Chapter 23: Who Could Inherit the Throne?

Xiao Rui had just finished his equestrian and archery lesson and walked out of the Drill Ground when a Palace Eunuch stopped him.

Behind the Palace Eunuch stood two Imperial Guards escorts, not the usual attendants. This scene made everyone else halt and stare.

“Your Highness, I am here on His Majesty’s verbal order to request Your Highness’s presence at the palace,” the Palace Eunuch said with a thin, insincere smile.

Xiao Rui frowned. The manner seemed serious, so he asked, “Let me change my clothes first, then I will follow you into the palace.”

Unexpectedly, the Palace Eunuch blocked his way and said with a laugh, “His Majesty’s order was to enter the palace immediately, without delay.”

“What urgent matter leaves no time even to change clothes?” Xiao Rui asked. “Look at me now, covered in sweat. Appearing before His Majesty in such a state is disrespectful. I might bear the consequences, but can you?”

Xiao Yan ran over and shouted, “You lackey, you’re throwing your weight around just because of my father’s order. I suspect you are falsely delivering an order!”

The Palace Eunuch bowed and said, “Ninth Highness, I would never dare to falsely deliver an order. Now, His Majesty and Prince Zhou are both waiting in the palace. I’m only worried that if we are late, it will displease His Majesty, and that would not be good for Your Highness either.”

“Prince Zhou?”

Everyone looked at each other in confusion.

Xiao Jing also walked over and asked, “Is that the Head of the Imperial Clan Court?”

“Yes, Eighth Highness,” the Palace Eunuch replied, even more respectfully.

Xiao Jing looked at Xiao Rui. Though he did not ask, his eyes were full of inquiry: Seventh Brother, what trouble have you gotten into that it involves the Imperial Clan Court?

Xiao Rui was also puzzled. But then, he thought of Xu Xianyang.

“Let’s go. To the palace,” Xiao Rui said, and immediately headed for the palace without changing his clothes.

“Seventh Brother, I’ll go with you,” Xiao Yan called out, but Xiao Rui stopped him.

Xiao Rui smiled and said, “It’s fine. If Father summons me to the palace, it means the situation isn’t serious. Otherwise, he would have ordered the Imperial Clan Court to arrest me with the Imperial Guards long ago. Besides, my conscience is clear. If you make a fuss, you’ll only cause more trouble when entering the palace.”

“Alright then,” Xiao Yan relented.

After that, Xiao Rui followed the Palace Eunuch into the palace.

Once inside, Xiao Rui was led by the Palace Eunuch to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

“Your son pays his respects to Father, and to Imperial Uncle,” Xiao Rui saluted Emperor Xia and Xiao Mingying.

Emperor Xia nodded. Seeing him in military attire, he asked, “You were attending equestrian and archery lessons?”

Xiao Rui replied, “Yes, Father. Your son was practicing riding and archery. Your son begs for punishment. Upon receiving Your Majesty’s verbal order, he rushed here in haste and negligently did not change into proper attire. This is a crime of disrespect and I ask Father to punish me.”

He took the initiative to ask for punishment to avoid being impeached by a Censor later.

Emperor Xia smiled. “The matter was sudden. Not having time to change clothes is understandable. You are pardoned. I summoned you because there is a matter requiring your direct explanation. Prince Zhou, you may explain.”

Xiao Mingying stood up and looked at Xiao Rui, saying solemnly, “Seventh Highness, this morning I received an accusation that you secretly kept a Witchcraft Doll to curse His Majesty the Emperor.”

“What?” Xiao Rui was stunned for a moment, then laughed. “A Witchcraft Doll? Imperial Uncle, this is pure slander.”

Xiao Mingying continued, “Therefore, after presenting this to His Majesty, I sent people to Prince Duan’s Mansion. Indeed, a doll was found in the residence where you live! What do you have to say for yourself?”

“Have me say? This is clearly a frame-up. Just because something is found in my room, it doesn’t mean I did it. That hardly counts as physical evidence,” Xiao Rui said with a smile. “I ask Father to judge wisely.”

A Witchcraft Doll was indeed a tactic to falsely accuse an Imperial Prince. After all, cursing the current emperor for an early death was bound to anger the emperor. Xiao Rui also suspected it was Xu Xianyang’s doing. But he played this Open Conspiracy so openly that anyone could see it was a plot. Emperor Xia was not foolish, so why was he doing this?

