The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 617: Chapter 617: Something Has Happened

Jiang Zhao Yuan felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He shot to his feet. ”Your Majesty, have mercy! They are your—”

”There is no need to beg.”

Emperor Muwu seemed to have aged years in an instant.

”I gave him more than one chance. It was he who failed to live up to my expectations.”

Jiang Zhao Yuan scrambled forward on his knees, utterly panicked. ”Your Majesty! Your Majesty—”

”Guards.”

As soon as he spoke, guards from outside rushed in. With a CLANG, a sword was pressed against Jiang Zhao Yuan’s neck and shoulder!

The cold, sharp steel stopped Jiang Zhao Yuan from daring to move.

Emperor Muwu closed his eyes.

”Take him out and beat him to death.”

...

「Anhua Palace.」

Another evening fell, the setting sun as red as blood.

Xiao Chengxuan had been lying on his bed when a bloodcurdling scream from outside sent a shiver down his spine, and he shot upright.

He looked outside, alarmed and uncertain, and strained his ears to listen.

But then, there was only silence.

’Was I imagining things...?’

He muttered, dazed.

He had been locked in here for days. The doors and windows were sealed shut, and his only contact with the outside world was when someone delivered his three daily meals.

No one spoke to him. He had no idea what was happening outside. The confinement was driving him mad!

Even when he was under house arrest at Chengxin Lake, he had never been so completely deprived of his freedom!

Even in the Heavenly Prison, at least there were people to talk to. But here, he spent his days in solitude. This feeling of loneliness and uncertainty was enough to make him break down!

He was plagued by nightmares. The scene of being publicly interrogated and confronting Xiao Lansi replayed in his mind again and again, impossible to escape.

As a result, Xiao Chengxuan had become a bundle of nerves. The slightest noise from outside made him suspect someone was coming to drag him away again.

He felt that if he had to endure this day after day, he would eventually go completely insane.

’No.’

’I can’t give up.’

’His Imperial Father had long since woken from his coma, but had yet to order my release. That very delay is a sign of hope!’

Xiao Chengxuan took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.

’It’s true I made mistakes, but I also clarified things that day. I didn’t collude with the Nanhu, nor did I murder my third brother and Xu Jie!’ ℯℯ𝑙.

’As long as the truth comes to light, I might still have a chance to turn things around...’

THUMP, THUMP, THUMP!

The sound of steady, heavy footsteps suddenly came from outside, making Xiao Chengxuan jump.

His heart leaped into his throat. He listened as the sound grew closer, his entire body tensing up!

He knew those footsteps all too well!

’It’s... the Imperial Guard!’

Sure enough, the next moment, a cold voice called from outside.

”Open the door.”

CLICK— CREAK.

The door, which had been shut for so long, finally swung slowly open. The last rays of sunlight spilled over the threshold and onto the floor, the light so bright it was almost jarring.

Xiao Chengxuan tilted his head slightly, his heart pounding with extreme tension.

”What are you doing?”

The armored Imperial Guard didn’t answer him, only giving a cold-faced gesture with his hand.

SHUFFLE—!

Two rows of soldiers immediately poured into the room, quickly surrounding Xiao Chengxuan!

Xiao Chengxuan finally realized the danger. He scanned his surroundings warily and barked, ”Insolence!”

”Second Prince,” the leader said indifferently. ”This will be the last time I address you as such. His Majesty has decreed that you are to be exiled to Yizhou immediately, never to take a single step off the island for the rest of your life! It’s a long journey, so shouldn’t you be on your way?”

”What!?”

Xiao Chengxuan’s mind went blank, and he staggered back a step.

But he recovered in the next instant and lunged forward, his features twisted with anger and desperation.

”You’re lying! You have to be lying! I made everything clear that day! I didn’t do those things! How could Imperial Father still treat me like this!? You—”

”You know perfectly well what you have and haven’t done.”

The leader frowned and gave a signal with his eyes. The soldiers on either side immediately moved forward and seized Xiao Chengxuan!

Someone kicked the back of his knees, forcing him to the ground.

THUD!

A sharp pain shot through him, and Xiao Chengxuan’s face turned white.

The man couldn’t be bothered to waste any more words on him and turned to leave.

”Take him away!”

”Yes, sir!”

Xiao Chengxuan struggled violently, but he was no match for these soldiers. After a brief scuffle, he was subdued and dragged outside.

Seeing that they were really heading toward the palace gates, Xiao Chengxuan grew frantic.

”I want to see my Imperial Father! And my mother! Even if I have to go, I must see my mother one last time! How dare you—”

”There’s no need for that.”

The man glanced back at him, his expression indifferent.

”His Majesty will not see you. As for Jiang Cairen... it’s already too late for you to see her.”

Xiao Chengxuan’s struggles suddenly stopped. His blood ran cold as he stared blankly at the man.

”Wh-what did you say?”

’Too late?’

’What did that mean!?’

But the man said nothing more, only glancing in the direction of the Cold Palace and letting out a disdainful snort.

An icy chill washed over Xiao Chengxuan in an instant.

Someone shoved him from behind. He stumbled forward, numb and stiff, each step leaden.

Just as he was wondering how he could escape his captors and get a look at the Cold Palace, a jarring splash of crimson suddenly entered his vision.

Xiao Chengxuan froze, staring blankly ahead.

On the wide palace path, a squad of the Imperial Guard appeared to have just finished carrying out an execution.

A familiar figure was sprawled motionlessly on a long wooden bench, his back beaten to a bloody pulp.

Thick, scarlet blood soaked his clothes and trickled silently down his limp, dangling arm.

DRIP.

A large stain of blood had already spread across the jade-paved flagstones.

The leader glanced over and was the first to speak.

”You won’t be seeing Jiang Cairen, but your timing is rather fortunate. You can see Mr. Jiang off on his final journey.”

Xiao Chengxuan’s vision swam with black spots.

Only then did he finally smell the acrid stench of blood.

His face ghastly pale, he bent over and threw up!

...

The carriage moved slowly forward as the clamor of a crowd drifted in from outside.

Ye Jingyan had been chatting with Ye Chutang about amusing things that had happened at the Imperial College over the past few days. Hearing the commotion, he casually lifted the curtain to look outside and saw a large crowd gathered at the street corner ahead. They were all looking in the same direction, chattering with a mix of excitement and shock.

Ye Jingyan narrowed his eyes. ”Isn’t that...”

”The Jiang family.”

Ye Chutang also glanced up.

”Are those government soldiers?”

Ye Jingyan nodded.

A jumble of voices drifted in from outside.

”What’s going on? The Jiang family is having their property seized!?”

”I heard the head of the Jiang family committed a grave crime! He went into the palace today and never came out. Not long after, government officials showed up at their door!”

”What other reason could there be? The Jiang family used to be all-powerful, and think of all the evil they’ve done! This is just karma—what goes around comes around! Haha! It’s so satisfying to see! They deserve it!”