Chapter 421: 432

Xiao Jingran’s eyes were cold, and his tone was rude. “Princess Zhaohua, others might not do so, but you might. Your reputation as a filial daughter is nothing new. Moreover, you have a motive, as your affair with the Second Prince has been exposed many times. You must be the reason Side Concubine Yang died back then. Now that Madam Xia has come to investigate the truth, it must be impossible for you to stay still. It makes sense for you to send people to assassinate Madam Xia so as to hide the truth.”

Shen Ninghua scoffed. “Old General Xiao, you have always held a grudge toward me as you thought I murdered Xiao Huanxi. When Xiao Huanxi was obsessed with the Fifth Prince, you helped her a lot, and you two worked together to frame me. After she accidentally fell into the water and died, you tried to disgust me when you held her funeral. Since you’re trying to avenge her wholeheartedly now, you will frame me like a mad person when you have the tiniest suspicions. For your so-called revenge to work, you first sent people to assassinate Madam Xia and then framed me. Wouldn’t this scenario make sense too?”

Xiao Jingran frowned and exclaimed sarcastically, “What a joke. How dare you frame me, an official from the imperial court, solely based on your groundless deductions?

“You should be the laughingstock instead! Aren’t your words just baseless accusations as well? How dare you frame me, a princess and a princess consort?” Shen Ninghua’s eyes were sharp, and she exuded a cold aura which intimidated Xiao Jingran.

With that, Xiao Jingran’s face turned red. “You…”

“What’s wrong with me? You need evidence when accusing someone. I am innocent until proven guilty! Crown Prince, you have just become the deputy of the country. You wouldn’t want any wrongful convictions to happen as soon as you take over, do you?”

Baili Jinyi’s eyes darkened. “Of course not. Since this matter has not been investigated clearly, we can’t make a judgment carelessly.” As he spoke, he shot Xiao Jingran a look.

However, Xiao Jingran did not want to let Shen Ninghua off so quickly. “Your Highness, I request your permission to be in charge of investigating this matter.”

An awkward look appeared on the Crown Prince’s face. “Well…”

Xiao Jingran suddenly knelt down. “Your Highness, I beg of you to grant my request.”

“Alright. Since that’s the case, Old General Xiao shall be in charge of this matter.”

Xiao Jingran immediately revealed a delighted expression. “Your Highness, this matter involves a prince and a princess, after all. If I offend anyone during the investigation, this…”

The Crown Prince looked at Baili Junyi and said earnestly, “Fifth Brother, you won’t mind if Old General Xiao accidentally offends you to find out the truth, right? After all, it is to give Father Emperor an explanation and restore Fifth Sister-in-law’s innocence as soon as possible.”

“If it is for investigating this matter, I won’t mind. However, if he tries to stir up trouble by using the investigation as an excuse, don’t blame me for being merciless then,” Baili Junyi spoke with a murderous tone. He had repeatedly shown mercy and care to the Xiao Family and even let Ninghua be treated unfairly. If Xiao Jingran insisted on taking their lives, he would definitely fight back.

Xiao Jingran smirked coldly. After coming out of the hall, he strode away.

Xia Jingqiu was taken away. When she passed by Shen Ninghua, she could not help but raise her head nervously. However, Shen Ninghua did not look at her and walked out with Baili Junyi. Xia Jingqiu secretly gritted her teeth. Since she had chosen this path, she would have to stick with it till the end. However, she had to leave a way out for herself in case the Crown Prince decided to change his mind. At the very least, if the Crown Prince wanted to kill her, she would still have evidence to defend herself…

All this while, Noble Consort Qi remained silent. Even when Xiao Jingran accused Shen Ninghua and Baili Jinchuan of having an affair back in the palace hall, she did not speak up to defend them. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince was very respectful to her. He personally got up and sent her off. After seeing such a hypocritical act, Noble Consort Qi could only think of the irony of it. Only the Crown Prince had seen the Emperor since His Majesty fell ill. The concubines in the palace did not dare to make trouble and could only pray that the Emperor would get better quickly. However, deep down, everyone knew that the Emperor would not get better.

When the Crown Prince returned to the palace, he grinned silently. The joy and satisfaction in his eyes could not be concealed. Then, he walked to the bed chamber at the back of the palace. When he saw Baili Qingcang, who was taken care of by an imperial doctor, the emotions in his eyes were replaced by sadness and worry. “Father Emperor…”

The imperial doctor knelt at the side and bowed respectfully. “Your Highness, don’t worry too much. You need to supervise the court and deal with state affairs now. You must take care of yourself.”

The Crown Prince shook his head. “His Majesty is still unconscious. How can I be at ease? I wish it had happened to me instead whenever I see him in this state. Please do your best to treat him. No matter what medicinal herb you need, I will get them as long as they can heal him.”

“Your Highness, you are a filial son indeed.”

After staying in the bed chamber for a while, the Crown Prince got up and left to deal with state affairs. As soon as he left the palace, the worried look on his face disappeared instantly. He would put on an act of filial piety every day so he was already used to it. After his act, he should hurry and get down to business. He needed to grasp the overall situation of the court as soon as possible. Once he had control over half of the country, his position would not be threatened even if Baili Qingcang died or someone investigated the truth.

