Chapter 332 A Decisive Struggle
Xiao Yunheng became even more certain.
Jiang Zhi had kept this dagger hidden from Shen Ci'an. Did she ever think that one day it would become a sharp sword aimed at Xiao Xuanyou?
Emperor Xuanzhao first looked at Shen Ci'an, "Minister Shen, are you willing to testify yourself?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Ci'an cupped his hands in greeting, "I beg Your Majesty to show mercy and not let anyone frighten the Shen family or damage the Shen family's belongings. Otherwise, I will hold the Prince of Xiang responsible for all of this."
"Granted," Emperor Xuanzhao said. "Lu Yuan, send someone over..."
Suddenly remembering something, he changed his mind, "You convey my imperial edict, ordering the commander of the Imperial Guards to take men to the Shen residence to take a look. Remember to act discreetly and not be reckless."
The current commander of the Imperial Guards is a member of the imperial family and a confidant of Emperor Xuanzhao.
Since Lu Yuan had feelings for Jiang Zhi, he naturally couldn't be allowed to search for her.
"Your humble servant obeys." Lu Yuan didn't take it to heart, and returned after relaying the imperial edict.
Emperor Xuanzhao then ordered all those kneeling to stand up.
The servants brought up tea, and everyone waited quietly.
At this time, Xiao Xuanyou's leg needed a dressing change. The doctor came in and was startled to see such a large group of people, but he had experienced just as many large scenes in Yaocheng.
He quickly calmed himself down and deftly changed the prince's dressing.
Emperor Xuanzhao inquired about Xiao Xuanyou's injuries for a few moments, and upon hearing that he was alright, he waved for him to leave.
The commander of the Imperial Guards acted swiftly and quickly retrieved the items from the Shen residence.
When Xiao Yunheng saw the Imperial Guard Commander hand the familiar dagger to Emperor Xuanzhao, he couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile.
"Your Majesty, I have indeed found this dagger at the very bottom of Madam Shen's dressing case. Please take a look."
Emperor Xuanzhao took the dagger with a gloomy expression.
Seeing Jiang Zhi staring intently at the dagger with a pale face, Xiao Yunheng finally felt a little relieved.
"Your Majesty, this dagger, passed down from our ancestor, came from the Rouran, who were still at the time when they had not yet been destroyed. They were a nomadic people on the grasslands, and men and women would pledge their love with a short knife. On the day of the spring hunt, His Highness the Crown Prince won the dagger and forced Lady Shen to accept it. However, Lady Shen dared not show it to anyone, much less let Lord Shen know about it, so she hid it at the very bottom of her dressing case."
He turned to look at Jiang Zhi, "Madam Shen, am I right?"
Jiang Zhi frowned. "I don't know what the Crown Prince of Xiang is talking about."
"The evidence is all in His Majesty's hands, yet Madam Shen still refuses to admit it," Xiao Yunheng shook his head, "What else do you have to say?"
At this moment, Li Jinyan, who had been silent all along, spoke up, "Father, I was just wondering why the Prince of Xiang was so certain that the Shen family had this dagger? I also want to see what the dagger in the Shen family looks like."
She waved her hand, signaling her trusted maid to fetch the item, "But now that I see it, I realize that this dagger is nowhere near as good as mine."
A moment later, a palace maid took a brocade box from the inner room and handed it to Li Jinyan.
Li Jinyan opened the brocade box and presented it to Emperor Xuanzhao.
“Father, this is the dagger passed down from the Holy Ancestor. After returning to the Eastern Palace on the day of the Spring Hunt, His Highness the Crown Prince gave the dagger to me. I have been keeping it carefully ever since. Please take a look, Father.”
Emperor Xuanzhao reached into the brocade box and took it out, comparing it with the dagger he had taken from the Shen residence.
Xiao Yunheng's previously confident expression suddenly turned as if he had been punched.
