Su Da Ren broke into a cold sweat upon hearing Xiao Yaozu’s inner thoughts.
If that so-called System were to disparage him further at this moment, the Su family would truly be left with no way out.
The System was currently performing comprehensive calculations…
[Su Da Ren’s Official Value is 75. As an official… in human terms, he’s decent. Su Da Ren has visited the Wangye Residence several times.]
[System, you can calculate Official Values now? Can you test the Eighth Prince’s?]
[Ding— Eighth Prince’s Official Value is 95.]
[95? That’s so high. Just five more points and he’d practically be the Emperor.]
Su Da Ren wished he could cover his ears. Oh dear~ Young Lord Xiao, such words are not to be spoken!
If His Majesty were to hear this, how would it be any different from rebellion?
Only the Eighth Prince imperceptibly raised his eyebrows—quite bold.
[Host, given another chance, would you choose to remain silent?] the System asked.
[No.] Xiao Yaozu was certain. [Moreover, I want to find that traitor and experience the feeling of catching someone with my own hands.]
[Host, I’ll help you. We’ll do it together.]
[OK.]
The Little Radar in Xiao Yaozu’s mind spun incessantly as he faced the Eighth Prince:
“Your Highness, since Su Da Ren has such awareness, why not let him investigate this matter thoroughly? That way, we neither wrong an innocent person nor let a guilty one escape.”
The Eighth Prince agreed with Xiao Yaozu’s suggestion.
When Su Da Ren stood up, his legs were still somewhat weak.
To be honest, Xiao Yaozu had no prior relationship with him and had no obligation to speak up on his behalf.
“Su Da Ren, let’s leave together.”
“Alright, thank you, Lord Xiao, for earlier.” Su Da Ren cast a grateful look toward Xiao Yaozu.
Xiao Yaozu waved his hand dismissively: “No need for thanks. It’s all for the betterment of the court. Remember to change into casual clothes tomorrow, Su Da Ren.”
Although Su Da Ren didn’t understand what riddle Xiao Yaozu was speaking, he still agreed.
Upon returning to Xiao Mansion, Xiao Yaozu saw Master Xiao sitting upright in the hall, seemingly waiting specifically for his return.
Oh, striking a pose, but he had no intention of acknowledging it!
He lifted his foot to leave.
“Halt!” Master Xiao shouted sternly.
“Father! Are you trying to scare your beloved son to death?”
Xiao Yaozu turned lazily, his silhouette under the moonlight exuding an air of nonchalance.
“Just as I entered, at first glance I thought there was a Giant Rat Spirit sitting under the lamp.”
To be fair, with Master Xiao’s long eyebrows and beard, sitting there did somewhat resemble a giant rat.
Hearing this, Master Xiao was furious.
How could this unfilial son’s words be so unpleasant?
“I am your father!” Master Xiao scolded. “Earlier, the Steward from the Ministry of Rites’ Su Da Ren came looking for you. Where did you go?”
Seeing that the other was determined to talk, Xiao Yaozu chose a seat and sat down.
“I went to someone else’s house for a meal, had a few too many drinks in my merriment.”
He casually peeled an orange—perfect to quench his thirst, though having to wash his hands again was a bit bothersome.
Master Xiao grew impatient: “Instead of building good relations with the Ministry of Rites officials, you spend all your time fooling around outside. What future do you expect to have?!”
Xiao Yaozu chewed on an orange segment indifferently, mumbling: “Since you’re so free today, has my courtyard been arranged?”
“If I can’t sleep well, then about Xiao Yaoye’s matter… I might just forget it by morning”
“You—!” Master Xiao felt he could barely catch his breath if they continued talking. He knew it wouldn’t be easy to get this rebellious son to help Yaoye: “It’s been prepared today. Go see for yourself.”
Xiao Yaozu arrived at his new nest, which appeared twice as large as where he had lived days before, with carved beams and painted pillars, and noble bamboo gracing the courtyard.
