novelraw Chapter 652 210: Sir, Will You Become My Only Regent King in the Future?_2
Chapter 652 210: Sir, Will You Become My Only Regent King in the Future?_2
Even if a wise person realized something was amiss and that Xiao Li might not be responsible, most common folk wouldn't think too deeply about it. With the princes determined to frame her, public opinion could easily be swayed by them. Having just defended the Great Wilderness, defeated the Barbarians, the arch-enemy of the Li Dynasty, and achieved an overwhelming victory, Xiao Li was bound to cast a shadow in the hearts of countless people in the Central Plains. Future endeavors to establish herself in the Central Plains would now be troublesome.
Of course, if one truly possessed the strength to kill these princes and ultimately seize the throne, then none of this would matter. In fact, on the Self-Castration Route, the protagonist did just that, decisively killing all the princes... Unfortunately, it wasn't that simple on the Love Saint Route. During that period, anyone wishing to kill these princes had to consider the top-tier experts at their sides. Opportunities were scarce. Turning the tide at this point was extremely difficult.
Once the accusation was confirmed, Xiao Li could still safely leave the Capital City, but her future would be in jeopardy. As the destined ruler of the future, she could not afford to bear this accusation. Moreover, all the assassins had perished, leaving no one to testify. There was no way around it; these assassins were all Death Soldiers loyal to the princes.
At this point, even Xiao Li didn't know what to do. Indeed, she would be fortunate just to make it back to the Great Wilderness safely. Amidst the public outrage, the princes even had ample reason to mobilize the army on the spot, capture Xiao Li, and, using the Court's authority, strip her of her Imperial Princess title and throw her into prison... If this wasn't handled properly, it meant only one thing: doom.
At this moment, only the protagonist could save the day. To be precise, it was time for him to be the scapegoat.
"How could Her Highness, the Imperial Princess, send assassins to kill her own brothers?" As Mr. Tian, he stepped forward and declared, "I am the Imperial Princess's Strategist. I orchestrated this plan; Her Highness had no knowledge of it. It has little to do with her."
Seeing someone step forward to take the blame, the other princes were naturally not going to let the matter rest. They were determined to pin this blame squarely on Xiao Li.
"You, a mere Strategist, dare to plot such a grand affair? What a joke!" sneered the Eldest Prince. "Without Xiao Li's consent, how could you possibly have the capability to plan such a massive operation?"
"It's simple." Mr. Tian glanced at him. "The assassins I trained all mastered a special Divine Skill called the Reflected Light Scripture. When cast by another on someone recently deceased, it can temporarily revive them for ten breaths. Within those ten breaths, certain information can be extracted. You need only hand these assassins over to me. Once I cast this Divine Skill, those two who just died can be revived. These assassins are from my Great Wilderness, so they have naturally mastered this Divine Skill. Once I cast it, if they revive for ten breaths, we will get our answers with a single question. The Imperial Princess does not know this Divine Skill. I am Mr. Tian of the Great Wilderness, and Her Highness has granted me many privileges."
Hearing this, the expressions of the princes changed slightly. If this man truly demonstrated the skill and the two assassins were revived for ten breaths, the information they could extract might be far more substantial. But such a Divine Skill was unheard of, clearly a fabrication—yet, what if it were true?
At this moment, Mr. Tian glanced at Xiao Li, his message clear. Xiao Li clenched her teeth. She obviously knew Mr. Tian's intentions but gave no response. But now, the princes were certainly not going to hand over the assassins' corpses. If they did, Xiao Li might be exonerated.
The princes were well aware of Mr. Tian of the Great Wilderness. He was the mysterious Strategist behind the Seventh Princess, the key figure who had assisted Xiao Li in developing the Great Wilderness and securing victory in the Battle of Ancient River! Who knew what methods he possessed to help Xiao Li clear her name?
After exchanging glances, the princes swiftly shifted the focus of their attack. If they couldn't touch Xiao Li, surely they could deal with a mere Mr. Tian? Besides, Mr. Tian was Xiao Li's indispensable aide; without him, Xiao Li would be greatly weakened. Thus, the protagonist became their target.
"Seventh Sister, is what he says true?" the Eldest Prince would ask at this point. "Are you really unaware? If so, it might be excusable..."
The plot had reached a crucial juncture. Although it was a minor plot twist, it marked a turning point in Xiao Li's emotional development. If she admitted it was true, Mr. Tian would take the blame and likely not return. If she denied it, she would bear the blame, making her future struggle for the throne even harder. At this moment, the choice seemed to lie with Xiao Li, but in reality, it still rested with the protagonist because the protagonist still had to help her make that decision.
"No, I kne—" Xiao Li began, her teeth clenched, her voice cold.
Xiao Li, who possessed the qualities of a sovereign, had not yet fully matured. The Battle of Ancient River had ignited her true ambition. But she still lacked some of the decisiveness and ruthlessness of a sovereign. Therefore, at this moment, she was actually unwilling to abandon the protagonist. However, as the protagonist, he now had to interrupt her.
"Of course, it's true!" Mr. Tian declared sharply.
"Her Highness, the Imperial Princess, is kind-hearted. She loves the people of the Great Wilderness as if they were her own children and often thinks of you, her brothers. It was I, as her Strategist, acting on my own selfish desire to clear her path, who concealed this rebellious act from Her Highness!
"I have betrayed Her Highness's trust!
"The fault is mine alone and has nothing to do with the Imperial Princess. I know that such a traitorous act cannot be atoned for; only my insignificant life can be offered!"