The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 721: Chapter 722: What Could She Have Figured Out?

Xie Anjun’s greatest fear had come to pass.

But he hadn’t expected the Eldest Princess to be the one to strike first, and for a moment, he couldn’t react.

”I... I didn’t...”

The Eldest Princess found it amusing. ”At a time like this, you can’t possibly think you can still get away clean, can you?”

Xie Anjun was speechless, burning with anxiety.

The Eldest Princess’s next words sent a chill through his heart.

”If your father were still alive, he would not wish to see you make such a grave mistake.”

As if plunged into an icy cavern, Xie Anjun stiffly raised his head. He met the Eldest Princess’s all-seeing eyes and felt an involuntary shudder of fear.

The Eldest Princess seemed to recall something else and tilted her head slightly.

”Oh, right. Go and ask Jia Yi to come over. As it happens, she has a few things she’d like to say as well.”

”Yes.”

Zhuxin acknowledged the order and quickly withdrew.

A short while later, a familiar set of footsteps could be heard approaching.

Xiao Jiayi entered with her eyes lowered deferentially. She came to a stop in the hall and bowed respectfully.

”Jia Yi greets Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty.”

She was no longer a princess. Her only title now was Lady of Duke Zhongyong.

Emperor Muwu’s expression was unruffled.

He turned to the Eldest Princess. ”Since you summoned her, Sister, you must have your reasons.”

Xiao Jiayi tensed. Hearing him not even offer her a single word of acknowledgment, she felt tears welling up.

But compared to the grievances she had suffered recently, this was nothing at all.

Xiao Jiayi knew exactly why she was here today, so she quickly suppressed her emotions.

The Eldest Princess’s gaze drifted between her and Xie Anjun for a moment.

”I have also heard about the recent incidents at the Duke Zhongyong Mansion. It’s normal for a husband and wife to quarrel, but one shouldn’t go too far, lest you become a laughingstock.”

Xie Anjun didn’t know whether to speak or stay silent.

He looked at Xiao Jiayi, alarmed and uncertain.

’What is she up to?! Just how much does she know about me!?’

Xiao Jiayi felt his gaze, but from beginning to end, she never once turned to look at him.

The Eldest Princess raised a hand. ”Let’s take this opportunity today for the two of you to speak freely and have a good chat.”

Xie Anjun’s heart began to pound.

Xiao Jiayi prostrated herself on the floor. Her voice was hoarse, but her tone was firm.

”Reporting to Your Majesty and the Eldest Princess, Jia Yi has indeed come to the palace today with a few things she wishes to make clear.”

As she spoke, she slowly straightened up. Her gaze swept over Fan Chengzhuo, Xie Anjun, and the others, a mocking smile twisting her lips.

”I am here to prove that Marquis Zhongyong, Xie Anjun, and Fan Chengzhuo have long been in collusion, a nest of vipers! They used Zheng Baosu’s position in the army to collude with the enemy, betray the country, and seek personal gain—an unforgivable crime! I have their correspondence from the past few years, as well as the account books detailing over three hundred thousand taels of ill-gotten wealth that have flowed into the Xie Family over the years. I implore Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly!”

The words struck Xie Anjun like a bolt from the blue!

His lips trembled, and he stammered, ”You! What are you saying!”

Xiao Jiayi didn’t even spare him a glance, her heart and eyes filled with nothing but overwhelming hatred!

She enunciated each word, her voice ringing with conviction—

”The Old Marquis was aware of this long ago and had strictly warned Xie Anjun to stop at once and never do it again! But Xie Anjun refused to see reason, going behind the Old Marquis’s back to extend his reach even further. This led to a fierce conflict between them! In the end, it caused the Old Marquis to die of grief and indignation!”

Xie Anbai’s hands abruptly clenched into fists! The veins on them bulged!

He whipped his head toward Xie Anjun, his eyes like daggers, cold and sharp!

...

