Xiao Yan showed no surprise when the Fourth Prince returned, agreeing to investigate the Lu family’s collusion with Prince Cheng. With a nod to Jin Yun to leave guards at Hengting Pavilion, he escorted the prince—and Tang Ning—to the imperial prison.
The Fourth Prince, anxious to justify himself, blurted, “I merely wish to avoid disappointing Father.”
Xiao Yan offered a curt nod, his indifference palpable. Flustered, the prince turned to Tang Ning. “Does the County Lady also visit prisons?”
“The Lu affair concerns my aunt,” she replied coolly. “She raised another’s son for years. I want to see whose charms blinded Prince Cheng to such betrayal.”
The Fourth Prince sneered. “Prince Cheng is vile, and his whore deserves flaying. Their bastard should be paraded for all to scorn.”
Tang Ning’s silence sharpened. “Your justice is… thorough.”
Yes, she thought. Let the empress rot a thousand deaths.
The prince missed her irony, distracted by her smile—luminous even in the dim carriage. His gaze lingered until Xiao Yan’s shadow severed the moment.
“We’ve arrived.”
Startled, the prince stumbled exiting the carriage, faceplanting before Tang Ning.
“The prison roads are uneven, Your Highness,” Xiao Yan drawled, stepping past. One more leer at Little Haitang, and I’ll gift his eyes to crows.
—
The stench of rot struck them inside Prince Cheng’s cell. Xiao Yan handed Tang Ning a scented handkerchief, shoving the prince forward. “Ask your questions. Quickly.”
The Fourth Prince gagged. Blood crusted the walls; Prince Cheng hunched in a corner, hair matted, legs twisted, fingers severed. Nearby lay a putrid mass swarmed by flies.
“What… is that?” the prince croaked.
“His son.”
“Son?!”
The prince retched, recalling rumors: Princess Rong’s miscarriage, the fetus discarded. Bile rose anew.
Xiao Yan smirked. “Interrogate him. Now.”
Trembling, the prince nudged Prince Cheng. “Uncle, I—”
The broken man lashed out, a fingerless stump smashing the prince’s jaw.
“Aghhh!”
Tang Ning arched a brow. Is Xiao Yan… amused?
=================
You can read ahead to chapterr 400 (100+ extra chapters) here
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