The Crybaby Prince is Reborn, Where is the Prince Going?

Chapter 147: Confinement in the Prince's Mansion

Xiao Mingcheng received the news early in the morning, but did not go to the Second Prince's Mansion immediately.

He was not a lively person and was too lazy to watch the fun.

But after he learned that Emperor Xuan was coming, he was afraid that he would no longer have the chance to stay in the mansion and wait and see.

The others had the same idea as him.

The emperor must have come in person because he attached great importance to this pregnancy. Even if they didn't give face to the second prince, they had to come to congratulate him.

But no one expected that before they could even enter the mansion, they were stopped outside the Second Prince's mansion by the imperial guards.

"Your Highness, the Emperor has ordered that no one is allowed to enter the Second Prince's residence!"

"Brother, don't you have the emperor's special pardon? Why waste time arguing with them? No one can stop you if your eldest brother wants to go in." The fourth prince Xiao Mingren, who was watching the fun, cheered from the side.

"No, Father is the sovereign and we are his subjects. Since Father has given the order, please be patient and wait for a moment."

It happened that at this time Qingxi received an oral order from Emperor Xuan, inviting all the princes and adults to come to the palace for a talk.

"My lords, please follow me."

Yoshinobu and his entourage rushed into the front hall of the main courtyard.

As soon as I entered the door, I saw people kneeling on the ground and was immediately in a dilemma.

Emperor Xuan glanced at everyone and finally his eyes stopped on Ji Zhonghuan.

"Mr. Ji, are you here to learn about the Second Imperial Concubine Chu's scheme to defraud the emperor and incite the people?"

Ji Zhonghuan saluted Emperor Xuan with an expressionless face and said, "Your Majesty, I don't know."

"Oh?" Emperor Xuan smiled playfully. He didn't believe him, or even everyone present.

"Your Majesty, we are just following your footsteps to see Xiangrui."

It's obvious that we are here to do the same thing as you are here for. What is there to doubt?

However, Emperor Xuan's expression did not ease, but became even more embarrassed.

Ji Zhonghuan was really merciless in his words. The word "auspicious" made Emperor Xuan's anger, which had been suppressed for a long time, surge up.

"Okay, you all want to see auspicious signs, right? Do you, the nobles of the Dead Infant, want to see one? Hmm? You want me to tell you in person that the so-called auspicious signs are just lies, but you are happy? Hmm? Why don't you say anything?"

Everyone was stunned by Emperor Xuan's words. They no longer had the time to ask the child and immediately fell to their knees.

"I don't dare!"

"Don't dare? I think you dare very much, Grand Prince."

Xiao Mingcheng was startled when his name was suddenly called. He looked up and asked, "Father, why did your Majesty summon me?"

Emperor Xuan looked into Xiao Mingcheng's eyes for a moment, then suddenly sighed.

He really suspected that it was his eldest son who was behind this, but when he saw that his eldest son had clear eyes and did not look like someone who was deceitful, he felt relieved for a moment, and even felt vaguely guilty.

It was he who caused Tiaotiao to go missing and still not be found. Now his second son is plotting against Cheng'er...and he still wants to take sides.

Thinking of this, Emperor Xuan felt a little bit reluctant when looking at Xiao Mingcheng.

He can't give up any of them because they are both flesh and blood.

But... after all, Cheng'er is fine, isn't he? Cheng'er hasn't suffered any harm, so why not... just forget it? I think Cheng'er will definitely set a good example for his brother and forgive Mingyi...

Xiao Mingcheng didn't know what Emperor Xuan was thinking. In his opinion, the look in Emperor Xuan's eyes when he looked at him was becoming more loving.

Just like the guilty yet loving look in her eyes after Tiaotiao disappeared.

Xiao Mingcheng shuddered with disgust. Meeting Emperor Xuan's questioning gaze, he quickly lowered his head and asked, "Father, do you have any instructions?"

Emperor Xuan regained his composure, and set his thoughts to rest. He tilted his head slightly, his tone weakening, "Cheng'er...if your brothers make a mistake, what will you do?"

"Punish according to the law." Xiao Mingcheng answered truthfully without any selfish motives.

But Emperor Xuan was not satisfied with this answer.

Even though he knew that Xiao Yunzhen had such a personality, there would only be this one answer, but he was still not satisfied with the answer he heard.

