Chapter 450: She Was Just Going Through the Motions
The Empress Dowager had clearly unleashed the authoritative pressure of a superior, making the perceptive Gu Qingshu and Yu Sangzi feel that something was terribly wrong. But by this point, they had no choice but to tell the truth.
Yu Sangzi replied, "Your Highness, these two men came masked. I was also worried they might be assassins. Seeing how frightened we were, they claimed to be His Majesty's Hidden Guards and showed us the way out of the palace, allowing us to escape."
Her words caused an uproar. The mention of His Majesty's safety made all the ministers' minds buzz. They struggled to restrain themselves from instinctively looking up at the emperor, afraid their shocked or suspicious gazes would betray them.
How unbelievable—yet it made perfect sense. The series of actions these people took after abducting the Crown Prince and Prince Lie pointed to one conclusion: there were no bandits. It was the emperor himself who suspected the Crown Prince or intended him harm, hence sending men to kidnap him.
Prince Lie, unaware of the plot, had foolishly stumbled into the situation. Then, the remnants of Jiachen Crown Prince's faction, who had been lying low and waiting for an opportunity, seized the chance. They sent assassins to target the emperor while also abducting the Crown Prince. But why would they take the Crown Prince?
Gasp!
Those quick-witted enough to grasp the implication realized the situation was likely to escalate dramatically.
"Your Majesty!" The Empress Dowager fixed a sharp, penetrating stare on the Youning Emperor.
"Preposterous!" the Youning Emperor coldly rebuked. "These men are certainly not my Hidden Guards. I order the Ministry of Justice, the Dali Temple, and the Censorate to jointly investigate this thoroughly!"
The Youning Emperor remained composed and calm. He showed no trace of flustered anger, instead adopting a stance of determined inquiry.
Who would dare lightly suspect the emperor? Even if it were truly the emperor's doing, what could they do? The Youning Emperor held absolute power. Beyond private speculation, what action could they take?
Some believed this was a plot by treacherous ministers to sow discord, while others felt it was most likely true. Yet none dared to openly question the emperor in his presence. The bodies were swiftly disposed of after the three judicial departments collected evidence.
Shen Xihe did not press aggressively. Her role was merely to set the stage. Since Xiao Huayong had orchestrated this scheme himself, he would gradually reveal the emperor's true face to everyone. The most delighted was undoubtedly Prince Xin, Xiao Changqing.
Had he known earlier that Xiao Huayong intended to expose the emperor, he would have contributed more effort to assist the Crown Prince.
Gu Qingshu remained anxious, wondering if she had said something wrong. She sought out Xiao Changqing to confide in him, but he was wholly absorbed in anticipating the events to come. His intuition told him the Crown Prince would not disappoint.
"Brother-in-law, will His Majesty and the Empress Dowager punish us?" Gu Qingshu noticed Xiao Changqing's high spirits—though he wasn't smiling, his eyes shone with an excited gleam.
"You did not give false testimony. His Majesty and the Empress Dowager will not punish you," Xiao Changqing replied somewhat dismissively.
Punishment was unlikely, but the emperor would surely resent them. Their words had nearly exposed his greatest secret.
No doubt many were already murmuring, their minds tangled with doubts—especially since last year's incident involving Minister of Revenue Dong Biquan was bound to resurface. Dong Biquan had embezzled a massive sum of silver that vanished without a trace and remained unaccounted for.
If that silver had been used to fund troops, it would seem entirely plausible. Everyone at court knew Dong Biquan was the emperor's man.Some things aren't that no one dares to think about them—it's just that they've never considered this direction. Once they get a clue, their thoughts can run so deep it frightens even themselves.
For His Majesty to take such actions detrimental to the nation and its people, doing so covertly, nearly having the scheme exposed, and then making his confidant take the blame—how utterly disgraceful must his conduct be?
"If only there were a famine year, that would be even more perfect..." Xiao Changqing murmured with some regret.
Currently, the national treasury isn't prosperous. If a famine year were to occur, His Majesty would have to exploit wealthy merchants and officials to provide emergency relief. He could then add fuel to the fire, stirring up public resentment against His Majesty.
"If you're fine, stop weeping and wailing here." Xiao Changying suddenly spoke to Gu Qingshu with an unpleasant expression.
Gu Qingshu was startled. She opened her mouth to speak to Xiao Changqing, but Xiao Changying cut her off first: "Someone, escort Liyang County Princess back."
Xiao Changqing remained silent, so the servants naturally obeyed Xiao Changying. After Gu Qingshu was reluctantly sent away, Xiao Changying said coldly: "Brother, don't treat her too much like an outsider."
He dislikes Gu Qingshu—she appears fragile and seemingly in constant need of protection, but in reality, she's full of malicious schemes behind the scenes.
Xiao Changqing even dared to voice his wish for a famine year in front of her, unconcerned that she might later turn love into hatred and spread nonsense to others.
Xiao Changqing didn't care: "It's fine. Even if she tells others, it's no big deal."
"These words aren't a big deal, but if you're so unrestrained, who knows what you might say next?" Xiao Changying's tone was extremely displeased.
Xiao Changqing glanced at him and poured himself a cup of tea: "Alright, since I'm your elder brother, feel free to speak your mind if you're unhappy."
He could tell that Xiao Changying was in a bad mood. After a moment's thought, he understood why Xiao Changying was displeased: "Soon, the one you're thinking of will come looking for you."
"Why would she look for me?" Xiao Changying pretended not to care, turning half his body away from Xiao Changqing. "What doesn't she know?"
"Do you think Zhaoning County Princess and the Crown Prince coordinated their actions like a well-rehearsed performance?" Xiao Changqing asked amusedly.
"Isn't that the case?" Look at them—how perfectly coordinated they are. One strategizes externally, the other remains composed internally, pinching His Majesty from both sides without giving him any chance to seize control.
Xiao Changqing chuckled softly.
Xiao Changying's expression darkened further at his brother's laughter.
Clearing his throat lightly with a fist to his lips, Xiao Changqing looked helplessly at Xiao Changying, appearing hesitant to speak.
"Brother, why are you looking at me like that?" Xiao Changying studied Xiao Changqing.
"I'm hesitating whether to tell you the truth." Xiao Changqing showed a reluctant expression.
"What truth?" Xiao Changying asked suspiciously.
After a moment's hesitation, Xiao Changqing said: "Never mind, it's just my speculation. Based on my understanding of the Crown Prince, he wouldn't inform Zhaoning County Princess about this matter. He's worried she might not feel at ease with him using himself as bait, truly falling into our uncle's hands."
"Therefore, the County Princess probably only learned about it recently, and it's because they share such a deep understanding that she deduced the Crown Prince's entire plan on her own."
Sure enough, Xiao Changying's face turned even darker.
Just then, a servant came to report: "Your Highness, Zhaoning County Princess has come to visit Prince Lie."
"Don't see her!" Xiao Changying suddenly roared.
The messenger shrank back in fear. Xiao Changqing said to the person: "Please invite the County Princess in."He stood up and patted his brother's shoulder: "Don't flatter yourself. She already knows everything. Visiting you was merely part of the act - to make people think she knew nothing and needed to inquire about the Crown Prince's whereabouts from you. It was just a formality."
Eight thousand words today. Keep up the good work tomorrow! Go for it!
(End of Chapter)
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