Chapter 449: All Are Mere Pawns
Only at this moment did Xiao Changying understand why Xiao Huayong had released him—to serve as a witness. When he learned this was Shen Xihe's suggestion, he couldn't help but glance at her. In that instant, he felt she knew everything. They had coordinated their acts like a well-rehearsed duet, intending to trample the Emperor's dignity underfoot.
"Have you seen Qilang these past few days? What exactly happened? Recount it in detail," commanded the Youning Emperor.
Xiao Changying lowered his gaze, suddenly feeling weary. He knew those people were the Emperor's agents, that the Emperor was fully aware yet still putting on a performance before him. He felt no resentment or disgust—though he had never been an emperor himself, he could somewhat comprehend the helplessness and schemes of one. For someone like Xiao Huayong, it was only natural that once suspicions arose, he would employ every means to verify them.
He merely sighed at the thought that within the imperial family, the covert and overt strife between father and son could be more terrifying than between mortal enemies.
The emotion flickered and vanished. Xiao Changying quickly composed himself and bowed in response. "Your Majesty, I was captured together with the Crown Prince. Initially, we were confined in a cave. Last night, another group attacked. We thought they had come to rescue us, but they intended to kill us both. During the clash between the two factions, the Crown Prince and I broke free and fled to the reed marshes. I lost track of the Crown Prince there and managed to escape alone..."
Xiao Changying recounted the general sequence of events, omitting Xiao Huayong's role in them. What he said was essentially the truth.
He wasn't protecting Xiao Huayong or covering for him—it was simply that Xiao Huayong was too cunning and formidable. Since he had openly released him, he must have made thorough preparations. Even if Xiao Changying exposed him, it might not bring any advantage, as everything depended on evidence.
He recalled Xiao Huayong's warning in the cave: if he harmed the Crown Prince, he would become the Emperor's scapegoat. Who knew if, without concrete proof, accusing Xiao Huayong now would lead to him producing some bizarre evidence to frame Xiao Changying as the mastermind?
Under these circumstances, it was better to remain detached from the start.
Moreover...
Xiao Changying stole a glance at Shen Xihe. He had no desire to aid Xiao Huayong, nor did he wish to oppose her—yet they were destined to be husband and wife.
Even though he knew she needed no help from him and would not appreciate his sentiments in the slightest.
"Between these two groups, which one captured you and the Crown Prince?" the Youning Emperor pressed.
Xiao Changying naturally answered truthfully. The Emperor already knew the answer and was testing him. If he lied, the Emperor would suspect him first—this was the very reason for Xiao Huayong's audacity.
Why would he lie? To shield those who had abducted him? Would the Emperor suspect he knew their origins? Did the Emperor want anyone to know he had private troops? Certainly not.
If Xiao Changying dared to lie, he would be digging his own grave.
"So, the Crown Prince was abducted by persons of unknown origin? And... the Jiachen Crown Prince's men went to silence them," Shen Xihe concluded, then asked, "Did these people interrogate you or the Crown Prince? Do you have any suspicions about their backgrounds?"
Xiao Changying looked up, his elegant eyes deeply fixed on Shen Xihe. "No."
"Did they harm you or the Crown Prince?" Shen Xihe pressed further.
"No."Shen Xihe turned to Xiao Changying with a mix of surprise and suspicion: "Your Highness Prince Lie, are you saying these people abducted you and the Crown Prince, then simply kept you confined—no torture, no disrespect, no interrogation... while providing food and drink?"
Xiao Changying: "Yes."
As Shen Xihe posed her questions and Xiao Changying responded, the officials present began murmuring among themselves.
Shen Xihe decided to voice their collective doubt aloud: "What could these people possibly gain by abducting both Your Highnesses?"
Clearly, it wasn’t to target Xiao Huayong and Xiao Changying personally, nor to threaten His Majesty by holding them hostage—after all, three full days had passed without any threatening messages to the Emperor. Could they have kidnapped the Crown Prince and Prince Lie merely for amusement?
Yet these individuals were evidently well-trained and highly skilled, acting under orders. This raised intriguing questions: who would go through the trouble of abducting the Crown Prince and Prince Lie only to keep them idle, achieving nothing? What kind of person would undertake such a futile endeavor?
This puzzle lodged deeply in everyone’s minds. Though the answer remained elusive for now—they had yet to consider a terrifying possibility—the seed of doubt had been sown, destined to sprout in time.
While others wore puzzled expressions, the Empress Dowager cast a profound glance at the Youning Emperor, though she averted her eyes after a moment.
Just then, the Capital Prefect arrived with several men carrying two corpses. The deceased were dressed identically to those who had abducted Xiao Changying and Xiao Huayong. Anyone with a keen eye could discern that their clothing fabric and shoes matched perfectly, confirming they were part of the same group.
"Your Majesty, these two were discovered at the retreat palace," Prefect Zhang reported, unaware of the earlier discussions, his face eager for recognition.
Shen Xihe slowly lowered her head, fiddling with the jade pendant at her waist.
"Found at the retreat palace?" the Minister of Justice immediately stepped forward to ask. "How could such individuals be there?"
Prefect Zhang explained, "Subordinates reported seeing them pursuing the rebels when the insurgents attacked."
This statement made many officials tense, their gazes toward Prefect Zhang shifting noticeably.
"Is that so?" the Youning Emperor asked sternly.
Sensing the Emperor’s displeasure, Prefect Zhang glanced at the displayed corpses. Having served as prefect for years, he possessed enough wit to suspect something unusual. Could these men actually be allied with the rebels?
He quickly shifted blame: "Two young ladies claimed these men saved them."
"Which two?" Shen Xihe urgently inquired, a hypothesis forming in her mind.
"Liyang County Princess and the Eldest Miss of the Yu family," Prefect Zhang answered.
So it was Gu Qingshu and Yu Sangzi. Shen Xihe was taken aback. Had Xiao Huayong intended to secure two witnesses, Gu Qingshu and Yu Sangning would have been the logical choices. Clearly, something had gone awry, allowing Yu Sangning to evade involvement.
The Youning Emperor summoned the two women: "Do you recognize these men?"
Gu Qingshu and Yu Sangzi, unaware of the context and with Pingyao Marquis absent, received no acknowledgment from Xiao Changqing (who had been assigned other duties by the Emperor). In their panic the previous day, they had indeed been rescued by two black-clad figures.
Having already reported this to Prefect Zhang, they couldn’t retract their statements now without risking charges of obstructing justice or deceiving court officials. Gu Qingshu and Yu Sangzi carefully examined one of the corpses’ hands, noting a distinctive scar."Your Majesty, these two men did indeed save my daughter and Lady Yu," Gu Qingshu spoke truthfully with newfound courage.
"Why would they save you?" the Empress Dowager asked sternly.
(End of Chapter)
OpenNovel