Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
âGeneral Lin, youâre favoring Su Yingxue!â
Lin Aotian maintained a strong and mighty expression. âSo what if Iâm showing bias towards Su Yingxue? She cured my familyâs century-old hereditary disease. Canât I request a favor for my savior?â
âUnable to distinguish right from wrong, unable to discern loyalty from treachery!â
âIf you utter one more word, Iâll beat you!â
In court, Lin Aotian almost fought with the person who impeached him.
There were many who spoke up in support of Su Yingxue.
Chu Mingyuanâs expression remained less than favorable. Finally, when Lin Aotian was on the verge of violence, he intervened. âMinister Su, what are your thoughts?â
Su Dingheng felt the weight of two piercing gazes upon him, laden with a dire threat.
Chu Mingyuan was attempting to ascertain Su Dinghengâs stance and testing his loyalty.
Su Dingheng knelt and spoke with pursed lips. âEmperor, although 1 failed to properly guide my daughter, Su Yingxue has always beenâ¦â
âFather!â
Chu Xiuwenâs somber voice interrupted Su Dinghengâs words.
He approached Chu Mingyuan with a forlorn look on his face. âFather, the death of Princess Sheng Ping has nothing to do with Su Yingxue!â
âWhat did you say?â Chu Mingyuan narrowed his eyes, anger brewing within them.
Su Yingxue was personally apprehended by Chu Xiuwen, and he was the one who later reported this to Chu Mingyuan.
Now, he was claiming that Su Yingxue had not caused her death?
âPrincess Sheng Pingâs death is shrouded in mystery. 1 implore Father to investigate and vindicate Su Yingxue!â Despite their longstanding discord, Chu Xiuwen was now seeking leniency for Su Yingxue.
The civil official who had previously argued with Lin Aotian quickly took cover.
Chu Mingyuan shouted with a stern expression.
He instructed Lan Ling to bring Chu Xiuwen to the imperial study and flung a stack of memorials at him. âWhat is going on with you? You were the one who apprehended her, and now youâre requesting her release! Do you think you can act without consequences just because youâre my son?â
âFather, it was me who caused Sheng Pingâs death! Please forgive me!â Chu Xiuwen kowtowed heavily, leaving a trace of blood on the cold floor with his forehead.
âWhat did you say?â Chu Mingyuan had just collapsed the day before. Upon hearing these words, he slumped onto the dragon throne.
Chu Xiuwenâs face bore the shame that Su Yingxue had etched into it. If not for Su Yingxueâs threats, why would he confess?
Her words from the previous night were still ringing in his ears. âIf you donât admit to the Emperor that you killed Sheng Ping, I will throw this jade concubineâs undergarment in front of the Emperor and have him investigate who had an affair with his concubine. Moreover, they didnât just have an affair⦠it involved half of the harem!â
All the while, when he committed these outrageous acts, he had been discreet. Those concubines were aware of it, but this was a capital offense, and they wouldnât dare to divulge it. Yet, Su Yingxue had somehow managed to use this matter to threaten him!
âThe Third Prince is clever, you should know that if I expose this matter to the Emperor, you wonât be the only one facing death. Your mother, your brother⦠your motherâs family will also be implicated.â
Su Yingxue had inflicted precise and ruthless control, exploiting his vulnerability. She had him by the throat and plunged the dagger deep into his heart.
Chu Xiuwen remained on his knees before Chu Mingyuan, who slammed an inkstone onto him. âYou bastard! You poisoned Sheng Ping to death and tried to frame Su Yingxue! How can I justify this to the people of Yue Kingdom?â âFather, spare me!â
Chu Xiuwen could only continue kowtowing and begging.
âSpare you? Go and ask the people of Yue Kingdom if they are willing to spare you!â
Chu Mingyuan pounded the dragon throne heavily..