3.25

In the original storyline, during Midnight Autumn Hunt, two of the Gu princes were unintentionally killed by the tiger beast who was released by the tyrant Emperor. The Gu Emperor found out about this and was intensely anger by the death of his children. He thought, the two princes were deliberately murdered in the Yong country and were feed to the tigers.

Therefore, the Gu kingdom declared a war against the Yong country.

Though, both Empire possessed different kind of strength, the Yong Country was still one step behind. Subjects and people of the country instantly blamed the Emperor for his foolish and ignorant mistake. They criticize him for being an incompetent ruler, and was devastated by this.

During that time, Yong An, the male protagonist, was already crowned as the puppet Crown Prince and was considered as the hope of the empire. He immediately suggests a cooperation with the Shu Kingdom, with the help of the darling of fate and obtained the victory of war.

The destiny of being the next Emperor of Yong An has been established by this successful achievement. It caused a very misfortune event for the current Emperor.

This was the biggest turning point for the male protagonist, ascending the throne.

However, this event has been avoided by the interference of Qiao Chen.

In the beginning, he used his servant to locate and distinguish the location of the two princes. He hired several individuals to pretend as bandits in order to lure those two princes into the east side of the forest. Then, at the start of the hunt, he gave an order to Yong Guan to save the two princes, expectedly. In result, the biggest event that was supposed to give advantage to the male protagonist was avoided at the same time, the two princes will owe Yong Guan their lives.

After reviewing the plot and finding several plot holes, Qiao Chen had able to perceive the reason why the Gu Kingdom off guardedly declare a war.

Because one of the two princes who died, was the Crown Prince of Gu Kingdom.

It was no doubt, that the male protagonist was destined to secure the support of the Shu Kingdom. Even if Qiao Chen were to interfere, the natural law of heaven will force the two protagonist in cooperation.

Obtaining the support of the Shu Kingdom will secure the position of the male protagonist.

Howbeit, Qiao Chen has already conducted how to counterattack this situation. The two princes of the Gu Kingdom will definitely support their savior, Yong Guan. In that way, not only the war of the two kingdom will be avoided, he will also hold a great position in the country.

And the reason for this trial was, of course, to publicity announced that Yong Guan who were a bastard prince has the support of the Gu Kingdom.

That way, higher nobles, officials and ministers will undeniably give half of their support to Yong Guan.

All of this had been fabricated by Qiao Chen, himself. From the sudden poisoning of the Emperor... he used a specific poison that only Gu Kingdom had an antidote to detain the poison in the Emperor's body.

This trial will shake the pure image of the male protagonist.

This trial will also hinder and delay all the possible plans of the darling of fate.

It was a gamble in the first place; however, Qiao Chen already knows that this outcome will go according to his prediction.

Beside, looking at the situation right now, he is indeed right.

"His highness, the fourth prince will depart to the Gu Kingdom tomorrow!" Minister Zhao's voice sounded stern and cold.

The surrounding that was quiet a while ago, instantly gossips for the unexpectedly fortunate news.

Minister Han slammed his hands against the chair, face unknowingly distorted, "Your grace!" He called anxiously, "The fourth prince is only an illegitimate child of his majesty, this was a big journey and the Emperor's life was in this progress. We don't know if the fourth prince deliberately plan this on hand."

"What are you talking about, Right Minister Han?"

"Is this too much coincidence?" He grinned wickedly, looking at the sea of crowds and finally landed his eyes on the cold prince, "Not only his majesty's antidote was had to be found in the Gu Kingdom, at the same time how such a mere prince like him, gained a royal token from our nemesis kingdom. Isn't too suspicious? What if, the fourth prince planned this all along with the cooperation of the Gu Kingdom?"

Suddenly, the whole corridor went silent.

Indeed, he had a good conclusion. Predicting this huge outcome was verily too much coincidence.

A victorious smile plastered on the protesting minister's face finding out that the crowds were apparently siding him, he turned his eyes to the opposite minister and cockily smirked, "This minister hopes that his grace will probably conduct an investigation for the unrealistic coincidence of these circumstances." He suggested, surely.

Minister Han was confident. He was not really sure if his assumption were correct or not, but the minister will not let the fourth prince gain an advantage. He was part of the second prince's faction, and letting that bastard prince who was born from a worthless palace maid gain success by healing the Emperor will surely shake the firm position of the second prince. Furthermore, he was aware that his nemesis minister was supporting this bastard, he can't tolerate that brat achieves a great success!

Hah. It was better to put a doubt in that bastard prince's head. And this unsure coincidence will be a great use.

