ning to the academy.
On the way, Eunuch Su looked regretful.
"Princess Ling, it is such a pity that Prince Jin escaped punishment so easily today."
Jiang Ning's lips curled into a smile, and she looked at Eunuch Su with a stern gaze, asking, "So, Eunuch Su, you believe that I and the Prince are certain that Prince Jin is guilty?"
Eunuch Su chuckled softly and said helplessly, "Princess Ling, I naturally trust your and the Prince's character."
“His Highness Prince Ling is the most fair and just, and would never do anything to frame his brothers for the sake of power struggles. Besides, I have watched Prince Jin grow up since he was a child, and I know his character better than anyone else.”
Eunuch Su shook his head with a wry smile and complained to Jiang Ning in a low voice.
“The Prince of Jin is a master of disguise. You probably don’t even know a tenth or a twentieth of what he has done.”
Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, looking at Eunuch Su with some surprise.
A moment later, she smiled.
"Eunuch Su is the chief eunuch of the palace and a confidant of the emperor, but I didn't expect him to be so familiar with the Prince of Jin's residence."
Eunuch Su smiled and said, "Princess Ling, please don't tease me. The reason I know these things is because His Majesty wants to know. Otherwise, how would I have dared to spy on the princes' lives?"
Jiang Ning frowned and subconsciously asked, "Has His Majesty planted spies in the Ling Prince's residence?"
Eunuch Su gave an awkward smile and said, "Your Highness, please don't make things difficult for me. This is a matter that could cost me my head, so I dare not say anything."
Jiang Ning reluctantly agreed, but her conviction only grew stronger.
"Since Eunuch Su has said so, I naturally won't ask any more questions. After all, you have already helped us a lot, and the Prince and I are very grateful."
During this time, Eunuch Su helped the Ling Prince's Mansion and took good care of Consort Tan and Xiao Bao in the palace. She and Yuwen Jue both remembered this.
Seeing how sensible Jiang Ning was, Eunuch Su felt a little embarrassed.
He glanced around warily and said to Jiang Ning, "Please trouble Your Highness to remind the Prince when you return that the Emperor is currently investigating him. However, Your Highness is upright and has nothing to hide, so it's unlikely they'll find anything wrong. The real concern is..."
Eunuch Su hesitated for a moment, and did not finish his sentence, but Jiang Ning already understood.
A cold glint flashed in her eyes, and she said in a deep voice, "Is Eunuch Su trying to remind us to be wary of the Empress and Xuanxu?"
Eunuch Su nodded with a solemn expression.
"During your and the Prince's stay in Yunshui City, Consort Tan couldn't offer much help in the palace. The Empress and the Imperial Preceptor were in charge, and the Emperor now trusts them quite a bit, especially the Imperial Preceptor Xuanxu..."
Eunuch Su coughed lightly, his voice even softer.
"When I came out just now, Xu An said a few words to me, telling me that the Imperial Preceptor Xuanxu was in the inner room advising the Emperor, saying that he had calculated that Prince Jin was the true Crown Prince, which is why the Emperor's attitude changed so drastically after he came out."
Jiang Ning already found the matter rather strange, and upon hearing this, she laughed in anger.
Her expression was mocking, her phoenix eyes sharp.
"I never imagined it was really a trick of the trade! This person is truly a silver-tongued devil!"
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