CHAPTER 72: REFUSAL IN THE PALACE

And on top of that, the kneeling man truly did look a bit like Concubine Hua.

"You do not know, Elder Sister," Concubine Hua said, hatred twisting the handkerchief in her grasp, though she forced her voice to remain gentle. "This man was caught by my guard early this morning outside the palace gates. He claims to have shared the night together with the Fifth Prince, so I invited His Highness here to question him. Furthermore, he claims that the Fifth Prince met him in a brothel a few days ago, at that time, the Fifth Prince was still Prince Rong’s fiancée. Since this matter concerns the honor of the Beirong royal family, it must be handled with utmost care..."

The Imperial Consort calmly adjusted the small protective nail guards on her little finger and asked slowly, "And what is the result?"

Seeing that the Imperial Consort had come tonight with the intention of going against her, Concubine Hua could only brace herself and answer, "The Fifth Prince claims he does not know this man at all."

The Imperial Consort’s tone suddenly turned sharp and severe.

"This man secretly peeked into the royal palace with ill intentions and tried to frame the prince. According to the law, he should be executed. Guards, drag him out."

"Elder Sister must not!"

Seeing her plan crumble before her eyes, Concubine Hua quickly tried to stop her.

"Elder Sister, if you settle this matter based solely on the Fifth Prince’s words, I fear the people will not be convinced. Besides, the Fifth Prince did disappear for an entire night a few days ago."

"Oh?"

A faint smile spread across the Imperial Consort’s lips.

"Then according to Sister Hua, I should not believe the prince of Dongyue Kingdom, but instead trust some lowborn man who snuck into the palace from who-knows-where? Maybe because sister Hua is born with a humble background, so you may not know this, these common men can be very skilled in their tricks."

This was a classic tactic of scolding someone by pointing at another.

Concubine Hua’s face instantly stiffened.

She had once been a maid and nothing angered her more than having her origins mentioned.

Although the Imperial Consort’s words were aimed at the kneeling man, every sentence was actually stabbing directly at her.

The Emperor who had been silent all this time finally spoke, "Then according to Concubine Hua, what should be done?"

"This concubine believes... since both sides insist they are telling the truth, why not let the maids check the Fifth Prince to prove his innocence?"

Hearing the Emperor speak as if supporting her, Concubine Hua’s voice became even more sweet and flattering.

"But the Fifth Prince refuses."

Hearing this, the Imperial Consort quickly said,

"Sister Hua speaks wrongly. Even for a Ger from an ordinary family, such an inspection is an unbearable humiliation. The Fifth Prince is a prince of a nation, his refusal is perfectly understandable."

"But if we do not do this, then no one will be able to prove the Fifth Prince’s innocence,"

Concubine Hua argued stubbornly, unwilling to take even a single step back despite the Imperial Consort’s support for Yue Mingxuan.

"If Sister Hua does not trust the nursemaids from my palace, then we can each choose one person and have them examine him together."

"Concubine Hua’s suggestion is indeed reasonable."

The Emperor looked toward Yue Mingxuan who sat near the lower seats.

"Fifth Prince, do you have anything to say?"

Being called upon, Yue Mingxuan lifted his head and looked straight at the man who controlled the power of the entire Beirong kingdom.

With firm determination, he said,

"Mingxuan is unwilling."

As soon as those words were spoken, everyone in the hall was shocked.

Yet even though Yue Mingxuan had directly refused him, the Emperor did not get angry.

Instead, he looked at Yue Mingxuan with interest.

And after speaking, Yue Mingxuan lowered his head again, acting like a timid prince from a small kingdom, as if that surprising and bold refusal had not come from his own mouth.

Seeing the Emperor’s calm and relaxed expression, Concubine Hua grew anxious.

She secretly glanced at the eunuch beside her.

The eunuch understood her meaning at once and shouted loudly, "Yue Mingxuan, how dare you disobey the Emperor’s will!"

Hearing the huge accusation pushed onto him by the eunuch at Concubine Hua’s side, Yue Mingxuan unwillingly knelt down.

In his original world, there was already a saying, a higher official can crush you to death.

And now he was in a world ruled completely by imperial power.

The person in front of him held the authority to decide life and death.

"Mingxuan does not dare."

After saying those four words, Yue Mingxuan simply knelt there in silence.

In this palace, everyone seemed to kneel for the smallest thing.

And the floors in Concubine Hua’s palace were paved with crystal marble; kneeling on it was not only painful but also so cold it pierced into the bones.

He thought it would be much better if he could get some knee pads.

Rong Tieshan looked at the kneeling Yue Mingxuan.

For some reason, a bit of pity rose inside him.

He took one step forward and said carefully,

"Father, since the Fifth Prince is unwilling, he must have his own reasons. Why not listen to what he has to say? Besides, this man claims to have a secret relationship with the Fifth Prince. This is a crime that could destroy an entire family line. Your son does not understand, why would he risk such a thing? Would he dare take such a risk just to see the Fifth Prince once? It does not make sense."

"Mingxuan, you must speak for me!"

The kneeling man on the ground suddenly sprang forward the moment he heard the words destroy the entire family.

He crawled and rolled until he reached Yue Mingxuan’s feet, grabbing tightly onto the hem of Yue Mingxuan’s robe.

"That night you said you did not like Prince Rong, that you only liked me. You said that once the marriage contract was canceled, you would run away with me. You must not go back on your word!"