He dashed out, his eyes bloodshot, his face twisted and terrifying, like a beast ready to devour anyone in its path.
Cheng Lan stood frozen, her mind buzzing and blank.
Seeing Murong Chen heading for the door, she snapped out of her daze and rushed over. “Second Prince, let’s go to the palace, to the palace to plead for mercy!”
But Murong Chen wouldn’t listen.
His mind was consumed by overwhelming fear, his reason gone. The only thought left was to catch those servants, to stop them from revealing the secret. So he kept running outside.
In a panic, Cheng Lan grabbed his collar and slapped him twice.
“Second Prince, wake up!”
The pain brought a sliver of clarity back to Murong Chen’s chaotic mind.
“Yes, we must go to the palace! Father will surely forgive me!”
His father doted on him so much. As long as he showed sincere remorse, his life would surely be spared.
“Someone, prepare a carriage!”
Murong Chen shouted hoarsely.
But the entire Prince’s mansion was empty; no one answered him.
He rushed into the street, stopped an empty carriage, dragged the driver down, and took the reins himself, speeding away.
Cheng Lan was left behind, abandoned without a second glance.
A wave of sorrow washed over Cheng Lan’s heart.
She knew that as an accomplice to Murong Chen’s actions and his lawful wife, she would also be held accountable.
Yet he didn’t care at all about her life or death, leaving her behind.
All his promises of loving her forever, of never letting her suffer the slightest grievance—they were all lies!
If it were someone like Zhan Haoting, a man of integrity, bravery, and fearlessness, he would never abandon a weak woman like her. He would even risk his life to protect her.
Perhaps she had been wrong. She shouldn’t have made Cheng Yao take her place in the marriage; she should have married him herself…
Watching Murong Chen leave, Cheng Yao sneered inwardly.
Trying to turn himself in first to seek leniency? Not a chance!
She found a bookstall and had the scholar there write several letters of exposure and accusation. She sent them to Dali Si and Xing Bu, and slipped copies into the mansions of Da Huangzi and San Huangzi.
After finishing this, she brushed off her sleeves and left, untouched by a speck of dust.
Murong Chen stood rigidly before the Emperor, tearfully confessing his crimes.
The Emperor flew into a rage, slapping him several times and kicking him repeatedly until his head was bloodied. Still unsatisfied, he drew a guard’s sword, ready to behead him.
Terrified out of his wits, Murong Chen clung to the Emperor’s legs, wailing, “Father, I only made the dragon robe and weapons out of curiosity and for fun. I wouldn’t dare covet that position even if you gave me ten times the courage! Father, please spare me this once!”
Li Peiyun also tried to intervene, reaching for the sword. “Your Majesty, the Second Prince was momentarily confused. His crime does not warrant death. Please calm your anger and don’t harm your own health.”
“You disgrace! You fool!”
The Emperor threw down the sword and kicked Murong Chen in the chest before returning to his seat.
Murong Chen clutched his chest as he collapsed to the ground, his heart aching as if it were about to split open.
The Emperor’s gaze was dark and terrifying, as if he wanted to devour him.
He hated his son’s foolishness, but even more, he hated that he had failed to live up to his expectations.
He was well aware of this son’s ambitions and had been willing to indulge him, all because Murong Chen was born to him and his most beloved concubine.
He had hoped that Murong Chen would one day inherit his Jiangshan.
But he never expected him to be so foolish!
Secretly making a dragon robe and weapons was bad enough, but to let the entire Prince’s mansion’s servants run out and shout about it in the streets!
If this were to spread, not only would the imperial family’s dignity and face be completely lost, but the entire Great Feng would become a laughingstock for all under heaven!
Having caused such a massive disaster, even he found it difficult to cover up for this rebellious son!
The Emperor had a headache. After pondering for a moment, he summoned the Imperial Guard commander Shi Huaian and ordered, “Issue the command: there were traitors who poisoned the Second Prince’s residence and placed forbidden items such as the dragon robe, weapons, and dragon throne inside to frame the Second Prince. Now that the Second Prince is critically injured and near death, those from his residence have gone out spreading rumors without understanding the situation. You are to seal off all intersections in the capital and arrest anyone from the Second Prince’s residence.”
Shi Huaian accepted the order, but at that moment, a palace attendant reported:
“Your Majesty, Lord Yang, the Minister of Dali Si, requests an audience.”
“Lord Feng of Xing Bu requests an audience.”
“The Da Huangzi and San Huangzi are waiting outside, claiming to have urgent matters to discuss with Your Majesty.”
“…”
The palace attendant recited a long list of names, and the Emperor’s expression grew darker with each one.
Murong Chen had just entered the palace, and these officials and princes had already followed like wild dogs catching the scent of blood, showing just how eagerly they awaited his downfall!
The Emperor’s voice was cold and stern, “I will not see them.”
However, more and more officials gathered outside seeking an audience. Several censors even pushed past the palace attendants and barged in, immediately declaring, “Your subject risks death to remonstrate…”
The censors tore Murong Chen apart with their criticisms and demanded that the Emperor punish him severely.
Moreover, the main gate of the Second Prince’s residence had been left wide open, and Xing Bu had already seized the yellow robe, weapons, and other items. All the people from his residence had also been captured and brought back.
With both witnesses and evidence present, the Emperor was so furious he saw black spots before his eyes and kicked Murong Chen again.
Running away when trouble arose, not even locking the door behind him—utterly useless!
Murong Chen clutched his painfully throbbing chest, “Father, it was Cheng Lan who told me to run.”
As soon as he finished speaking, someone from Xing Bu reported, “The Second Princess, Lady Cheng, has been brought in.”
Cheng Lan followed behind the palace attendant and heard every word he said clearly.
She lowered her gaze, hiding the pain and despair in her eyes.
This was the man she had schemed so hard to win over from Cheng Yao.
Not only did he fail to protect her, but when trouble arose, he shifted all the blame onto her.
All those solemn vows and promises of undying love now seemed so bitterly ironic!
Cheng Lan’s heart felt as if it were tearing apart, and her legs grew so weak she could no longer stand. She fell straight to her knees with a loud thud.
Murong Chen continued to babble on, pouring more blame onto her in an attempt to exonerate himself, “Father, you know I have always been law-abiding. It was Cheng Lan who incited me to create those things—she is the one who harmed me!”
The Emperor’s face darkened, “Lady Cheng, do you admit your guilt?”
Cheng Lan felt utterly chilled to the bone, a mocking smile curling at the corners of her lips.
One falsely accused her, while the other condoned and shielded him—both father and son were equally shameless.
It seemed Murong Chen was determined to drive her to her death.
Very well, since he was so heartless, she would not blame herself for being merciless!
“Father, I do not admit to this baseless accusation,” Cheng Lan’s eyes reflected stubborn defiance. “I met the Second Prince two years ago, but he had already begun his actions before that. If you do not believe me, you may summon Chen Qi for questioning.”
Chen Qi was his personal guard and the guard commander, his right-hand man who handled all the dirty and difficult tasks for him, and was utterly loyal.
However, Chen Qi’s greatest flaw was his greed.
Insatiable greed, accepting anything that came his way.
After she met Murong Chen, she frequently gave money to Chen Qi, spending twenty to thirty thousand taels in total.
And Chen Qi lived up to her expectations, attributing all of Cheng Yao’s efforts for Murong Chen to her instead.
And he also played a significant role in framing Cheng Yao.
It could be said that Chen Qi was her man.
She also held leverage over Chen Qi, unafraid of his betrayal.
However, the Emperor was clear-sighted—how could he fail to see through her petty schemes?