in2ebook Chapter 295 Why Did the Second Prince Help Us?
Chapter 295 Why Did the Second Prince Help Us?
Upon returning to the capital, to prevent further trouble, the younger brother was imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court jail. Originally, only members of the imperial family who committed crimes were imprisoned here, but the Emperor broke this precedent for the sake of the Si family's heir.
Discussions in Kyoto about the favor shown to the Marquis of Anle's family were rampant.
But because of this, it's impossible for anyone to get close to the underlings.
The second sister felt as if her heart was being torn apart. She hugged Little Red and wept, stroking it gently. She said to her younger sister, "The day before yesterday, he came down from the hunting grounds and gave me this injured rabbit, asking me to take good care of it. Today, however, I can't even see my younger brother..."
The younger sister reached out and touched a red dot, her eyes dark and unfathomable: "If my brother hadn't acted impulsively, perhaps we wouldn't have suffered this undeserved disaster today."
“No, he wasn’t acting impulsively; he was acting out of a sense of justice.” The second sister raised her head, her attitude resolute. “He couldn’t bear to see those animals persecuted, and he would rather die than submit. I’m proud of him! I only regret that I’m too weak to stand up for him!”
"If it's about power..." the younger sister murmured to herself, "Power is blinding. No wonder so many people in the world are desperate to climb to the top! Only by pursuing fame and fortune can they bring a better life to themselves and their families!"
The second sister watched the raindrops falling from the eaves, drip-drop, and her heart was also dripping: "What if Prince Ning can't find out? No, I can't just sit here and wait to die!"
She stood up and handed a red ribbon to her younger sister: "I'm going to find Father. Tomorrow I'll go with him to the Wan family to express our gratitude."
Inside the palace, Consort Xin was extremely anxious. She wanted to see her son, but the Emperor forbade anyone from going. After her son returned to the palace, he was sent to his residence in the Eastern Third Palace, where guards stood watch at the palace gates, effectively placing him under house arrest.
She was seething with hatred, thinking that having the Si family's son as his study companion would only benefit his status. She never expected the Si family's son to pull such a stunt, and that Tang family brat was so reckless—attempting to assassinate the Si family's son at this critical juncture! Wasn't he just handing over leverage to Prince Ning?
Yang Yan, the only one with any sense who was around his son, fell ill after being frightened and was in a state of near death.
This is so worrying!
Consort Xin wrote a letter and instructed her personal maid: "Have someone deliver this to my father immediately! I have no other choice but to ask my father to find a way to resolve this matter as soon as possible!"
She rubbed her temples. The letter contained her worries and also informed her of what she knew about her son.
She didn't know if her son had tortured or killed anyone, but she had heard about the animal cruelty and had reprimanded him several times for it. But her son wouldn't listen to her, and all she could do was help cover it up so the emperor wouldn't find out.
Even if the son had never killed anyone, he would not be convicted of animal cruelty, but his moral character was flawed. No matter how much the emperor favored him, he would be ineligible for the position!
The palace maid left with the letter, and returned half an hour later with another letter.
"What happened?" Consort Xin frowned. "The letter wasn't sent out?"
A palace maid stepped forward and whispered, "I've already sent someone to deliver it, but it wasn't delivered; the Second Prince stopped it!"
Consort Xin was furious. She and the Imperial Concubine were at odds, but when it came to sons, how could the Imperial Concubine be a match for her? She had never respected Xiao Jingren either.
"What does he want to do?"
The palace maid hurriedly said, "Your Highness, please calm down. His Highness the Second Prince came to see me personally and said that he did not want to delay Your Highness's rest, so he did not disturb you. I think His Highness's words make perfect sense."
Consort Xin said coldly, "What logic do you have? Tell me!"
The palace maid said, "The Second Prince said that Prince Ning currently has no substantial evidence to prove the Third Prince's crimes, but the Emperor has only given him seven days to investigate. Prince Ning will definitely order people to keep a close eye on our palace and the Xing family. Exchanging letters at this time will only give Prince Ning something to use against you, making him think that Your Highness and the Xing family are colluding..."
Consort Xin was covered in sweat on her back and murmured, "How could I not have thought of that..."
The palace maid hurriedly said, "Your Highness, you were anxious for the Third Prince and that's why you were so careless. We are very grateful to the Second Prince for his help today."
Consort Xin's gaze turned somber: "Tell me, why did Xiao Jingren help me?"
The palace maid dared not respond, and kept her head down in silence.
"Shouldn't he be clinging to the Crown Prince's coattails at a time like this? Why would he do this out of the blue..."
The Second Prince stopped Consort Xin's actions, turned around and went to the Emperor, kneeling down with red eyes to plead for the Third Prince.
“Father, my third brother is still a child. How could he do such a cruel thing? I watched him grow up. He is a little naive and a little mischievous, but he is definitely not the kind of person who would do anything that is morally reprehensible! Prince Ning cannot distinguish right from wrong and believes everything he hears. Father, he is showing contempt for imperial authority!”
The Emperor looked at him, his face expressionless: "Is that what you think?"
“Yes, that’s what I think,” the Second Prince said firmly. “Father has always taught me to be kind and respectful to my brothers, and I have always done so. This matter has escalated so much, and my Third Brother’s reputation has been damaged as a result. This is the fault of Prince Ning! Father, my Third Brother is your own son!”
The Emperor closed his eyes, tapping his fingers on the table. After a long while, he opened his eyes and said gently, "You know how to be considerate of me and how to care for your younger brother. Not bad!"
The second prince secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The Emperor added, "Once this matter is over, I will grant your brother the title of Prince ahead of schedule, and I will certainly not let Xiao Youchuan and Si Jing'an off lightly!"
The second prince sneered inwardly. He had pleaded for his third brother, and his father had only praised him, yet he had protected his third brother in every way and even wanted to grant him the title of prince ahead of schedule. What a loving father!
But he didn't show it on his face, only raising his head gratefully: "Father, I am very happy that you have considered my third brother's situation."
The Emperor waved his hand: "You don't need to worry about this matter. The right thing to do is to study hard."
Not long after the Second Prince left, the Imperial Concubine summoned him and gave him a severe scolding.
"Are you crazy? Why are you helping Xiao Jingcheng! He's in trouble now, and I want to kick him while he's down, and you're still helping him! Do you know how much I've suffered at the hands of that bitch Xinfei all these years?"
The second prince remained calm and said, "Mother, there is still a long time ahead! If my third brother really falls from power, wouldn't the Crown Prince's family become all-powerful? How could I possibly be a match for the Crown Prince?"
"So you're helping Xiao Jingcheng? You're making two enemies for yourself?"
The Second Prince shook his head: "They are enemies, while I am merely an ordinary prince who admires my elder brother and cares for my younger brother. Only by their constant fighting can I possibly benefit from it. Otherwise, with one family dominating the palace, I would have no future!"
The concubine's impatience gradually subsided, but she still spoke.
"You shouldn't get involved in this anymore. In my opinion, Xiao Jingcheng has no future!"