Inside the Dragon's Saliva Hall, the lamps burned brightly.
After resting for a while, Emperor Xiaochang's complexion finally improved slightly. He summoned several high-ranking and powerful ministers, along with his sons who were already betrothed and on the verge of marriage and establishing their careers, for a discussion.
In the vast bedchamber, apart from Xie Jinglan, who was severely injured and found it difficult to stand, all the other princes stood uniformly in front of their father, lined up straight.
Today, the palace hosted a banquet, and the security within and outside the palace was under Xue Yongnian's charge. Now that assassins had appeared in the palace, Xue Yongnian could not escape responsibility. However, Xue Yongnian had always been a man who took responsibility, and he was the first to kneel on the ground, accepting any punishment from the Emperor without complaint.
Emperor Xiaochang gathered everyone before him not to interrogate them, but to ask just one question: "What about the assassin?"
Silence fell upon the Dragon's Saliva Hall.
Feng Gu, standing nearby, felt both awkward and fearful, wishing he could dig a hole and bury himself on the spot.
After an unknown amount of time, Xue Yongnian finally spoke, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the assassin bit the poison capsule hidden under their tongue and died on the spot."
Emperor Xiaochang's complexion, which had just recovered, darkened again.
Tonglin was not yet pacified from the war, and the Tiger Head Banner of the Western Rong was displayed within his imperial palace. If this news spread, would the court lose face? Would the imperial family of Yu Lin lose face? His own old face would surely be beyond saving!
At that time, with so many people in Taihe Hall, they couldn't even capture a single assassin alive...
So, whether he raised sons or ministers, was he raising a bunch of useless people?!
Xue Yongnian knelt on the ground with his head bowed, naturally unable to explain that the delay in capturing the assassin was to save the Fourth Prince.
"Father, please calm your anger. It is my fault. Although the incident was sudden, General Xue rushed into Taihe Hall at the first opportunity. Because the assassin held me hostage, General Xue allowed the assassin to bite the poison capsule to save my life." Xie Jinglan knelt on the ground, frankly admitting his mistake. Moreover, there were so many eyes in the hall at the time; even if he wanted to hide, he couldn't.
His actions were observed by other ministers. Although they said nothing outwardly, they were quite impressed with the Fourth Prince. Everyone knew that Xue Yongnian was close to the Fourth Prince. Who would have thought that the Fourth Prince, who was always powerless and weak, would bravely step forward so readily at a critical moment?
The Eighth Prince looked at the surrounding ministers' gazes, feeling a pang in his heart.
Was his Fourth Brother trying to win people over at this moment, intentionally or unintentionally?
If it was unintentional, it was fine. But if it was intentional...
His composure and courage were truly terrifying.
Emperor Xiaochang looked at the injured Xie Jinglan and remained silent for a long while before saying nothing.
"Father, the matter of the assassin can be investigated slowly, but the Seventh Prince's injuries cannot be delayed further. As your son suggests, it would be better to allow Physician Zhang and the Fourth Prince Consort's party to depart first." Xie Jingzhou bowed and spoke, deliberately mentioning Ji Zizhao as well.
The Fourth Prince's identity was something other princes might not have considered, but Emperor Xiaochang would have.
Or rather, this was a persistent worry for Emperor Xiaochang!
Years ago, during a palace fire, one died and one was saved. Although the Empress insisted that the one rescued was the Fourth Prince, Emperor Xiaochang had always harbored doubts over the years. Especially today, when the Western Rong imperial family's possessions were placed before him, he became even more convinced that there were people from the Western Rong in the palace.
And the only possibility was that the person before him was not his son at all!
Emperor Xiaochang looked at Xie Jinglan. "Fourth Prince, what are your thoughts?"
"Your son believes that the Fifth Prince speaks correctly. If it weren't for the military doctors being unable to help, the Elder General Zhong would not have written a letter begging Your Majesty to send reinforcements."
Xie Jingzhou...
Was utterly stunned...
Of course, he wanted to take the opportunity to delay the imperial physicians' departure. Perhaps if the imperial physicians arrived a day later, the Seventh Prince would not be able to hold on and would die. As for the Fourth Prince, he was inherently useless. Since His Majesty asked him, he already suspected his identity. Therefore, as long as the Seventh Prince died, it would be too late for the Empress to support someone else to compete with him.
Normally, at this moment, the Fourth Prince, to protect himself, should have voluntarily delayed the departure of the imperial physicians. But unexpectedly, the Fourth Prince brazenly seized the opportunity to escape.
Xie Jingzhou certainly did not believe that Xie Jinglan would truly sacrifice himself to protect the Seventh Prince. However, Xie Jinglan looked at him so calmly, his dark eyes so clear that one could see to the bottom.
Xie Jingzhou had spoken first, and at this point, what else could Xie Jingzhou say? He could only brace himself and say against his will, "Fourth Brother is right."
"Your Majesty, this minister believes this matter requires further deliberation," said Fu Guangze, the Prime Minister, suddenly.
Xue Yongnian frowned. "Does Prime Minister Fu intend to disregard the Seventh Prince's life?"
"General Xue's words are quite biased. Now that assassins have appeared in the palace, and the Tiger Head Banner of the Western Rong has appeared openly before Your Majesty, until the traitor is identified, everyone is a suspect. If we truly let a traitor collude with the enemy and betray the country go, can General Xue bear the consequences?"
"The imperial physicians are all going to Tonglin. Where would traitors colluding with the enemy and betraying the country come from!"
"That is where you are mistaken. Until the person is apprehended, everyone is a suspect."
Inside the Dragon's Saliva Hall, the other princes watched coldly as Xue Yongnian and Fu Guangze argued heatedly. Before they could come to blows, Emperor Xiaochang's angry shout sent everyone out.
However, as everyone stumbled out, only Xie Jinglan remained seated in his chair, unmoved by the wind.
As Xie Jingzhou left, he glanced at Xie Jinglan, who was sitting alone. Not only did he not show any concern, but he was in a much better mood and specially went to visit Consort Xi in Huaqing Palace.
"If that's the case, the Fourth Prince is feeling guilty, which is why he is so eager to explain to His Majesty alone? But what use is any explanation? As long as His Majesty is still suspicious, he will not send people to Tonglin, especially not that Ji Zizhao!" In Huaqing Palace, Consort Xi's spirits lifted upon hearing the news. If this matter truly succeeded, two obstacles on his son's path to the throne would be removed.
"Or perhaps, Xie Jinglan really is a hostage from the Western Rong."
"If that is indeed the case, then we must sincerely thank the person who tipped you off."
Consort Xi and Xie Jingzhou were in good spirits. If someone hadn't reminded them, they would never have thought that Xie Jinglan's identity was problematic. Although they couldn't be absolutely certain now, whether this matter was true or false, as long as the Emperor believed it was true, that would suffice.
Most importantly, each day this matter was delayed meant another day of danger for the Seventh Prince's life.
"Consort Xi, something bad has happened!" Nanny Zhang ran in, panting.
Consort Xi frowned. "What could cause such haste?"
"Just now, His Majesty issued a decree ordering Physician Zhang to depart for Tonglin early tomorrow morning!"
Consort Xi...
Xie Jingzhou...
How was this possible?!