Xiao Ao felt a surge of murky energy rush straight to his crown.
The eldest prince, though eager for quick success and greedy for wealth and women, was ultimately simple-minded.
He didn’t have so many twists and turns in his thoughts.
The third prince, however, was different.
His mind was full of complexities, and sometimes even he couldn’t fathom what he was thinking.
Right now, he was concealing Shangguan Luoyue’s identity. If he were to reveal it at tonight’s welcome banquet, in front of the Great Xia emissaries, he would have to provide an explanation.
By then, even if the eldest prince didn’t die, he would still have to shed a layer of skin.
Such a ruthless tactic of using others to do his dirty work—and actually employing it against his own brother—showed just how venomous his heart truly was!
Xiao Ao’s gaze was dark and unreadable as it swept over the two people kneeling in the great hall.
Xiao Chonghua knew that no matter how much he tried to argue now, it would be useless, so he simply admitted his fault wholeheartedly.
Beside him, the Minister of Personnel, Zhou Jin, knelt and spoke, “Your Majesty, please see clearly—one who does not know cannot be blamed.
If the third prince were to reveal Princess Huaiwan’s identity to the public, making it known to everyone, how would the eldest prince be able to hold his head up?
The third prince is protecting the eldest prince!”
Xiao Ao sneered.
What a fine son the Empress had raised. What a fine grandson of the old chancellor—they had even stretched their hands into the Ministry of Personnel.
Did they really think that all the civil officials of his Western Zhou Dynasty belonged to them?
Xiao Chonghua inwardly cursed the man as a fool.
At this point, the only option was to endure. Take all the blame onto himself, humble himself, and properly admit his faults. Only then could he hope for a future comeback.
Such blatant defense—did they truly believe his father and elder brother were fools as well?
To prevent more people from acting foolishly alongside him, Xiao Chonghua quickly took over the conversation and prostrated himself in fear:
“Father, I dare not accept Minister Zhou’s defense.
I selfishly thought that this matter could both teach my brother a lesson and, at the same time, elevate my standing in your heart. Perhaps I could even earn Princess Huaiwan’s praise.
I was utterly wrong—so very wrong—to be so ruthless toward my brother.
I admit my fault. Please punish me, Father!”
Minister Zhou’s heart skipped a beat.
Oh no, his flattery had backfired!
Vice Minister of Revenue, Tan Youzhi, stepped forward: “Your Majesty, the third prince’s honesty is, in itself, the act of a gentleman.”
Xiao Mingxu was about to explode.
Whose side are you on, anyway?!
Why are you speaking well of him?!
Then he heard Tan Youzhi’s tone shift: “However, the eldest prince is truly innocent.
It is often said that even a seventh-rank official stands before a chancellor’s gate, which shows that in the eyes of the people, the attendants of imperial relatives are no ordinary servants.
May I ask all the officials here—who among you does not have a servant in your household who outwardly complies but inwardly defies?
Before their masters, they bow and scrape, acting with extreme humility.
Yet before the common people, they throw their weight around, arrogant and tyrannical.
Even General Huo, a man of unwavering integrity, had an evil servant in his residence who once attempted to drown a young master, did he not?”
Jiang Xingyan’s gaze sharpened.
Originally, she had intended to stop here. But since some people insisted on digging their own graves, they had no one to blame but themselves.
Tan Youzhi was feeling quite pleased with himself.
Since “Huo Ci” dared to openly cause trouble for his master, then he would use veiled sarcasm to retaliate against “him”!
“According to the laws of Great Zhou, this matter merely requires the eldest prince to forfeit his salary and be reprimanded for failing to control his household.
It is only because Princess Huaiwan is involved that it seems utterly unforgivable.
I believe that Great Xia is a nation of propriety. That their princess would resolutely stand up for an elderly man shows that she is of virtuous character and understands righteousness.
Moreover, since ignorance is excusable, at tonight’s welcome banquet, if the eldest prince sincerely admits his fault, I doubt Princess Huaiwan will press the matter further.”
Tan Youzhi’s reasoning was thorough, and to Xiao Mingxu, it sounded incredibly soothing.
See? His people were so capable.
He suddenly felt confident again and, seizing the moment, lashed out at “Huo Ci” after Tan Youzhi finished speaking:
“What Minister Tan says is correct.
