ushernet Chapter 48
Chapter 48
Xiao Rong now wished he could kneel on the ground and smash his own head. Knowing full well that Xiao Shan's heart was entirely set on Xiao Jin, how could he have believed this man's deceitful words?
It was truly infuriating. Xiao Shan was indeed a deeply scheming person. When the Emperor summoned them, Xiao Shan immediately suggested that the Emperor wanted to test them, planting that preconceived notion in his mind.
He and Xiao Shan were different.
Xiao Shan could muddle through his days at the Ministry of Justice, but Xiao Rong couldn't. He wanted the Emperor's praise and greater benefits. So, convinced that the Emperor would be disappointed in him, he felt both anxious and fearful.
So when Xiao Shan mentioned that the officials at the Ministry of Justice had reported them, it completely distracted him. Coupled with the rush to enter the palace, he had no time to think things through. His mind was solely focused on how to protect his own interests and prevent his father from being disappointed in him.
The result was that he was utterly ruined by Xiao Shan. With Xiao Jin already being a paragon, it was never easy for him to win over the officials. After today's events, it seemed there would no longer be a place for him in any of the Six Ministries.
Xiao Rong couldn't understand how someone could be so malicious.
Emperor Xiao Sheng, sitting in his high seat, observed the changing expressions of his two sons below. Xiao Rong was easier to read, clearly filled with regret and despair. In contrast, Xiao Shan's expression was a mix of frustration and calmness, a very contradictory demeanor.
There was definitely some hidden story here, and at that moment, the Emperor's curiosity was burning intensely.
He dismissed his two sons and waited for the arrival of the Minister of Justice.
***
As the Minister of Justice entered the palace, he encountered the two princes. He greeted them with a smile.
Xiao Shan responded with a curt nod and a grunt, while Xiao Rong's expression was extremely stiff.
The Minister of Justice felt a pang of unease, sensing that something was amiss.
Over the years, he always trusted his instincts, and this time was no exception.
The Minister of Justice kept pondering why the Emperor had summoned him so urgently. After much thought, he still believed it had something to do with Xiao Rong and Xiao Shan.
So, when he entered the Ganming Hall and the Emperor questioned him about why he hadn't properly guided the two princes and instead let them do as they pleased, the Minister of Justice felt a sense of relief. It was indeed related to his suspicions.
However, this was a tricky question to answer. Princes were still princes, and no matter how poor their reputation, while the Emperor could be displeased with them, his ministers could not afford to be. Speaking too lightly wouldn't be good, and speaking too harshly wouldn't be either.
The best approach was to convey the princes' situation without angering the Emperor.
Upon returning to Prince Li's residence, Xiao Shan recounted the day's events to Xie Zhui, focusing on Xiao Rong's lack of loyalty. He complained about how Xiao Rong had abandoned him after meeting the Emperor.
Xiao Shan spoke with great grievance, and Xie Zhui listened attentively. After he finished, Xie Zhui comforted him directly, saying, "Since Your Highness knows that Prince Rui is such a person, it would be best to have less contact with him in the future."
"You are right," Xiao Shan nodded. "Eldest Brother is a pit, and I can't keep falling into it."
Xie Zhui nodded in agreement.
Ji An, who was listening to the conversation between the couple, remained silent for a long time. For some reason, he suddenly felt a bit of sympathy for Xiao Rong. After all, Xiao Rong hadn't done anything wrong, but hearing about his experiences was quite lamentable.
***
The next day at court, the grand hall was very quiet.
The ministers had no memorials to present, and the Emperor did not speak. He glanced at Xiao Shan, then at Xiao Rong, and then at the assembled civil and military officials, his thoughts inscrutable.
In any case, everyone stood there in silence for quite a while before the Emperor finally announced the end of the court session.
Xiao Rong wanted to avoid any contact with Xiao Shan, so he hurried away.
Xiao Shan called out from behind, "Eldest Brother, wait for me. Let's go to the Ministry of Justice together."
It would have been better if he hadn't said anything. Upon hearing this, Xiao Rong only wished he had four legs to run faster.
Xiao Rong felt a sense of despair because while he could avoid Xiao Shan in the grand hall, he couldn't avoid him at the Ministry of Justice.
Yesterday, after returning, Xiao Rong met with Gu Guang and recounted what had happened. Gu Guang slapped his thigh and said, "Your Highness, you were foolish."
Gu Guang didn't know what else to say. How could Xiao Rong have believed anything that came out of Xiao Shan's mouth? It was all nonsense. Even if there had been any suppression at the Ministry of Justice, when the Emperor inquired, Xiao Rong should have immediately said that he had received help from the officials. He should have mentioned that although there were difficulties, he would overcome them, rather than fanning the flames alongside Xiao Shan.
For the first time in his life, Gu Guang felt that Xiao Rong, the eldest prince, would only ever be the eldest prince. His path was clear and held no other prospects.
Gu Guang was so despairing that even Xiao Rong could sense it.
Xiao Rong, on the other hand, wished he could make a voodoo doll of Xiao Shan.
Now that Xiao Rong had left, Xiao Shan wanted to catch up but was stopped by Xiao Jin.
Xiao Jin pulled him aside, frowned, and asked in confusion, "I heard that the officials of the Six Ministries have privately agreed to avoid the two of you. What did you do?"