「Prince Jing Mansion.」

Xiao Chenglin felt a persistent unease, distractedly practicing his calligraphy.

Chang Sui hurried in, his expression tense, and lowered his voice.

”Your Highness, this is bad! There’s trouble at the palace!”

Xiao Chenglin paused. ”What is it?”

Chang Sui’s expression was conflicted, as if he was struggling with how to phrase it.

”It’s said that Fan Chengzhuo was afflicted with a poisonous insect and doesn’t have long to live!”

”What did you say!?”

Xiao Chenglin looked up abruptly, his beautiful and refined face now tinged with a grim coldness.

Chang Sui immediately began to explain in a low voice, recounting everything that had happened at the palace that day.

Xiao Chenglin’s expression grew colder and colder.

Chang Sui’s voice grew quieter. ”...Your Highness, what should we do?”

Xiao Chenglin was silent for a long moment.

DRIP.

A drop of ink fell from the brush tip, blooming into a blurry black stain on the paper.

Xiao Chenglin grew increasingly agitated. He raised a hand and swept the stack of xuan paper to the floor—FWOOSH!

”Idiots!”

’It’s one thing for Xie Anjun to be brainless, but for Fan Chengzhuo to lose his mind too!’

’Zheng Baosu’s guilt was set in stone for what he did. His death was sealed from the start!’

’But Fan Chengzhuo just wouldn’t give up. He even dared to enter the palace!’

’Now the situation has become an utter mess, completely unsalvageable!’

Chang Sui also understood the gravity of the situation and asked nervously, ”Your Highness, how do you plan to handle this?”

Xiao Chenglin closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and replayed the recent events in his mind.

A moment later, he opened his eyes, his tone unreadable.

”Has Shui Xingqiu arrived in the Capital City yet?”

Chang Sui was taken aback. He hadn’t expected him to suddenly mention this person. After a moment’s thought, he shook his head.

”He’s traveling with the people from Nanhu. They should be arriving tomorrow.”

Xiao Chenglin’s lips pressed into a thin line. A shadow seemed to fall over his brow, making him look strangely grim.

Seeing his expression, Chang Sui faintly guessed something.

”Your Highness, are you suspecting... that Shui Xingqiu used the poisonous insect on Fan Chengzhuo?”

Xiao Chenglin’s face was impassive. ”Didn’t you say Fan Chengzhuo is on the verge of death? It certainly sounds a lot like...”

Chang Sui frowned, hesitant. ”But... Shui Xingqiu hasn’t even reached the Capital City yet! And even if he were here, the two of them don’t usually interact. Why on earth would Shui Xingqiu suddenly target him?”

It really made no sense.

In truth, Xiao Chenglin had also considered this point.

He lowered his gaze in thought for a long time. Then his lashes fluttered, and he spoke slowly.

”Then... what about her?”

Chang Sui understood almost instantly who he was referring to and instinctively dismissed the idea. ”That’s impossible, isn’t it? Hasn’t she always been—”

At this, as if he had touched upon some taboo, he immediately fell silent.

”This subordinate was wrong! Please punish me, Your Highness!”

But Xiao Chenglin didn’t seem to mind. He just narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.

”Come to think of it, if it really was her... she certainly didn’t have the time or opportunity...”

After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Chenglin suddenly said, ”Prepare the carriage. We’re going to the palace.”

Chang Sui was shocked. ”Now? Your Highness, you can’t go!”

’Anyone with a brain knows what the situation at the palace must be like right now!’

’Whoever goes at a time like this is bound to get dragged into trouble!’

”Your Highness! At a time like this, you must remain calm!”

Xiao Chenglin’s brow furrowed slightly.

He knew, of course, that this was not a good time.

But if he didn’t go, with all those people gathered in the palace, the situation was far too unpredictable. There was no telling what else might happen!

Xiao Chenglin rested one hand on the armrest of his wheelchair, lost in thought.

After a moment, he suddenly asked:

”Ye Chutang is there too. Did she notice anything?”