General Huo can’t even manage his own servants properly, yet he dares to criticize others.
Father, please see clearly—I have no past grievances or recent conflicts with General Huo. I wonder who instructed him and why he is so determined to target me.”
Tan Youzhi thought: Who said the eldest prince wasn’t clever? I think he’s pretty good at seizing an opportunity.
Jiang Xingyan raised an eyebrow. “Oh?
Eldest Prince, your words are rather biased.
Was it not you who, last night, sent your concubine to my residence, tempting my mother with lavish gifts and using filial piety to pressure her into making me speak on your behalf in court today?
You caused my mother to speak recklessly, claiming that my Huo family had helped His Majesty bring about the downfall of her maternal family. In the end, she had to slap herself twenty times to make amends.
I had no choice but to expel your beloved concubine from my residence.
I did it to avoid household discord and chaos.
How is it that, just because I refused to comply with your wishes, I am now targeting you?”
Xiao Mingxu’s heart skipped a beat.
Was this something that could be brought up in open court?
Jiang Xingyan was utterly unafraid.
It was Huo Ci’s reputation being tarnished—what did that have to do with her, Jiang Xingyan?
Xiao Ao’s temples throbbed with rage.
Everything that had happened in the past few days was within his control.
The only conclusion was that his dear son had never once considered him as his father.
Secretly taking a daughter of a disgraced official as a concubine was one thing—but attempting to win Huo Ci over as well?
What was he planning? A rebellion?
Xiao Ao closed his eyes briefly, about to speak, but Jiang Xingyan did not give him the chance.
“And you, Minister Tan—at such a critical moment, you stepped forward to defend the eldest prince. Truly, you are loyal and devoted.
But do you know that the eldest prince often thinks of you?
He even intended to arrange a concubine for you.
Am I right, Minister Liu?”
Imperial Physician Sun, standing nearby, silently thanked the heavens: Finally, “Huo Ci” had acted like a decent person today and hadn’t dragged him into trouble again!
Liu Suwu, who had just wiped the cold sweat from his brow, was utterly speechless. Stuttering, he replied:
“Yes… yes, I suppose?
The eldest prince seemed… to have mentioned it…?”
Tan Youzhi was overjoyed.
So he had backed the right person after all.
If the eldest prince insisted on giving him a concubine, then his shrewish wife at home wouldn’t dare say a word.
Just as he was about to offer some flattering words, he heard “Huo Ci” sigh:
“Such a pity. If only the eldest prince hadn’t fallen for my cousin at first sight, marrying her off to Minister Tan as a concubine wouldn’t have been a bad idea.”
Jiang Xingyan looked at Tan Youzhi with an amused expression.
We’re all clever people here. I’ve said this much—if you still don’t understand, then you’re being deliberately obtuse.
Tan Youzhi’s smug expression froze on his face.
The eldest prince actually intended to force upon him a daughter of a disgraced official—a woman he had already bedded?!
“Have you all not caused enough trouble?
Do you still see me as your emperor?!”
“We beg Your Majesty to calm your anger!”
The civil and military officials knelt in prostration, each harboring their own thoughts.
Had General Huo truly unleashed a bloodbath in the court today?
Xiao Ao’s expression was grim: “Such a trivial matter, yet it has dragged out such a mess. Do you think this is honorable?”
“We deserve death ten thousand times for our crimes!”
Xiao Ao’s cold gaze fell upon Xiao Mingxu: “Drag the eldest prince out and give him fifty heavy strokes. Confine him to his residence for reflection!”
“Yes!”
“Father, I am wronged!
I have been framed!”
Xiao Ao was so furious that he hurled the memorial in his hand: “Stupid and unaware of it—add another twenty strokes!”
“The third prince will forfeit six months of his salary, and the Empress will copy the ‘Book of Etiquette’ one hundred times.”
The “Book of Etiquette” dictated the laws of hierarchy and the distinctions between relatives.
Xiao Chonghua was deeply shaken.
This was a warning to his mother’s family—not to overstep their bounds.
He prostrated himself fully, trembling, and responded: “I accept the punishment.”
“Huo Ci—”
“I admit my fault!
I will take fifty heavy strokes for my breach of court etiquette!
I will also forfeit six months of my salary for failing to govern my household properly!”
Xiao Ao: ?
Are you out of your mind?