Chapter 84: Sophistry

Chapter 84: Evasion

Li Shenxiu’s expression remained unperturbed.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying! Mother, please go check on Big Brother first. I fear it might be too late…”

“It won’t be too late.”

Li Yanxiu cut him off again.

“Don’t worry, I already had someone swap out the medicine in your pocket. Big Brother should wake up after a good sleep.”

…

This time, the Emperor clearly saw a flicker of panic and anger in Li Laoliu’s eyes. Enraged, he stood up and kicked him to the ground.

“How dare you! To poison your own elder brother—I will not spare you!”

“It wasn’t me! It wasn’t me! Father, it was Third Brother conspiring with Jiang Wan to frame me! Mother, please believe me…”

Li Shenxiu instantly broke into tearful pleas for mercy.

Perhaps because he had gotten younger, Jiang Wan felt that his brain seemed to have regressed to an undeveloped, shadowy state. Or perhaps Li Laoliu had always been this foolish, and it was only through various coincidences in his past life that he managed to succeed?

Jiang Wan discreetly observed the reactions of those in power present. The Imperial Noble Consort’s gaze was icy, the Emperor was clearly furious, and the Empress’s expression was unreadable.

She carefully pieced together the reasoning in her mind.

If the Crown Prince had truly died, no matter what, the Imperial Noble Consort’s faction would have been the beneficiaries. The Emperor and Empress would undoubtedly have had some unspoken suspicions. This explained why Li Yanxiu, despite being exceptionally talented in his past life, never managed to claim the position of Crown Prince.

This poor fellow must have taken the fall for Li Laoliu in his past life!

“Your Majesty.”

Jiang Wan, who had been directly accused by name, stepped forward and bowed to defend herself.

“I absolutely refuse to accept the Sixth Prince’s accusations! My father is utterly loyal to Your Majesty. As his daughter, how could I commit such an unfilial act that goes against my father?

The Sixth Prince and I did have some minor disputes in the past, but those were just childish squabbles. Who would have thought that, to get back at me, the Sixth Prince would resort to poisoning to frame me!

The Crown Prince resides in the Eastern Palace and studies in the Jiusi Hall. How would I ever have the opportunity to approach him? I beg Your Majesty to investigate clearly.”

“You didn’t approach Big Brother directly, but you bribed someone to poison me! Big Brother was just caught in the crossfire when he came to visit me! Father, the Duke of Ling’s household holds overwhelming power, and their disloyalty is becoming apparent. We must not allow them to grow stronger, or in the future, they might—”

“Silence!”

“I am wronged!”

The voices of the Emperor and the Duke of Ling rang out simultaneously.

Jiang Huailiang wore the expression of a loyal minister wronged, weeping and pleading his innocence.

“Your Majesty, Heaven witnesses my loyalty to you! I have a clear conscience; I absolutely harbor no ill intentions. The Sixth Prince is splashing dirty water on me—I am wronged to death!”

“Second Brother, get up. How could I not know what you’re truly like? We brothers fought for this kingdom blade by blade and axe by axe. How could I wrong you based on the nonsense spouted by that little brat? Get up quickly.”

The Emperor truly wanted to kick this fool Li Laoliu to death!

Daring to falsely accuse the foremost military general and founding meritorious general without a shred of evidence—was he trying to make my life too easy? Without mercy, he delivered another kick, sending the little brat sprawling.

It had been said before: aside from being a little afraid of his wife, the Emperor was not foolish in the least.

The current situation was as obvious as lice on a bald man’s head. The two cards in the Zhao family’s hand were vying to be the king.

The Emperor was deeply angered.

Not only was the Crown Prince the esteemed heir apparent, but even out of consideration for the Empress, he could not possibly let Old Six off lightly in a situation like this!

“Li Shenxiu, you have the audacity to harm your own elder brother—utterly despicable! Guards, take him—”

“Please calm your anger, Your Majesty!”

Duke Chengen stepped forward, gritting his teeth.

Even though he was furious at the Sixth Prince’s stupidity, when it came down to it, he still had to step forward and support him. There was no other way—who else did the old Zhao family have left to pin their hopes on? Seeing that the Crown Prince could no longer compete with the Third Prince, they had no choice but to fully support the Sixth Prince!

“Your Majesty, the matter has not yet been fully investigated. I beg Your Majesty not to be so rash.

The Jiang girl is the Fourth Prince’s future princess consort. It makes sense that she would ally with the Third Prince. Even if the Jiang girl did not participate in this matter, her identity and position are not sufficient evidence!

Therefore, I suggest it would be better to continue investigating clues from this Ruyi pendant.”

This was the point of disagreement between Duke Chengen and the Sixth Prince.

Initially, he hadn’t known that Li Shenxiu was behind this. After all, the Empress and the Crown Prince were his own sister and nephew. Once they had secured the legitimate line of succession, Duke Chengen’s household had indeed thrown its full support behind the Eastern Palace.

But for some reason, the Sixth Prince had learned of his own background and emerged prematurely, disrupting the entire plan. After that, everything spiraled out of his control.

This time, in particular, was a perfect opportunity. Even if they couldn’t successfully bring down the Imperial Noble Consort’s faction, they could still plant seeds of doubt in the Emperor’s mind, which would be immensely helpful for their future ambitions!

But the Sixth Prince foolishly fixated on the Jiang family, insistently dragging Jiang Wan into the mess. He ruined a perfectly good plan, turning it into nothing! Alas.

“Is Duke Chengen determined to relentlessly pursue me? You just want to know where my jade pendant went, don’t you? It’s nothing shameful.”

The Imperial Noble Consort watched this grand drama unfold before her, her eyes filled with mockery.

“I lost it. On the way from Maocheng to the capital, I told someone to discard it. I wonder if Duke Chengen is satisfied now?”

The Emperor whirled around abruptly. Seeing the coldness in the Imperial Noble Consort’s eyes, his heart suddenly ached terribly.

The white jade Ruyi pendant, a symbol of conjugal unity.

Shu’er, she doesn’t want me anymore…

“Your words are too light, Imperial Noble Consort. There is one thing I still don’t understand. Why was it such a coincidence—”

“Enough!”

The Empress suddenly spoke, cutting off her brother’s reckless accusations.

“Since the Crown Prince is out of danger, Duke Chengen may return first. How the Sixth Prince should be punished will be decided by His Majesty after thorough investigation.”

“Mother, I am wronged! I really did not harm Big Brother, Mother, please believe Little Six!”

Before the Empress spoke, he knew he had backing and wasn’t afraid of Li Yanxiu and the others. But now that the Empress was unwilling to protect him, it was over!

Li Shenxiu’s expression visibly began to panic.

Why was this life so different from the previous one?

Last time I returned to the palace, both the Empress and the Crown Prince were willing to protect me. Why is it different this time?

Is it just because I came back a year earlier?

Is it just because I made my elder brother step down earlier?

After all, he was going to die anyway. Before his death, what’s the harm in taking out Jiang Wan, that wild card, for my own benefit?

Yes, a wild card!

Even if Li Shenxiu isn’t truly clever, after months of being targeted, both openly and underhandedly, he’s caught on by now.

That fool from the Jiang family is absolutely up to something!