The Command to Pamper the Husband - Chapter 106

The Crown Prince turned to the Emperor and said, “I don’t know whether the Duke intended to assassinate the Fourth Prince or just stop him. I’m merely describing the situation as it happened.”

Pausing, the Crown Prince added, “However, those people didn’t hesitate to swing their blades at me. I think it was an assassination attempt. Otherwise, why would they attack so decisively?”

The Emperor’s face darkened as he looked at the Duke. “I didn’t expect you to be so bold!” Though his voice wasn’t loud, it was full of anger. The Crown Prince was his most favored son.

The Duke shivered. “Your Majesty, I… I really didn’t.”

The gold mine incident might be something his wife could arrange to cover up, but the assassination of the Crown Prince…

The Duke’s heart was burning with anxiety, yet he couldn’t explain it. He genuinely didn’t know how the Crown Prince got injured.

The Duchess glanced coldly at the Duke before gracefully kneeling down. “Your Majesty, concealing the gold mine was indeed wrong, but it was an act of desperation by the Duke.”

The Duchess deftly shifted the topic. No matter how the Duke explained it, he couldn’t clear up the assassination attempt on the Crown Prince. Given the situation, there was no need to waste words.

The Emperor frowned and looked at the Duchess. “An act of desperation? Privately opening a gold mine is akin to treason. How was it an act of desperation?”

The Duchess remained calm. “Your Majesty, this matter starts with an old letter from years ago.”

Song Jin listened, puzzled. The Crown Prince also showed no reaction. But the Duked the Emperor’s faces changed dramatically.

The Duke’s heart raced, but he quickly understood his wife’s intention. He couldn’t help but think, “She really thought of everything. We might be saved this time.”

The Emperor’s face turned ashen as he slammed the table. “Outrageous!”

The Duchess remained upright, kneeling straight. “Your Majesty, I do not dare speak recklessly. Please give me and the Duke a chance to explain.”

She looked completely composed. Song Jin couldn’t help but look over curiously. Could the Duchess really have a reason to smooth over the gold mine issue?

The air in the Imperial Study grew tense. After a moment of silence, the Emperor sighed and waved his hand. “You two, leave for now.”

This was directed at Song Jin and the Crown Prince. They had no choice but to exit quietly.

Outside in the courtyard, the Crown Prince stared at the door of the Imperial Study and asked Song Jin, “Do you know what reason she could have?”

Song Jin shook his head. He didn’t know what reason the Duchess could have. But the mention of an old letter made Song Jin suspect it was related to her dream.

According to the dream, the Emperor’s throne was seized. The old letter the Duchess mentioned probably related to that usurpation. But what reason could justify the Duke’s private gold mine?

Song Jin pondered deeply, his brows tightly knit, while the Crown Prince’s tense expression gradually relaxed. Following the logic of storybooks, such situations usually involved the dragon vein. If the Duchess linked the gold mining to preserving the dragon vein, they could be saved.

The letter likely mentioned the dragon vein and the five elements, including gold. If true, the Duke’s actions were not only innocent but meritorious.

The Crown Prince scowled. He couldn’t believe the Duke might escape punishment. His clenched fist tightened, causing his shoulder wound to ache, and his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Predicting the outcome, the Crown Prince decided there was no point in staying. He turned to Song Jin. “I won’t stay here in the cold with you.”

Just as Song Jin was about to speak, he saw the Crown Prince cover his shoulder and press the wound. His face turned pale, and he “fainted” in front of Song Jin.

Song Jin was stunned. This Crown Prince… What kind of person was he?

Seeing the Crown Prince collapse, the palace servants hurriedly carried him away. Another servant reported to the Emperor, who immediately summoned the imperial physician and sent the Crown Prince back to his residence.

Song Jin stood there, dumbfounded, until the Crown Prince was out of sight. The doors of the Imperial Study opened.

A young eunuch stood at the door. “His Majesty summons the Fourth Prince.”

Song Jin shook off the bizarre scene and stepped forward.

Inside the Imperial Study, the Duke was already standing. Judging by his appearance, he had been forgiven.

Song Jin lowered her gaze, saluted, and stood there.

The Emperor’s face was stern. “You don’t need to involve yourself with the gold mine matter. I will assign the Ministry of Justice to handle it. As for the case involving the Third Young Master of the Duke’s Estate causing deaths, let the capital magistrate handle it according to the law.”

Song Jin was shocked. If the capital magistrate handled it, the case would likely be downplayed or dismissed. This was how officials protected each other. But what about all those lives?

Gritting his teeth, Song Jin said, “Father Emperor, the capital magistrate angered the citizens over issues with his belt and socks. He was beaten. I’m not sure when he can resume his duties.”

Neither the Duke nor the Duchess had mentioned this to the Emperor, as their priority was saving themselves.

The Emperor frowned. “Issues with his belt and socks?”

Song Jin briefly explained the capital magistrate’s golden belt and pearl socks.

The Emperor’s face darkened again. He believed the Duchess’s explanation for the gold mine. But the capital magistrate’s golden belt related to the previous dynasty?

Furious, he thought, “How foolish to expose such extravagance before the people!”

“The case of the Duke’s third son will also be handled by the Ministry of Justice. As for the capital magistrate…”

The Emperor paused, deciding not to reveal his plans to his ill-fated son.

“There’s nothing more for you. You may leave.”

The Emperor waved impatiently. As Song Jin was about to leave, Yuan Bao became anxious. Having finally reunited with its master, it didn’t want to be separated.