Clearly, this courtyard wasn’t prepared for him.
The furniture, the landscape paintings, and the porcelain vases all seemed meticulously chosen.
Xiao Yaozu sat by the bed, his fingers lightly tracing the carvings on the bedside, a mocking smile curling at the corner of his lips.
Plum Courtyard
Xiao Yaoye glared fiercely toward the direction of Bamboo Courtyard—the courtyard Father had promised him.
Why should it be given to Xiao Yaozu just because he said so?
He was unwilling.
But he wasn’t foolish enough to act directly, so he could only let Xiao Yaoming deal with his own elder brother.
“Fuquan, go lure Xiao Yaoming over.”
Fuquan promptly acknowledged and withdrew.
Between Orchid Courtyard and Plum Courtyard stood a pavilion in the connecting corridor. Unable to focus on his studies, Xiao Yaoming had taken a maid’s advice to take a walk.
Spotting a familiar figure in the pavilion, he said, “Second Brother, what a coincidence. Can’t sleep either?”
Xiao Yaoye turned around, forcing a faint smile: “Yes, just getting some fresh air.”
Xiao Yaoming approached, sensing something amiss, and asked puzzledly:
“Second Brother, can’t concentrate on studying either? Worried about the Spring Examination?”
Xiao Yaoye smiled bitterly: “No, it’s just that my courtyard gets rather mosquito-ridden in summer.”
Xiao Yaoming: “Second Brother, I’ve heard. Father gave the courtyard he promised you to Xiao Yaozu. He’s just exploiting his years of wandering, pretending to be pitiful. It’s not like we lost him or made him suffer. Why should he come back and start competing and snatching?”
Xiao Yaoye lowered his voice, even trying to dissuade Xiao Yaoming: “Forget it. After all, he is our elder brother.”
Xiao Yaoming frowned. Second Brother was too soft-hearted and polite, now bullied by Xiao Yaozu but afraid to speak up: “Second Brother, I’ll get even for you. Just act like you know nothing.”
A hint of calculation flickered in Xiao Yaoye’s eyes as he feigned hesitation: “Maybe we should just let it go. We’re all family—it wouldn’t be good to make things too tense.”
The more he urged restraint, the more determined Xiao Yaoming became…
The Next Day
The Emperor had thought Xiao Yaozu would attend the morning court today, but only the icy Eighth Prince stood there, leaving him inexplicably disappointed.
After court adjourned, the Eighth Prince remained.
“What has Xiao Yaozu been busy with lately?”
“Your Majesty, he went to the casino.”
“How audacious! What is he doing at a casino?”
“Reportedly, he’s acting as a detective—solving a case.”
“Oh?” The Emperor’s curiosity was piqued: “Has something happened again?”
The Eighth Prince relayed the matter of imperial examination answers being sold in Bianjing: “Your Majesty, I suspect palace princes are involved.The Emperor: “I’m not dead yet, and they’ve already lost all sense of bottom line.”..”
Myriad Grand Casino
At the entrance, a cloth curtain bore the bold character for “Gambling.”
A dark figure was flung out with a “whoosh.”
[Host, be careful.]
Xiao Yaozu nimbly dodged, pulling Su Da Ren beside him aside in the process.
“Let me gamble one more time! One last bet—I’m sure I can turn it around!” The thrown-out gambler lay on the ground, pleading.
Stepping inside, the place was crowded with bustling figures, various smells mingling in the air.
“Big! This round will be big! Open big!”
The people inside had bloodshot eyes, fixated intensely on the dealer’s dice cup.
As the dealer loudly announced, “One, two, three—small!”
The dealer’s rake swept across the table, gathering all the silver coins before him.
Xiao Yaozu glanced left and right.
[System, which one is the spy?]
[That man in blue robes—his eyes are uneven in size.]
“Sir, what would you like to play?” A staff member approached with a beaming smile.
