The Command to Pamper the Husband - Chapter 146

The Emperor, of course, knew that Xiao Fu was lying there. But if one of his own men betrayed him, it would only make him appear incompetent as a ruler. For some reason, he didn’t want to publicly interrogate Xiao Fu. However, before he could speak, Song Jin stepped forward and stomped on Xiao Fu’s face.

Xiao Fu screamed in pain, “I admit my mistake! The fire in the Imperial Study was my doing. I am guilty.”

Song Jin clapped his hands. “There, Father Emperor. Now, my innocence is proven. Thank you, Father Emperor, for seeking justice for me.”

With that, Song Jin lifted his foot off Xiao Fu’s face and returned to his seat. The Crown Prince raised his chin slightly, glancing at Song Jin with a look that said: “My Fourth Brother would never do such a thing.”

Song Jin ignored the Crown Prince. The banquet, having descended into chaos, could not continue. As it dispersed, the Empress Dowager was escorted back to her quarters by the Empress, while the Emperor, accompanied by Heavenly Hound, headed straight for the Imperial Study. Song Jin watched as the Heavenly Hound left with the Emperor, unable to keep the loyal canine by her side.

The Crown Prince sidled up to Song Jin, who was walking with her head down. “Don’t forget my request.”

Song Jin turned to him. “At a time like this, you still want me to steal something?”

The Crown Prince smirked. “A time like this? What do you mean? I don’t understand.”

Song Jin rolled her eyes. “I’m not going. I want to go back.”

The imperial palace was like a dragon’s lair, and attending a banquet had already caused so much trouble, almost costing her life. The Emperor seemed eager to kill Shen Yue at any given opportunity. Shen Yue had yet to wake up, and her father had not arrived. She couldn’t handle this on her own.

It was terrifying. Where was her father? He had promised to come to the capital the next day. Right now, Song Jin desperately wanted to see her father. Her heart was burning with anxiety, like it was on fire. She didn’t want to think about what had just happened. After all, the mastermind had been caught, and with the current state of the Duke’s Estate, Consort Li would likely not survive.

As for Noble Consort De… whether or not she had cuckolded the Emperor was none of her business. The only thing that frustrated her was the Heavenly Hound, but she couldn’t think of a way to keep him. As for the painting the Crown Prince wanted…

Song Jin’s head throbbed after such a life-threatening ordeal. She quickly left the palace, gradually distancing herself from the Crown Prince. Watching her figure retreat, the Crown Prince frowned slightly. This didn’t match the usual stories at all. Typically, a heroine who experienced such an event would gain a rare opportunity or a chance to change her fate. Why hadn’t anything happened?

Had he overlooked something or made an error? The Crown Prince continued walking, lost in thought. His lack of understanding in crucial moments frustrated him.

The Second and Third Princes caught up. “Brother, your relationship with the Fourth Prince has advanced rapidly. I’m quite envious,” the Second Prince said with a smile. Then, glancing around, he added, “Who would have thought Consort Li would do such a thing to the Fourth Prince?”

The Third Prince, walking beside the Second Prince, wore a neutral expression, not taking sides.

The Crown Prince chuckled. “It was quite the spectacle.”

The Second Prince continued, “Brother, why didn’t you inform me about your growing closeness with the Fourth Prince? I wouldn’t have minded offending the Fourth Prince, but I worry about offending you.”

The Crown Prince glanced at the Second Prince. “Brotherly love, of course. As long as you’re respectful to your parents.”

Thinking of Noble Consort Shu’s early departure from the banquet, the Crown Prince added, “Soon, you will have a younger sibling to share your brotherly love with. We might not be needed then.”

This playful remark caused a subtle change in the Third Prince’s expression as he recalled Noble Consort Shu’s reaction. Was she pregnant again? The Third Prince immediately congratulated the Second Prince. “Congratulations, Second Brother.”

The Crown Prince laughed and patted the Third Prince’s hand. “Why congratulate him? It’s not his child! Congratulate Father Emperor!”

The Second Prince had thought the matter was well-hidden since he only learned of it today. But the Crown Prince had already brought it up.

Since the Crown Prince mentioned it, he couldn’t deny it. “We don’t know yet if it’s a brother or a sister.”

The Crown Prince smiled. “So, it’s true. Congratulations to Noble Consort Shu then.”

With that, the Crown Prince walked away.

The Third Prince nearly burst out laughing at the Second Prince’s darkened expression. Gritting his teeth, the Third Prince asked, “What does the Crown Prince mean by this?”

The Second Prince’s face was twisted with anger, his gaze fixed on the Crown Prince, wishing he could kill him with his stare. It was a test, and he had fallen for it. Now, the secret his mother had kept tightly was exposed by him.

The Second Prince clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking. The Third Prince, feeling invigorated, thought today was a wonderful day.

Song Jin didn’t steal the Empress’s items, but the Crown Prince wasn’t angry. After leaving the palace, he went straight to the countryside. In a forester’s hut, the Crown Prince sat with the forester, talking quietly.

Meanwhile, Song Jin and Lu Zhan had just arrived at Shen Yue’s residence. Unable to question Lu Zhan on the way, Song Jin’s face darkened as soon as they entered the courtyard. “You knew Shen Yue never attended banquets before. Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you stop me when the Crown Prince came? You almost got me killed!”

Song Jin had explained the situation with Consort Li, which had terrified Lu Zhan. He hadn’t stopped Song Jin because Shen Yue rarely had opportunities to attend banquets. Now that there was a chance, he hoped Song Jin would go more often, making it easier for her to find what they were looking for in the future.

Additionally, he wanted to understand the Crown Prince’s sudden friendliness, suspecting there was more to it. Although he was collaborating with Song Dingzhong, they were not close allies.

After all, they were not of the same ilk. Though Song Jin and Shen Yue had swapped bodies, Lu Zhan couldn’t fully trust Song Jin. With the prince unconscious, he had to make other plans for him.

But things had backfired today, with Consort Li setting fire to the Imperial Study.

“It was my poor judgment that almost harmed you,” Lu Zhan apologized sincerely.

Song Jin waved her hand dismissively. “An apology is pointless. I want to know why. If there’s no reason, I won’t leave the house again. You deal with it however you want!”

Lu Zhan looked up in surprise. “But your father’s arrangements…”

Song Jin cut him off firmly. “Not my concern!”

Realizing how angry Song Jin was, Lu Zhan spoke softly, “It was my mistake. Please calm down. Working with our prince benefits your father as well.”

Song Jin snorted. “I don’t even know where my father is now. For all I know, you might have harmed him.”

Lu Zhan shook his head. “No, your father is safe and well.”

This statement made Song Jin suspicious. She had been squatting by the door but now stood up, staring directly at Lu Zhan. “You know where my father is, don’t you?”