Xiao Zhen’s expression was complex upon hearing his precious daughter speak this way.
The expressions of the others were also telling. Everyone knew it was a clear setup against the Prince of Qin, but was it wise to reveal it so openly?
As the crowd was silently judging, they heard Xiao Man utter another earth-shattering statement.
“But why frame the Prince of Qin? If one were to frame someone, it should be the Crown Prince!”
All eyes turned to the Crown Prince. Indeed, if someone were to frame a prince, it should be the Crown Prince!
The Crown Prince was the heir apparent. If he were to lose his position, the vacant heir apparent spot would greatly increase the chances of other princes ascending the throne.
Framing the Prince of Qin was different. If the Prince of Qin fell, what could be gained was merely military power.
Military power. The words flashed in everyone’s minds, and their puzzled looks turned into suspicious ones.
Because the one most likely to seize military power was the Crown Prince!
If the Crown Prince, as the heir apparent, also held military power, then his position would be unshakeable. If the Thirteenth Prince and Xiao Man were attacked, and the Prince of Qin became the scapegoat, then the Crown Prince would be the sole beneficiary!
“Xiao Man, what do you mean by this? Are you hoping I will be attacked?”
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, you misunderstand.” Xiao Man took a breath, her wound seemingly in great pain. “This humble maiden simply doesn’t understand, what is the point of killing me and framing the Prince of Qin for the Thirteenth Prince’s attack? His Majesty is wise; you must uphold justice for this humble maiden. My old wounds have not healed, and now I have new ones, and I was nearly accused of murdering a prince…”
The Crown Prince, now understanding Xiao Man’s intention to divert blame, quickly knelt. “Father, this is a deliberate setup, intentionally sowing discord among your sons. Your son and the Thirteenth Prince have always been close, and I get along well with the Fourth Prince. We would never do such a ruthless deed.”
“This son believes his Crown Prince brother.” The Thirteenth Prince added, “However, Xiao Man, did you really not stab me?”
Xiao Man shifted her body, but the pain in her wound forced her to remain nestled in Xiao Zhen’s arms. “I want to ask you too. Did you resent me for hitting you last time and deliberately plot to harm me?”
“You are spouting nonsense! Am I that petty?” The Thirteenth Prince’s face flushed with anger. The wound on his body ached fiercely, but he would not yield. He had not done something, and he would not admit to it!
“If you hadn’t insisted on dragging me to see where you lived, would I have been stabbed?”
“I meant well!”
“Hmph, your good intentions did more harm than good. Look at us both, lying here, and the real culprit is still at large!”
The old emperor, watching the two injured individuals argue, felt a headache coming on. “Investigate! The culprit must be found. To dare to commit violence in the imperial palace, attacking a prince and the daughter of a minister, is simply lawless!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Xiao Man’s wound throbbed with pain, and she choked back a sob. “Father, it hurts so much. My entry into the palace was His Majesty’s sudden whim. Who could have set such a vicious trap for me in advance?”
Xiao Man’s words reached the old emperor’s ears, and his gaze involuntarily turned towards Consort Xian.
Xiao Man was injured and was not supposed to attend the Dragon Boat Festival banquet. But after Consort Xian mentioned it, he had ordered Xiao Man to be brought into the palace. If this was a pre-planned scheme, then someone must have known he would summon Xiao Man to the palace.
Consort Xian’s eyelids twitched, and she quickly said, “Perhaps the assassin wanted to kill the Thirteenth Prince and feared being seen by Miss Xiao, so they killed Miss Xiao to silence her.”
“This Prince believes that the other party wanted to kill the Thirteenth Prince and frame Xiao Man. Who knew Xiao Man arrived too quickly, and the killer, unable to react in time, had to kill Xiao Man as well, framing me.”
Nangong Yu’s gaze drifted to Xiao Man. Since he had discovered Xiao Man’s injury, countless questions had been swirling in his mind.
Xiao Man’s wound, this wound, he had only seen it once. No, he had experienced it himself once!
Five years ago, on the battlefield, he had fought against Dugumang of Yunqi and was stabbed in the chest by Dugumang, leading to his defeat.
Everyone thought he was doomed, but surprisingly, his injury was not severe. Dugumang’s sword, though seemingly dangerous, had perfectly avoided his vital points. He had only sustained a superficial wound!
It was that sword strike that allowed him to identify the spies around him and gain complete control of his military power!
Frankly, he was grateful to Dugumang. If Dugumang had not deliberately spared him, he would have likely died on the battlefield long ago.
Afterward, he had asked the Medicine King if it was possible to accurately locate such a spot amidst a chaotic battle, striking him without killing him.
The Medicine King had said no. The person who injured him would not only need formidable control but also a thorough understanding of human anatomy. Even he could not achieve such precision.
Yet, five years later, he saw it again, the same wound as his own. It looked severe, but it was merely a superficial injury.
Who was the person who stabbed Xiao Man?
Was Dugumang truly dead?
Or was this a smokescreen thrown by Yunqi to confuse the enemy? But for what purpose?
“Prince of Qin speaks wisely.” Consort Xian replied softly, her gaze shifting towards the Yan family.
What exactly was happening today? Wasn’t the plan only to target Xiao Man? How did the Thirteenth Prince get involved? And now it was linked to the Prince of Qin!
A hint of an unreadable expression flashed in Madam Yan’s eyes. She held Xiao Ling’s hand and thought to herself, *What a pity, such a pity. The person who acted was so useless, failing to kill Xiao Man. If Xiao Man had died from an assassination attempt in the palace, they could have perfectly extricated themselves!*
Subsequently, the Emperor ordered the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review to apprehend the culprit as soon as possible and placed Consort Xian under house arrest. It was clear to everyone that this matter was likely connected to Consort Xian.
However, Consort Xian hailed from the Yan family, and Minister Yan’s daughter was the second wife of the General’s mansion. Xiao Man was the legitimate eldest daughter of the General’s mansion, but not Madam Yan’s biological daughter. This assassination attempt made many men considering remarriage hesitate, fearing their children would fall victim to their stepmothers.
Madam Yan was filled with resentment. Although she wished for Xiao Man’s death, this matter had nothing to do with her. She wanted to scheme against Xiao Man, but their plan hadn’t even begun to be implemented before Xiao Man had an accident.
On the way back to the mansion, Xiao Zhen’s face remained grim. Xiao Man, however, slept soundly, lying down. No matter who was scheming against her behind the scenes, she would not let this matter go. It was hard enough for her to recover from her injuries, and now she had to inflict another wound on herself. Was it easy for her?
Upon returning to the mansion, Xiao Zhen ordered people to investigate the matter.
Although Xiao Man had behaved outrageously, every word she spoke was logical. This was a struggle between princes, and he did not want to be involved. However, since the other party had harmed his precious daughter, he could not be blamed.
The Old Madam comforted Xiao Man and instructed Doctor Ye to take good care of her before returning to her own quarters.
The Third Concubine and her daughter were waiting for Xiao Man to return so they could eat zongzi. When they saw Xiao Man being carried back, they were both greatly alarmed.