Xiao Shan glanced at Xiao Jin, nodded, and then knelt beside him to pay his respects to the Emperor. The Emperor, still in a fit of rage, let out a cold snort and did not permit him to rise.

 

Xiao Shan knelt obediently on the ground, fully understanding the Emperor's current state of mind. Over the years, the Emperor genuinely invested in grooming Xiao Jin, wholeheartedly treating him as his successor. Moreover, Xiao Jin had indeed performed well as the Crown Prince.

 

But on an otherwise ordinary morning, Xiao Jin suddenly threw a metaphorical bucket of cold water over the Emperor, abruptly declaring his intention to abdicate without offering any reason. Even an ordinary person would find it hard to accept such a shock, let alone the Emperor.

 

Xiao Shan stole a couple of glances at the Emperor, thinking that today's situation would be difficult to resolve. He also wondered if the two heart pills the Emperor had taken would be effective. If the Emperor were truly to be angered to the point of illness, both he and Xiao Jin would indeed become sinners.

 

However, the Emperor wasn’t like ordinary people; he experienced more in his life than most have tasted salt, and he has faced various emergencies. He should be able to withstand anything.

 

As Xiao Shan was lost in his thoughts, the Emperor coldly observed the people kneeling before him, his gaze sharp as a knife, particularly focused on Xiao Jin. Then, he spoke again, his voice icy, "Do you truly no longer wish to be the Crown Prince?"

 

The chill in the Emperor's words implied that if Xiao Jin dared to speak again of renouncing his position, he would grant his wish. Besides Xiao Jin, he had other sons; it wasn't that Xiao Jin was irreplaceable.

 

Xiao Jin bowed to the Emperor and said, "Your son is incompetent, truly unworthy..."

 

"Wait a moment." Xiao Shan quickly interrupted Xiao Jin, "Father Emperor, I just arrived and am not aware of what exactly happened. How did we come to talk of deposing the Crown Prince?"

 

His tone and expression were very innocent, and although the Emperor knew he was feigning ignorance, he still let out a cold snort and said, "You should ask your good Second Brother about that. He asked to be deposed himself; it has nothing to do with anyone else."

 

At this point, the Empress, with tears streaming down her face, hurriedly spoke up, "Your Majesty, Xiao Jin certainly did not mean that. I will return to the palace immediately to properly instruct him and ensure he does not joke about such matters again."

 

The Emperor ignored the Empress and looked at Xiao Jin, saying, "Zhen truly did not expect that you would be unable to withstand even a slight adversity."

 

The Emperor was aware of why Xiao Jin requested to be deposed as Crown Prince. It was entirely because the Empress and Consort Lan brought up the messy affairs of the Gu family, which also implicated Xiao Shan.

 

The Emperor told Xiao Jin everything, waiting to see how he would handle the situation. To be honest, the Emperor ascended to the throne by stepping over the bones and blood of his own brothers.

 

If Xiao Jin truly disregarded brotherly affection and followed the Empress' wishes to attack and harm Consort Lan and Xiao Shan, the Emperor would not be surprised.

 

After all, for an emperor, being ruthless and decisive was far better than being indecisive and controlled by others.

 

However, if Xiao Jin could find a way to make the Empress and Consort Lan coexist as before, while preserving his brotherly bond with Xiao Shan and intimidating the Gu family, the Emperor would also be very approving.

 

In fact, if Xiao Jin could achieve this, the Emperor would be genuinely pleased. Because what he couldn't accomplish, Xiao Jin could.

 

But while the imagination is beautiful, reality is cruel.

 

The Emperor had various thoughts in his mind and never expected Xiao Jin to use the worst possible strategy.

 

Using his position as Crown Prince to threaten the Empress and others—this could hardly be called a strategy; it was practically brainless.

 

If this was all Xiao Jin could come up with, the Emperor couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed deep down.

 

From the Emperor's words, the Empress understood why Xiao Jin suddenly acted so irrationally. She looked at Xiao Jin in disbelief, completely unable to comprehend why he would do such a thing.

