Chapter 137 Almost Drove Him Insane

Chapter 137: Almost Driving Him Mad

As soon as Xiao Jing finished speaking, Little K's voice sounded in his head, brimming with barely contained excitement:

"Host! Host! He fell for it! He really fell for it! Hahaha... so easy to trick!"

"Host, you're such a good actor!"

Xiao Yan ignored him.

He just looked at Xiao Jing, his eyes showing disappointment that his imperial brother didn't trust him.

"Alright then, I'll do whatever you say, Imperial Brother."

Entering the imperial mausoleum and opening the coffin to examine the body was no trivial matter.

But not a single official in the hall dared to raise an objection.

When it came to life and death, and the legitimacy of the imperial bloodline, it seemed like the only option.

Although Xiao Jing was confident in his judgment—certain that the real Xiao Yan was lying there in the coffin—he still needed some time to process and confirm certain matters.

"This matter is of great importance and cannot be handled carelessly. I will order the Imperial Observatory to calculate an auspicious date and time, and then lead all the ministers to the imperial mausoleum for verification!"

Xiao Jing's words were reasonable and followed protocol, so naturally no one objected.

Xiao Yan agreed as well.

He said meaningfully, "Then I will wait patiently. I only hope that during this time, my imperial brother... will take good care of our father."

Xiao Jing's eyebrow twitched. He felt strangely uneasy under Xiao Yan's gaze.

What exactly was Xiao Yan planning?

What did he know? Could it be that he took Father away?

No, after taking Liu Qingci away that day, he never showed up in the capital again. How could he get into the palace and then the secret chamber?

Impossible! That's absolutely impossible!

And what about Liu Qingci—where exactly did Xiao Yan take him?

What kind of relationship did the two of them have?!

One by one, these questions gnawed at Xiao Jing's mind, almost driving him mad, consuming him.

But he had no time to deal with them.

Now, the most important thing was to personally visit the imperial mausoleum before the day calculated by the Imperial Observatory.

He couldn't just sit back and wait for everyone to verify; he had to make sure that Xiao Yan was really dead and lying in that imperial mausoleum coffin!

---

After morning court, Xiao Yan went back to Prince Yu's Mansion.

However, given his delicate situation, Xiao Jing sent a team of guards to watch the mansion's gates.

Until they opened the coffin and examined the body, Xiao Yan wasn't allowed to leave Prince Yu's Mansion.

By evening, word came from the palace: the Imperial Observatory had set the date for fifteen days from now.

Xiao Yan smiled at that and said nothing.

Half a month—just enough time for Xiao Jing to find a way to go to the imperial mausoleum himself and take a look.

Liu Wenyuan, as one of the leading civil officials, naturally heard about it too.

In half a month, he would also go with the others to the imperial mausoleum to witness the verification.

After the palace messenger left, the whole Liu family gathered in the main hall.

"Ah? Can people really come back to life?" the youngest, Liu Qinghe, exclaimed, her mouth wide open in amazement.

Madam Liu lightly tapped her daughter's hand: "Hmph! It's not that he came back from the dead—they're saying Prince Yu never died!"

Liu Qinghe blinked, finding it all very mysterious.

"Don't talk nonsense, child. Go back to the study and practice your calligraphy!"

Liu Qinghe pouted and reluctantly left.

Liu Qingci sat next to his father and asked casually, "Father, did you see the Prince Yu who supposedly came back from the dead today?"

Liu Wenyuan looked serious: "I did."

Madam Liu asked nervously, "What was he like? Did he seem alive?"

Liu Qingci twitched his mouth in slight exasperation.

Liu Wenyuan recalled thoughtfully: "This Prince Yu... doesn't seem the same as before."

Madam Liu: "Could he really be a fake?!"

Liu Wenyuan shook his head: "No, his appearance, stature, and voice are all identical. No one could impersonate him that well."

Liu Qingci feigned ignorance: "Then why did Father say he seems different?"

"Just a feeling."

Liu Wenyuan was also pretty amazed by what happened today. He couldn't quite put it into words, so he simply said,

"Maybe coming back from the dead changes a person a lot..."

"Then do you believe this one is the real Prince Yu?" Madam Liu asked curiously.

Having lived for decades, Liu Wenyuan felt that the current situation was beyond his understanding.

He waved his hand: "I don't know. Well, in half a month, we'll open the coffin and examine the body—then we'll find out!"

Liu Qingci stood up, smoothed his robe, and said to his parents, "Dad, Mom, I'm going out for a bit."

Madam Liu asked in surprise, "You just got back. Where are you going now?"

Liu Qingci thought for a moment: "I haven't seen Huai'an in a while. I'll go visit him at his place."

Madam Liu knew Chen Huaian—a boy from a poor family, but hardworking, well-behaved, and kind. He was polite and likeable when he came to their house.

Among her son's few friends, she preferred Chen Huaian, who was not high-ranking but likable, over Prince Rui Xiao Jing.

Hearing this, Madam Liu quickly said, "Ah, indeed you should go visit. The kitchen made some pastries; take them to Huai'an and the Chen elders to try."

"Yes, sure," Liu Qingci replied.

As he walked out of the Liu mansion, Yun Feng followed behind him, carrying two food boxes.

The two got into the carriage and turned a corner.

Liu Qingci ordered, "Change course, to Prince Yu's mansion."

Yun Feng thought he misheard: "Ah, young master, what did you say?"

Liu Qingci shot him a calm look: "To Prince Yu's mansion."

With Yun Feng looking incredulous and confused, Liu Qingci also warned him:

"Yun Feng, you have followed me since childhood. When we were young, no matter what I did, you never tattled to your parents. Now... you won't either, right?"

As Yun Feng steered the horse and changed the route, he shook his head blankly: "No, no. Rest assured, young master, I am only loyal to you!"

After expressing his loyalty, he nervously added a warning: "But young master... isn't it a bit unsafe for us to go to Prince Yu's mansion now?"

Actually, he originally wanted to say that going to Prince Yu's mansion is never really safe.

After all, last time they came out of Prince Yu's mansion, the young master was battered and bruised.

Now they are willingly walking into the trap, delivering themselves right to his doorstep.

Won't the young master be completely eaten alive?!