Chapter 83: I’m Cunning

Chapter 83 I'm Full of Cunning

"I never said this was the one in your possession."

Duke Chengen refused to engage with the military man, instead pointing a grief-stricken and indignant finger at the Imperial Noble Consort.

"I heard that this jade pendant was originally a pair. I wonder where the Imperial Noble Consort's piece is now?"

"Heard? From where did you hear that?"

The Imperial Noble Consort raised her proud brows, her tone laced with mockery.

"Such a blatant frame-up—you really have no regard for me at all. In the eyes of you noble families, how stupid must I be to use an object you’ve all 'heard of' as a token? And to entrust it to some unnamed palace maid, no less—"

"She was certainly not unnamed. According to my investigations, that maid was once a former servant who attended to the Third Prince. It remains unclear why she ended up serving the Sixth Prince—quite suspicious, indeed.

You must understand, this world is never short of clever people. Sometimes, going against the grain can indeed lead to success.

Of course, what I mainly wish to ask now is: Imperial Noble Consort, where is your piece of the jade pendant?"

Noticing the gazes of the Emperor and Empress turning toward her, the Imperial Noble Consort straightened her back and replied coldly:

"Lost."

"Heh, what a remarkable coincidence."

Duke Chengen ceased further verbal sparring and simply bowed to the Emperor and Empress.

"I dare not recklessly judge right and wrong in this matter. I implore Your Majesties to discern the truth clearly and not let the Crown Prince’s suffering be in vain. After all, if something happens to the Crown Prince, there will always be those who stand to benefit!"

"Lord Zhao, I believe every word you say. You truly live up to being raised in a great noble family steeped in the teachings of the sages—so adept at guiding others! No wonder the Sixth Prince, at such a young age, dared to lay hands on the Crown Prince’s position. Ordinary humble families certainly couldn’t raise such an ambitiously sinister mastermind!"

Outside the Qianyuan Hall stood several young men and women. Jiang Wan, gripping the bruised and battered Li Shenxiu, bowed toward the interior.

"Your subject’s daughter requests an audience with His Majesty! I have urgent matters to report!"

"Oh dear, why is this girl here?"

Jiang Huailiang blinked anxiously; he hadn’t been this flustered even when summoned by the Emperor earlier.

The Emperor glanced outside—all his sons were present except the Crown Prince. Especially noticeable was the Jiang girl clutching Laoliu; it was clear nothing good was happening again!

"Everyone, come in and speak!"

At its core, this matter could be considered state affairs on a grand scale, or family affairs on a smaller scale. It was best not to cause any public commotion if avoidable.

"We pay respect to Father Emperor, Mother Empress, Imperial Noble Consort!"

"We pay respect to His Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress, and Her Highness the Imperial Noble Consort!"

Except for the unconscious Li Shenxiu, everyone else paid their respects properly to the Emperor, Empress, and Imperial Noble Consort.

"All may rise."

After the Emperor permitted them to rise, he glanced at the limp Sixth Prince on the floor, his expression extremely displeased.

"Jiang Wan, explain to Us why you struck the Sixth Prince again? On a grand scale, he is a prince and you are a subject’s daughter. On a smaller scale, you are his fourth sister-in-law and he is your brother-in-law. Why do you always hit him?"

"Father Emperor, don’t scare my wife! This time, Laoliu wasn’t beaten by her—I did it!"

Li Chengxiu stepped forward courageously to shoulder the blame, only to be casually brushed aside by Jiang Wan.

"Your Majesty, your subject’s daughter would never disrespect the royal family or act recklessly. Setting aside my past grievances with the Sixth Prince, this time I acted solely to protect the Crown Prince’s safety. My loyalty is as clear as the sun and moon—I beg Your Majesty to investigate fairly!"

"What happened to the Crown Prince?!"

The Empress, who had remained silent until now, immediately raised her head anxiously to demand an answer upon hearing her son was in trouble again. Li Yanxiu quickly responded:

"Mother Empress, don’t worry! We arrived in time—Big Brother wasn't harmed by Laoliu!"

