Are you going to cover for them?

Defu had already ordered someone to help the Grand Princess aside. Consort Guo had also been revived, and mother and daughter were now holding each other and weeping.

After Consort Guo cried for a while, for the sake of her daughter's reputation, she urged Xiao Yuan to return to her own palace first. Besides, her injuries from being beaten needed medicine.

Unexpectedly, the Grand Princess insisted on staying and refused to return to her palace. No, she wanted to expose Xiao Qianyu's heartless and unrighteous true face to Father Emperor, so that he could no longer flaunt his power as Crown Prince.

She wanted Xiao Qianyu to kneel before Father Emperor and weep bitterly, atoning for his actions.

She wanted Xiao Qianyu to regret treating her with such humiliation.

She also wanted to personally witness the execution of those who dared to hit her, sparing none.

Furthermore, all the palace servants and eunuchs present today who witnessed her caning should all be put to death.

Only the dead could keep their mouths shut and secrets.

This way, the news of a dignified princess being caned would not leak out, and her reputation could be preserved.

Upon hearing Emperor Yongchang order the execution of those in the Punishment Department, a smile bloomed on her lips, only to freeze because of Xiao Qianyu's intervention.

In an instant, her gaze towards Xiao Qianyu turned as fierce as a man-eater's.

Why didn't he just die on the executioner's block?

Why did he have to come back alive, why?

The Grand Princess's complexion was ashen, her entire body as stiff and cold as ice. Consort Guo, terrified, held her tightly. "Yuan'er, don't be afraid. Father Emperor will uphold justice for you."

Emperor Yongchang was indeed furious. Pointing at Xiao Qianyu, he rebuked, "You scoundrel, do you know what you are doing? Yuan'er is your sister, and you actually ordered her to be punished. Also, who gave you the authority to revoke her title and demote her to a commoner? Did I agree to it?" He panted, his eyes filled with wariness of the Crown Prince's overreach. He said coldly, "You are so unbenevolent and unfilial, unable to be kind to your younger siblings. How can I entrust the empire to you?"

As emperor, Emperor Yongchang did indeed have some affection for his daughter, but more than that, he was wary of Xiao Qianyu.

Now, Xiao Qianyu was protected by divine intervention, his reputation unmatched, and even he himself had to avoid his sharp edge.

But he was the emperor of the Great Xi Dynasty. As long as he was on the throne, there could only be one master in the empire, and no one could be nobler than himself.

Now that Xiao Qianyu had made a mistake, Emperor Yongchang certainly wouldn't miss the opportunity. This was a good chance to reprimand him and confine him to his palace for reflection.

It would also let the world know that no matter how favored Xiao Qianyu was by heaven, he could still make mistakes and have flaws.

He was still mortal, not a god.

Xiao Qianyu responded softly, "Does Father Emperor want me to resign from the Position of Crown Prince?"

Emperor Yongchang's pupils contracted, his lips trembling uncontrollably. He really wanted to agree. He didn't need a Crown Prince with such a stellar reputation right now.

Fortunately, Duke Chengen, who arrived shortly after, stopped him. He looked at Xiao Qianyu calmly and said, "Crown Prince, speak with caution. The Position of Crown Prince concerns the foundation of the nation and the safety of the realm. How can you speak of resignation so lightly? I implore you to reconsider and never mention it again."

Duke Chengen's words also reminded Emperor Yongchang that the eyes of the entire empire were likely on the Crown Prince right now. In other words, the attention on him was incredibly high. Even if he wanted to depose him, he would have to plan carefully; now was not the time.

Emperor Yongchang coughed, his face stern as he lectured, "Crown Prince, you must remember Duke Chengen's advice. Be cautious with your words and actions in the future, and do not speak such nonsense again."

Xiao Qianyu sneered, "Who told Father Emperor to immediately accuse me of being unbenevolent and unfilial, implying that I am unfit to be Crown Prince? I don't care about this Position of Crown Prince, but people will naturally be curious why I am no longer Crown Prince. Oh, it's because His Majesty the Emperor rebuked me for being unfit to be Crown Prince, and I, the Crown Prince, wisely resigned.

Why unfit? Because the Crown Prince caned his sister, stripped her of her princess title, and demoted her to a commoner.

The people will inevitably ask why the Crown Prince was so heartless. It turns out it was because the princess enjoyed torturing palace servants and was cruel by nature, so the Crown Prince acted righteously to punish his own kin.

And because the Crown Prince upheld justice for the people and did not shield his sister, the Emperor became enraged and cursed me as unbenevolent, unfilial, and unfit to be Crown Prince." Xiao Qianyu's lips curled. "I have a clear conscience. I just don't know how Father Emperor will face the gossip of the world. You have a daughter who harms palace servants, her hands stained with the blood of the innocent. Do you have any face? Facing such a daughter who has tarnished the royal reputation with her inhumanity, do you still intend to protect her?"

Emperor Yongchang's blood surged, and his body swayed. Xiao Qianyu's words pressed on him, devoid of the filial piety expected of a son. He was forcing his hand to deal with the Grand Princess.

Now, Xiao Qianyu was the subject of fervent public discussion. Everyone rumored that he was chosen by heaven and would surely ensure the long-term prosperity of the dynasty. His reputation was impeccable, far surpassing even his own as emperor.

If Xiao Qianyu were to truly resign and spread the events of today, the public would know that he, the emperor, was shielding his wicked daughter. His reputation would then be even worse than Xiao Qianyu's.

No, he could not let Xiao Qianyu use this to further his fame and seize prestige at his expense.