Castrate him

[He lied to Princess Kangning, telling her that the woman was his distant cousin, all alone with no one to turn to, and asked the princess to look after them.]

Princess Kangning had not wanted to believe this voice belonging to someone she had never heard of, but his words matched what had happened several years ago with uncanny accuracy.

Six years ago, Jiang Xingbang had indeed brought a woman and her two children back to the Princess's Residence. He had introduced the woman as his cousin, explaining that her husband had died and she had no family left, so she had come to him because she had nowhere else to turn.

At the time, Princess Kangning had pitied the woman. She had also thought that, apart from herself and Jiang Bin, these were some of the few relatives Jiang Xingbang had left, so she had treated the woman and her children extremely well.

Not only had she bought them a house with three courtyards, but she had also sent them money every month. Whenever she bought jewelry or fabric for herself, she never forgot to get something for that cousin too.

Looking back now, she had been a complete and utter fool. She had thought she was looking after unfortunate relatives, never imagining that she was helping her own husband support his mistress and their children.

Jiang Bin froze when he heard this. He was no less shocked than Princess Kangning. In his eyes, his father had been the best father in the entire Capital. No matter how serious a mistake he made, his father never punished him harshly and would only reason with him gently.

Even when he refused to listen, his father would merely sigh helplessly, then go back to coaxing his mother.

He had thought his father would never betray his mother, only to discover that the betrayal had happened long ago. He had thought his father would always love him, never imagining that this love might have been divided among several children from the very beginning.

No wonder. No wonder his father had wanted him to take the blame.

Shen Shixu rather admired Jiang Xingbang's audacity. He had actually dared to bring his mistress and illegitimate children right before the princess. He truly had no fear of being found out.

*[Jiang Xingbang really is something. Any other man who cheats would rush to cover his tracks, terrified of letting his wife find out. But he brought them straight to his wife.

Besides being brazen, he probably knew Princess Kangning trusted and loved him deeply, so she never thought to suspect him. He did a good job maintaining his image too. No one suspected he would keep a mistress.

In front of others, he acted like a devoted husband and father, but the only person he really loved was himself.]*

Princess Kangning heard Shen Shixu's thoughts too. She felt he was absolutely right. She had trusted Jiang Xingbang far too much, and that was why he thought she was so easy to fool.

Shen Shixu continued rambling to 011. *[Earlier, His Highness and I interrogated Jiang Xingbang and asked why he had made Jiang Bin take the blame for him. He refused to admit that he had illegitimate children, no matter what. It looks like he was planning to have the princess support his mistress and their children for him!

After all, Princess Kangning knew nothing, and they had shared so many years of affection.

Once he died, the love they had shared would only become more unforgettable. Princess Kangning would certainly take good care of everything he left behind, including that woman and her two children.]*

Princess Kangning could not help clutching her chest when she heard this. A wave of nausea rose within her, so strong she felt she might throw up everything she had eaten the night before.

Seeing how distressed his mother was, Jiang Bin was deeply worried. After what had happened with Jiang Xingbang, the young wastrel everyone had always known seemed to have grown up overnight.

Supporting Princess Kangning, he bowed courteously to Emperor Wu'an and the assembled ministers, apologizing as he took his leave. "Your Majesty, honored ministers, my mother is unwell, so we will take our leave. Neither of us has any objection to Your Majesty's judgment.

We only wish to see my father once more. There are some things we would like to ask him in person."

Emperor Wu'an readily agreed to Jiang Bin's request. It was hardly a major matter.

Besides, letting Princess Kangning see him was a good thing. Emperor Wu'an knew his younger sister well. Her love and hatred were equally fierce!

When she loved Jiang Xingbang, she could raise him to the heavens. When she hated him, she could just as easily cast him into hell.

After leaving the Hall of Heavenly Purity, Princess Kangning took a little time to compose herself, then went straight to the prison at the Court of Judicial Review.

She demanded to see Jiang Xingbang, and no one there dared stop her. Her husband had committed a grave crime, but that had nothing to do with her. As long as the imperial family remained standing, her position as princess would remain unshakable.

The jailers did not dare neglect her when she arrived and hurried to open Jiang Xingbang's cell.

When Jiang Xingbang saw her, he thought salvation had arrived. Forcing a smile, he endured the pain and approached Princess Kangning, only to receive a slap across the face.

"Jiang Xingbang, you have some nerve! I gave you my heart and soul, and you dared betray me! Keeping a mistress was bad enough, but you actually brought her and your illegitimate children right before me and had me care for them.

Was making a fool of me so entertaining? Were you pleased with yourself as you watched me do everything I could for them? Did you think I was an utter fool, someone you could twist around your little finger?"

Jiang Xingbang did not know how she had discovered his mistress and illegitimate children. But he absolutely could not afford to anger her now. He was still counting on Princess Kangning to get him out!

"A-Ying, let me explain. I was set up too. That woman drugged me, and then she became pregnant. The child was innocent. I couldn't bring myself to do anything to the child, and that was how I made such a terrible mistake. But you're the only one in my heart. I swear to heaven, if I'm lying to you, may I die a miserable death without even an intact corpse."

Princess Kangning did not believe a single word of Jiang Xingbang's oath. She wanted to lay hands on him and make him suffer, but Jiang Bin was still beside her.

Jiang Xingbang was, after all, Jiang Bin's biological father. She could not bring herself to hurt him in front of their son. Seeing her hesitation, Jiang Bin understood what was holding her back.

He stepped forward himself and kicked Jiang Xingbang in the crotch.

Though years of drinking and debauchery had left Jiang Bin physically weak, Jiang Xingbang was in poor shape too. On top of that, he had been tortured the day before and was very weak now. That single kick from Jiang Bin destroyed his manhood.

Princess Kangning covered her mouth in shock at the sight. Jiang Bin glared at Jiang Xingbang with hatred. "I once thought I was the happiest of all the sons of noble families, but you shattered everything. You destroyed Mother's happy marriage, and you destroyed every bit of love and respect I had for you as my father. You're truly despicable. I'll hate you for the rest of my life!"

Seeing Jiang Bin's anguish, Princess Kangning's heart ached unbearably, and she pulled him into her arms.

As she comforted Jiang Bin, she glared viciously at Jiang Xingbang. "Don't even think of sweet-talking us into pleading for your life. My imperial brother has already decreed your punishment. You will be beheaded after autumn! And until then, rest assured that I'll find people to take very good care of you.

As for your mistress and your children, I won't forget to extend my hospitality to them either."