What Bad Intentions can the Yandere Crown Prince have?-Chapter 72: Leave Right Now!

"This time, Zhao Jing is to be sentenced to death."

Deng Liao was taken aback: "What death penalty?"

"Deceiving the sovereign." The words from the fallen young Crown Prince showed no sign of his fallen state.

Deng Liao was startled: "Is Your Highness planning to use that Yue Girl as leverage? But the Yue Girl is currently missing—"

"If she’s missing, then ensure she never reappears," a slight pause, "Zhao Jing concealed his engagement to court the Princess, even resorting to murder—"

"Murder?!"

In the small chamber, a sudden chill filled the air.

The Crown Prince quietly watched him, eyes dark and deep.

Deng Liao steadied his breath and bowed: "Your Highness’s plan is brilliant!"

The person was originally to be executed by the Emperor, but the Crown Prince intended to frame Zhao Jing.

The gamble was that the Emperor would not dare to investigate further, exposing himself.

This plan was bold to the point of arrogance.

Deng Liao hesitated for a moment and asked, "Why does Your Highness hold Zhao Jing in such regard?"

Zhao Jing had offended the Duke Yan Mansion, and would not be able to do much in the short term. Moreover, Zhao Jing had no background and held no significant position; Deng Liao couldn’t see anything that would warrant the Crown Prince’s attention.

The Crown Prince’s newly turned gaze lightly swept back: "Is Deng Qing demanding an explanation from me?"

Deng Liao was alarmed: "I dare not!"

The gaze passed over, only to see the young figure before the candlelight, hazy and obscure...

...

On September 15, the full moon court assembly.

The Imperial Censor impeached the former Imperial Consort, Zhao Jing, for plotting to murder his original spouse, deceiving the sovereign. The Emperor was furious and immediately ordered the Imperial Censorate to detain Zhao Jing.

When the news reached the Duke Yan Mansion, the managing Miss Tang immediately ordered the entire household to be rewarded with a month’s wages.

"Second Miss will surely be delighted!" Ah Yuan said with a wide grin.

Li Mu casually placed a pouch filled with rewards on the desk, his lips curling slightly upward as he continued practicing calligraphy, feeling a small sense of pride.

She must be relieved now, right?

Too bad the young girl didn’t realize it was his doing and thought he was weak and needed her protection!

"How do you write so well?" Ah Yuan suddenly leaned in.

A faint, almost imperceptible fragrance wafted under Li Mu’s nose, prompting him to instinctively evade, casting a cold glance.

Ah Yuan was startled into retreating half a step.

Li Mu brushed his shoulder and said icily, "As we grow older and gain Second Miss’s trust to enter the inner residence, we must be cautious and maintain self-respect, and not play excessively with maidservants." Ah Yuan was only a month older than he, having just turned thirteen, already considered not so young.

Ah Yuan’s face alternated between red and white, hesitating to speak.

At that moment, a young maid called out loudly from outside: "Brother Ah Xiao, Second Miss is summoning you!"

Li Mu’s expression softened immediately.

The little girl must have heard the news and was urgently summoning him to tell him he didn’t have to leave the Capital City, right?

...

"You must leave today! Leave now!" As soon as Tang Xiaobai saw Li Mu, she stuffed a small prepared bundle into his hands.

"I’ve prepared the travel permit and documents for you, along with some of my saved silver coins. Don’t bring anything else; leave the city while it’s still early, whether to Zhenzhou or Shu—" After a moment’s thought, she was still worried, "Better go to Zhenzhou; it’s safer there!"

Li Mu frowned at the bundle: "Isn’t Zhao Jing detained by the Imperial Censorate for deceiving the sovereign?"

"Exactly because he’s detained!" Tang Xiaobai was about to explode.

Initially, she wasn’t in a hurry.

Duke Yan and his son were stationed at the border, and even if Qin Xiao’s identity was exposed, it wouldn’t bring down the Duke Yan Mansion immediately; Zhao Jing was likely to hold onto this opportunity.

But now! Zhao Jing’s situation is deteriorating! He’s been detained! Falsely accused of deceiving the sovereign! Wouldn’t he implicate Qin Xiao to save himself?

