Chapter 69: Saving the Aloof Crown Prince 20

The next day, the news that the two princes had been attacked spread throughout the imperial palace.

Early that morning, the uninjured Xiao Su and the lightly wounded Xiao Zhuoxian were summoned by Emperor Yongshun to the palace.

In the carriage, Xiao Su received the news; Xiao Yunye woke at the Yin hour's fourth watch, flew into a great rage, and even drove out the favored Second Miss Yun, declaring that he would certainly find the assassin and torture him to death.

Upon hearing this, he could not help laughing.

Xiao Yunye's anger was not from pain; clearly the greater cause was that Yun Yihe had failed to obtain the jade bracelet, losing the greatest opportunity.

He and Xiao Zhuoxian met outside the hall.

The two exchanged glances; Xiao Su nodded and asked, "How is your wound, Elder Brother?"

"Although no imperial physician treated him last night, fortunately the assassin's thrust was deep but at a tricky angle, so he merely saved his life."

Xiao Zhuoxian, seeing there were ears in the wall, understood he was asking on purpose and thus gave a cooperative answer.

Last night, all imperial physicians were summoned to the Eldest Prince's residence; the physicians on duty inside the palace all went.

As for Xiao Zhuoxian's Second Prince's residence, it was deserted—Emperor Yongshun merely sent someone to relay a message, telling him to take good care of his health.

The Crown Prince's residence attracted no visitors; that morning only former colleagues of the Li family and some students came to pay their respects.

Through this incident, those in the know among the civil and military officials became clear which prince Emperor Yongshun favored.

The quick-witted had already begun to act.

Xiao Su sighed lightly, "The eldest prince's injury is serious; it is only natural that the father emperor attaches importance to it."

Although he said so, his distressed expression was plainly visible.

The observer lurking in the shadows slipped away, leapt into the hall, and reported the two princes' conversation and expressions to the emperor.

"Hmm."

Emperor Yongshun narrowed his eyes, unable to discern any expression.

"Step back."

He set down his brush, "Zhao De, let them in."

"Yes."

Zhao De's face turned ashen; suppressing his chest pain, he went outside the hall to summon the princes.

——

Emperor Yongshun gazed at his two sons standing side by side.

After a moment, he seemed to speak with concern.

"Yesterday, when attacked, Xian'er also suffered injury; later I will have the imperial physician examine you."

Xiao Zhuoxian bowed his hands, "Thank you, Father Emperor; my injury is already no serious matter."

"It would also be good to take some calming medicine."

Having said that, Emperor Yongshun turned his gaze to the slender Xiao Su.

"Su'er is unharmed, yet why does his complexion look so poor?"

Xiao Su replied, "Father Emperor, my health is poor; I originally wished to ride with the two elder brothers, but I am simply unable."

"That is how he narrowly escaped disaster."

He coughed a few times, his complexion grew even paler, as if he might collapse at any moment.

"It is only that the two elder brothers have suffered such harm; I truly feel responsible."

"Therefore, I did not sleep well last night."

Jin Chen, lurking in the shadows, curled his lips.

A clever ghost.

He glanced at the rear hall, then leapt away.

Shortly after.

In a corner of the Imperial Garden, the patrolling Imperial Forest Army, starting from behind, had their throats slit silently.

A few hastily passing palace maids and eunuchs were struck unconscious from behind and actually thrown alive into the well.

All of this happened swiftly and soundlessly.

Until a piercing scream split the sky, the frightened palace maid trembled on the ground, and only then did the imperial palace descend into chaos.

——

Upon hearing Xiao Su's answer,

Emperor Yongshun nodded, his expression showing neither joy nor anger, and said lightly,

"Later, also have Physician Zhong examine you; your health has always been tended by him, so you should be clearer about it."

"Thank you, Father Emperor."

Xiao Su concealed the hatred in his eyes.

Just then, a little eunuch walked into the hall.

