Chapter 74: Saving the Aloof Crown Prince 25

"Your Majesty, please calm down; first ask Xiao Su how he explains it."

"The Empress suppressed the joy in her heart and gave false consolation."

"They have shared a bed for decades; how could she not know the Emperor's thoughts? At this moment, the more people speak up for Xiao Su, the angrier the Emperor becomes."

"As expected, Emperor Yongshun let out a cold snort."

"\"What else is there to say! \""

"Although Xiao Su was kneeling, his spine was ramrod straight."

"He replied without humility or arrogance."

"\"Father Emperor hasn't even clarified whether the Dragon Robe truly exists, yet you want to punish your son? \""

"Xiao Yunye: \"Replying to Father Emperor, since I have spoken, there must be evidence. \""

"He gestured to the people behind him, and two guards brought Defu forward."

"\"This person is the chief eunuch of the Third Prince's palace; when I tried to take the Dragon Robe out, he disregarded his own safety and attempted to stop me. \""

"\"He must have long been instructed by the Third Prince. \""

"Emperor Yongshun lowered his voice to an extreme, solemn and dignified, and asked Defu."

"\"You speak. \""

"Defu knelt on the ground."

"\"Replying to Your Majesty, I don't know what this is, nor why a Dragon Robe appeared in Your Highness's Qin Gong; it is only because the Eldest Prince's attitude is truly overbearing, wanting to cause chaos inside the Qin Gong and disrespect the Crown Prince, that I intervened. \""

"Emperor Yongshun grew angrier, picked up the wine cup at hand, and smashed it toward his head."

"\"You are indeed a loyal guardian of the master. \""

"Defu lowered his head even further."

"\"Xiao Su, you speak for yourself. \""

"Emperor Yongshun gazed at him probing."

"I never knew he, as Crown Prince, actually harbored ambition."

"\"I have never done such a thing, so my conscience is clear. \""

"Xiao Su's tone remained cold as he glanced at the already confident Xiao Yunye, his voice icy: \"Elder Brother, do you have no other evidence? \""

"How could he be completely unafraid?"

"Xiao Yunye stared oddly at Xiao Su, and inexplicably felt a bit nervous himself."

"\"The Dragon Robe is right outside the hall— isn't that the most important evidence? \""

"Emperor Yongshun saw that splash of bright yellow."

"The Son of Heaven's dignity was usurped; he was instantly furious beyond restraint."

"\"Seize him! The Crown Prince secretly hoarded a Dragon Robe, committing the crime of usurpation— throw him into the great prison……\""

"\"Father Emperor, wait. \""

"Xiao Su interrupted him, glancing at the officials already sweating coldly."

"\"Since Elder Brother has no evidence, then I will continue speaking. \""

"Emperor Yongshun frowned, \"What do you mean? \""

"Xiao Su rose to his feet and brushed off the dust clinging to his robe's hem."

"\"Father Emperor is right; I indeed know of the Dragon Robe's existence and where it comes from. \""

"As soon as he spoke, Xiao Yunye's heart tightened unbearably— Xiao Su must have known it was he who placed it!"

"Xiao Yunye intended to strike first."

"\"Reporting to Father Emperor! Xiao Su will surely quibble; you should quickly punish him……\""

"\"What's the rush, Elder Brother? \""

"Xiao Su glanced at him with his phoenix eyes, the corners of his mouth turning up in a half‑smile."

"\"Could it be that you're feeling guilty? \""

"Jin Chen, seeing this, left the hall to fetch several seamstresses."

"Xiao Su continued: \"Replying to Father Emperor, I found this Dragon Robe a few days ago when I went out to the suburbs at Elder Brother's invitation for an outing and returned. \""

"\"Knowing the matter of the Dragon Robe is no small thing, I traced its roots and investigated clues, and indeed discovered something. \""

"Several seamstresses entered the hall; upon seeing Emperor Yongshun, they hurriedly knelt to beg forgiveness."