No way! The young master must be sent away today!

"Don’t ask; just listen to me. I’ll explain later!" Tang Xiaobai, unsure if there would be a later, insisted on sending him off first. "I’ve already sent a message to Fifth Cousin Gu; he will dispatch—"

"I am not leaving!" Li Mu’s face darkened.

No wonder the arrangements were so thorough, even seeking Gu Hui’s help!

Clearly, she hadn’t discussed this with Lady Yan and Miss Tang, yet she sought Gu Hui alone.

Did she trust Gu Hui that much?

"You—" Tang Xiaobai was about to speak when suddenly interrupted by cries from outside.

"Second Miss! Second Miss!" Running in was a maid from the Gu Family, hurried steps, a beaming smile, and a voice louder than usual—

"Second Miss! Great news! A victory report from Tingzhou; our Duke and his son have won again!"

...

The eleventh year of Taixing, September 15, a report of great victory from Tingzhou.

On September 9, Duke Yan, Tang Shigong, captured the city of Yancheng, defeating the Turkic Geluo and Chuye tribes in a great victory.

...

At the beginning of the Taixing era, instability in the court due to a change of throne allowed the Western Turks to advance eastward, nearly crossing the Yumen Pass.

In the fifth year of Taixing, Tang Shigong was appointed Governor of Liangzhou and began fighting against the Western Turks.

Until this great victory at Tingzhou, he finally reclaimed all the territories lost in previous years.

The victory report returned, and the court and the public celebrated.

But that was not the main point; the main point was that, along with the victory report, Tang Shigong also submitted a memorial.

The Emperor, jubilant over the great victory at Tingzhou, laughed as he ordered the envoy to read the memorial aloud.

But as he listened, the Emperor’s smile gradually faded—

"...In Tingzhou, I grievously heard of my beloved daughter being attacked in the Capital City at Jinchang Village, pained and tearful... Though I, your servant, fight for the nation despite facing countless deaths, I lament that my wife and children at home, lacking protection, were bullied and nearly lost their lives... Although this battle was victorious by chance, I dare not claim credit, nor do I have the face to seek reward. I only hope Your Majesty can protect my family..."

The Gu Family, softly and gently repeating it, had their eyes turning red, yet smiled proudly through pursed lips.

Tang Jiaojiao was also moved to tears and laughter.

Only Tang Xiaobai couldn’t smile.

"And then?" she pressed.

"His Majesty has already ordered a thorough investigation into the attack on Jiaojiao at Jinchang Village," the Gu Family’s maid smirked, "adding the charge of deceiving the sovereign, Zhao Jing is doomed this time!"

Tang Xiaobai sighed deeply inside.

First, fabricate a charge of deceiving the sovereign, then use military achievements as leverage; how could the Duke Yan Mansion be so audacious? Are they really not afraid of retribution in the future?

Perhaps the downfall of the Duke Yan Mansion in the book was not entirely Tang Jiaojiao’s fault—

"What are you thinking about?" Tang Jiaojiao patted her.

"Uh..." Tang Xiaobai returned to her senses, "I was wondering how Zhao Jing would react if he heard this news—"

...

"Tingzhou great victory?!" Zhao Jing abruptly stood up in the middle of the cell and rushed to the door, "Tingzhou great victory? On September 9?"

How could it be?

In his past life, Tingzhou was conquered in the twelfth lunar month! How could it be three months earlier?

Could it be Tang Jiaojiao...

"Duke Yan also submitted a memorial..."

The content of the memorial came as no surprise to Zhao Jing; Tang Shigong had always been blindly protective of his shortcomings.

Now with the great victory at Tingzhou, it was the peak of Tang Shigong’s influence; the Emperor would not risk offending Tang Shigong.

Combined with the so-called charge of deceiving the sovereign, even if he survived, he’d be skinned alive.

Uncertain if that Qin Family child could become his lifesaver—

"There is one more thing..." A trusted subordinate’s eyes flickered with unease.

"What is it?" Zhao Jing felt a jolt of dread, sensing something amiss.

"That little slave from the Duke Yan Mansion...is missing..."