socalfunplaces Chapter 175 The Wedding
Chapter 175 The Wedding
Su Yun'er's face was as white as paper.
"I...I didn't! I don't know!"
Helian Qing casually added insult to injury from the side.
"The concubine didn't know? How come the fragrance on the concubine is exactly the same as the fragrance on this bracelet? And—" He paused,
"These two fragrances mixed together are no ordinary thing. I saw them when I was in Xiliang; they can make people... well, lose their composure."
He spoke subtly, but everyone present understood him.
Xiao Chenyuan spoke coldly.
"Someone, investigate."
Ling Feng stepped forward and gently removed the bracelet from Su Yaoyao's wrist. He then ordered someone to cut out a small piece of fabric from the hem of Su Yun'er's dress.
Two items were presented to the imperial physician.
The imperial physician examined her carefully, and after a moment his expression changed drastically.
"Your Majesty!" he reported, kneeling on the ground, "This bracelet does indeed have a secret medicine from the Western Regions on it. It's fine on its own, but if it's mixed with the spices in this sachet, then—"
He paused, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
"It can arouse emotions."
The crowd erupted in chaos.
"How dare you!"
"How dare they plot such a heinous act at the Crown Prince's wedding!"
"Heartless and venomous!"
The emperor's anger flared up instantly.
"What a fine dowry!" He slammed his hand on the armrest. "Mr. Su! How dare you!"
Su Yun'er's legs went weak and she knelt down.
"Your Majesty, spare me! I... I didn't—"
"You don't?" Helian Qing interrupted her, his peach blossom eyes curving upwards.
"Then who gave you this bracelet? Consort Su, you're not trying to say that I framed you, are you?"
Su Yun'er trembled all over and couldn't speak.
The whispers around them grew louder and louder.
"This Consort Su, she bullied my elder sister back then..."
"I heard she even stole her elder sister's fiancé..."
"Now they want to embarrass my elder sister at her wedding..."
"What a vicious heart..."
The imperial concubine's face turned ashen.
She knew this matter had to be resolved quickly, otherwise it would implicate her son.
She stepped forward and knelt before the emperor.
"Your Majesty!" she cried out in anguish, "This vile woman is incredibly audacious! How dare she plot such a heinous act at the Crown Prince's wedding! I beg Your Majesty to execute her as a warning to others!"
Su Yun'er's eyes widened.
"Your Majesty! I am innocent—"
The imperial concubine didn't even glance at her.
"Your Majesty, this woman is malicious and will only bring disaster to the royal family if kept alive!"
The emperor looked at Su Yun'er with an icy gaze.
"Drag it down."
The guards stepped forward.
Su Yun'er trembled all over, her face as pale as paper.
She knew she was finished.
But just then, she suddenly raised her head and looked at Xiao Qiming.
In those eyes, there was fear, despair, and a hint of insane hatred.
"No, it wasn't me..." she murmured, then suddenly screamed, "It was, it was the Second Prince who made me—"
Xiao Qiming's expression changed drastically.
"You bitch! What nonsense are you spouting!"
He kicked her, knocking Su Yun'er to the ground.
Su Yun'er lay on the ground, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth, but suddenly burst into laughter.
"Ha ha ha ha……"
The laughter was shrill and insane, sending chills down one's spine.
"You think killing me will save him?"
She suddenly sat up, pointed at Xiao Qiming, and said in a shrill voice.
"It was all His Highness's doing! He gave me the drug! He told me to give the bracelet to Su Yaoyao! He said that if Su Yaoyao was drugged, she would be embarrassed in public, and the Crown Prince would also lose face—"
"Shut up!" Xiao Qiming lunged forward to cover her mouth.
Su Yun'er broke free from him and spoke even faster.
"He's also colluding with the remnants of the Liang Kingdom! I personally heard him talking to a man in black robes; he wanted to kill his brother and seize the throne! I know! I know everything!"
The entire venue was deathly silent.
Xiao Qiming's face turned completely pale.
"You...you madwoman..." his voice trembled, "Father! She's insane! Everything she said is a lie!"
The imperial concubine also rushed forward and knelt before the emperor.
"Your Majesty! Qiming has been deceived by this vile woman! Your Majesty begs Your Majesty to severely punish Su Shi and set the record straight!"
