Chapter 55 Framing the Innocent

Chapter 55: Framing

Jiang Yaozhen took the antidote handed to her by her mother and swallowed it eagerly.

Within less time than it takes to finish half a cup of tea, the festering wounds on her body began to heal.

Even as relief washed over her, a surge of anger welled up inside.

“Having to beg the Fourth Prince for the antidote every month… when will we ever break free from this state of subjugation? We can’t go on like this forever. We must devise a plan to eliminate this threat once and for all!”

Her mother signed: “I have already commissioned the Nanyue Poison Master to develop a rare poison for us. When the time is right, we’ll force the Fourth Prince to ingest it. Once he’s poisoned, we’ll compel him to hand over the antidote.”

“The Nanyue Poison Master?” A flash of understanding crossed Jiang Yaozhen’s face, and a cold, sinister smile curled at the corner of her lips. “Didn’t Mother say before that she excels only at crafting poisons—not curing them? Once the Fourth Prince is poisoned, we’ll feign offering a trade. After securing the antidote, we’ll let the poison finish him off!”

Mother and daughter exchanged a glance—identical malice and cruelty burning in their eyes.

Jiang Yaozhen suddenly remembered something and asked, “Mother, Jiang Tianci is dead. I heard it was the work of highly trained assassins. Do you think… could it have been the Fourth Prince who sent them?”

Her mother’s expression darkened, and she seemed hesitant to speak.

Sensing something amiss, Jiang Yaozhen pressed further: “Mother, why are you silent? Are you hiding something from me?”

Her mother slowly nodded and signed: “Jiang Tianci… I killed him.”

“You killed him? Why?” Jiang Yaozhen was utterly shocked.

With a grave expression, her mother signed: “You’ve always wanted to know who the Nanyue Poison Master is, haven’t you? Now I’ll tell you. She… is your Third Aunt. It was she who instructed me to kill Jiang Tianci—in exchange for developing the poison for us.”

“What? Third Aunt?” Jiang Yaozhen’s face froze in disbelief.

That Third Aunt—of disreputable background, weak-willed and timid—was actually the legendary, infamous Nanyue Poison Master?

How many more secrets lay buried within this Prime Minister’s residence—secrets she knew nothing about?

—

The Dali Temple was investigating Jiang Tianci’s murder. All evidence collected from the crime scene had been brought back and personally reviewed by the Chief Minister, given the case’s serious implications for both the Prime Minister’s residence and the imperial family.

Unexpectedly, the next day, a token was discovered among the evidence.

The Chief Minister picked it up and examined it closely. To his surprise, it bore the character *sì* (‘four’).

Within the palace, servants attending the princes required tokens for entry and exit, each engraved with the corresponding numeral indicating which prince they served. For instance, tokens for the Third Prince’s servants bore *sān* (‘three’), while those for the Sixth Prince’s servants bore *liù* (‘six’).

Thus, this token engraved with *sì* clearly belonged to someone from the Fourth Prince’s palace.

The Chief Minister gave a cold chuckle. Its sudden appearance was deeply suggestive.

First, it implied that spies had likely been planted within the Dali Temple itself. Second, it revealed that someone was deliberately attempting to frame the Fourth Prince—to bring about his downfall.

The first to learn of this framing scheme was not the Emperor—but Consort Rong.

And upon learning of it, Consort Rong did not immediately report it to the Emperor. Instead, she first informed her own son—Xiao Huaijin.

“A token from Fourth Brother’s palace was found among the evidence?” Xiao Huaijin asked, visibly surprised.

“Indeed. Your grandfather wishes to hear your opinion. Should this token be treated as genuine evidence—or as planted evidence?”

Consort Rong watched Xiao Huaijin intently.

This son of hers, with his gentle and refined demeanor, showed none of the mercantile shrewdness or impetuousness associated with merchant families. His every gesture exuded imperial grace—unhurried and serene, like a clear breeze beneath a bright moon, bringing calm reassurance.

Both she and the entire Cui family took great pride in him.

And now, it was time to test his judgment.

Xiao Huaijin pondered for a moment before speaking slowly: “Since Grandfather already knows someone deliberately tried to frame Fourth Brother, then this token is naturally planted evidence. The very fact that someone went to such lengths to frame him proves Fourth Brother had no connection to Jiang Tianci’s death.”

Hearing this, Consort Rong smiled with relief. “My son is indeed upright and honorable. Your mother and your grandfather are both deeply pleased. It seems you’re more inclined to support your Fourth Brother than your Third Brother.”