"Laoliu?"

"Yes, it was this bastard who poisoned Big Brother! This time, we saw it with our own eyes—there’s no way we’re wronging him!"

Li Chengxiu stepped forward and delivered a fierce kick to the unconscious Li Shenxiu on the ground, successfully jolting him awake.

Dazed and disoriented upon opening his eyes, the memories from before he lost consciousness rushed back into Li Shenxiu’s mind. He pointed at Jiang Wan before him and fiercely accused:

"Jiang Wan, you dare plot against the Crown Prince? Your crime warrants execution! This prince will certainly report to Father Emperor and Mother Empress and have your entire Jiang family executed to avenge Big Brother!"

"Heh, before you pin any crimes on me, you’d better get up and take a look at the current situation!"

Jiang Wan coldly laughed and offered a friendly reminder.

Realizing the situation, Li Shenxiu glanced around, then immediately turned over and knelt before the Emperor and Empress, weeping bitterly with an expression of utter devastation.

"Father Emperor, Mother Empress, Big Brother was murdered by the Jiang family’s eldest daughter! I saw it with my own eyes! You must avenge Big Brother!"

"You—"

Jiang Huailiang wanted to jump out and say something, but his eldest daughter grabbed hold of him. Following her meaningful glance, he silently retreated.

Duke Chengen’s face suddenly changed, filled with grief and indignation.

It’s all over. The plan that was so close to success is ruined! Why must the Sixth Prince stubbornly target the House of Ling? Such a perfect opportunity to bring down the Third Prince—why must he insist on fixating on the Jiang family?

None of the three seated above spoke up or expressed any stance. Instead, the Second Prince Li Yuxiu and the Fifth Prince Li Jingxiu came forward.

"Father Emperor, Laoliu is lying!"

The mere thought that Han Jieer’s family was nearly destroyed by this kid made Li Jingxiu furious.

"He secretly fed Big Brother tea—Second Brother, Third Brother, and I all saw it with our own eyes! If Big Brother was really poisoned again, it was Li Laoliu who did it! I testify to that!"

Li Yuxiu reflected that Big Brother’s side was likely unsalvageable; the Zhao family would probably be overthrown this time. It was better to withdraw to safer grounds early.

"Father Emperor, Fifth Brother is right. We were all hiding on the rafters and saw Laoliu feed Big Brother tea laced with something—the packet containing powder is still in his sleeve!

Then, as soon as Fourth Brother and the others showed themselves, Laoliu started shouting that Jiang Wan had plotted against Big Brother! The entire process was witnessed clearly by several of us—there’s no way we’re wronging him!"

"That’s not true! They were bribed!"

Li Shenxiu’s eyes flashed with shock and panic.

He had been so careful not to leave any evidence—how could they have been hiding on the rafters and seen everything? And in his memory, Second Brother and Third Brother were sworn enemies, while Fifth Brother and Fourth Brother had never gotten along. Why would those two step forward to speak for Third Brother and Fourth Brother today?

"Are you trying to say that I bribed Second Brother and Fifth Brother? Are you also wondering why we were waiting in the room in advance for you?"

Li Yanxiu spoke up and gave him the answer.

"Call it bad luck, but I'm the suspicious type, and when I have too much idle time, I tend to overanalyze."

"How is it such a coincidence that right after Fourth Brother and the others beat you up, you ended up poisoned? And how convenient that Eldest Brother also happened to be there, ending up lying right next to you? The most striking coincidence of all is that the poison affecting both of you wasn't deep—not hard to treat, but tricky to completely cure."

"Well, when there are too many coincidences in this world, they cease to be mere coincidences. Sixth Brother, don’t you think Third Brother’s reasoning makes sense?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"What I mean is, I must praise you, Sixth Brother—despite your youth, you are both knowledgeable and daring, willing to take great risks. Third Brother truly admires you."

"After all, as the art of war teaches us, only by throwing oneself into the game as a strategist can one hope to beat heaven by half a move."

"Sixth Brother, you’ve studied military strategy quite well."