“I want that man to be the dealer. Arrange a private room—this place is beneath my status.” Xiao Yaozu pointed his folding fan toward the man, his tone laced with disdain.
“Right away, sir! I’ll make the arrangements.” The staff member whispered a few words into the indigo-robed man’s ear.
The man approached Xiao Yaozu and his companion.
“This humble one is Ren Wu. Please follow me, gentlemen.”
Su Da Ren tugged anxiously at Xiao Yaozu’s sleeve. “Lord Xiao, we have no money.”
Xiao Yaozu gestured for him not to worry.
Ren Wu bowed and led them to an elegant private chamber.
Su Da Ren marveled at the room’s exquisite decor, all crafted from rosewood, and couldn’t help but click his tongue in admiration.
“I heard your second floor accepts any kind of bet—is that true?” Xiao Yaozu sat opposite Ren Wu.
“May I ask your name, sir?” Ren Wu inquired.
“The name’s Xiao Ying—Ying as in ‘win every bet’.”
Ren Wu chuckled ingratiatingly. “An auspicious name, guest! At Myriad Grand Casino’s second floor, we’ll accept any wager as long as you can put up the stakes.”
Xiao Yaozu cut straight to the point. “I want the real answers to the Spring Examination.”
Ren Wu started, then quickly regained his smiling composure. “You jest, sir. We don’t have such things.”
“It seems Myriad Grand Casino’s reputation is overstated.” Xiao Yaozu pulled out a stack of silver bills from his robe, slapping them lightly against his palm.
Seeing the silver bills, Ren Wu’s smile grew more sincere. “Let’s discuss this properly, sir.”
“I know you have channels to obtain them. Name your price.” Xiao Yaozu slipped a fifty-tael silver bill to Ren Wu.
Fingering the bill concealed in his sleeve, Ren Wu’s eyes shifted uneasily. “This is… inappropriate, sir.”
Xiao Yaozu sneered. “Don’t play dumb. If you won’t cooperate, I’ll take back this silver bill.”
Gritting his teeth, Ren Wu lowered his voice. “If you’re serious about this wager, I can inquire with my superiors. But I can’t guarantee success.”
Xiao Yaozu nodded. “Fine. I’ll give you half an hour.”
Ren Wu hurriedly left the private chamber.
Su Da Ren had grown increasingly silent since entering the room. The imperial examinations were meant to select talent!
Yet this gambling den could sell the answers—what formidable connections they must have!
He looked at Xiao Yaozu with concern. “Lord Xiao, will this work?”
Leaning back in his chair, Xiao Yaozu appeared confident. “They won’t let this silver slip away. They’ll find a way.”
The people in the shadows were clever, but they were also greedy.
Sure enough, Ren Wu returned with examination papers. Xiao Yaozu didn’t take them, instead passing them to Su Da Ren.
Su Da Ren scanned them and nodded—confirmation obtained.
Suddenly, commotion erupted downstairs—sounds of panic, almost like a warning.
“The authorities are here! The authorities are here!”
“Everyone down on the ground! All of you!”
Officers from the Bianjing Government Office had surrounded the entire casino.
Hearing the disturbance, Ren Wu tried to flee but was blocked by Xiao Yaozu. “Where do you think you’re going?!”
Su Da Ren looked puzzled. “Lord Xiao, when did you arrange this?”
“Found someone with even greater influence than me.” Xiao Yaozu smiled faintly.
By the time Ren Wu regained consciousness, he was already in the imperial palace.
Xiao Yaozu stood beside the Eighth Prince, his posture erect and commanding.
【That gambling den just now smelled absolutely dreadful. It’s much more pleasant around the Prince.】
【Host, you’re acting like a pervert right now.】
【Have you ever seen a pervert this good-looking?】
Eighth Prince: “……”
Emperor: “……”
“Your Majesty, your son is wronged!” The Third Prince knelt in the center of the grand hall.
