Chapter 460 A Three-Foot White Silk Ribbon Delivered to Prince Xiao's Residence

"Your Highness, the Emperor requests your presence."

Just as Prince Xiao was kneeling before Consort Zhang's coffin and weeping bitterly, a eunuch came over.

King Xiao glanced at him through teary eyes, then wiped away his tears and followed.

When they arrived at Emperor Wenjian's study, Xiao Ye and several ministers were already inside. Due to the shock of witnessing his mother's death, Prince Xiao, unusually, lost control of himself and glared fiercely at Xiao Ye.

This terrifying gaze fell right into the eyes of Emperor Wenjian, who had been staring at him, causing him to frown in disgust.

Originally, he suspected that Prince Xiao was aware of Consort Zhang's audacious framing of the Empress, and might even have helped her.

Seeing Xiao Wang's expression now, he was even more certain, and his disgust for Xiao Wang grew even stronger.

"Greetings, Father Emperor."

Prince Xiao, looking utterly dejected, knelt down and bowed to Emperor Wenjian.

"Prince Xiao."

Emperor Wenjian first called out to him in a deep voice, his gaze sharp as he looked at him.

“Your mother deserved to die, so you don’t need to be too sad. Having such a mother is a burden to you, and you should understand your father.”

"Your subject understands."

King Xiao responded softly, his head bowed, his eyes filled with resentment.

He knew it, but he was absolutely not convinced. He would definitely avenge his mother once he ascended the throne.

"I summoned you here today not because of your mother, but because I want to ask you about your concubine."

Chu Yun?

King Xiao then came to his senses and looked up in slight surprise.

Why did Father suddenly want to ask about Chu Yun?

Seeing his astonished expression, Emperor Wenjian frowned and said unhappily, "Someone reported that Chu Yun is the daughter of the disgraced former Minister Du Zhang. You changed her name and kept her in your residence, and even took her as a concubine. Do you admit it now?"

"Father, who told you this? Your son..."

King Xiao looked nervously at Emperor Wenjian, neither confirming nor denying.

He didn't know what kind of evidence the emperor had, and he was afraid that if he denied it, he would be embarrassed, but he was also afraid that if he admitted it, he would be scolded.

"The evidence is all here, and you still won't admit it? For the sake of the daughter of a disgraced official, you have repeatedly tried to kill Chu Yan. Prince Xiao, you have truly disappointed me!"

As he spoke, Emperor Wenjian threw a stack of things in front of Prince Xiao.

Trembling with fear, he picked it up and glanced at it. He saw that it clearly recorded how he had used his connections to change Chu Yun's identity as the daughter of a disgraced official from the government office. It even contained the forged documents from back then.

This made it difficult for him to deny it.

"Father! Your son... Your son was confused. Because my mother was of lowly status in the palace, she was always looked down upon by other noble families and the Crown Prince and Prince Chu."

At that time, only Chu Yun paid attention to me and accompanied me through my childhood. Therefore, I am grateful to her, which is why I saved her behind Father's back. Please forgive me, Father!

King Xiao paused for a moment, quickly thinking through the situation, and decided that now he had no choice but to admit it and play the victim.

As expected, Emperor Wenjian's expression softened when he saw that the man did not deny it.

"You're willing to commit such a grave crime out of gratitude towards her? As a prince, do you even respect the laws of our Great Liang?"

Emperor Wenjian once again questioned him in a deep voice.

King Xiao knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly.

"Your subject knows his mistake. Your subject was only grateful for Chu Yun's kindness when she was a child. She was a ray of light in your subject's childhood. Your subject was too sentimental and that's why he was confused."

He desperately tried to attribute his mistakes to his loyalty and affection, hoping to show the emperor his good qualities.

“If Father is angry, I will accept any punishment from you. Even if you are angry and want to kill Yun’er, I will not be angry with you.”

After all, Father Emperor is the most important person to me. I have lost my mother and now I only have Father Emperor as my closest relative. I hope Father Emperor will not get sick because of me!

"Whatever punishment Father Emperor may impose on me, I will not hold a grudge!"

His attitude was positive, and his words were extremely thoughtful, demonstrating his deep concern for the Emperor.

Originally, Emperor Wenjian suspected him because of Consort Zhang's affair and was dissatisfied with him because of Chu Yun's affair. But after hearing what he said, he realized that he had never paid attention to him since childhood and had now lost his mother.

He not only didn't blame himself, but was also constantly worried about his father's health, which made his feelings complicated.

Seeing Xiao Wang's performance, Xiao Ye couldn't help but admire him. He truly had excellent acting skills and was able to make choices in the shortest amount of time.

I thought he would like Chu Yun very much, but I didn't expect him to abandon her so easily at the crucial moment.

However, he didn't intend to hold a grudge against Chu Yun because of what happened to him. After all, when a cat is playing with a mouse, it usually likes to play with the mouse first.

Therefore, Xiao Ye remained silent and simply watched quietly.

Chu Yun's matter was just an appetizer.

"Since that's the case, and I'm going to order Chu Yun's execution, are you not going to plead for her?"

Emperor Wenjian looked at Prince Xiao with suspicion, wanting to test whether his words were sincere.

Upon hearing this, King Xiao's heart sank.

He was naturally reluctant to execute Chu Yun. You develop feelings for a cat or dog after raising it for many years, let alone a person.

However, he also understood that Emperor Wenjian was testing him, and for the sake of his future, he had to make some sacrifices at this time.

So he could only nod heavily.

"Your Majesty, I have already disappointed you once, and I dare not disappoint you a second time."

His eyes were red-rimmed as he spoke, revealing his inner struggle.

Emperor Wenjian felt a slight sense of pleasure. He knew that Prince Xiao was actually reluctant, but for the sake of his father, he still made the choice.

Therefore, he originally intended to severely punish King Xiao, but at this point he reduced the punishment.

"Very well, someone come and convey my imperial decree: bestow three feet of white silk upon Prince Xiao's residence, and give it to Chu Yun, the daughter of this disgraced official. Her body may be cremated after her death."

As for Prince Xiao, he harbored the daughter of a disgraced official for many years, a crime unforgivable. Therefore, he was fined three years' salary and had 70% of his property confiscated.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your mercy."

King Xiao clenched his fist in his sleeve.

Despite receiving the harshest punishment, he still expressed gratitude and thanks.

He was fined three years' salary and had 70% of his property confiscated. What would be left of his Xiao Wang Mansion?

He's been punished before, and he's being punished again now. I'm afraid that in the future, this Prince Xiao won't even be able to pay his servants' monthly salaries.

After leaving the palace, Prince Xiao kept a gloomy face.

Meanwhile, Chu Yun was still sulking in the Xiao Prince's mansion, thinking about how to make the Xiao Prince remember their past affection, and how to act coy with the Xiao Prince so that he wouldn't easily forgive him.

She was completely unaware that the underworld was already beckoning to her.

The person who bestowed the white silk arrived at Prince Xiao's residence at almost the same time as Prince Xiao. The eunuch leading the way, following the Emperor's instructions, invited Prince Xiao to see Chu Yun one last time.