Just like sending Lao Wu away was obviously the best choice, but he still blamed Xiao Mingcheng for being unkind.

Emperor Xuan sighed and turned to ask other officials: "If the prince makes a mistake, what should you do?"

Everyone looked at each other, and no one dared to say "deal with it according to the law" with the confidence of Xiao Mingcheng.

They were not Xiao Mingcheng and did not have Emperor Xuan's favoritism. They also knew that the prince Emperor Xuan was referring to was the second prince Xiao Mingyi, but they did not dare to tell the truth.

Telling the truth might cost you your head!

But there are always people who are not afraid of death, such as Ji Zhonghuan.

He didn't even consider it, and said bluntly: "The prince is guilty of the same crime as the common people. If the Second Prince's actions have violated the law, I suggest that he be punished according to the law! If the evidence is unclear, I am willing to request an imperial decree to investigate!"

"No! No!" Chu Lingle, who had been silent all this time, suddenly shouted, "It has nothing to do with Your Highness! I harmed Your Highness. Your Majesty, I plead guilty, and I deserve to die!"

"A Le!" Xiao Mingyi took advantage of the guards' loosening of their grip and suddenly broke free from their grip. He stumbled to Chu Lingle's side and hugged her.

"Don't be silly. Why are you confessing for me?" Xiao Mingyi brushed away the wet hair stuck to Chu Lingle's face, stroked her face, and said gently, "Ah Le, there's no need to plead for me. I'm responsible for my own actions. Father wants to save me. If the price isn't your life, maybe I'll agree..."

"Your Highness... Your Highness..." Two tears slowly rolled down Chu Lingle's face. She hugged Xiao Mingyi tightly, crying inconsolably.

That's not the case... Your Highness, why doesn't she understand that even if Your Highness pleads guilty, she will still die!

Why is His Highness so foolish as to try to save her from the Emperor...

Why are you so stupid!

The two of them hugged each other and cried, but Zhao Yuejiao suddenly turned around and looked at Zhao Wuming in the crowd.

"Father!" Zhao Yuejiao shouted, "Father, are you still going to watch your daughter suffer injustice?"

Zhao Wuming frowned and took a moment to react before he remembered that Zhao Yuejiao was his daughter.

"Jiaojiao? What's going on? Why do you look so grim?"

Zhao Yuejiao felt so disgusted by the call of "Jiaojiao" that she felt creepy inside. When had her father ever called her like that? It was as scary as if she was possessed by a ghost.

But now was not the time to dwell on the name. She quickly squeezed out a few tears and cried, "Father, you have to make the decision for your daughter! Xiao Mingyi actually wanted to cut open my daughter's belly and take the child out alive to bring good luck to Chu Lingle! Poor my child, who was born prematurely... That's my child, the one I carried for eight months!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the ministers who had been huddled together like quails couldn't help but shudder.

Could the Second Prince really do such a heartless thing?

Caesarean section to deliver a baby is only considered a good omen. How is this behavior any different from that of an animal?

But no one dared to speak out and continued to huddle like quails.

Emperor Xuan glanced at everyone and pinched his brows tiredly. He suddenly wanted to kill everyone including his disappointing second son, so that he could end this farce and retain a bit of dignity for the royal family.

Unfortunately, it is not possible. Ministers cannot be killed, but they must be given an explanation.

So he called the imperial physicians and asked them to take the pulse of Chu Lingle, Zhao Yuejiao and the child respectively.

The imperial physician quickly delivered two conclusions. "The second imperial concubine's little girl was indeed born full-term and is in good health. Concubine Zhao was weak and had a cold in her system, having just experienced a miscarriage... and the two children were indeed born prematurely, just over eight months..."

The fact that two of the three children died was the best evidence.

Emperor Xuan did not want to worry about the remaining details, so he handed it over to the Dali Temple.

He then issued an edict: "Second Imperial Concubine Chu is guilty of plotting to murder the heir to the throne, and of deceiving the emperor. She deserves death and is imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court to await trial. Second Prince Xiao Mingcheng is stripped of his clan ties and confined to the Imperial Court. All other individuals who knew about this are to be beaten to death, as is Concubine Zhao..."

Emperor Xuan looked at Zhao Yuejiao and asked her, "What do you want?"

Zhao Yuejiao lowered her head, thought for a moment, and said resolutely: "I want a divorce!"