Chapter 826: You Were Already a Dead Man

Mu Rongjin collapses in the Emperor's arms, her shoulders trembling violently, tears soaking the Dragon Robe draped over Xiao Jieyun's chest.

Xiao Jieyun cradles her with one hand, gently places the other over Xiao Che's forehead, lowers his head to gaze at his son's small face, and says nothing.

In the hall only Xiao Che's faint sobbing remains, accompanied by the occasional crackle of candles.

About half an hour later, Eunuch Cheng entered, followed by two eunuchs, escorting a trembling little palace maid.

The maid appeared no older than fifteen or sixteen, looking very frail.

She was pushed into the hall and with a "thud" fell to her knees, her forehead striking a golden brick, her whole body shaking like a sieve.

"His Majesty! Spare me! His Majesty! I, I am innocent…"

Eunuch Cheng bowed and said, "Your Majesty, this palace maid is named Liu Yun'er, and has been at the Needlework Bureau for over two years."

"Her embroidery is outstanding; the young prince's bedding was personally crafted by her and delivered from the Needlework Bureau to Fengyi Palace."

Xiao Jieyun looked down at Liu Yun'er and asked, "Why did you try to harm my imperial son?"

Liu Yun'er lay on the ground, denied everything, and kept crying out her innocence.

Mu Rongjin stared at her fiercely, her eyes seeming ready to burst into flame.

She shouted sharply, "Who ordered you? Who wants to harm my Xiao Che? Speak!"

"Murdering a prince is a crime that warrants exterminating the entire clan; you, you are mad, willing to die—do you also not care about your family's lives?"

Liu Yun'er shook her head desperately, still refusing to confess.

Xiao Jieyun no longer looked at her and said, "Guo Taiyi, the young prince is still small and cannot take medicine; how can we treat him?"

"Please, His Majesty, be at ease," Guo Taiyi replied, "Huicai is not poison; the young prince's ailment is merely caused by prolonged exposure."

"Simply replace all the young prince's bedding, and give him a daily medicinal bath; this will unblock his meridians."

"With such careful care, within ten days the young prince will recover fully."

"Very well," Xiao Jieyun's expression softened slightly, "Attendants! Quickly go prepare hot water!"

"Yes! I will go at once!" Si Yu sprang up from the ground and hurried out.

Guo Taiyi bowed and said, "The old minister takes his leave and will immediately prepare the required herbs."

"Guo Taiyi," Xiao Jieyun glanced at Mu Rongjin's pale face, "Tonight you will stay in the side hall of Fengyi Palace; if the young prince shows any discomfort, report it immediately."

"I obey."

"Take her down," Xiao Jieyun fixed his gaze again on Liu Yun'er, "and guard her strictly; no one may contact her."

"I, personally, will interrogate."

"Yes!"

Eunuch Cheng waved his hand, and two eunuchs lifted the limp Liu Yun'er and dragged her out of the hall.

The hall fell silent.

Xiao Jieyun gently patted Mu Rongjin's shoulder, "I will see this matter through to the end, and will not let the young prince or you suffer in vain."

Mu Rongjin stared blankly at him, having been neglected by the Emperor for years because she and the Empress Dowager both belong to the Murong clan.

Had it not been for Tuan Tuan staying temporarily in Fengyi Palace, prompting His Majesty to visit often, he would have long forgotten this empress.

After enduring hardship and finally tasting sweetness, with a harmonious marriage and a legitimate son born, she never imagined anyone in the palace would dare plot against the young prince!

She murmured, "Your Majesty, I am terrified, extremely frightened."

"The young prince is only a few days old, and someone already seeks to harm him."

"The years ahead are long; how am I to live, my lord!"

She wept, "Your Majesty, the young prince is my life; if anything were to happen to him…"

"It will not happen," Xiao Jieyun interrupted, "Our young prince is blessed; nothing will befall him. Do not let wild thoughts trouble you."

Having said that, Xiao Jieyun touched Xiao Che's small face, rose slowly, and said, "Take good care of the young prince; I will be back soon."

Mu Rongjin forgot even the words of a proper farewell, merely clutching her son tightly.

Xiao Jieyun turned and walked out.

Eunuch Cheng asked, "His Majesty?"

Xiao Jieyun, without pausing, replied, "Go to Yeti Prison."

"Yes."

Xiao Jieyun entered Yeti Prison and came to the place where Liu Yun'er was detained.

Eunuch Cheng brought in a Grand Master Chair, and Xiao Jieyun sat down slowly.

Liu Yun'er curled up at the wall corner; when she saw the Emperor arrive, she closed her eyes.

Eunuch Cheng frowned, "Pull her over."

Two eunuchs went over, dragged Liu Yun'er to the Emperor's feet, and pressed her down onto the ground.

Xiao Jieyun looked down at her, "I only wish to know who ordered you to do this."

Liu Yun'er seemed to realize her death was certain, no longer pleading for mercy, she sat paralyzed on the ground, eyes tightly shut.

Xiao Jieyun said, "I do not wish to punish you, but if you have resolved to aid tyranny, I care little whether you live or die."

"To dare plot against my imperial son, you have already become a dead man."

Liu Yun'er shivered all over.

"However," the Emperor turned his tone, "though your death is certain, if you reveal the mastermind, I will not only grant you a whole corpse, but also spare your family."

"Think carefully yourself; otherwise I will slice your entire family to pieces, then exterminate your nine clans, so that no one in this world remains connected to you."

Liu Yun'er suddenly opened her eyes, her whole body trembling incessantly, yet she still shook her head vigorously, saying nothing.

Xiao Jieyun stood up, "Since you are so loyal, I will not ask further."

"Cheng Jinyan! Immediately dispatch men to capture her family; at first light tomorrow, all shall be subjected to lingchi."

"Yes."

Xiao Jieyun turned and left.

Liu Yun'er completely broke down; she struggled to lunge forward, but a eunuch pressed her hard to the ground.

She shrieked, "No! His Majesty! Please spare my family's lives! I said! I told you!"

Xiao Jieyun stopped in his tracks and did not turn.

Liu Yun'er, seeing him stop, closed her mouth again.

Eunuch Cheng, knowing the Emperor was at the height of his anger, hurriedly shouted at her, "Speak quickly! You wait until His Majesty leaves, thinking no one will hear, right?"

Liu Yun'er's teeth chattered, tears streamed down, and after sobbing for a while she forced out, "Yes, yes…"

"Who is it!" Eunuch Cheng shouted again.

"It… it is Prince Jing!" Liu Yun'er shouted loudly, "It was Prince Jing who made me do it!"

Eunuch Cheng was shocked, looked up at the Emperor.

Xiao Jieyun's face was as calm as water.

The flames on the wall flickered, casting light and shadow on his face.

Xiao Jieyun remained silent for a long time, then slowly said, "Say it again."

Liu Yun'er knelt on the ground, her fingers digging into the brick crevice, blood threads seeping from her nails.

She kept kowtowing and shouting, "Your servant does not dare to lie! Everything I say is true!"

"It was indeed Prince Jing who made me do it! Please spare my entire family, His Majesty!"