Chapter 232: He Must Be Killed

Chapter 232: He Must Be Killed

Tang Shuyi felt a momentary dizziness upon hearing Yantai's words. She took a deep breath silently and looked down at Yantai, "What happened? Stand up and speak."

Yantai tried to rise, his hands bracing against the ground, but he was too terrified to get up and ultimately decided to continue kneeling and said, "Today... today, the General was teaching the Second Young Master how to draw maps, and they were at the western hills outside the city. Shimo and I followed the Second Young Master, but at the foot of the hill, we encountered the Second Prince who was out hunting.

The Second Young Master paid his respects to the Second Prince, but the Prince wouldn't allow our young master to rise and demanded that he hunt a red fox for him. Naturally, the Second Young Master was unwilling, and the two had a quarrel, after which our young master disregarded the Prince and went up the hill.

We thought the matter had passed, but unexpectedly, we ran into the Second Prince again on the hill. He still demanded a red fox from our young master, leading to another argument, and eventually, they came to blows.

As they were fighting fiercely, an arrow shot through the air, striking the Second Prince directly in the neck, killing him instantly. His guards detained us, and someone went to inform the palace. It wasn't long before the Imperial Guards arrived and took the Second Young Master to the palace."

"He deserves to die!" Tang Shuyi clenched her teeth after hearing Yantai's story. She now only regretted not having come up with a plan to kill the Second Prince sooner.

"Steward Zhao, take men to the western hills to search, scour every inch within ten miles, leave no stone unturned," Tang Shuyi instructed Steward Zhao.

Her mind was exceptionally clear at this moment. It was obvious that someone had prepared in advance to kill the Second Prince. It was just unclear whether they had accounted for Xiao Yuming in their scheme.

Regardless, actions leave traces, and an immediate search might uncover some clues. However, if the perpetrator was skilled, all traces might have already been erased.

Having received his orders, Steward Zhao immediately ran off. Tang Shuyi turned to Xiao Yuzhu and said, "Go find your grandfather at once. I'm heading to the palace now. Stay in the Marquis's estate and don't come out until I come to get you."

Tears filled Xiao Yuzhu's eyes as she nodded, then she ran out quickly. Tang Shuyi then turned to Xiao Yiyuan, "Handle things here."

Xiao Yiyuan also hurriedly agreed, while Xiao Chengming and the others were so frightened they were rendered speechless. Tang Shuyi stepped out; whoever wanted her son's life, she would fight them to the death.

"I'll ride to the palace," she said as she walked.

Cuicloud hurriedly went to prepare the horse. Tang Shuyi strode to the gate, mounted her horse, and sped off, startling many pedestrians along the way, but she couldn't care less.

She galloped all the way to the palace, and as soon as she dismounted, she saw the Emperor's eunuch, Jiao Kangsheng, waiting not far away. Seeing her, Jiao Kangsheng jogged over, performed a courtesy, and said, "Lady Marquess, the Emperor has been waiting for you."

"Lead the way, Eunuch," said Tang Shuyi, her expression composed.

"This way, my lady," Jiao Kangsheng hadn't expected the Lady of Yongning Marquis to remain so calm under such circumstances, and his respect for her grew.

"The Emperor knows something has happened to the Second Prince, he is both shocked and grieved. How could it have come to this?" Jiao Kangsheng muttered, signaling for a palanquin to be brought over.

Tang Shuyi listened to Jiao Kangsheng's words with a sneer in her heart as she eyed the palanquin before her. This emperor, performing daily like an actor on stage - was it amusing? If he was so capable, why not challenge the Rouli Kingdom?

Once she ascended the palanquin, it wasn't long before they arrived outside the Imperial Study. Just as she steadied herself, cries echoed from within, "Your Majesty, Jingming died a terrible death! You must avenge our child!"

Tang Shuyi recognized the voice; it was Consort Liang.

"Lady Hou, please come in," Jiao Kangsheng's voice beckoned, and Tang Shuyi stepped forward. She saw Xiao Yuming bound and kneeling on the ground, unharmed and without a scratch. She exhaled deeply, a wave of relief washing over her.

"This subject's wife pays her respects to Your Majesty." She knelt down, performing a reverent salute to the emperor.

But before the emperor could speak, Consort Liang’s eyes, sharp as daggers, fixed on her, "Your son killed my son. I will have his life in return."

Tang Shuyi, unafraid, turned and countered, "Consort Liang, mind your words. My son cannot bear the weight of a murderer's guilt."

Consort Liang seemed maddened, pointing at Xiao Yuming as she cried out, "It's him, this beast, who killed my son!"

"Consort Liang, watch your tongue!" Tang Shuyi's gaze sharpened, "If my son is a beast, then what of his father, and his grandfather? What of the soldiers guarding the northwestern frontiers of the Daqian Dynasty? Are they beasts as well?"

She knew she couldn't show the slightest weakness; any sign of vulnerability could seal her son's fate.

"You... you..." Consort Liang was at a loss for words, turning her tearful plea to the emperor, "Your Majesty, you must avenge our son! Kill him, you must kill him."

The emperor’s face was taut. He hadn’t expected Xiao Huai's wife to be so composed and sharp, her words bringing forth her strongest leverage. Both Xiao Huai and Xiao Chengkun had died for the country. Even if Xiao Yuming was to be executed, it couldn't be done rashly.

"Your Majesty, Duke Tang and General Xiang have arrived," Jiao Kangsheng entered to report.

The emperor's countenance grew even grimmer, but he commanded, "Let them in."

Jiao Kangsheng exited, and soon Duke Tang and General Xiang entered, robes billowing as they knelt and saluted the emperor. The emperor sighed deeply, a sound laden with sorrow and helplessness, "Rise, all of you."

As the three stood up, the emperor gestured for them to be seated. Just as they settled, Jiao Kangsheng returned, "Your Majesty, the Dowager Empress has arrived."

The emperor clenched his fists, a fierce determination in his eyes. "Admit the Dowager Empress," he decreed.

Upon her entrance, the emperor rose, "What brings you here?"

"I heard of Jingming's mishap and came to see for myself," the Dowager Empress stated.

The emperor beckoned her to sit and heaved another heavy sigh, laden with boundless grief, "Consort Liang claims Jingming was slain by the second son of Marquis Yongning."

"I didn't," Xiao Yuming, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke, "I didn't kill him. He was shot with an arrow by someone else. I was in combat with him at the time, and I had no bow and arrows on me. How could I have shot him?"

"You say he didn't, but what about your men?" Lady Liang pointed at Xiao Yuming and accused, "It was you, you were the one who killed my son."

"Lady Liang, everything must be based on evidence, we can't just make unfounded accusations," Tang Shuyi said as she looked at Lady Liang.

At this moment, Duke Tang turned to Xiao Yuming and asked, "Tell us, what exactly happened at that time?"

Initially frightened by the situation, Xiao Yuming was now fearless. Death was the worst that could happen, what more could they do to him? He recounted the events methodically. Tang Shuyi listened intently and found that his account matched what she had been told by Yan Tai, with no discrepancies.

General Xiang, having listened to him, said, "I can vouch for the fact that Xiao Yuming left my residence today with only two attendants. Those two were with the Second Prince and Xiao Yuming when the incident occurred. The arrow that struck the Second Prince came from a distance and was not their doing."