Xie Shi’an stepped forward.

He held up a paper package with both hands and presented it before Prince Gongxi.

A guard standing behind Prince Gongxi stepped forward and took the package, carefully unwrapping it. Inside was another layer of oiled paper, through which red blood could faintly be seen.

The guard’s expression grew somewhat grave. Opening it again, he revealed a bloody ear.

“This is this commoner’s loyalty.”

Xie Shi’an kept his head lowered, his posture extremely humble.

Prince Gongxi knew this was the Sixth Prince’s ear.

If an imperial son was wounded or maimed, he would no longer be qualified to ascend to that position.

Xie Shi’an wasn’t merely demonstrating loyalty—he was showcasing his capabilities.

As a mere commoner, he could already sever the ear of imperial blood. Give him a bit of support, and in time, he would certainly become a powerful right hand.

“Courageous and resourceful—worthy of being a strategist.” Prince Gongxi spoke. “Starting tomorrow, you’ll serve in the Prince’s residence. Someone will arrange your duties.”

Xie Shi’an was overjoyed. “Yes, Your Highness.”

He immediately went to the street to purchase a complete outfit for himself. Starting tomorrow, he would be an advisor to Prince Gongxi’s residence. In the future, everything he deserved would come to him.

Meanwhile, Yun Chu leisurely sipped her tea.

Seeing Chu Yi enter through the door, she asked, “Is it as I said?”

Chu Yi nodded. “The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review interrogated the guards beside the Sixth Prince. Here’s roughly what happened: the Sixth Prince had drunk too much on his way back to his residence. Halfway there, the horses suddenly became frightened and scattered in all directions. The streets were lively and crowded at the time, and master and servants became separated. When the guards found the Sixth Prince, he was lying in an alley covered in blood, missing an ear. The Court of Judicial Review discovered black beans at the scene and surmised the horses had smelled the black beans and lost control. Chu’er, who exactly did such a thing?”

“The one who acted was the Xie family’s Xie Shi’an.” Yun Chu raised her eyes. “He did this for two reasons: first, to vent his hatred; second, to pledge allegiance to Prince Gongxi. If the matter were exposed, he could also make Concubine Jiang take the blame. This is a scheme devised by a child only thirteen years old.”

Chu Yi sat down beside her. “But he never imagined that everything he did couldn’t escape your eyes. Chu’er, what do you think should be done next?”

“Let’s see just how much weight Xie Shi’an carries in Prince Gongxi’s heart.” Yun Chu smiled. “If Prince Gongxi abandons him, there’s no need to do anything more. But if Prince Gongxi protects him, that’s excellent—I’d also like to have a direct confrontation with him.”

She had never delivered a fatal blow to Xie Shi’an because he was still a child, and none of the events from her previous life had occurred yet.

Now that Xie Shi’an had formally become Prince Gongxi’s strategist while she was Princess Consort of Prince Pingxi, they stood on opposing sides. Whatever they did would be open and aboveboard confrontation.

“Leave this matter to your husband to handle.”

Chu Yi’s voice suddenly grew husky as his large palm curved around Yun Chu’s shoulder.

Yun Chu had originally been contemplating serious matters, but his hand stirred her mind into confusion.

“Chu’er, night has fallen.”

Without further discussion, the man scooped her up and placed her on the bed.

In the blink of an eye, three days had passed. Consort Yin finally sent both children back to the Prince’s residence, and Chu Yi formally returned to court.

After all official business had been reported, Chu Yi emerged from among the officials and cupped his hands. “Father Emperor, your son has an important matter to report.”

The Emperor waved his hand grandly. “Permission granted.”

Chu Yi memorialized, “During these three days of rest at home, your son did not indulge in newlywed bliss, but instead investigated the Sixth Prince’s case in plain clothes and finally discovered a trace of evidence.”

Prince Gongxi’s fingers paused, but he felt little concern.

