Page 361

"I just want to go to the White Horse Temple, so Auntie can take a look at my face, and decide for me."

"Then this servant will prepare immediately."

Huai Xiang had taken only a few steps before she was called back by Lady Chang, "Don’t say that I’m going to the White Horse Temple, just say I’m going home to visit my mother."

Because of the merits of her father and brothers, she had the opportunity to visit her family once a year.

Otherwise, without Your Highness’s permission, she couldn’t leave the palace.

After acknowledging, Huai Xiang went to prepare.

Imperial Study Room

Xiao Jinyan looked up at the plaque above his head inscribed with the words ’Imperial Study Room.’ Nearly five months had passed since his last visit, but the Study Room remained unchanged as always.

"Eunuch Li, I wish to see Father Emperor."

"Your Highness, this servant will go and report immediately." Eunuch Li, wearing a smile, went inside.

"Emperor, the Crown Prince has returned," Eunuch Li announced with a beaming smile.

The Emperor was frowning over a report, and was somewhat surprised upon hearing the news since the Crown Prince had written that he would return ten days later due to some issues.

His return ahead of schedule still pleased the Emperor.

"Let the Crown Prince enter immediately."

"As you wish." After Eunuch Li exited, Xiao Jinyan walked in.

He stepped forward to pay his respects, "Your son greets Father Emperor, may Father Emperor have endless happiness and good health."

The Emperor’s face showed pleasure, "Crown Prince, you have won a great victory this time, your contribution is undeniable, and you have worked hard."

Xiao Jinyan replied modestly, "Father Emperor gives too much praise, it is all thanks to your teachings over the years."

The Emperor’s cheerful laughter rang out, "Crown Prince, you must be tired from the long journey, you should go back and rest first, we can talk about anything else tomorrow."

Xiao Jinyan said, "Thank you, Father Emperor, for your understanding, but I have an urgent matter to discuss right now."

The Emperor nodded, "Speak, let me hear it."

Xiao Jinyan said, "Father Emperor, Lady Chang has falsely accused Shen Liangdi of having an affair with a guard and plotting against the heir, she is devious and has a malevolent heart; she doesn’t deserve to reside in the East Palace."

"Yuyu told you about this," the Emperor stated affirmatively.

"In response to Father Emperor, it was Prince Yu who wrote to inform me," Xiao Jinyan didn’t deny it, as there was no need to.

The Emperor knew then that his son couldn’t contain his impatience and had even written to inform the Crown Prince.

"Since the Crown Prince already knows about this matter, it should be thoroughly investigated. I have had the Imperial Doctors check Shen Liangdi’s pulse; they reported she has been pregnant for over four months.

You’ve been away from the palace for nearly five months, do you think the child is yours? "

Xiao Jinyan answered with conviction, "Father Emperor, if your son can’t even be sure of his own child, then he does not deserve to be the Crown Prince."

The Emperor’s tone grew stern, "Crown Prince, not to reproach you, but you are devoted to Shen Liangdi, and you believe whatever she says! Your mother is also misguided by her, led around and around in circles."

Xiao Jinyan looked up at the Emperor, "Father Emperor, the one who has been led around in circles is you."

The Emperor’s eyes turned cold, "What did you say?"

Xiao Jinyan took out a letter from his bosom and said, "Father Emperor, this is a letter I received when I first arrived at the military camp, personally written by the little eunuch I placed by Shen Liangdi’s side."

I had arranged for the little rabbit to be by Xiaojiu’s side originally out of fear that someone might bully her without any status or background of her own.

In any event, the little rabbit could inform him immediately.

The Emperor looked at the letter in the Crown Prince’s hand, his gaze filled with curiosity, "What letter? Does it have something to do with Shen Liangdi’s pregnancy?"

Xiao Jinyan advanced a few steps and presented the letter with both hands.

The Emperor took the letter and opened it, carefully reading the content.

Xiao Jinyan explained, "This is the letter the little rabbit sent to the military camp when Shen Liangdi first discovered she was with child."

It’s been nearly five months, and neither the paper nor the writing looks new. The exact time of writing is not mentioned at the bottom-right corner of the letter, so the letter is genuine.

