novelraw Chapter 297 - 296: The Imposter Prince
Chapter 297 - 296: The Imposter Prince
"Ridiculous, what status could he possibly have, he’s likely nothing but a base-born peasant without a father’s upbringing."
Xin Lin said nothing at first, but when she did, Long Qingchen burst out laughing.
Xin Lin is Chu Beiqing’s daughter, but clearly Little Xinzhuo is not; surely just a country bumpkin kid.
"How audacious!"
Xin Lin leaped forward in one swift motion, jumped up, and with a smack, she slapped Long Qingchen across the face.
Long Qingchen’s ears rang with the sound of the slap, and blood gushed from his nose.
"You wretch, how dare you hit me! I’ll kill you!"
He was about to rush forward when Chu Beiqing slammed into him, and they started wrestling.
"This is outrageous! Emperor, look at this, she even dares to hit the Prince! She clearly has no respect for the Emperor."
Empress Feng saw this, her beautiful eyes filled with anger. If not for the dignity of the Mother of the Country, she would have stepped forward and severely reprimanded Xin Lin herself.
Emperor Longteng also frowned deeply.
"Xin Lin, I have let you off time and again for the sake of Bei Qing. But you have assaulted the Third Prince, committing a crime of lèse-majesté. If you do not clarify this matter to me satisfactorily today, nobody can save you."
This slap of Xin Lin’s was a slap to the Royal’s face.
"Emperor, this slap was not for me, but for you. It was to discipline the Third Prince for his impudent and insubordinate words!"
Xin Lin’s declaration was resonant and assertive.
Inside North Square, the ministers and exam candidates were all silent.
Even General Zuo secretly broke into a sweat for Xin Lin.
This young girl was daring and completely unpredictable.
General Zuo did not understand what play Xin Lin was putting on.
Could it be that she intended to publicly reveal the Seventh Prince’s identity?
Her actions were too reckless; if the Emperor was provoked, he might very well execute both the Seventh Prince and her on the spot.
Unable to decide, General Zuo could only watch coldly to see what Xin Lin would do next.
Chu Tianyi beside her rejoiced over the disaster awaiting her, thinking that she was doomed this time.
Good job, Xin Lin!
You even dare to accuse the Third Prince of insubordination?
Am I foolish, or is the younger one acting foolishly?
Clap clap clap—
A loud round of applause erupted in North Square.
Emperor Longteng’s brows raised as he saw Silly Chu grinning broadly, clapping vigorously.
Upon seeing Chu Beiqing, Emperor Longteng’s rising anger subsided once again.
"Then explain, how exactly is the Third Prince guilty of insubordination?"
Emperor Longteng said sternly.
"He said Xin Zhuo was born by a mother but not raised by a father. This is clearly an insult to you! Xin Zhuo is the Seventh Prince, your own flesh and blood!"
Xin Lin’s voice suddenly raised a few notches.
Seventh Prince!
The square erupted in murmurs once again.
Emperor Longteng’s expression shifted slightly.
He turned to look at Little Xinzhuo.
"I am the commoner Xin Zhuo, son of Shi Ying. This is my mother’s keepsake."
Little Xinzhuo knelt on the ground, pulling out Noble Lady Shi’s ring and held it over his head.
The white jade ring clearly engraved with Shi Ying’s name startled Third Prince Long Qingchen.
This lad, the Seventh Prince?
Noble Lady Shi and her son’s affair, Long Qingchen had also heard about.
But wasn’t Noble Lady Shi driven out of the palace ages ago, without any word since?
He stealthily glanced at his own mother, Empress Feng, whose gaze was usual and her face delicate as if wearing an exquisite mask.
"Fetch someone to check this ring."
Empress Feng commanded someone to step forward and examine the ring.
"Reporting back, the ring gifted by the Emperor has no issues. However, this child is not of Royal bloodline. Impersonating the Royal bloodline is a capital offense!"
Empress Feng’s eyes hardened, and with a flick of her sleeve, several Imperial Guards stepped forward, preparing to seize Xin Lin and Little Xinzhuo.