When Baili Jinyi was dealing with state affairs, the eunuch walked in quickly. “Your Highness, the Second Princess is requesting to see you.”

Baili Jinyi raised his eyebrows, and a smile flashed in his eyes. “The Second Princess? Invite her in.” The time had finally come for Shen Ninghua and Baili Junyi to die.

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In the Fifth Prince Mansion, Baili Junyi looked at Shen Ninghua with a stern expression as soon as they got back. “Ninghua, I’ll get the servants to pack your things. Take the children and leave the capital. You should go to Jiangnan to seek refuge.”

Shen Ninghua frowned slightly. “Junyi, the Crown Prince is keeping a close eye on us now. There are so many eyes and ears on us, so it’s impossible to escape from the capital. Please don’t tell me you intend to force your way out.”

“I will send you away safely even if it means I have to force my way out. You are aware of the canal’s situation too. It is safe to use this route as it is discreet. The Crown Prince should be unfamiliar with this route. I will send someone to protect you. You will only need to hide for a few days before it’s safe.”

“What about you? What do you plan to do?”

“I will find a way to save Father Emperor and then meet up with you in Jiangnan.”

Shen Ninghua felt her throat closing up. “It’s easy for you to say this. His Majesty’s bed chamber is being guarded heavily. How are you going to save him? Besides, if there is any mishap when I leave the city, the Crown Prince will definitely execute you for treason. At that time, how are you going to enter the palace to save Father Emperor? Junyi, I understand that you don’t want anything bad to happen to our children and me, but how can I stand still and watch something terrible happen to you?”

Baili Junyi stepped forward and held her in his arms. His eyes darkened. “The Xiao Family has sided with the Crown Prince and is preparing to kill us all. I truly have no choice, so I can only send you away first.”

Shen Ninghua thought of the plan that previously flashed through her mind and shook her head forcefully. “Actually, we still have another way. I have an idea, but it’s risky.”

“What is your idea?”

“Xiao Jingran hates me the most, and he is in charge of investigating Xia Jingqiu now. Even if he can’t find any evidence, he will think of a way to create one. In that case, let’s play along with him. I am a princess, after all. Even if I have been convicted, I still have the royal family’s offspring in my belly. The Crown Prince is only a deputy right now, and his position is not stable yet. He won’t kill me immediately. At most, he will imprison me in the Imperial Clan Court. Once I am locked away, the Crown Prince and Xiao Jingran will definitely let their guards down and move on to target someone else. Send someone to sneak into the palace through a secret passage at that time. Even if we force our way in, we will have a higher chance of success when their guards are down. Once we rescue Father Emperor, we will leave immediately and escape to Jiangnan!”

After hearing Shen Ninghua’s words, Baili Junyi wanted to hold her tightly, but he was afraid of hurting the child in her belly. He felt that his heart was about to explode. “I disagree! Ninghua, do you know how risky this is? The Xiao Family despises you. Once you enter the Imperial Clan Court, there will be many people who are waiting to torment you. You are still pregnant with our child. If something happens to you or the child, I won’t be able to rest in peace even in death.”

Shen Ninghua reached out to pat her belly, and a deep sense of guilt flashed in her eyes. “This is the best way. I feel apologetic to the child in my belly too.” If any part of the plan went wrong, she would bear the guilt for the rest of her life, but if she didn’t take this risk, Baili Junyi’s plan would unlikely succeed.

“Ninghua, I disagree. No matter what you say, I won’t agree. I have planned in secret for so long just to protect you and the children. I can’t allow you to put yourself in danger.”

“What about Father Emperor? Do you not care about him anymore?” Shen Ninghua looked up at him. If they didn’t care about Baili Qingcang and didn’t barge into the palace, it would be possible for them to escape the capital and the process would be relatively easier. However, could they leave just like that?

“I will think of another way to rescue Father Emperor.”

Last time, he gave Baili Qingcang a list of names of the stealthy guards and his people in the Imperial Palace. After that, Baili Qingcang conducted a great purge of these people. Although Baili Junyi still had some of his men in the palace, it was extremely difficult to rescue the unconscious Baili Qingcang under such strict security.

However, he would not let Ninghua and the child take the risk, no matter how impossible things seemed!

Shen Ninghua knew that he was feeling uneasy, so she dropped the conversation. However, many things happened suddenly, making it impossible for them to make a foolproof plan. They were truly caught off guard this time.

At night, Baili Junyi and Shen Ninghua suddenly heard a loud noise in their sleep.

Baili Junyi opened his eyes, put on his clothes, and looked outside. “What happened?”

Hong Ling ran in in a panic. “Your Highness, Your Grace, Xiao Jingran brought his troop into the mansion to arrest our people! He found a few black-clothed assassins somewhere, and those assassins have the azalea flower on their sleeves!”

Shen Ninghua’s eyes widened. “He is making his move quickly!”

Baili Junyi turned around and helped Shen Ninghua up. “Ninghua, I’ll arrange for someone to send you and the children away.”

Before he finished speaking, Qing Que suddenly entered the room. “Your Highness, Your Grace, it’s too late. Xiao Jingran has sent his people to surround the mansion. The entire city is on lockdown to prevent the so-called assassins from escaping!”

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