 

Consort Lan, glancing between them, wiped her tears and cautiously said to Xiao Jin, "Your Highness, what has happened? If there is something troubling you, we can discuss it together. You can't be so reckless."

 

Xiao Jin's expression turned peculiar upon hearing this. He glanced at Consort Lan, his mouth moving as if to speak, but no words came out. The Emperor also couldn't help but look at Consort Lan, thinking to himself, I wonder what the Empress felt hearing this.

 

The whole situation originated with her, yet here she was, trying to find a solution for others.

 

The Empress also felt like a clown at this moment, with Consort Lan appearing innocent while she herself seemed malicious.

 

Understanding Xiao Jin's inner turmoil and the current situation they faced, the Empress looked at Consort Lan and thought that since she was already seen as the villain, she might as well lay everything out in the open.

 

She then turned to Consort Lan and said, "Do you really not know why the Crown Prince is doing this?"

 

Consort Lan looked bewildered and shocked, "I don't know."

 

At this point, Xiao Jin wanted to say something, but in the end, he remained silent, quietly observing the situation unfold.

 

The Empress let out a cold snort and said, "Then let me ask you, why did Grandfather suddenly pass away?"

 

Consort Lan was stunned upon hearing this, her face turning pale. Her eyes darted around, avoiding the Empress' gaze, a clear sign of guilt.

 

The coldness on the Empress' face deepened as she continued, "Everyone in the world knows about the close relationship between the Crown Prince and the Third Prince, but what have you been hiding from me and the Crown Prince? Grandfather's sudden death was nothing more than Uncle's dissatisfaction. Am I wrong?"

 

"You have always appeared guileless in front of me, and I have protected you because you are my sister. But you have tightly concealed this matter. How can I believe that you and Xiao Shan have no ulterior motives?"

 

Faced with the Empress' aggressive questioning, Consort Lan was both shocked and regretful, repeatedly saying, "No, it's not like that. I just didn't know how to explain it. Father did complain a bit in front of Grandfather, but when he left, Grandfather was still fine. But no matter what suspicions the Empress has, you shouldn't suspect Shan'er. He had no knowledge of this matter."

 

"Had no knowledge?" The Empress sneered again. "First, you spread rumors that I pushed Xiao Shan to take a knife for the Crown Prince, and then you hid all this from me? Do you think I'm a fool?"

 

"Of course, you're not a fool. I'm the fool," Consort Lan hurriedly denied. "But these are completely separate matters." She couldn't understand how the Empress linked these events together.

 

The Empress, however, felt that Consort Lan was mocking her, and she was nearly driven mad with anger.

 

Seeing this scene, Xiao Jin closed his eyes briefly, then suddenly opened them, ready to say something.

 

But before he could speak, Xiao Shan, who had been mostly silent, raised his voice and said, "Father Emperor, your son has something to report."

 

The Emperor, who had been watching the argument between the Empress and Consort Lan with a stern expression, turned his attention to Xiao Shan. Only he knew what he truly felt inside.

 

Startled by Xiao Shan's sudden interjection, the Emperor looked at him, noting his extremely calm demeanor, and asked, "What is it?"

 

Both the Empress and Consort Lan turned to look at Xiao Shan.

 

The Empress' face was cold, with a hint of mockery, as she awaited Xiao Shan's rebuttal.

 

Consort Lan, on the other hand, was not particularly worried. She never discussed those matters with Xiao Shan, so whatever he said would be the truth.

 

Under everyone's gaze, Xiao Shan slowly took out some documents from his sleeve, which Xie Chen had investigated in Jiangnan.

 

He spoke loudly and clearly, "Father Emperor, your son has discovered that over the years, someone has been secretly coveting the position of Crown Prince. This person has been gathering people and amassing wealth in Jiangnan, with significant ambitions. The incident at the Rining Hunting Grounds is also connected to this individual. I hope Father Emperor will investigate thoroughly."

 

"What?" The Emperor was taken aback.

 

Not only the Emperor, but also the Empress and others who were waiting to hear his defense were stunned. Even Xiao Jin's eyes widened slightly.

