The Crown Prince Returns to the Palace!

Chaos erupted in the palace. The Empress Dowager and Empress, who had been in a side hall, could no longer remain seated and led their attendants out.

Prince Gong was even more grief-stricken. He knelt before Emperor Yongchang. "Your Majesty, do not delay any longer. Issue an edict at once to welcome the Crown Prince back. Otherwise, even the spirits of our ancestral forebears will know no peace, and the Great Xi Empire will be endangered."

He relayed Xiao Qianyu's curse, sworn before all the people of the realm, to Emperor Yongchang word for word. He could not remain stubbornly deluded any longer.

After hearing it, Emperor Yongchang's pupils widened. His chest tightened, and he spat out a mouthful of blood before toppling backward.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Summon the imperial physicians, quickly!" Everyone panicked, calling for the imperial physicians again and again.

Before losing consciousness, Emperor Yongchang gripped Prince Gong's hand with all his strength and said laboriously, "Pass on my decree. The Three Judicial Offices neglected their duties, were derelict and lax, deceived me, and failed my imperial grace. Have them thrown into prison and held accountable. The Crown Prince suffered grievous injustice, and only through the gods' protection did I avoid committing a great mistake. It pains me beyond measure. Welcome the Crown Prince back immediately and restore him to the Eastern Palace. Dispatch the Imperial Guards to escort the Crown Prince. Do not let anyone harm...!"

Not only could he no longer harm Xiao Qianyu, he had to protect him with all his heart. Otherwise, even this vast empire might not be preserved.

Before he could finish speaking, Emperor Yongchang could hold on no longer and fainted.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" Everyone hurriedly carried Emperor Yongchang back to his bedchamber and ordered the arriving imperial physicians to treat him.

Prince Gong glanced at Emperor Yongchang, surrounded by people. Upon hearing from the imperial physicians that he had merely fainted from extreme agitation and would recover after taking medicine and resting, he finally set half his worries aside.

He pulled over Duke Chengen, Chu Ming, along with the ministers from the other departments, and discussed matters with them. "You all heard His Majesty's decree before he fainted. Which of you will accompany this prince to welcome the Crown Prince back to the palace?"

The longer Xiao Qianyu remained at the Execution Grounds, the more public opinion would boil over. The pressing matter was to bring him back first.

Duke Chengen, Chu Ming, wore a complicated expression. He adjusted his sleeves, his gaze sweeping past the Empress Dowager, who sat beside the dragon bed anxiously watching over the Emperor, before saying heavily, "I am willing to go with Your Highness."

The remaining four ministers looked at one another. The Ministers of Rites and Works, who had not kicked Xiao Qianyu while he was down after the True and False Crown Prince Case broke out, stepped forward. "We are willing to go."

Prince Gong nodded and immediately began hurriedly arranging the honor guard, making a grand display of it. The party then left the palace in a mighty procession for the Execution Grounds.

Along the way, the Imperial Guards rode ahead to clear the path, while Duke Chengen and Prince Gong shared a carriage.

The curtains on both sides were lifted. In the dim light, they could see white snowflakes still drifting down in a fine, unceasing shower. When they landed in one's palm, their chill pierced straight to the heart.

Duke Chengen, Chu Ming's expression was dark and unreadable. He kept his eyes fixed outside the carriage window without saying a word.

Only when the carriage stopped and his personal guard reported that they had arrived did he slowly step down.

When he looked up, he saw Xiao Qianyu standing tall amid the wind and snow.

The young man's brows and eyes were cold, his lips were cold, frost and snow blanketed his shoulders, and his entire being was icy and distant.

Some things did not need to be asked or spoken. In that silent telling, it was clear that something had changed.

"Crown Prince..." A soundless sigh spilled from Chu Ming's lips.

Xiao Qianyu moved his somewhat numb hands and looked coolly at the grand welcoming party. His gaze settled on Duke Chengen.

It was not because he had suddenly recovered memories or found the man familiar. It was simply because, among these people, Duke Chengen had the strongest presence.

The man was no longer young, yet he remained tall and broad, his back straight, his eyes gleaming sharply. Even among the spirited, imposing Imperial Guards, he stood out like a crane among chickens, as still and profound as a deep pool, as steadfast as a towering mountain.

He was undoubtedly a powerful, high-ranking minister, and quite possibly Xiao Qianyu's future enemy. He was worth watching.

Xiao Qianyu lifted his lips slightly. "Why have you all come?"

Prince Gong led the way, with the others close behind. Then the entire group knelt toward Xiao Qianyu on the Execution Platform. "By His Majesty's decree, the officials who deceived the imperial ear and neglected their duties have been thrown into prison. Now that truth and falsehood have been distinguished, His Majesty cannot bear for the Crown Prince to remain outside any longer. He has specially ordered this prince and the assembled ministers to welcome the Crown Prince back to the palace. We respectfully welcome the Crown Prince's return to the palace."

He knocked his head heavily against the ground.

Prince Gong felt not the slightest resentment. Xiao Qianyu had already proven himself to be Heaven's favored son, the indisputable next master of the dynasty. He bowed willingly, wishing only to bring him back to the palace as swiftly as possible and end this terrifying scene soon.

His fragile heart could not withstand another fright.

"Welcome the Crown Prince back to the palace!" The dark mass of people knelt and called out in unison, their momentum immense.

Xiao Qianyu spoke. "Then I am the True Crown Prince, not the False Crown Prince?"

Prince Gong hurriedly nodded. "Heaven as Witness, His Majesty's golden words, and all under Heaven have seen it with their own eyes. It is clear beyond doubt. The Crown Prince is naturally the True Crown Prince."

"If I am the True Crown Prince, then where is the False Crown Prince?" Xiao Qianyu asked casually.

The original owner had been a supporting character, while the True Crown Prince was undoubtedly the protagonist. Naturally, he had to seize this chance to "make the true false," turn the tables, and thoroughly brand the protagonist as the "False Crown Prince."

A trace of dark light flashed through Duke Chengen's eyes, and he lowered his gaze.

Prince Gong said, "His Majesty was so pained that his father-son bond had been driven apart by others that he fainted. He has not yet had time to deal with the False Crown Prince. But rest assured, Crown Prince—if it is confirmed that he deliberately impersonated Royal Bloodline with sinister intent, he will surely be cut into a thousand pieces and sentenced to death by a thousand cuts! Now, please return to the palace. His Majesty and the Empress are waiting for you!"