"Your Majesty, Elder Zhao and Grandma Gui suddenly vomited blood and lost consciousness in an instant."

"What?"

Emperor Yongshun furrowed his brows, his tone stern.

"Speak in detail!"

Zhao De and Grandma Gui are his close confidants, holding many secrets; if they merely died tragically, that would be bad enough, but fear lies in the possibility that a deliberate person has obtained some information from them.

The little eunuch had not yet had a chance to reply.

Then another guard rushed into the hall.

"Report to Your Majesty! While patrolling the Imperial Garden, the Imperial Forest Army discovered floating corpses in three wells; upon retrieval, they turned out to be the Empress's palace chief eunuch, a senior palace maid, and Physician Zhong!"

"The Empress was frightened and begs you to punish the perpetrator."

Emperor Yongshun was even more shocked, he leapt to his feet, the bright yellow nine‑dragon court robe blazing.

"Investigate! Have it investigated for me right away!"

"Yes!"

The guards hurriedly withdrew.

Xiao Su looked away, inwardly sneering.

It was just a few servants dead, and Emperor Yongshun could no longer sit still.

This is what happens when you've done so many wicked deeds.

Xiao Zhuoxian was secretly shocked, he glanced at the calm Xiao Su.

"You two step back, don't spread word of today's affair."

Emperor Yongshun wearily raised his hand.

"Yes."

The two bowed, retreated a few steps, then turned and left.

Xiao Su's pace was not hurried at all.

It's not over yet.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Something's wrong!"

The leader of the Imperial Forest Army rushed into the hall in a panic, not even having time to salute the two imperial princes who passed by.

He knelt on the ground, his head bowed extremely low.

"The Imperial Forest Army... the personnel on duty today numbered three teams, over thirty in total; for some reason, half of them suddenly dropped dead, and when discovered, their bodies were severed."

"……Damn it!"

Emperor Yongshun angrily flung all the memorials aside, his expression furious, his brows full of suspicion.

All the palace maids and eunuchs guarding the hall were frightened to their knees, trembling.

"Are everyone in the palace useless! How could so many die horribly at once!"

"Still not investigating properly for me! You might as well not be alive!"

Hearing this, Xiao Su raised his brows slightly and walked out of the hall.

Xiao Zhuoxian could already be described as terrified.

Seeing Xiao Su's expression, what else could he not understand?

The Imperial Younger Brother's hatred…… had actually become this obvious?

At this moment, Xiao Zhuoxian suddenly felt relieved that he and Xiao Su were still on the same side.

With Jin Chen as his backing, it was as if the entire Heavenly Moon Pavilion backed him, to the point that he didn't even regard the Imperial Forest Army.

Noticing Xiao Zhuoxian's gaze, Xiao Su gave a faint smile.

"Imperial Elder Brother, rest assured; I am merely clearing out some treacherous officials and rebel sons, so that when this realm comes into your hands, it will be pure."

He spoke these words so softly that no one else heard them, yet they made Xiao Zhuoxian break out in a cold sweat, and his heart strangely stirred with a sudden feeling of emotion.

Xiao Zhuoxian thought, it was time to make a decision.

He nodded and got onto the carriage.

Xiao Su also returned to the carriage.

He knew it was Jin Chen who had done it, because those who died had once received orders from the consort and the emperor, and had bullied and beaten him in his childhood and youth.

Xiao Su yawned; having stood for a long time, his already sore waist felt even worse.

"A-Chen."

Xiao Su called softly.

The carriage curtain was drawn open, Jin Chen entered and removed his mask.

"Su Bao, are you still satisfied?"

"Extremely satisfied."

【Villain Blackening Value detected -20, total now 40!】

Jin Chen chuckled lowly, took off his blood‑stained outer robe, pulled Xiao Su close into his embrace, and massaged his waist.

"Shall we go now to the mansion where private troops are hidden, or first return to rest?"

"Let's go now."

Xiao Su relaxed his body, leaning against Jin Chen's embrace, his expression languid.