He’d asked Xie Shi’an about it—the black beans had come from a household in the outskirts of the capital. The vagrants who’d beaten the Sixth Prince had been sent away overnight. No evidence would be found.

If the Court of Judicial Review investigated following the black beans, any evidence uncovered would only relate to that household on the capital’s outskirts. It could never possibly trace back to Prince Gongxi’s residence.

He heard Chu Yi continue, “A commoner heard cries for help coming from the alley. He also saw the person who brutally beat the Sixth Prince run into Prince Gongxi’s residence… Because this matter is so significant, the witness is unwilling to come forward, fearing retaliation. If Father Emperor doesn’t believe it, you may secretly summon him in private.”

“You… you’re simply spouting nonsense!”

Prince Gongxi’s eyes widened, his face full of disbelief.

The people who beat the Sixth Prince were a group of vagrants who had been given silver by Xie Shi’an and sent away that very day. They had never entered Prince Gongxi’s residence at all.

That bastard Third Brother was openly fabricating witness testimony to frame him!

“Father Emperor!” Prince Gongxi cupped his hands toward the highest seat. “Your son and the Sixth Prince share deep brotherly affection. Your son could never commit such a vicious act against the Sixth Prince. Please investigate thoroughly, Father Emperor!”

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review stepped forward. “Reporting to Your Majesty, this humble minister discovered remnants of black beans at the rear wall of Prince Gongxi’s residence. Your Majesty may not know—horses most love to eat black beans. When they smell black beans, they’ll indulge their craving regardless of everything else. This is what caused the Sixth Prince’s horse to lose control. Initially, without witness testimony, this humble minister dared not rashly memorialize. Now that Prince Pingxi has found a witness, combined with the physical evidence this humble minister possesses, it can be proven that this matter was indeed Prince Gongxi’s doing.”

Prince Gongxi clenched his fists tightly.

He never dreamed the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review would be Third Brother’s man, actually helping Third Brother fabricate black bean evidence.

A basin of filthy water had been poured over him just like that.

This matter clearly had nothing to do with him.

“Father Emperor…”

Just as Prince Gongxi was about to defend himself—

The Emperor’s expression immediately darkened. “Last time, you killed Yi’er’s beloved. I only punished you with confinement to reflect on your errors. It seems the punishment was too light.”

“Father Emperor!” Prince Gongxi knelt directly. “Your son swears to heaven that this matter has nothing to do with your son. If there’s half a false word, may I be struck by lightning and die a miserable death!”

Standing at the forefront, Imperial Preceptor Ding Yiyuan spoke leisurely, “Heaven is quite busy and doesn’t hear mortals’ oaths.”

Prince Gongxi: “…”

The Imperial Preceptor must also be Third Brother’s man!

The Emperor spoke coldly, “Someone, take Prince Gongxi’s residence guard captain, general steward, and head matron—lock them all in the Court of Judicial Review for interrogation!”

Prince Gongxi’s heart went cold.

Once they entered the Court of Judicial Review, even if they didn’t die, they’d shed a layer of skin. Many would confess under torture to crimes they didn’t commit.

In other words, this crime would ultimately still fall on his head.

He took a deep breath. “Father Emperor, your son vaguely recalls that on the night of Third Brother’s wedding, your son had drunk too much, was in a foul mood, and kicked and injured a guard. Your son is wondering whether that guard bore a grudge and deliberately beat the Sixth Prince to frame your son…”

The case of Prince Cheng, the Sixth Prince, was ultimately determined to be the work of a guard from Prince Gongxi’s residence, who was sentenced to immediate execution.

Prince Gongxi returned to his residence completely drained and immediately had someone summon Xie Shi’an.

Xie Shi’an had already received word.

His face was full of concern, but his heart revealed a mocking smile.

Noble as Prince Gongxi was, wasn’t he still being played for a fool?

Those black beans at the rear wall of the Prince’s residence—he’d thrown them there under cover of night.

Only by making Prince Gongxi fall into dire straits could he demonstrate his own value, couldn’t he?