Chapter 161: The Death of Anjing Prince
The sun gradually rose from the east.
It was a bright, sunny day. In early autumn, such weather was called the Autumn Tiger.
Many people in the capital were discussing the assassination attempt at Mount Yan. The number of street vendors had significantly decreased, reflecting the prevailing anxiety.
The Xie family gathered in Xie Jingyu’s study, each wearing a grave expression.
“Has Anjing Prince gone mad? Why would he attempt to assassinate the Emperor?” Xie Zhongcheng gritted his teeth. “He’s not the Crown Prince—he’s only the fourth in line. What good would killing the Emperor do him? If he wants to die, he should hurry up and do it himself. Why drag our Xie family down with him?”
Yuan Shi paced anxiously. “What’s done is done. We need to focus on finding a solution.”
Xie Jingyu slumped in his chair, his temples throbbing.
The glory he had experienced after becoming Anjing Prince’s father-in-law was now matched only by his despair.
If Anjing Prince’s charge of rebellion was confirmed, everyone connected to Anjing Prince’s estate would be implicated.
Although he wasn’t truly aligned with Anjing Prince, his status as the prince’s father-in-law made it impossible to change that fact, no matter what he did.
“The Court of Judicial Review handles cases based on evidence,” Yun Chu said calmly. “As long as the Xie family hasn’t conspired with Anjing Prince, there’s no need to worry excessively.”
Yuan Shi’s face was full of anxiety. “What about Ping Jie’er? She’s Anjing Prince’s closest companion. Will she be affected?”
The study fell silent.
The Xie family might still escape unscathed, but Xie Ping, as the esteemed Princess Consort, was likely…
Just then, a servant rushed in from outside and stood below the steps at the entrance, announcing loudly, “Sir, the search of Anjing Prince’s estate is complete…”
Xie Jingyu abruptly stood up.
But he rose too quickly, his head spinning, and he collapsed back into his chair.
Xie Shi’an stepped forward. “Was any evidence found?”
“I heard Gong Xi Prince discovered a large number of letters in the estate and took them all to the palace,” the servant said, scratching the back of his head. “I also heard that when Gong Xi Prince led the search of Anjing Prince’s estate, over ten concubines from the rear courtyard knelt throughout the entire courtyard, begging Gong Xi Prince to save them… The common folk are saying that these women were all innocent women forcibly taken into the estate by Anjing Prince over the years. The most tragic among them had been imprisoned in the estate for a full six years.”
“Gong Xi Prince immediately released those innocent women without charge…” The servant paused before continuing, “Consort Shi, who had entered the estate alongside the young lady, was somehow demoted to a concubine and was also released by Gong Xi Prince.”
Yun Chu breathed a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness. Her actions had not brought ruin upon the young lady of the Shi family.
Yuan Shi asked urgently, “What about Ping Jie’er? Where is she?”
The servant replied, “The young lady has entered the palace with Gong Xi Prince.”
Xie Ping was taken into the palace by Gong Xi Prince.
When they reached the entrance of the Imperial Study, she saw Consort De kneeling there, her face ashen. Her knees weakened, and she knelt beside Consort De.
Gong Xi Prince, carrying a chest of letters, ascended the steps and entered the Imperial Study.
Soon, the Emperor’s furious roar could be heard: “That traitorous son! Send more men, keep searching! I’ll skin him alive when I find him!”
Xie Ping’s heart trembled, and she instinctively pressed herself to the ground.
The next moment, she felt someone grab her by the hair, followed by a harsh slap across her face."It's all your fault!" Consort De completely lost control, slapping her several more times across the face. "If you had come to tell me when the Fourth Prince left the camp last night, he wouldn't have been falsely accused of murder and rebellion! As the principal consort, you failed to fulfill your duties—you deserve to die, you deserve to be cut into a thousand pieces!"
Xie Ping was dazed from the beating and instinctively defended herself: "No, it has nothing to do with me..."
Every time Consort De had treated her with disdain, how could she have dared to approach her?
Consort De poured all her grievances and fury onto Xie Ping, who felt her face swelling from the blows.
Only when the door to the Imperial Study opened and Gong Xi Prince emerged did Consort De stop her assault. Wailing loudly, she cried, "Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince is innocent! Someone must have framed him! I beg you, do not reach a conclusion so hastily..."
Gong Xi Prince signaled the eunuch at the door to close it and looked down at Consort De with a sigh. "Fourth Brother's study contained numerous correspondences with figures from the martial world. The assassination attempt at Yan Mountain was something he began plotting half a year ago... Father is deeply grieved and distressed now and will not see anyone. Consort De, you should return to your palace for the time being."
Xie Ping was incredulous.
Half a year ago—Anjing Prince had been planning a rebellion. And she—she had become betrothed to him four months ago and was made Princess Anjing just one month prior.
If only she had known earlier...
But there were no "if onlys" in this world.
This was the path she had chosen herself. Having reached a dead end, she had only herself to blame.
Yet she couldn't accept it... She truly knew nothing! She was only thirteen, and she had never been intimate with Anjing Prince. Why should she suffer the consequences?
"Second Highness, the Fourth Prince has always been close to you. Could you plead for leniency on his behalf?"
Consort De, disregarding the dignity of an imperial consort, grabbed the hem of Gong Xi Prince's robe and pleaded in a hoarse voice.
Gong Xi Prince bent down and gently supported her arm. "Once Fourth Brother is found, I will naturally plead for him."
His words were exceedingly gentle, but a flicker of coldness passed through his eyes.
If Fourth Brother hadn't stumbled upon his secret discussions with his subordinates, he wouldn't have moved against him so soon...
"Thank you, Second Highness."
Consort De continued kneeling on the ground.
No matter what, she would remain kneeling here, hoping to soften the Emperor's heart and secure a lighter punishment.
Xie Ping had no choice but to kneel alongside her.
They knelt from dawn till dusk, and from dusk till the next dawn.
People came and went frequently at the entrance of the Imperial Study, yet the two of them seemed utterly forgotten.
Xie Ping felt exhausted, hungry, and thirsty. She desperately wanted to flee... but Consort De remained kneeling motionless, and she dared not say or do anything...
Around afternoon, Chu Yi arrived with a group of people and entered the Imperial Study.
Consort De slowly lifted her head to look. When she saw four guards carrying someone in behind him, her heart clenched violently.
Unable to bear the sight, she parted her lips and asked with difficulty, "Third Highness, have you found the Fourth Prince?"
Chu Yi did not respond, ascending the steps and entering the Imperial Study.
Shortly after, the Emperor emerged from the Imperial Study. His sharp gaze fell upon the figure lying on the ground, covered with a gray cloth.
"Father, this is Fourth Brother," Chu Yi's voice was somber. "I had the coroner examine him. Fourth Brother died around Chen hour this morning."
"No!!!"
Consort De let out a piercing scream.She sprang to her feet and rushed forward, but having knelt for too long, her legs were stiff and she immediately fell to the ground. Crawling on both knees, she moved toward the person lying there.
Her hand trembled as she reached out and lifted the gray cloth, revealing a face covered in blood.
"My child…"
Consort De let out a heart-wrenching cry, threw herself over him, and caressed her son’s face as tears streamed down like a flood.
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