The Emperor asked with confusion, "Then why did the Imperial Doctor say that Lady Shen has been joyously pregnant for over four months? I had two Imperial Doctors take her pulse."

Xiao Jinyan replied, "Father, the Imperial Doctor who examined Lady Shen initially said that she was frail and cold, making it difficult to conceive. Yet, Lady Shen is indeed pregnant, which shows that we cannot take the Imperial Doctor’s words at face value.

As to why the doctors would say such a thing, it will be known once investigated. "

Upon hearing this, the Emperor gripped the letter in his hand, seemingly struggling to believe it. If the Imperial Doctors in the Imperial Medical Bureau were all like this, what was to be done?

"Eunuch Li, seize those two Imperial Doctors who attended to her that day and interrogate them thoroughly. We must uncover the whole truth."

"As you command," Eunuch Li replied, ready to leave when Xiao Jinyu strode in.

"Prince Jinyu," Eunuch Li greeted with a bow.

Walking briskly inside, Xiao Jinyu saw his brother, the Crown Prince, whom he hadn’t seen for a long time. His peach blossom-like eyes curved, and he immediately came forward to pay respects. "Father."

The Emperor asked, "Yuyu, what brings you here?"

Xiao Jinyu replied, "This son has come to report a matter to Father."

Xiao Jinyan and Xiao Jinyu exchanged glances, understanding that his brother had uncovered something.

To think that his brother would unravel this matter in just two days.

The Emperor snorted, "And what could that be?"

"This son has already investigated those two Imperial Doctors. Imperial Doctor Nian owed General Chang a favor, and with his retirement approaching soon due to his age, it made him bold enough to deliberately report the pregnancy as four months instead of five. His purpose was to make Father suspect that the child Lady Shen carries is not of Imperial blood. Imperial Doctor Feng is a student personally taught by Imperial Doctor Nian, who harbors a teacher’s benevolence toward him, thus following his master’s lead," Xiao Jinyu stated.

The Emperor was initially taken aback, not expecting his son, usually known for being playful, to have made such a discovery.

"Do you have proof?"

"Of course," commanded Xiao Jinyu. "Bring in those two dogs."

Following which, guards escorted the two Imperial Doctors in question.

The doctors, trembling with fear, paid their respects to the Emperor.

Xiao Jinyu scoffed, "Confess at once, or your heads won’t be spared."

The doctors quickly acknowledged their assent.

"...Your Majesty, this criminal was foolish, please spare my life."

The two doctors had already been terrified by Xiao Jinyu, stammering in their speech.

In fact, the two doctors had not taken Lady Shen’s pulse seriously at the time; they had merely echoed Lady Chang’s statement of ’four months.’

Now that the truth was out, the Emperor’s expression darkened. Slamming his hand on the table, he ordered, "Take them to the Sky Prison."

After the guards dragged the two Imperial Doctors away,

The Emperor ordered, "Bring Lady Chang to see Me."

Eunuch Li hurried to Xinlan Hall to summon her, only to find out that Lady Chang had gone to her parental home. He rushed back to report.

"Your Majesty, Lady Chang has returned to her family home," reported Eunuch Li.

Xiao Jinyu indignantly said, "She happens to go back to her family home at this time? Father, it must be deliberate."

Regardless of what Lady Chang did, they still needed to consider the face of the Empress and General Chang.

The Emperor’s brow furrowed and after some contemplation, he said, "It’s inappropriate to seize someone from General Residence now. Eunuch Li, you send someone to bring Lady Chang back."

Though Lady Chang’s actions were detestable, the fact that Lady Shen was pregnant was still a happy occasion.

Xiao Jinyan then added, "Father, my personal guard, Qin Xiao, was only entering the East Palace and Xiaoxiang Pavilion to deliver daily necessities to Lady Shen, as I had arranged before my departure. He is still being held in the Sky Prison."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor commanded, "Release Qin Xiao, he is innocent."

ps: Second update

I’ve been a bit busy and will update two Chapters temporarily, but more to come explosively