“Hmm, although the dagger found in the Shen residence looks very similar at first glance, the quality of the agate and gemstones inlaid on it is far inferior to that of the Crown Princess’s,” Emperor Xuanzhao squinted as he examined the dagger closely under the light. “Furthermore, the curvature of the blade is different, so it should be a fake.”
Xiao Yunheng stared at the two daggers in disbelief. "Impossible, how could this be?"
Jiang Zhi said, “Your Majesty, this matter is my fault. I saw this dagger from afar during the spring hunt that day and I liked it very much. However, my husband is a civil official and is powerless to compete with the Crown Prince. He could only ask the craftsmen to make a replica of this dagger for me. Moreover, my husband lives in poverty and his salary is meager. He cannot afford so many agate gems and can only find some of poor quality to inlay.”
She glanced at Xiao Yunheng, "But I wonder why the Prince of Xiang's heir mistook it for a gift from the Crown Prince?"
"Prince Xiang, do you have anything to say?" Emperor Xuanzhao slammed both daggers into Xiao Yunheng's hands. "Take a look for yourself!"
Xiao Yunheng's originally gentle face was now completely bloodless. He carefully examined and compared the daggers, and found that, just as Jiang Zhi had said, the dagger found in the Shen residence was indeed a replica!
However, the appearance was made too convincingly, so the spies she had planted in the Shen residence could not be distinguished from the real thing from a distance and always thought it was the one Xiao Xuanyou had given her!
So all of this was a scheme conspired by Xiao Xuanyou, Jiang Zhi, and Shen Ci'an to lure him into a trap.
He was actually quite pleased with himself, thinking that he had finally found the opportunity to remove Xiao Xuanyou from the position of crown prince!
"Do you now realize your mistake?" Emperor Xuanzhao looked coldly at Xiao Yunheng.
He was not unaware of the things Xiao Yunheng had done behind his back, but every time he brought up the Xiang Princess whom he had always felt guilty towards, and shed a few tears, he couldn't bear to be too harsh on him.
Previously, I felt sorry for him because he had broken his leg and had no one to take care of him; now I feel sorry for him because his identity is unknown and he is constantly embroiled in internal conflicts.
But unexpectedly, this only made him more and more lawless.
Xiao Yunheng pursed his lips, knowing that his chances of turning the tide were now slim and there was nothing he could do.
It's impossible to overthrow the crown prince; all we can do is try our best to protect ourselves.
He first let out a breath, then said with shame, "It was your humble servant who wronged His Highness the Crown Prince and Lady Shen. I was deceived by these witnesses. If they hadn't lied to me, I wouldn't have done this. It is my fault for troubling Your Majesty, and I am willing to accept any punishment."
Seeing his sincere apology, Emperor Xuanzhao's grim expression softened slightly, but he still said sternly, "Your audacity is growing! You even dare to come directly to the Eastern Palace to question someone about a matter concerning the Crown Prince's reputation without proper investigation. Fortunately, the misunderstanding has been cleared up, and now for the remaining two witnesses—"
Emperor Xuanzhao's eyes flashed with murderous intent.
These are palace secrets; we cannot let these two leave alive.
The doctor had a premonition in his heart and immediately knelt down to beg for mercy, "Your Majesty, spare my life! I would never dare to reveal a single word about what happened today. I am willing to die, but unfortunately, no one will take over my medical skills. Please, Your Majesty, spare me for the sake of saving lives."
Xiao Xuanyou then pleaded, "Father, this doctor is highly skilled. It would be a pity to execute him. Why not keep him in the palace and give him a position in the Imperial Hospital so that we can supervise him every day?"
He then glanced at Jiang Yunqian, whose face had turned deathly pale, and said, "As for this Miss Jiang the Second—she's of no use. Let's execute her for slandering the Crown Prince."
Deal with the unimportant people first, then deal with Xiao Yunheng properly.
It's impossible for him to escape unscathed today.
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