"Xiao Yunye lost his soul, kneeling on the ground."

"It's over……"

"\"Father Emperor, these are the seamstresses who made the Dragon Robe. \""

"Xiao Su slightly raised his chin: \"How did you explain it to me? Repeat your original words to Father Emperor. \""

"The head seamstress hurriedly said: \"Replying to the Crown Prince, replying to Your Majesty, I am originally a seamstress from Smoke Willow Lane in the capital; a few days ago, the Eldest Prince sought me out, saying he wanted to prepare a birthday gift for Your Majesty, and specially had us make a Dragon Robe. \""

"\"I also don't know propriety, unaware that privately making a Dragon Robe is a capital crime; I beg Your Majesty for a lenient punishment. \""

"\"……\""

"Emperor Yongshun Silence for a few seconds, his eyes churning like a sea."

"The Empress's face changed even more."

"She saw her own son's expression; there was nothing unclear about it."

"But at this moment we must push the blame onto Xiao Su."

"\"What bold seamstresses, spouting nonsense! \" the Empress said in a soft voice yet without losing her aura."

"\"Your Ladyship, don't rush; I still have evidence. \""

"Xiao Su gave the Empress a cold glance."

Soon after, another person was brought in.

Xiao Su: "This person is the one who, following the eldest imperial brother's decree, placed the dragon robe in my Qin Gong."

Xiao Zhuoxian seized the moment and stood up.

"Father Emperor, I also have something to say."

Yong Shundi frowned, still thinking it's not chaotic enough?

Xiao Zhuoxian didn't wait for a reply and just went on to say.

"After that day's outing, seeing Father Emperor still not having found the assassin, I and the Third Imperial Brother decided on our own to investigate."

"Finally we found out that the person ambushing in the banyan forest that day was a private assassin raised by the Eldest Imperial Brother."

Xiao Yunye angrily shouted, "Don't talk nonsense! The person most seriously injured is me; how could it be my people?"

Xiao Zhuoxian smiled faintly, "That's for you to answer; following this clue, we found that the assassin you raised is a fact, and we also have evidence."

Xiao Su: "Finally, the clue seemed to stop at a manor behind Smoke Willow Alley, but when we arrived, the manor was empty, having been set on fire."

"Impossible! That manor fundamentally isn't some assassin! It's the troops I recruited!"

Xiao Yunye angrily retorted.

Xiao Su curled his lips, "So that's how it is."

"... I, not..." Xiao Yunye realized, what on earth had he just said!

"Xiao Yunye! You have gall!"

Yong Shundi repeatedly slapped the table.

"By now, what else doesn't he understand? It's merely Xiao Yunye's successive schemes."

"Framing the imperial brother, privately embroidering the dragon robe, privately raising troops! What else wouldn't you dare do? In a few days, you'll be eyeing my throne!"

Xiao Yunye had completely lost his composure.

He knelt on the ground, moved forward a few steps, his expression flustered, "No, no, Father Emperor, please listen to my explanation!"

"General Liu can vouch for me; during this period, I, your subject, have been discussing enemy army matters with him!"

Yong Shundi waved his hand, signaling the nearby eunuch to fetch General Liu back.

The officials below, already terrified, also began to plead.

"Compared to the Crown Prince earlier almost being punished, this is considerably braver."

Xiao Su sat back in his seat, somewhat sarcastically saying, "What use is your pleading? Father Emperor is upright and impartial; surely the charge that almost fell on me just now will be applied to the Eldest Imperial Brother without the slightest difference."

As soon as these words were spoken, Yong Shundi was instantly helped up.

He looked at this son, who was exceptionally articulate today, and let out a cold snort.

Xiao Su also returned the gaze with a smile.

【Detected Villain Blackening Value -20, total 40!】

0731 was happily watching this scene, suddenly sensed a fluctuation in the Blackening Value, and excitedly told Jin Chen.

【Little Pitiful One is so awesome!】

Jin Chen curled his lips, that was natural.