The emperor's anger had turned into shock.
Remnants of the Liang Kingdom?
Brother murder to seize the throne?
Xiao Qiming was about to strangle Su Yun'er when...
"You bitch! I'll kill you—"
That's enough.
A clear, cold voice, neither too loud nor too soft, froze Xiao Qiming in place.
Xiao Chenyuan stood there, dressed in a bright red wedding robe, but his eyes and brows were as cold as frost.
He looked at Xiao Qiming with a calm gaze, yet it sent chills down one's spine.
"Ling Feng".
Ling Feng responded and stepped forward.
"Bring the person up."
The palace doors swung open, and several guards escorted a man in black inside.
The man was covered in wounds, clearly having been tortured.
He knelt down and looked up at the person above him.
A sharp-eyed person recognized him—it was the leader of the assassins who had tried to kill the crown prince that day.
"I am willing to confess."
He spoke, his voice hoarse.
"The one who ordered the assassination of the Crown Prince was the Second Prince and...King Huai of Liang."
King Huai.
King Huai of Liang.
The legendary remnant of the Liang Kingdom who was always plotting to restore his kingdom.
The entire hall erupted in uproar.
The emperor's eyes widened, and he swayed slightly.
"What...what did you say?"
Xiao Qiming's legs went weak, and he almost couldn't stand up.
"You're talking nonsense! I don't know you at all!"
The man in black looked up at him.
"Does Your Highness not recognize me?"
"His Highness promised that after the matter is accomplished, he will cede three northern prefectures to the Liang Kingdom. I have his handwritten letter and the seal he gave me as proof."
Ling Feng presented the evidence.
The emperor took it, his hands trembling.
He looked at the evidence, at the clearly visible seals and handwriting, and his face grew paler and paler.
"You unfilial son..." he murmured, "you unfilial son..."
Xiao Qiming knelt down with a thud.
"Father! I'm innocent! I've been framed—"
The voices of the crowd were impossible to suppress.
"He murdered his brother and seized the throne!"
"Colluding with foreign enemies!"
"This...this is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family!"
"Shut up!"
The emperor roared in anger, but suddenly clutched his chest.
His body swayed and he fell straight backward.
"His Majesty!"
The empress exclaimed and rushed over to support him.
The emperor collapsed on the dragon throne, his face deathly pale and his eyes tightly closed.
"Imperial Physician! Summon the Imperial Physician immediately!"
The hall was in complete chaos.
The imperial concubine rushed forward, crying and shouting, while Xiao Qiming stood there, his face ashen, like a walking corpse.
The Empress Dowager paused slightly in the hand that was holding the prayer beads.
Her eyes were downcast, so her expression was not visible.
Only the prayer beads were twirled more slowly than usual.
A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
---
Su Yaoyao leaned against Xiao Chenyuan's chest, watching the chaotic scene unfold.
She looked up at Xiao Chenyuan.
His expression was calm, as if all of this was expected.
"Your Highness..." she asked softly, her voice audible only to the two of them, "You already knew?"
Xiao Chenyuan looked down at her.
In those phoenix eyes, there was tenderness, depth, and something else that was hard to describe.
"I said it before." He raised his hand and gently stroked her face.
"Today, I'll just let you be a good bride."
Su Yaoyao was stunned for a moment.
Then she laughed.
This person is really...
Everything was calculated.
She leaned against him and held his hand tightly.
The hall remained in chaos.
The emperor was carried to the rear palace for treatment, and the imperial concubine followed, crying and shouting. Xiao Qiming was held back by the guards, his face ashen.
Su Yun'er lay on the ground, trembling all over, and no one was paying attention to her anymore.
The Empress Dowager stood up, holding her prayer beads, and slowly walked out of the main hall.
She paused as she passed the newlyweds.
Those cloudy eyes fell on Xiao Chenyuan's face.
Xiao Chenyuan lowered his eyes slightly.
"Grandmother, please take care."
The Empress Dowager looked at him for a moment, and a smile appeared on her lips.
That smile was still kind.
But before my eyes, all I felt was coldness.
"Good boy," she said softly.
"Good tactic."
After saying that, she slowly left.
Xiao Chenyuan held Su Yaoyao tightly.
"Don't be afraid," he whispered, "I'm here."