Hiss—
Such vulgar and vicious curses!
Were these not the crude insults of marketplace brawlers?
The Crown Prince’s face turned ashen: “Third Brother, cease your nonsense! I never uttered such words!”
Fearing the Jing Xuan Emperor might believe the accusation, he raised his voice: “If Your Majesty doubts me, you may question the others—your son absolutely never said this!”
He pointed decisively toward the crowd behind him, expression firm.
Li Junde, the eldest grandson of the Li family who was singled out, instinctively nodded: “His Highness the Crown Prince indeed never spoke such words…”
The sixth son of the Wu family and others chimed in: “His Highness did not say such things.”
The Third Prince’s face flushed crimson, his breath ragged: “Second Brother whispered it right by my ear—naturally, no one else could hear! I was deeply humiliated, which is why I struck him!”
He loathed nothing more than others commenting on his weight, and for the Crown Prince not only to call him fat but also compare him to a beast felt like a stab straight to his heart.
Had it not been for this, the Third Prince would never have provoked the Crown Prince.
Yet no one could corroborate his account. Even Lu Changze dared only state the truth: “The two princes were indeed speaking closely at the time, but I truly did not catch the content of their conversation.”
Those who had initially sided with the Third Prince were bewildered. Most of them had tried to mediate before the fight broke out, never imagining such an exchange had occurred.
Had the Crown Prince really called the Third Prince as fat as a pig to his face?
Consort Li’s elder brother seized the moment to interject: “Your Majesty, since no one present can verify the Third Prince’s claim, it is difficult to discern the truth here.”
If no one could prove the Crown Prince had provoked him first, the Third Prince would become the sole target of blame—the one who had struck without cause.
If this were established, the Third Prince would be exposed as lying to shift responsibility, inevitably earning the Jing Xuan Emperor’s disdain and forever bearing a reputation for irritability, brutality, and disrespect toward his elder brother.
Worse still, it could implicate Shu Fei and the Lu Family.
This was highly unfavorable.
Shu Fei cast a pleading glance toward her elder brother, Lu Yuanduo.
But Lu Yuanduo did not notice; he was looking toward the mother and son pair whispering quietly nearby, oblivious to others.
After hearing A Sui’s words, Yun Wan’s astonishment was unmistakable.
“Sui’er, are you saying…?” Her unspoken question lingered in the air.
A Sui glanced down at his heavily bandaged right hand and nodded slowly.
This left Yun Wan in a dilemma. If A Sui was telling the truth, then every word the Third Prince had spoken was accurate, and his actions were justified.
In contrast, the Crown Prince had twisted right and wrong—outwardly appearing magnanimous and taking sole responsibility, while secretly advancing through retreat and framing his younger brother.
But should she let A Sui step into the spotlight?
Yun Wan only wished for A Sui to maintain a low profile at Hongwen Academy. Drawing attention now would make future discretion impossible and might even incur the Crown Prince’s resentment.
Yet if he remained silent, the Third Prince would face condemnation and punishment, and as his study companions, both A Sui and Changze would be penalized alongside him.
Yun Wan lowered her slender neck slightly, her limpid, watery gaze resting on A Sui’s face as she hesitated, torn between choices.
Each option had its pros and cons.
Just then, A Sui covered his mouth and whispered into Yun Wan’s ear: “Mother, may I tell them the truth?”
Knowing his nature—unable to stand by and watch injustice without acting—Yun Wan sighed softly and asked: “Are you afraid?”
A Sui’s eyes brightened: “No, I’m not.”
Yun Wan studied him intently for a moment, then turned, intending to relay the matter to Lu Yuanduo and leave it to him to intervene.
But before she could speak, the Jing Xuan Emperor had already noticed her:
“Does Lady Lu have something to say?”
Yun Wan froze.
In an instant, numerous gazes converged upon her.
Some held admiration, some confusion, some indifference, and some disdain.
Bearing the weight of so many stares, Yun Wan felt considerable pressure. She took a deep breath and slowly replied:
“Your Majesty, it is my son Changsui who has something to say.”
The crowd was surprised, their attention shifting to the young, exquisitely beautiful child beside her.
In truth, Yun Wan was also taken aback, especially when, amidst the Crown Prince and Third Prince’s endless argument, A Sui had leaned close to her ear and whispered, ‘Mother, the Third Prince is not lying.’
Holding A Sui’s small hand, Yun Wan gave him a slight nod of encouragement.
Shu Fei, ever perceptive, immediately thought of something. Her eyes lit up, and she eagerly asked, “A Sui, do you know something?”
Facing the scrutiny of the crowd, A Sui showed no fear and nodded. “Your Majesty, Your Highness, I can prove that the Third Prince spoke the truth. He did not lie!”
Consort Li narrowed her eyes. “How can you prove it? What evidence do you have?”
A Sui replied frankly, “I heard it with my own ears.”
“Impossible!”
The Crown Prince blurted out, pointing at the group who had earlier shaken their heads and staring coldly at A Sui.
“None of those present heard it. How could you have heard it? Unless you were hiding nearby?”
A Sui nodded.
He had indeed been right beside them at the time.
“How dare you! You actually eavesdropped on our conversation!” Panicked, the Crown Prince raised his voice, hoping the little brat would know better and shut up.
Unfortunately, A Sui had always been bold and was not intimidated by his scolding. Instead, he tucked his hands and explained truthfully:
“Your Highness wrongs me. At that time, you suddenly walked over with your attendants, and it was him who knocked my chopsticks to the ground.”
A Sui raised his hand and pointed at Li Junde standing behind the Crown Prince. “The chopsticks rolled under the Third Prince’s table. I bent down to pick them up and happened to hear you say to the Third Prince—”
He paused, his small face scrunching up as he repeated, “‘Third Brother, you should eat less, or you’ll truly become a swine and bring shame to the royal family.’ So I didn’t intentionally eavesdrop on your conversation.”
The Crown Prince glared at him. “You’re lying! I never said that!”
Third Prince: “You did! Cousin Changsui is not lying. That’s exactly what you said, Elder Brother!”
Meeting the Crown Prince’s furious gaze, the Third Prince glared back defiantly.
A single dropped chopstick had become the turning point in this matter.
Li Junde, now under the cold stares of his father and others, immediately fell silent.
The Jing Xuan Emperor asked A Sui calmly, “Was that the Crown Prince’s exact wording?”
The young A Sui nodded obediently.
At this point, Lu Yuanduo spoke up, “Your Majesty, though Changsui is young, he possesses an extraordinary memory, capable of retaining everything he sees or hears. Moreover, he is honest and would never fabricate lies.”
Hearing this, the Jing Xuan Emperor set aside his casual demeanor and showed surprise. “Oh? He never forgets what he sees?”
Lu Yuanduo nodded solemnly. “Indeed, Your Majesty. I would not dare to speak falsely.”
Shu Fei added, “Your Majesty, I can attest to this. Changsui is exceptionally bright and has a remarkable memory. Last time, I tested him on several texts, and he recited them flawlessly, without a single error.”
Seeing the tide turn, she smiled warmly and spoke in A Sui’s favor.
At the same time, the Elementary Learning Attendant of Hongwen Academy spoke up: “Your Majesty, I was Lu Changsui’s enlightenment teacher.” Since entering the academy, he has indeed performed excellently, maintained harmonious relationships with his classmates, received top grades in daily assignments, and never made mistakes when reciting texts from memory.”
Third Prince: “Father, I can also attest that Cousin Changsui possesses an exceptional memory.”