The Emperor’s face was dark: “Wronged? Wasn’t that gambling den opened by you? Why didn’t you claim to be wronged when you were collecting silver? A prince privately operating a gambling den—who taught you to do such a thing!”
“Your Majesty, our son is inherently kind-hearted and would never do such a thing.” The Imperial Concubine, dressed in magnificent palace attire and adorned with glittering jewels, had rushed over immediately upon hearing that the Emperor had summoned the Third Prince.
The Third Prince tried to hide behind the Imperial Concubine, attempting to avoid the Emperor’s gaze.
A single glance from the Emperor made the Third Prince freeze instantly, not daring to move another inch.
The Imperial Concubine, heart aching for her son, looked at the Emperor with sorrowful eyes.
“Your Majesty, our son is still young and easily manipulated. Please, for the sake of him being your own flesh and blood, spare him this once.”
“My beloved consort, do you know that he not only opened a gambling den but also sold examination answers? How many scholars’ hearts have been chilled by this?”
Imperial Concubine: “This… that can’t be blamed on him. At most, we can compensate them with some silver and let them retake the exam next time. Your Majesty must not believe the slander of petty people. At worst, our son was merely lax in supervision.”
“Your Majesty, it was Lord Xiao who framed me. How could I ever do anything to betray the court?” The Third Prince shot a venomous glare at Xiao Yaozu.
That look carried a threat, warning Xiao Yaozu to shut up and take the blame.
If he didn’t know what was good for him, the consequences would be severe.
【The witness is fresh, the evidence is fresh—how is the Third Prince still trying to pin this on me? Is this guy a habitual offender?】
【Ding—Host, there’s some juicy gossip about the Third Prince.】
【Tell me, tell me! The boss’s son is slandering me, and the boss will definitely side with his son. I feel like I’m about to die.】
【The Emperor is going to become a tyrant~ killing a loyal minister like me~~ A loyal minister wrongfully executed, it’ll snow in June ah!!】
The Emperor was speechless. This Xiao Yaozu—he hadn’t even said anything yet, and now he was being called a tyrant!
And why wasn’t he speaking up? If he did, the Emperor could protect him.
“Your Majesty, I have physical evidence proving that the Third Prince operated the gambling den and sold imperial examination answers.” Xiao Yaozu bowed and presented the evidence from the gambling den.
“You say it’s evidence, so it’s evidence? Your Majesty, he’s just a lowly Seventh Rank official, yet he dares to slander a prince. His intentions are condemnable—he might even be a spy from an enemy state. He must not be let off lightly!”
The Imperial Concubine wanted to firmly establish that Xiao Yaozu had ulterior motives, deliberately trying to drive a wedge between the Emperor and the Third Prince.
Third Prince: “Your Majesty, this must be fabricated by Xiao Yaozu to frame me.”
“Your Majesty, Lord Xiao is utterly loyal and would never do such a thing. I investigated this matter together with Lord Xiao. The exam papers were distributed from the gambling den for sale, and the seller was none other than my brother-in-law. This Ren Wu is the witness.” Su Da Ren knelt before the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, listen—it was Su Da Ren’s brother-in-law who sold them. Perhaps Su Da Ren and Lord Xiao conspired to frame my son.” The Imperial Concubine grasped at this like a lifeline.
[Host, the Third Prince enjoys torturing small animals. A few years ago, he took pleasure in abusing cats, and later he frequently tormented warhorses. Warhorses are hard to come by, and who knows how many have been tortured to death by him. Now he has become obsessed with abusing maids.]
[Many of the Palace Maidens who have disappeared in the palace were his doing. In his bedroom, there are several maids chained with iron shackles, all with their collarbones pierced…]
[This is too perverse. The Emperor loves his people like his own children, so how could his offspring be so cruel?]
[Host, here comes the real bombshell—the Third Prince is not the Emperor’s child. The real Third Prince is already dead, and the one before us is an imposter…]