The Cui family was not without allegiance—it simply pledged loyalty solely to the Emperor. Thus, for the most part, they observed quietly, searching for the most worthy person to follow.

Xiao Huaijin, however, shook his head. “Mother, that is not quite accurate. Your son does not wish to support Fourth Brother specifically. I merely wish to prevent him from suffering an unjust accusation. Previously, Fourth Brother helped Miss Jiang set a trap for Jiang Tianci. If Fourth Brother were truly suspected of killing Jiang Tianci, Miss Jiang would inevitably be implicated—people would surely assume she instigated him to kill her own cousin. Your son does not wish Miss Jiang to face such criticism, nor do I wish her to owe Fourth Brother a debt of gratitude.”

Consort Rong sighed helplessly. “So it turns out, Jin, what weighs on your mind is not the future ruler of this realm—but the young lady of the Jiang family!”

A faint blush rose to Xiao Huaijin’s cheeks. “Mother, please do not tease your son further.”

“Very well. Since you wish Miss Jiang to remain unentangled in this matter, your mother will relay your wishes to your grandfather as you desire—suggesting he discreetly hint to the Chief Minister. Subsequently, the Chief Minister will report this matter to His Majesty. Your Fourth Brother will soon be cleared of suspicion—and Miss Jiang will likewise avoid any involvement.”

“Thank you, Mother!” Xiao Huaijin bowed respectfully, a weight lifting from his heart.

The Chief Minister of the Dali Temple soon reported the mysterious appearance of the Jinghe Palace token among the evidence to the Emperor.

The Emperor was furious. He ordered a thorough investigation of all personnel currently serving in the Dali Temple, vowing to uncover the perpetrator behind the false accusation.

Xiao Lingchuan’s suspicion was thus cleared.

The Emperor even assured him in person: “How dare someone attempt to frame a prince right under Our very eyes! Rest assured—we will investigate this matter thoroughly and deliver you a full explanation!”

“Thank you, Imperial Father!” Xiao Lingchuan received the decree respectfully.

When news of this reached Xiao Xiuzhan, he flew into a rage.

He summoned his trusted aide and berated him angrily: “Who told you to plant a token from Fourth Brother’s palace among the evidence? Such a clumsy framing attempt—who would believe it? Are you an idiot? How could you devise such a foolish plan?”

The aide looked utterly bewildered. “Your Highness, that token was not planted by us!”

“Not by you? Then by whom?” Xiao Xiuzhan was utterly perplexed.

Within this palace, besides himself—who else would go to such lengths to frame Xiao Lingchuan?

The more he thought about it, the angrier he grew. His intention had been to frame Xiao Lingchuan—but instead, he’d made him the victim, even earning their father’s sympathy. It was a classic case of trying to steal a chicken and losing the rice!

In Jinghe Palace, the Seventh Prince raised his cup in a toast to Xiao Lingchuan, laughing: “Fourth Brother, your move was truly masterful! Beating Third Brother to the punch by staging a clumsy self-framing before he could frame you. Now that Imperial Father is thoroughly investigating the Dali Temple, it’ll be difficult for Third Brother to plant any more agents there! You’re walking the path Third Brother intended to take—leaving him with no path to walk!”

Xiao Lingchuan took a light sip of wine, his expression calm. “Any leads on the true culprit behind Jiang Tianci’s murder?”

“In this entire capital, aside from assassins raised by the imperial family and noble houses, only one person is capable of a single-sword strike to the throat—that Nanyue spy, the birth mother of Second Miss Jiang,” the Seventh Prince mused.

Xiao Lingchuan gave a slight nod. “I suspect her as well. But… what could her motive possibly be?”

The Seventh Prince shrugged nonchalantly. “Perhaps she wanted to pin the blame on Miss Jiang? Isn’t that what that mother-daughter pair excels at—schemes that harm others without benefiting themselves?”

Xiao Lingchuan’s eyes darkened—but his thoughts ran deeper.

Was it really that simple? Why did he have this persistent, nagging sense of foreboding?

West Wing of the Chancellor's estate.

Jiang Tianze's high fever finally subsided, and his consciousness gradually cleared.

The first thing he saw was his mother's face, wearing a relieved smile.

"Tianze, you're finally awake!" Third Madam Jiang's entire face lit up with a smile, her tone gentle. "From now on, your eldest sister will come to see you every day."

She paused and lowered her voice. "Jiang Tianci is dead. That makes you the sole heir to the Chancellor's estate."