When the eunuch arrived at the courtyard of Concubine Xing’s palace, it caused uproar. After all, who doesn’t know that there was currently an investigation on going within the Imperial Palace?

“With how white xiao Lu’s face is, do you think that the incident of the Crown Prince being kidnapped is related to our Lady Concubine Xing?” one of the maid servant whispered.

“After the incident, Steward Wong is placed beside His Highness the Crown Prince so it is only xiao Lu who stays beside His Majesty now. With how scared he looks, it seems that the Xing family’s prosperous era has come to an end,” another servant whispered out.

Gossips filled the whole courtyard that even Concubine Xing could hear it if she closed her ears. Regardless, she was still the Lady Concubine. She held up her head high as she walks out and greets the eunuch that was sent to her. “What brings you to see this lady?” she asked, even though she already knows the reason. She just wanted to buy some time, hoping that as time passes, the Emperor would have calmed down. She knew if she go now, she might end up being executed on the spot.

“His Majesty is in a very foul mood. It is best that My Lady should not waste any time. Where is His Highness, Prince Qin ChenJi?” the eunuch known as xiao Lu asked.

“His Majesty is not even willing to spare his own flesh and blood?” when Concubine Xing heard that even the first prince is called over, her heart became uneasy. Qin WuZhen were known for being magnanimous. The previous Emperors of Qin would have their brothers either killed or castrated. But when Qin WuZhen ascended the throne, he did neither of it to his only brother, Qin LuoZhuo even though the two fought for the throne. Not only did Qin WuZhen forgive his brother, he also gave his brother the title of Fei Wang just so his brother could still have little words during court meeting.

It was due to this forgiving personality that Concubine Xing was willing to endanger herself, thinking that Qin WuZhen won’t lay his hand on his own flesh and blood. Though, looking at the situation now, she might have miscalculated Qin WuZhen’s bottom line. “Call over the first prince,” Concubine Xing can only surrender to her fate even though she is unwilling.

Once Qin ChenJi arrived, the two are finally led towards the courtyard where the Imperial Study is located. The emperor was already waiting with several other guards. The eunuch went forward and bowed to the Emperor: “Your Majesty, I brought the Lady Concubine Xing and the First Prince over.”

“You can leave. Do not allow anyone to enter the courtyard, nor allow anyone to eavesdrop what happens here. Once Zhen have settled all account, naturally Zhen will announce it to everyone,” the moment Qin WuZhen said this, Concubine Xing knew that her fate is already sealed. Even if she managed to keep her life today, her reputation will be ruined. Not only hers, but her family will also suffer the same fate.

Once the eunuch left, the Emperor turned his attention towards the two. “Still not coming forward to pay your respect?” Qin WuZhen’s tone was cold that even Qin ChenJi was brought to tears. This was actually the first time he saw his father looking extremely angry.

“This Concubine greets the Emperor. May the Emperor live for ten thousand years,” Concubine Xing quickly knelt down on the ground and kowtowed to the Emperor.

“ChenJi greets Imperial Father,” Qin ChenJi quickly mimicked his mother as he too knelt down on the ground to pay his respect. After paying his respect, Qin ChenJi raised his body up straight but his mother, Concubine Xing continued to bow down to the ground. The Emperor also didn’t tell her to rise.

“Do you know why Zhen have called you here?” Qin WuZhen went straight to the point. Just thinking how the two of them tried to harm Qin YiJun filled him with anger. When the two didn’t answer, Qin WuZhen only sighed. He took the stack of paper and threw it towards Concubine Xing. The papers hit Concubine Xing’s back before it fell to the ground.

“Father!” Qin ChenJi called out to Qin WuZhen. When the paper hit his mother, he felt pained in his heart. This was the woman who raised him up so he wanted to at least protect her. Even if the Emperor is his father, he felt that his mother should not be humiliated this way. Unfortunately, Qin WuZhen’s next word froze the next sentence he wanted to say.

“An ungrateful child should stay quiet!” Qin WuZhen’s voice was so loud that even the eunuch who stood outside the courtyard jumped in fear. “Zhen have been generous enough to let you grow up in a safe environment despite the turmoil outside this palace for two years! Even though our land was stricken by droughts, all the resources in the palace were given to you just so you can grow up healthy! When the fourth prince was born, did Zhen not specifically tell you that as an older brother, you have to protect him? Zhen had also gotten you a good martial art master to teach you. Yet you try to harm him instead! Give Zhen one reason why Zhen should not have you killed right now!”

Hearing this, Concubine Xing panicked in her heart. She raised her head up as she tried to plead to the Emperor. “Your Majesty, the heaven covered the whole sky and the heaven is merciful. The first prince is still young and did nothing wrong! It was this lady that was wrong. If you have to kill someone, then you can take this lady’s life! If this lady did not raise the first prince wrong, then he would not have thoughts of hurting the Crown Prince. I can only implore His Majesty to spare the first prince’s life!”