 

The Empress was bewildered, thinking, Isn't the one coveting the Crown Prince's position you, Xiao Shan? Is this your way of protecting yourself?

 

Xiao Jin was worried that Xiao Shan was speaking recklessly to divert the Emperor's attention from him.

 

It wasn't baseless worry; Xiao Shan truly dared to do such a thing.

 

Xiao Shan glanced at Xiao Jin and smiled, "I originally wanted to discuss these matters with Second Brother last time, but since you didn't want to listen, I had no choice but to report them to Father Emperor myself."

 

"You... you are being utterly reckless. Such matters cannot be spoken of carelessly," Xiao Jin said through gritted teeth, his forehead veins bulging with anger.

 

Today, Xiao Jin gave Xiao Shan a shock, and Xiao Shan returned the favor with a fright.

 

If he had known earlier, he would have taken responsibility for this matter as well. Today, he was destined to anger the Emperor, and there was no difference between provoking him once or twice.

 

Before Xiao Jin could say anything, the Emperor slammed his hand hard on the table and said word by word, "Xiao Shan, this is a serious matter. If you dare to speak without evidence, Zhen will not let it go lightly."

 

Xiao Shan replied, "Your son dares not. Everything I have said is backed by evidence. The individuals I mentioned are Consort Shu and the Fourth Prince, Xiao Yi."

 

"Absurd," the Emperor stood up and said coldly. Xiao Shan could have claimed it was Xiao Xian, and he might have believed it.

 

But he named Xiao Yi, the one devoted to poetry and painting, and Consort Shu, who always kept to herself and focused on her religious practices.

 

He thought he knew his inner court like the back of his hand. Could it all have been an illusion?

 

The Emperor stared intently at Xiao Shan, waiting for him to speak.

 

Xiao Shan then raised the documents in his hand and said, "Since your son dares to speak, he has evidence."

 

The Emperor did not immediately take the documents from him but instead called out, "Chang Le, summon Consort Shu and Prince Xian to the palace."

 

Before Chang Le could acknowledge the order, Xiao Shan added, "Father Emperor, it might be wise to also summon the Old Madam of the An family. Your son has questions to ask her directly."

 

The Emperor, both angry and amused, said, "What, are you suggesting that the Marquis of Anguo's household is also in league with Xiao Yi?"

 

Xiao Shan frowned slightly and looked at the Emperor with a shocked expression, "How could Father Emperor think that? Your son believes that Mother Empress, Mother Consort, Second Brother, and even the Gu family have all been affected by her actions. Now that everyone is here, it is only natural to question her thoroughly."

 

"By your logic, we should also summon the entire Gu family," the Emperor said with a sarcastic smile.

 

Xiao Shan thought seriously for a moment and replied, "They are not as crucial at the moment. We can delay summoning them until we have more clarity on the situation."

 

Pausing briefly, Xiao Shan continued, "We can temporarily hold off on summoning the Gu family, but it would be prudent to summon the Xie family."

 

The Emperor's gaze darkened as he asked, "And why is that?"

 

"Because Xie Chen has already uncovered the reasons behind the defeat of the Northern Border Army years ago. Your son is unsure whether to believe it or not, so it would be best to have them confront the An family directly."

 

"This matter also involves Father Emperor, as the Marquis of Anguo had once claimed that the battle was evidence of Father Emperor's intention to discard the Xie family after their usefulness had ended."

 

Finally, Xiao Shan dropped two bombshells, successfully diverting attention from Xiao Jin's desire to abdicate as Crown Prince.

 

Chang Le, who was waiting in the inner hall to receive the decree, heard Xiao Shan's words and internally cursed himself for rushing in immediately upon hearing the Emperor's command. If he had delayed a bit, he wouldn't have had to hear any of this.

 

Although the Emperor's expression remained calm, Chang Le knew that he was already seething with rage.

 

The hall fell into a dead silence. Xiao Shan said, "Father Emperor, let the decree be issued. Whoever arrives first can help determine the truth."