Chapter 216: Survival Comes First! (1 / 2)

After the old emperor announced Prince Jin’s sentence, Xu Yanmiao suddenly recalled something—

[Wait, what about the princess consort? She’s innocent! And what about the twin babies who aren’t even a year old yet? Sending them to a desolate place like Guizhou—they won’t survive!]

At the same time, Prince Jin unexpectedly mustered an unusual burst of energy. For once, his intelligence seemed to align with the situation. He began fervently pleading with the emperor, highlighting how uninvolved his wife was and how skilled she was as a healer. He emphasized her potential contributions to the Great Xia dynasty.

The core argument was: “Brother Emperor, please show mercy. My wife was entirely unaware of these matters from beginning to end. Furthermore, her medical skills are extraordinary and can serve both Great Xia and the royal family.”

The emperor chuckled coldly. “Her husband and children will be exiled to the impoverished, treacherous mountains of Guizhou. Her family will be destroyed. How can I be sure she won’t harbor resentment toward the royal family? How could I trust her to serve us with loyalty?”

Prince Jin, desperate, used every ounce of his wits for one final attempt: “Brother Emperor! I promise she will never resent the royal family. I will personally convince her! I beg you, show her mercy!”

But when he looked up, teary-eyed, he only saw the emperor’s cold and piercing gaze fixed on him.

Prince Jin’s heart sank, and he fell silent.

Indeed, what could he possibly offer as a guarantee?

His breathing grew heavier, and a faint ache spread in his chest. If only he had betrayed Prince Jibei earlier, earned merit, then perhaps now…

The figure on the dragon throne loomed like a terrifying shadow, enveloping Prince Jin, suffocating him with its oppressive weight.

But suddenly, that shadow moved away.

“…Brother Emperor?”

Prince Jin’s call failed to draw the emperor’s attention. He realized the emperor was gazing into the distance, seemingly lost in thought.

[The princess consort really is innocent.]

[If the sins of one person bring ruin to their family, then it should also be true that one’s blessings benefit their loved ones. Prince Jin was overly cautious, rejecting even the benefits Prince Jibei tried to offer him. The princess consort gained nothing and now might lose her life for no reason—it’s so unfair.]

[But the emperor wouldn’t care if she’s innocent or not…]

[If even the immense benefit of a divine healer’s skills can’t sway him, what possibly could?]

Even Xiao Baize’s usually bright fur seemed to have dulled from disappointment.

The old emperor turned back to look at Prince Jin and suddenly let out a cold snort. “Rebellion warrants the death of the entire household. However… it seems your princess consort has gained the favor of a noble benefactor.”

This meant…

Prince Jin’s eyes lit up instantly. Amid the intense joy, a faint thread of doubt crept into his heart.

The princess consort… had she formed some connection with an influential figure powerful enough to change his imperial brother’s mind?

Meanwhile, the officials, who better understood the emperor’s intentions…

Prime Minister Dou took a deep breath.

The expressions of the six ministers were filled with surprise and intrigue.

Lian Hang’s eyes widened in astonishment.

Xu Yanmiao scooted closer to his good friend and exclaimed, “I can’t believe there’s someone capable of influencing His Majesty’s decision. How incredible! I really want to know who it is!”

Lian Hang: “…Indeed. It’s truly unexpected.”

Xu Yanmiao guessed with great interest, “Lian Lang, do you think it could be Her Majesty the Empress? Or perhaps the Crown Prince? Maybe the princess consort jin crossed paths with them while practicing medicine, and that’s why His Majesty…”

Lian Hang: “…I don’t think so.”

Xu Yanmiao was greatly surprised. “There’s no one else in this world who could make the old… I mean, His Majesty, change his mind, is there?”

Lian Hang’s expression shifted subtly. “Now that you say it like that, it does seem plausible.”

“Right! I feel like it must be…”

Just then, a JinyYiwei officer jogged over and coughed lightly. “Xu Lang, His Majesty summons you.”

Xu Lang, who had been happily chatting, froze in fear.

[The old emperor wouldn’t have noticed me slacking off, would he?]

[He shouldn’t be that free, right?]

The very free old emperor leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms, and gazed at Xu Yanmiao with a half-smile when the latter arrived. Leisurely, he said, “Xu Yanmiao, you should know that I’m in a terrible mood right now.”

Xu Yanmiao hesitantly looked at him. “…Yes?”

“Come, say something interesting to cheer me up.”

Xu Yanmiao blinked in confusion. “As you wish.”

[Something interesting… Does the story of Prince Jin digging an escape tunnel for three days after being scared by a minor historian surnamed Huang and named Taizi count?]

Huang Taizi? The Crown Prince?!

The old emperor had been sitting with his arms crossed, but upon hearing this, he subtly straightened his posture.

Ordinary commoners—when they were timid, they were truly timid, shutting their doors at the slightest disturbance and trembling in fear behind them.

But when they were bold, they were audacious beyond belief. Someone dared to name themselves “Huang Taizi” (Crown Prince Huang)?

And that wasn’t all—they even dared to hold such a name while working as a minor historian?

The old emperor shot a subtle glance at his troublesome younger brother.

Honestly, being frightened by something like that… was not surprising.

His troublesome younger brother was also staring at him.

Prince Jin was utterly stunned.

Sitting close to the old emperor, he could clearly sense every shift in his brother’s aura.

The moment that handsome young man surnamed Xu stepped forward, with only a few words exchanged, the emperor’s agitation immediately calmed down. It was as though an irritable lion had suddenly had its fur smoothed, returning to a state of peace.@@novelbin@@

Who in the world was this person?

Prince Jin couldn’t resist sneaking a few more glances at Xu Yanmiao.

For now, he couldn’t discern anything particularly extraordinary about him. The only thing he could say was… he was very good-looking. His appearance radiated a kind of pure clarity.