Chapter 389 - 389: Su Dingheng’s Life
Zi Wei protected Su Yingxue and retreated into Su Dingheng’s courtyard.
Chu Yihan quickly approached Su Yingxue, grasping her hand. “Are you okay?”
Su Yingxue shook her head, indicating that she was fine.
“Your Highness, the emperor has sent Lan Ling.”
A hint of concern shadowed Su Yingxue’s expression, fearing that the emperor might use this opportunity to complicate things for Chu Yihan.
Chu Yihan pulled her close, his touch radiating immense pressure that seemed to paralyze everyone in the courtyard.
Lan Ling’s expression remained cold. “By order of the emperor, the Ninth Prince trespassed into the prison and took away prisoners. You are to be immediately brought to the imperial palace for detention. Su Yingxue, accused of poisoning her father, has violated family ethics and shall be executed on the spot.”
Upon hearing Lan Ling’s words, Liu Shulan revealed a hint of joy. Su Yingxue’s good days were finally over!
The emperor’s decree was here. Would the Ninth Prince go against the emperor for the sake of one woman and turn from a respected prince to a traitor and criminal?
However, Chu Yihan’s response was unexpected to them all. “Su Yingxue did not plot against her father. 1 say she’s innocent.”
“Outrageous! If the emperor decrees her guilty, she’s guilty! Your Highness, are you defying the imperial decree? I demand you come to the palace immediately and surrender!”
Lan Ling unsheathed his sword, and behind him, the Imperial Guards and palace guards surged in, surrounding the courtyard and sealing off any escape routes.
“Protect Your Highness!”
Mo Qi bellowed the palace guards and Shadow Guards from the prince’s mansion facing off against Lan Ling’s men. Any clash between the two sides would inevitably lead to bloodshed.
“Stop!”
In this critical moment, Su Yingxue broke free from Chu Yihan’s grip, facing Lan Ling. “Guard Lan, I did not conspire against my father. I’m the only one who can save him.”
“You’re spouting nonsense! Marquis Su was harmed by you. How could you save him?” Liu Shulan cried out in public, now speaking for Su Dingheng, who lay ill in bed.
She cried, “Marquis always cherished the Eldest Young Miss, entrusting all household matters to her. But who knew, after taking control, she turned things this way. Bullying me would have been fine, but now she’s mistreating Marquis. When they argued, the Eldest Young Miss was heartless, while Marquis kept forgiving her, blaming himself…”
Liu Shulan’s statements pushed Su Yingxue to the center of the storm. Despite her assertive demeanor and her role in the clinic, saving Consort Xiang and defeating Saint Ruan, in the eyes of the others, she appeared domineering. They wouldn’t feel she was wronged, only that Liu Shulan spoke the truth.
Su Yingxue sneered. “My father lies sick in bed, and suddenly, everything you say becomes plausible!”
Her indifferent attitude towards Liu Shulan’s accusations made her seem bold. However, the current situation wasn’t something she could resolve by her boldness.
Lan Ling’s order was to take Chu Yihan away and execute Su Yingxue. He was about to wave his hand. Even if he had to risk his life with the people in the prince’s mansion, he would still carry out the emperor’s order.
“Chief Imperial Guard, hold on!”
Liang Jin, who had been silent, stood between the conflicting forces with a stern expression.
His voice was stern. “This case was reported by Marquis Su’s concubine, Lady Liu, to the Capital Prefecture. Legally, this should be under my jurisdiction. Su Yingxue’s escape from prison incurs my fault in negligence, yet 1 believe the most crucial aspect of this case is Marquis Su’s life..”