novelraw Chapter 693 - 682: The Cuckolded Prince
Chapter 693 - 682: The Cuckolded Prince
"Someone, quickly fetch the Imperial Physician, the Father Emperor has gotten ill from anger because of the Second Prince again." Seeing Emperor Xingwu gasping heavily while slumped on the Dragon Throne, Ye Qiu called out loudly.
The Ministers were flustered and rendered speechless as they looked at him. Fifth Prince, clearly, it was you who angered His Majesty into this state, wasn’t it? However, if this matter were indeed true, that would be another story.
Soon, the Imperial Physician arrived, along with a bowl of ginseng soup. Thinking that the ginseng was offered by Ye Qiu, Emperor Xingwu was so infuriated that he knocked over the bowl.
"Father Emperor, even if you’re angry with the Second Prince, you shouldn’t mistreat yourself," Ye Qiu advised.
"You scoundrel." Emperor Xingwu picked up something nearby and threw it at Ye Qiu, but he was too angry to have much strength, so it fell to the ground halfway.
Yet Ye Qiu looked as though he was aggravated, grievously saying, "Father Emperor, I know you’ve always favored Second Brother, I understand that, being the legitimate son and the Crown Prince, it’s natural for you to be partial to him. But Second Brother has bullied my wife and even sent people to assassinate me, Father Emperor, can’t you grant me justice?"
"Wretched child, who fed you these nonsensical words? Get out of my sight now!" Emperor Xingwu retorted angrily, coughing heavily.
"I have both witnesses and evidence. Even if I face death without a proper burial, today I must seek justice. If you won’t vindicate me, Father Emperor, today I shall ask Empress Mother and the Ministers for a just decision." Ye Qiu stood up and then told a palace maid behind him, "Go to Changxin Palace and invite the Empress here."
"Do not go." Emperor Xingwu commanded loudly.
Ye Qiu turned back and stared fixatedly at him, "Father Emperor, are you feeling guilty? How long will you be biased? Even if today you charge me with the crime of deceiving the Emperor, I wouldn’t accept it any longer, go and invite the Empress over."
"I’d like to see who dares! Guards, Fifth Prince has lost his mind, take him away." Emperor Xingwu looked at Ye Qiu with a murderous glint in his eyes.
The Ministers looked at each other, clueless about what to do, until finally Prime Minister Shen stood up: "Fifth Prince, His Majesty is unwell today, you should return to your mansion first."
Ye Qiu confronted him unyieldingly, "What? Prime Minister, are you afraid your beloved son-in-law will be convicted? Don’t you want to seek justice for your daughter? The true love of my dear Second Brother’s heart is my Fifth Princess Consort. I wonder how the Crown Princess Consort would feel if she knew about this."
"Everything you’re claiming, Fifth Prince, is but your own say-so. His Majesty has decreed it, please return to your mansion," Prime Minister Shen continued firmly.
"Ah, Prime Minster Shen, you are mistaken here. I believe, since matters have reached this stage, it is necessary to investigate clearly. The rumors in the capital are indeed rife, if false, the Crown Prince deserves to be vindicated," General Xia expressed a dissenting view.
"Exactly, if this matter isn’t thoroughly investigated, the Crown Prince’s tainted reputation remains, which is bad both for the state and the people." The Minister of Rites chimed in, he is the person most concerned with reputation and decorum in the court, whether to clear the Crown Prince’s reputation promptly if he is innocent, or if the matter is true, such an immoral Crown Prince also does not deserve to rule."
The rumors all over the city don’t come from nowhere. Fifth Prince claims he has witnesses and evidence, yet His Majesty expressly forbids investigation, leading to suspicions.
Piecing together the previous assassination attempt on Fifth Prince, and abnormalities at the palace that day, it’s hard not to be suspicious.
"Mr. Xia, Minister Liang, don’t you see His Majesty is unwell? Is this really a good time to disturb His Majesty?" The Grand Commandant also stood to oppose.
"Then let’s have the Empress make a judgment, I can also be a witness." These words were spoken by an Elder Prince, whose status is twice as senior as Emperor Xingwu in the court and holds significant influence.
"Imperial Uncle, even you..." Emperor Xingwu’s face darkened.
"Your Majesty, don’t blame this old subject for being extremely disloyal, whether true or false, it’s time to clear things up now," the Old Prince expressed impartially.
Seeing that besides those from the Crown Prince’s faction, all appeared to demand the truth, Emperor Xingwu shot a fierce glare at Ye Qiu, gritting his teeth, "Fine, then let’s do as the Ministers suggest. Someone, go invite the Empress, let her also make a decision."
Ye Qiu, once again kneeling under Emperor Xingwu’s murderous gaze, expressed, "Your son thanks Father Emperor."
Emperor Xingwu eyed his fifth son with a burning gaze, as if seeing him for the first time. Could a son, known only for making money and acting absurdly, dare to threaten him?
Heh, he wanted to see what tricks he could pull today. Those palace maids and eunuchs present that day had already been executed, the remaining Imperial Mandate surely dare not speak recklessly. Besides, what other evidence could there be?
Empress Liu soon entered surrounded by the crowd, sitting on a chair to the left below the Dragon Throne. The ministers also took their places accordingly on both sides.
Seeing Emperor Xingwu visibly distressed, Empress Liu spoke up, "Fifth, what exactly is your petition today? Please elaborate?"
Ye Qiu knelt down, speaking with sincerity and indignation, "Your son accuses Second Prince and his wife Lin Jingxian of having an affair, allowing their children to usurp my legitimate son and daughter’s positions. Secondly, I accuse Second Prince and Lin Jingxian of plotting to assassinate me. I plead to Father Emperor and Empress Mother for justice."
"Are you aware, should these accusations prove unfounded, you will be charged with causing chaos in the court and disturbances in the palace? Should the charges fall through, are you willing to accept punishment?"Empress Liu asked further.
"Your son has no regrets, I only seek justice," Ye Qiu once again kowtowed, and seeing his determination, the ministers present were inwardly leaning towards him.
"Good, since you insist, do you have any evidence?"
"Your son does," Ye Qiu lifted his head, "The twins born by Lin Jingxian are the biggest evidence—they are not my children."
"Why do you claim so?"
"Because from the beginning to end, I have never touched that wretched woman, Lin Jingxian?"
"If you have never consummated your marriage with her, why did you not speak when she was found pregnant?"
"Because she misled me, making me believe that I had relations with her while I was drunk."
"Do you have any evidence?"
"Yes, her personal maid can testify, as well as her original handkerchief," Ye Qiu spoke, Lin Jingxian, whose lips were sealed, suddenly lifted her head and then began to struggle violently.
"Summon the Fifth Princess Consort’s personal maid and the evidence," Empress Liu ordered sharply.
At this moment, a message came that Lin Xueyuan sought an audience, and Empress Liu conveniently allowed him to come and listen as well.
"This servant, Mu Jin, pays respect to Emperor, Empress," Mu Jin knelt trembling, her face showing palpable fear.
"This palace asks you, when the Fifth Prince and Princess Consort wed, did they truly consummate their marriage?" Upon Empress Liu asking this, everyone stared intensely at Mu Jin.
"No." She cowered down in fear.
Upon her answer, the crowd was immediately in an uproar.