The matter of Prince Qi harming Prince Rong and causing his leg to break was naturally not solely based on what Fang Zheng and the others said.
Prince Qi reacted swiftly, immediately bringing up Han Suqin's miscarriage, claiming Xiao Yun was deliberately retaliating and distorting facts to slander him.
"The Consort of Prince Ding'an, in order to frame Princess Yin Yue, poisoned the tea of the Consort of Prince Qi, causing her to miscarry. I originally intended to resolve this matter quietly, out of our childhood affection, but I never expected Prince Ding'an to bite back. Father, how could I harm my second brother? You taught us from childhood to be fraternal, and your son has always remembered your teachings!"
Han Suqin's miscarriage was merely Prince Qi's unsubstantiated claim. Even if Han Suqin herself said she felt pain after returning from Prince Ding'an's residence, there was no concrete evidence.
His scheme to make Prince Rong fall from his horse was different; Xiao Yun and his group had both witness testimony and physical evidence.
Not only did the beast tamer admit that Prince Qi had instructed him, but some of Prince Qi's confidants had also betrayed him.
Furthermore, as soon as Xiao Yun and Fang Zheng reported Prince Qi, evidence of other wrongdoings by Prince Qi began to surface.
For example, in a certain year and month, he had occupied someone's residence.
For example, in a certain year and month, he had forcibly taken a daughter from a family.
Or, in a certain year and month, he had invited certain court officials for entertainment, sent valuable gifts to someone's home, and planted spies in someone's residence...
Even the matter of Han Suqin's elder brother extorting Wang Qingyao was brought to light.
Each incident was complete with time, place, witnesses, and evidence.
The mastermind behind it all was meticulous and thorough. Once a corner was lifted, all of Prince Qi's pretenses were exposed.
The previous familial affection within the royal family appeared even more laughable.
The Emperor was furious. He valued these matters greatly and detested two-faced, selfish, and cold-hearted individuals.
Especially since this person was his own son, his hatred grew even stronger.
The thought that Prince Rong's leg was broken due to Prince Qi's scheme, all for the sake of the throne, filled his heart with pain and anger.
Was there truly no familial affection in the royal family?
He recalled the words his late father, who had passed away many years ago, had spoken to him.
"There is no familial affection in the royal family. The Emperor cannot be merciful; a merciful person cannot be an Emperor."
At this point, the Emperor had not yet decided to confine Prince Qi. He looked at the charges presented, wanting to severely punish Prince Qi, yet also considering the father-son relationship.
"And then? What happened that made His Majesty change his mind?" Wang Qingyao asked.
"Prince Qi rebelled."
"Wow."
While the Emperor was still deliberating how to deal with Prince Qi, torn by fatherly affection, Prince Qi could not wait. Incited by Princess Yin Yue, he led troops into the palace to force the Emperor to abdicate the throne to him.
"The Emperor had the Shenwu Army monitor Princess Yin Yue. Prince Qi, instigated by Princess Yin Yue, was discovered as soon as the plan began to take shape."
"Princess Yin Yue was quite confident."
"Indeed, she brought many soldiers!"
Princess Yin Yue incited Prince Qi to rebel, telling him that her Xia Kingdom's soldiers had already infiltrated Da Sheng. If Prince Qi rebelled, she would rally the Xia soldiers to assist him. At the same time, she could send word back to Xia, ordering them to attack Da Sheng's border.
With internal strife and external threats, Da Sheng would have to deal with internal matters first. Prince Qi, being his son, would have to be given the throne, even if the Emperor was reluctant.
However, Yin Yue had a condition: if she helped Prince Qi ascend the throne, Prince Qi must make her Empress.
Prince Qi readily agreed.
Princess Yin Yue then signaled to gather Xia soldiers secretly into Duanjing.
What she did not know was that all the Xia soldiers had already been apprehended by Fang Zheng. Those who entered the capital under the guise of Xia soldiers were all members of the Longwu Army. Only a few Xia soldier leaders, who had either been appeasement or threatened, remained.
Princess Yin Yue only met with these few leaders. Since the leaders remained unchanged, Princess Yin Yue did not notice anything amiss.
It was only when Prince Qi and Princess Yin Yue led their troops into the palace and the generals refused to obey orders that they realized they had already become trapped.
"Do you know what Prince Qi said when they were captured?" Xiao Yun asked.
Wang Qingyao pondered for a moment and then boldly guessed, "I am the true Son of Heaven, and I am more suited to be Emperor than my brother Prince Rong?"
Xiao Yun smiled and pinched her nose, "You are so cute. But you guessed wrong. Prince Qi pushed all the blame onto Princess Yin Yue, saying it was all Princess Yin Yue's instigation that led him to rebel, and that he was temporarily blinded by a villain, thus committing a great mistake..."
Wang Qingyao sneered, "Coward."
He dared not take responsibility, using a woman as a shield. If he hadn't had such intentions, no matter how much Princess Yin Yue incited him, it would have been useless.
"Exactly. The Emperor was so angered he almost vomited blood. For a prince to lack such magnanimity and backbone, to be worse than an ordinary noble family's son, you can imagine the Emperor's mood."
Prince Qi had committed the grave crime of rebellion. Apart from Noble Consort Wei, who dared to plead for him, no one else dared to utter a sound.
Prince Wu did kneel to plead for Prince Qi, crying profusely, firmly believing that Prince Qi was kind-hearted, respected his elder brothers, and loved his younger brothers, and would never have designed Prince Rong's accident. He earnestly requested the Emperor to investigate thoroughly.
"Prince Wu is quite the actor," Wang Qingyao said. "He gained more favor, didn't he? Was His Majesty still quite pleased?"
Xiao Yun nodded, "Yes, by comparison, the Emperor found Prince Qi even more displeasing."