Even More Capable!

People were called human because they had morals and boundaries.

Someone like the Third Prince, who had sunk beneath the limits of human nature, could hardly be called human anymore. He was a beast.

The original owner hadn't been wrong to curse him at all.

The Third Prince was even more vicious than the Grand Princess, utterly devoid of humanity.

He was still young, yet he had already killed countless people. If he were allowed to live, with his status and position as an Imperial Prince, his power and wealth, who knew how many more evil deeds he would commit or how many people he would kill?

Xiao Qianyu thought that evil people like him had to be dealt with early. The sooner he was taken care of, the more people would be saved. It was a boundless good deed.

No one ever complained of having too many merits. Xiao Qianyu hoped the Third Prince would understand and obediently die.

The Third Prince didn't understand.

When he saw that begging for mercy with a show of vulnerability was useless, he immediately changed his tune, got to his feet, and pointed at Xiao Qianyu as he cursed, "Elder Sister was right. You're heartless and unfeeling, with no affection for your own siblings. You don't deserve to be Crown Prince. Father Emperor!" He turned and threw himself at Emperor Yongchang without a shred of dignity. "Father Emperor, save me! The Crown Prince wants to kill me! I don't want to die!"

He wept. This time, he truly bawled his eyes out. Thinking that he might meet the same fate as the Grand Princess, he couldn't bear it—not execution, not even confinement or being demoted to a Commoner.

Consort Xian hurried forward and knelt, pleading as well. "Your Majesty, he's my only son, and he's still so young. He hasn't even married a princess consort or had any descendants. Can you bear to send him to his death? I beg you to give him a chance to mend his ways, Your Majesty." She clutched Emperor Yongchang's robe and sobbed piteously.

His concubine and son were crying and kneeling before him. Though Emperor Yongchang resented the Third Prince for being so hopeless, his heart couldn't help but soften.

The Third Prince had acted wildly and cruelly, but he had already dealt with the Grand Princess. Did he really have to kill another son?

A parent always loved their own child. No matter how many children the imperial family had, it was never too many. Even if the Third Prince killed many more people, Emperor Yongchang would never truly want him to pay for the dead with his life.

He hesitated and looked toward Xiao Qianyu, only to meet his son's tranquil, icy gaze, which held a hint of knowing mockery. Emperor Yongchang felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over him.

Emperor Yongchang suddenly came to his senses. This wasn't a question of whether Xiao Qianyu was willing to spare the Third Prince. It was a question of whether he himself could afford to do so.

Why had he decided to execute the Grand Princess? Because she had tortured innocent people to death and incurred Heaven's condemnation. It was also to comply with Heaven's will and prevent the Crown Prince from winning people over.

The Third Prince's record of crimes was even worse than the Grand Princess's. If he protected him, what would the palace servants present think of him? They would surely be bitterly disappointed in him and put even more faith in Xiao Qianyu.

If word reached the common people and they learned that he had shielded a son who was a beast in human form, then, with Xiao Qianyu's impartiality and willingness to put justice before family as a contrast, they would surely think that the Crown Prince would make a better emperor than he did.

The common people were ignorant. By now, Heaven's will had already led them astray, and they placed the greatest faith in reputation. Perhaps they were even hoping he would abdicate in Xiao Qianyu's favor and let the Crown Prince become emperor.

Xiao Qianyu stood by, perhaps waiting for him to speak up and pardon the Third Prince, so he could step forward in righteous indignation and play the hero.

No. He couldn't let Xiao Qianyu win over everyone's hearts.

An emperor was destined to be alone. Even if he had to build his throne on the blood of his own family, since Xiao Qianyu could disregard brotherly affection to win over the hearts of the people, then he could also—abandon two children condemned by Heaven and deal with the Third Prince first, proving his own impartiality.

As long as he could protect his throne, it was all worth it.

Emperor Yongchang had already made his decision. A glint of coldness flashed in his eyes.

Duke Chengen seemed to sense it and rubbed his thumb over his thumb ring.

Sure enough, Emperor Yongchang's face darkened. He kicked the Third Prince away and cursed, "You unfilial wretch! You never learn, and you treat human lives like weeds. I can no longer tolerate you. Where is the Punishment Department?" Under the Third Prince's desperate gaze, he closed his eyes and coldly ordered, "First strip the Third Prince of his title and send him to the Imperial Clan Court. Once his crimes have been verified, remove him from the imperial register like the Grand Princess and grant him death!"

The Third Prince dropped to the ground with a thud, trembling like a leaf. Father Emperor was going to kill him.

The eunuchs from the Punishment Department immediately came forward at the order and seized the Third Prince.

The Third Prince came to his senses and strained his neck as he shouted, "Mother Consort, save me! Go find my uncle, go find my grandfather! You have to save me!"

"Chen'er!" Consort Xian stumbled after him, tears streaming down her face as she nodded. "Mother Consort knows. I'll save you, I promise."

The Third Prince's howls gradually faded into the distance. Those left behind were by turns delighted and shocked, their feelings tangled and hard to put into words.

But that didn't stop them from looking at Xiao Qianyu as if he were a god.

Oh, my god! No wonder the Crown Prince was blessed by Heaven. He could take someone down whenever he pleased. He'd barely returned to the palace, yet he had already eliminated two Imperial Princes and Princesses—and walked away unscathed.

What kind of ability was that?!

They had no idea that His Highness the Crown Prince was even more capable than that.

Xiao Qianyu watched the Third Prince being dragged away, howling, and sighed. "What a pity!"

No one else knew what he regretted, but his loyal little underling Shumo understood in a heartbeat. His eyes narrowed viciously. "Don't worry, Crown Prince. There are rats in the Imperial Clan Court too! The Third Prince likes beasts, doesn't he? I'm sure he'll enjoy having them for company." He gave a sinister smile as he spoke.