Blood Oath

Xiao Qianyì thought that once he said this, everyone would be shaken, especially Xiao Qianyu, who would surely panic.

Unexpectedly, Emperor Yongchang remained quite calm. The Empress wore a conflicted expression, then looked to the emperor, seemingly treating her husband as her guiding star and following his lead in everything.

Xiao Qianyu's expression didn't change at all.

The Empress Dowager was the only one who showed the slightest reaction, though the emotions in her eyes were so complicated that no one could read them.

Xiao Qianyì's heart lurched. He knocked his head hard against the floor. "Father—no, Your Majesty, give me a chance. I can prove very quickly that I haven't impersonated someone of royal blood. Once I prove my bloodline is genuine, Xiao Qianyu's so-called 'miracle' will fall apart."

Others might believe that the gods favored Xiao Qianyu, even sending down lightning to protect him, but Xiao Qianyì didn't believe it for a second.

Although the common people had believed in the gods and feared ghosts and spirits since ancient times, had anyone ever witnessed a god appearing in the mortal world? No.

All those myths and tales of demons and monsters were nothing but legends, passed down in books and in stories told from generation to generation. No one had ever seen them with their own eyes.

Xiao Qianyì was more inclined to believe that it was all lies people had made up.

He didn't need to figure out how the "miracle" had been faked. It was probably just some trick used by wandering charlatans to deceive people. All he had to do was insist it was fake.

Xiao Qianyu let out a cold laugh. "Clinging to your last shred of hope, refusing to repent even in the face of death."

Emperor Yongchang was growing impatient, too. For the Empress Dowager's sake, he asked, "I'll give you one last chance. How do you intend to prove it?"

Xiao Qianyì answered with confidence, "Your Majesty, please have someone prepare a bowl of clear water."

Emperor Yongchang was suspicious, but still patiently gave a look. Defu bowed and turned to prepare it himself.

The hall fell utterly silent as everyone waited for the water.

Before long, Defu returned with a bowl of clear water.

He walked over to Xiao Qianyì and asked, "I've brought the water. What now?"

Xiao Qianyì glanced at the bowl, then answered with complete confidence, "Bring me a knife as well. The emperor and I will perform a blood test in front of everyone. If our blood mingles, that will prove that the emperor is my father. I believe my adoptive parents would never lie and harm anyone."

He had no doubt about it. His adoptive parents weren't idiots. If his identity weren't genuine, and they hadn't felt guilty and wanted to make it up to him, why would they risk everything to petition the emperor and confess their crime? They had even taken their own lives to atone.

What would they gain from that?

If they had been plotting treason, wouldn't they have told him and discussed it with him? But in fact, they hadn't told him anything.

So Xiao Qianyì was absolutely certain of his identity. He was the eldest son of the emperor and empress.

Xiao Qianyu sneered. That was it?

"How dare you try to harm Father Emperor's dragon body! Who do you think you are?" The first to jump out in opposition was the Second Prince.

He didn't like either of them, so if he had the chance to kick one while he was down, he'd take it.

The emperor's body was more precious than anything. A blood test required a drop of Emperor Yongchang's blood—that was a grave offense.

"Your Majesty, I only need one drop of blood. Just one drop. I guarantee it won't harm you. Would you rather let yourself be deceived and allow someone's scheme to succeed?" Xiao Qianyì was frantic.

Emperor Yongchang, however, remained cool and indifferent, as if he had no interest in the blood test at all. "I will not agree to a blood test. Don't bring it up again."

Xiao Qianyì couldn't understand. "Why? Just one drop of blood is all it takes to prove I'm telling the truth. The so-called miracle is all fake."

The Empress Dowager couldn't bear to watch anymore. She turned her gaze toward her son. "Emperor, why not grant him a drop of your blood? This concerns the true bloodline of the royal family, after all. What if... Wouldn't that leave us unable to face our ancestors?"

Xiao Qianyu lowered his eyes. In the end, she still hadn't given up. She didn't believe he was the True Crown Prince.

The Empress Dowager had spoken, so Emperor Yongchang still had to show her some respect. With impatience in his brow, he said, "Very well. We'll do as Mother says. I'll grant him a drop of blood and let him give up."

Xiao Qianyì was delighted, then warily glanced at Xiao Qianyu, afraid he might deliberately interfere.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Qianyu merely raised his brows and leaned back against his chair in a comfortable pose. His eyes drooped, and he looked thoroughly bored.

Xiao Qianyì felt uneasy, but quickly reassured himself. It would be fine. Xiao Qianyu could wait to have his true face exposed and be sent back to the Execution Platform.

With the emperor's permission, Defu brought the bowl of water forward and had someone fetch a Silver Needle. Then he held Emperor Yongchang's finger himself and carefully pricked it. A bright red drop of blood welled up and fell into the bowl.

The Empress stepped forward and personally applied ointment to Emperor Yongchang's finger.

Defu then carried the bowl over to Xiao Qianyì. Without the slightest hesitation, Xiao Qianyì raised his thumb, bit it open, then squeezed out a drop of blood and let it fall into the bowl.

Defu carefully held the bowl up at a distance so Emperor Yongchang, the Empress Dowager, and the others could see clearly.

In the clear water, the two drops of blood slowly drifted toward each other, then gradually merged.

Defu couldn't help trembling. He cried out, "Your Majesty, the blood has mingled!"

A flash of wild joy shone in Xiao Qianyì's eyes. He knew his identity was genuine.

Surprise flickered across Emperor Yongchang's languid expression. He blurted out, "How could this be? Impossible!"