CHAPTER 249: CHAPTER 248: THE XIE FAMILY ALWAYS PROTECT THEIR OWN

Bang! Bang!

Soon after, two shadows fell from the sky, making heavy landing sounds.

The child in Yu Nianzhao’s arms opened their eyes in a daze, the sight they beheld was their parents’ dying looks, causing them to scream piercingly in fear.

The torches around were lit, and the footsteps of the approaching crowd could be heard.

Yu Nianzhao looked up; there were no shadows left on the roof.

Huawu anxiously said, "Master, I really felt Ziyu’s presence just now, but after getting close, it disappeared again. Could it be I’ve fallen into a trap?"

At this moment, Huawu also realized something was wrong, it was clearly a setup to frame Yu Nianzhao, even her voice weakened as she spoke.

The air around distorted slightly, Yu Nianzhao turned around and saw a "No Entry" sign at the end of the street, and on the high building’s hanging plaque, the three large characters ’Stargazing Tower’ were prominently displayed.

Countless torches converged toward them, Yu Nianzhao curled her lips into a cold smile and said, "Indeed, we fell into their trap!"

——

Emperor Anqing was awakened from his sleep and, with a cold expression, hastily rushed to Stargazing Tower.

Below Stargazing Tower, bodies had already been cleared away and covered with a layer of white cloth.

"Who dares be so audacious to commit murder in my Stargazing Tower? The cause of Liu Han’s death hasn’t been clarified yet, and now this again? Are they trying to ruin my Stargazing Tower?"

Emperor Anqing was furious, "Bring the person to me."

The Minister of Ministry of Industry, wiping cold sweat, came up, cupped his fists, and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this time the person was caught. Their crimes are heinous and inhumane. They killed a couple and even wanted to throw the child to death. If we hadn’t discovered it in time, even the child might have been gone."

"What? Beneath the feet of the Son of Heaven, who dares do such an outrageous thing?"

The veins on Emperor Anqing’s forehead bulged.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it is..."

"Your Majesty, the person they mentioned might be me."

Yu Nianzhao was surrounded by layers of soldiers, who initially wanted to capture her without asking questions, but the Dragon Shadow Guards appeared, protecting Yu Nianzhao behind them, not allowing anyone to touch her.

The Minister of Ministry of Industry complained, "Indeed, Your Majesty, this person even has a group of black-clad accomplices. Their martial skills are exceptional, and my subordinates can’t deal with them."

As Emperor Anqing heard Yu Nianzhao’s voice, his expression changed dramatically, and even more so upon seeing the Dragon Shadow Guards, his full anger instantly dissipated, leaving only doubt in his heart.

"Nonsense, those black-clad people are my Dragon Shadow Guards, it’s a wonder your subordinates could defeat them."

Emperor Anqing said irritably.

"What? Dragon Shadow Guards?"

The Minister of Ministry of Industry opened his mouth wide in shock, suddenly having a bad premonition.

"Who dares imprison my princess consort?"

The voice arrived before the person did.

A horse quickly came running, a tall figure swiftly dismounted with a flip, Xie Jiuxiao full of murderous intent, causing even the soldiers to tremble uncontrollably.

"Greetings, Prince Su!"

The cold sweat on the Minister of Ministry of Industry almost froze into ice.

"Elder Brother?"

Xie Jiuxiao frowned and asked Emperor Anqing, "What on earth happened? Did the Dragon Shadow Guards report that Zhaozhao was suspected of murder?"

Emperor Anqing awkwardly tugged his lips, "I just found out; the suspect is Zhaozhao, but I think there must be some mistake here."

The Minister of Ministry of Industry was surprised, "Your Majesty, Prince, you know the suspect?"

Xie Jiuxiao gave him a cold glance and sneered, "Who doesn’t know that Zhaozhao is my fiancée? Mr. Dong, your pretense of innocence is really quite fake."

Mr. Dong’s expression froze on his face, he forced a laugh and said, "The prince jokes. If I had known the suspect was the future Princess Consort Su, I certainly wouldn’t have treated her so rudely. However...this is a significant matter. Even if I’ve done my utmost to clear the surrounding onlookers, many who were awoken by the commotion and came out to see what was happening, witnessed it, this can’t be hidden."

His words were clear, he meant to tell Xie Jiuxiao, no matter how much you protect her as Prince Su, the matter has blown up, and if you don’t handle it impartially, the royal family’s reputation will be tarnished.

"Heh, Mr. Dong, you must have spent too long groveling behind Duke Luu, have you forgotten the dynasty’s surname?"

Xie Jiuxiao’s voice was filled with killing intent, and with his full sinister presence, just as Mr. Dong’s smugness was about to fade, a surge of inexplicable fear gripped his heart.

"I...I dare not!"

Mr. Dong trembled and said, "Your Majesty, please see reason."

He shifted his target to Emperor Anqing and firmly said, "The words of Prince Su make me uneasy, Your Majesty, I am only considering the Great Chao Country. Two consecutive murders at Stargazing Tower, how would commoners across the land perceive it? They would certainly think it’s an ominous place, ruining Your Majesty’s hard work. Furthermore, shouldn’t the law apply equally to princes and commoners, let alone an unwed princess consort."

With a righteous appearance, he quickly moved his feet away from Xie Jiuxiao, fearing that in a fit of anger, he would be hacked apart.

Mr. Dong reckoned that with Emperor Anqing’s protection, Xie Jiuxiao wouldn’t be so reckless.

Unfortunately, he underestimated one thing.

That is, Emperor Anqing also bears the surname Xie, and is likewise protective.

Emperor Anqing said coldly, "You mean to say, it’s confirmed that Zhaozhao did it? Did you see it with your own eyes?"

Zhaozhao?

This familiar manner of address caused Mr. Dong to pause momentarily, then he stammered, "I did not see her committing the crime with my own eyes. When I arrived, she was holding the child, and there were two corpses at her feet."

Xie Jiuxiao curved into a cold smile, "Is Mr. Dong such a brilliant detective that he can solve a case at a glance?"

"No... I cannot!"

"Then on what basis do you treat Zhaozhao as the murderer? Such audacity."

Xie Jiuxiao’s icy gaze swept over the surrounding soldiers, and he commanded in a low voice, "Get out of my way."

The soldiers were petrified, and after exchanging glances, they turned away, opening a path.

"Zhaozhao, are you okay?"

Xie Jiuxiao walked over, intending to pull her into his embrace, only to find a plump little girl in Yu Nianzhao’s arms, staring at him with big curious eyes.

"Who is this child?"

"She is the child left by the couple, thrown from the rooftop, I saved her."

Yu Nianzhao said helplessly, "It seems the child is too shocked to speak, no matter what I say, she only shakes or nods her head, and won’t leave me. If anyone tries to take her, she screams, so I have no choice but to keep her with me for now."

Xie Jiuxiao, indifferent to the child’s plight, looked at her unsympathetically and ordered, "Hurry down."

The little girl’s response to him was... to turn her head and bury it in Yu Nianzhao’s chest, ignoring him entirely.