To disgust him?

No, Xiao Rui thought, it was a kind of warning.

At this point, Emperor Xia nodded and said, “Merely finding a doll alone indeed doesn’t constitute solid evidence. However, why wasn’t such a thing found in the rooms of other Imperial Princes? That is worth noting. Rui’er, you usually keep to yourself and rarely interact with outer court officials. Why would someone set you up? Also, you claim it’s a false accusation. Do you have any evidence to prove your innocence?”

Hearing these words, Xiao Rui looked up at Emperor Xia and noticed the emperor had a slight smile at the corner of his mouth, a strange and inscrutable smile.

But there was no sign of anger.

Xiao Rui replied, “Father, may your son take a look at the Witchcraft Doll?”

Emperor Xia nodded and ordered Eunuch Hai to present the Witchcraft Doll to him.

Looking at the doll on the tray, it was palm-sized, made of cloth in the shape of a man wearing a Dragon Robe. A long strip of yellow paper was attached to its body, with Emperor Xia’s name and birthdate written in cinnabar. Silver needles were also stuck into its limbs and forehead.

Upon seeing it, Xiao Rui immediately smiled.

“Rui’er, have you found evidence to prove your innocence?” Emperor Xia asked with a smile.

Xiao Rui narrowed his eyes slightly. His mind raced, and suddenly he clasped his fists and said, “Your son is incompetent and has found no evidence. Your son is willing to return to the Imperial Clan Court to undergo investigation.”

“Hmm?”

Everyone in the hall was startled.

Xiao Mingying said, “Xiao Rui, think carefully. Once you enter the Imperial Clan Court, it won’t be easy to get out. Even if you are innocent, you cannot stop the endless speculation from public gossip.”

“Your son says it’s a false accusation, but unfortunately lacks a reason to prove his innocence. Just as Father said, if it’s a false accusation, why not frame another Imperial Prince instead of me? Therefore, your son is willing to return to the Imperial Clan Court and accept any investigation,” Xiao Rui stated firmly.

“You… foolish…” Xiao Mingying said angrily.

Emperor Xia stared at Xiao Rui, the corner of his mouth barely lifting in a faint, hidden smile. Then he said, “In that case, let the Imperial Clan Court proceed with the investigation.”

“As you command, Your Majesty,” Xiao Mingying could only accept the order.

Xiao Rui obediently followed Xiao Mingying out of the hall.

Emperor Xia picked up a memorial to review, then set it down again. He looked up at Xiao Rui’s departing figure, smiling and shaking his head.

“Your Majesty, the Brocade Guard Office reports that Seventh Highness has recently been investigating the murder case at the hunting grounds,” Eunuch Hai suddenly mentioned this matter.

Emperor Xia took a sip of tea and smiled. “Even I misjudged. This little one has been hiding his capabilities well.”

“Your Majesty, regarding the Witchcraft Doll matter, Seventh Highness clearly could have proven his innocence. Why didn’t he?” Eunuch Hai spoke surprisingly.

Emperor Xia smiled. “That’s what I find interesting. It seems this kid wants to use this as an opportunity. Let’s see how he stirs things up.”

“Yes,” Eunuch Hai replied respectfully.

Suddenly, Emperor Xia clutched his chest and coughed violently.

“Your Majesty, shall I summon the imperial physician?” Eunuch Hai hurriedly supported him and asked.

Emperor Xia waved his hand. It took a while for him to calm down.

“It’s nothing. Xiao Rui, Xiao Jing, and Xiao Yan are not young anymore. It is time for them to open their own mansions,” Emperor Xia said thoughtfully.

Eunuch Hai did not dare to say more.

Emperor Xia continued asking, “Among the nine Imperial Princes, who do you think could inherit the throne?”

Eunuch Hai remained silent, not daring to speak carelessly.

“I no longer have the strength to expand our territory and unify all under heaven. The Great Qi Kingdom grows more prosperous day by day, and the Great Yan Kingdom is also thriving. The Great Xia Kingdom does not need a ruler who merely maintains the status quo, but an emperor who can harness the great momentum of the world!” Emperor Xia murmured to himself.

Eunuch Hai seldom saw Emperor Xia in such a state.

The emperor of old had aged, and time marched on.

At the same time, Xiao Rui followed Xiao Mingying into the Imperial Clan Court.

In less than half a day, the news spread throughout the Capital City.