That evening.

Xiao Zhanping, accompanied by the Imperial Guard, stormed into Zhao Mengyu’s bedchamber.

Zhao Mengyu, shocked, looked at Xiao Zhanping and pretending to be clueless, respectfully saluted and said, "What brings Your Majesty to your servant’s chamber so late at night? Is there something you need from me?"

"How audacious, Imperial Concubine! You dared to murder my son. Guards, seize her!" Xiao Zhanping ordered harshly, his face cold as ice.

The Imperial Guard stepped forward, ready to apprehend Zhao Mengyu.

Zhao Mengyu’s face drastically changed, and she shouted loudly, "Your Majesty, I have always kept to my own affairs, how could I have killed the Prince? You must not accuse me of such a crime without evidence!"

"Without evidence?!" Xiao Zhanping’s face turned utterly grim, "Before you die, I’ll make you fully convinced of your guilt! Bring the person here!"

Saying so.

The guard brought in a palace eunuch, who appeared in Zhao Mengyu’s chamber.

Zhao Mengyu looked at the eunuch, her emotions slightly fluctuating.

"Speak, was it you who secretly put the abortion pill in the bowl of lotus seed soup that Lady Qin drank yesterday?" Xiao Zhanping furiously demanded.

The eunuch, trembling with fear, could not utter a word.

"Won’t speak? Drag him out and give him fifty heavy beatings!"

"Spare me, Your Majesty, spare me, it was me, it was all my doing," the eunuch confessed in terror, repeatedly kowtowing on the ground.

"Who gave you such audacity to plot against my son!" Xiao Zhanping’s veins bulged in anger.

"It was Imperial Concubine," the eunuch pointed out.

Zhao Mengyu gritted her teeth.

Useless servant, how could he betray her?!

"Zhao Mengyu, what do you have to say now!" Xiao Zhanping asked.

"He is framing me, I did not do it!" Zhao Mengyu vehemently denied it, "Someone must be behind this, instructing him."

She appeared extremely agitated.

Turning to the eunuch, she loudly demanded, "Tell me, was it Qin Junsheng? Was it her trying to seize my position by deliberately using her own child to frame me!"

"Enough!" Xiao Zhanping wouldn’t listen to a word Zhao Mengyu said, "Qin Junsheng wouldn’t be so cruel. Stop spreading malicious rumors. Guards, take the Imperial Concubine away!"

"Your Majesty, would you condemn me just based on the one-sided story of a mere servant? How is this any different from a tyrant’s actions!" Zhao Mengyu angrily retorted.

"Zhao Mengyu, are you trying to rebel?!" Xiao Zhanping roared in anger.

Today, when Qin Junsheng miscarried, his first thought was that she was framed.

And the first person he suspected of framing her was Zhao Mengyu.

That’s why he personally investigated, determined to find evidence of Zhao Mengyu framing Qin Junsheng.

Indeed, the confession was forced out.

It really was Zhao Mengyu.

Knowing it was her doing, he harbored not a single doubt.

He had even thought of deposing Zhao Mengyu long ago.

Zhao Mengyu had grown too arrogant lately, and remembering their years of association, he had been tolerating her again and again, but now he could no longer hold back.

He coldly ordered the guards to take Zhao Mengyu to the cold palace.

"Why not rebel, just this once?!" Suddenly, a cold-blooded voice sounded from behind.

Xiao Zhanping turned around and saw Xiao Jinsen appearing in the great hall.

His face was gloomy as he coldly watched Xiao Jinsen swagger into the room, displaying no basic courtesy or respect upon seeing him.

"Xiao Jinsen, what are you trying to do!" Xiao Zhanping glared at him fiercely.

He never expected that the son he personally groomed would one day defy him like this.

"Did Father Emperor not hear clearly? Then let me say it again." Xiao Jinsen spoke deliberately, "Today, your son is indeed starting a rebellion!"

"You dare!"

"Why would I not dare?!" Xiao Jinsen declared, "If the Empress dared back then, why wouldn’t my mother and I dare?!"

"Do you not know what happened to the Empress back then?!"

"That’s why I’ve learned from it and will catch you off guard!" Xiao Jinsen sneered, "Father Emperor must have never imagined that his son would suddenly rebel, right?! In your eyes, I must have always been the obedient prince who follows your every command, right?!"

"Xiao Jinsen!" Xiao Zhanping’s face turned pale with rage.

It was expected when the Empress rebelled.

But Xiao Jinsen’s rebellion was truly beyond his expectations.

Was he not good enough to Xiao Jinsen?!

He had even already decided in his heart to appoint him as the Crown Prince.

Yet unexpectedly, he was forced into a palace coup!

"Do you know how long it’s been since you last praised me? Do you know how long you’ve been talking about Xiao Jinxing? Father Emperor, I’m fed up, I’m fed up with having to depend on your mood to live my life!" Xiao Jinsen coldly sneered, so smug, "Do you still hope now that your son, who’s at the border, will come back to save you?!"

"You!" Xiao Zhanping trembled with anger all over.

He wished he could stab Xiao Jinsen to death with a sword, this unfilial son.

"Men, arrest the Emperor for me," Xiao Jinsen commanded.

Countless guards rushed in from outside, surrounding all of Xiao Zhanping’s guards.

"Stop!" Xiao Zhanping roared, "Xiao Jinsen, you should know that my personal soldiers are at Marquis Wu’s Mansion!"

"So what?!"

"I had already informed Wu Xufan to be on standby in the palace when I came to the Imperial Concubine’s palace today. Do you think you can really capture me?!" Xiao Zhanping didn’t take Xiao Jinsen seriously at all.

Although he did not expect Xiao Jinsen to rebel.

Thinking that Xiao Jinsen might protect his mother, he had already made arrangements in advance.

"Who did you send to pass the message?" Xiao Jinsen coldly smiled.

Xiao Zhanping turned his head to look at Eunuch Mu.

Eunuch Mu’s eyes flickered.

Xiao Zhanping’s heart skipped a beat.

Xiao Jinsen laughed maniacally, "Father Emperor, didn’t expect that the person closest to you has been bought by me, did you?!"

"You!" Xiao Zhanping turned pale.

His heart naturally started to panic.

"Eunuch Mu didn’t let anyone pass the message to Wu Xufan. Of course, even if Wu Xufan has received the news that there’s trouble in the palace, he wouldn’t come back to save you. He is currently rescuing your daughter Xiao Hezhen. I had someone kidnap Xiao Hezhen, so Wu Xufan won’t come to save you." Xiao Jinsen grew more excited as he spoke, "I wonder, Father Emperor, are you satisfied with my strategy? Ever since I was young, you have always taught me, ’no man is a real man without being ruthless.’ I’ve acted entirely according to your wishes, Father Emperor, so today’s actions are also a result of your excellent guidance!"

"Shut your mouth, Xiao Jinsen!" Xiao Zhanping was so enraged he wished he could tear Xiao Jinsen into pieces.

"Oh, there’s another thing I must clarify to Father Emperor, so you won’t die with your eyes still open." Xiao Jinsen coldly continued, heedless of Xiao Zhanping’s emotions, "Remember how you haven’t been quite yourself recently? That’s because my mother has had special drugs added to your food for years. The purpose was to diminish your interest in other women, all to ensure no other progeny could vie for my throne!"