But his expected result was far worse than he predicted.

Judge Deng's face seems grew cold, "What are you saying Right Minister Han?"

Sensing several flaws in his wordings, Minister Zhao added fuel to the burning pressure, "Minister Han greatly opposed the plan to send the fourth prince to the Gu Kingdom. Is the minister, perhaps, know the real culprit of this incident?"

Minister Han's face went paled. "H-How can the left minister say such things?!" The already drained color on his face instantly turned scarlet in anger, "This minister has served his majesty for almost a century, and this minister's family were the most loyal to his majesty. How can I do such things?!"

"Heh." There was a faint smirk forming on Minister Zhao's face, "If you really said was true, then why does the right minister greatly opposed the fourth prince? Is the minister perhaps afraid of the fourth prince finding the real culprit, for a fact that the minister has connection to this? Or are you, perhaps... threatened by the success of this investigation that will lead the fourth prince to gain favors?"

No words came out from Minister Han's mouth. He clenched his fist underneath those sleeves and gnashed his teeth.

This sly bastard was simply pushing him to the edge!

Of course, he was afraid of the result regarding of the benefits that this investigation take places. His candidate was surely unshakable, however if that bastard prince gain more achievement, this will surely shake their position.

He can't let him do that!

Nonetheless, he was a man of patience. Perceiving the hated and doubtful gazes cast into him, he pushed the furious fire burning into the abyss of his heart and restrained himself from arguing, "T-This minister only think the best for his majesty. I apologize for overstepping."

A satisfied smile appeared on Minister Zhao's face, he turned his face to Judge Deng and waited for his judgement.

Judge Deng understanding all the circumstances, instantly narrowed his eyes. "The fourth prince will leave tomorrow!"

----

"I was really amaze by how can a sheltered sparrow conduct this trial." A sweet, melted voice emerged.

Qiao Chen smiled playfully, he grabbed the cup in the table and gently leaned it against his lips, taking a taste of the success. His pale green eyes locked into his opposite.

The trial ended with Qiao Chen being sentenced not guilty. Although, some subjects and nobles was greatly dissatisfied by the results because of the lack of evidence of finding the real culprit, they still held an intense hope for their heart.

The pure yet dominant image of Yong Guan shook the whole court and country. His identity though lowly yet had a great connection to the Gu Kingdom, who were considered as the strongest empire, instantly engraved on their every mind.

Some nobles and higher ups immediately planned to change sides and support other candidates, though reviewing extreme benefits for their change of plans.

And now, Qiao Chen was back at his resident and was now wearing clean and elegant clothing, far from his worst state a while ago.

Remembering the question of the other, Qiao Chen put down his cup and grinned seductively, "There were no expected results other than success was befitted from all of these years I conducted the outcome. Moreover..." his eyes curved amusingly, "I was more amused by your performances. I believe the antidote has fully drained the poison on your body?"

The other side's eyes trembling violently, recalling his past interaction with this sparrow, he gritted his teeth, "I owe my life to you and his highness, the fourth prince. If it weren't for the two of you, I will never meet again my brother and will forever chain in this cycle."

Qiao Chen chuckled, "Don't flatter me. The whole court was already split in two sides. Just do what we asked you to do. We swear that we will escape in this cell, and you will finally obtain your freedom."

"Don't worry. I already sent the message to his highness regarding of Wen Yang's hidden troupes and army."

----

"His highness, my brother, send this message." Yunsheng happily announced.

He instantly handed the letter to the prince and observe his reactions. He was still not able to move on from the trial court, he did not expect that the beautiful sparrow calculated all those outcomes, even changing the impression of the fourth prince in the whole country. How scary was that?

He turned his eyes again to the prince. There were no trace of emotion in his eyes, like a cold bottomless snow, that has no end. His body turned stiff for a while. He deeply remembered how his highness almost went out of control by just seeing the worst state of the lovely sparrow. Gladly, he was there and was manage to calm the fourth prince.

If his highness really go berserk, all their plans will be worthless. Fortunately, that catastrophe has been avoided.

He frowned again, remembering the beautiful sparrow. It was not questionable that his highness was really obsessed by that sparrow. How scary is the function of infatuation by them reaching this far just for the sparrow? Nonetheless, he was grateful to both of them. They saved his brother and he will do anything that will help them.

The fourth prince's cold voice sounded, "I see. Arrange all troupes, and we will immediately depart at daybreak."

"Yes, your highness." He was about to leave when another cold voice followed.

"And Bai Yunsheng."

He paused and turned his eyes to the fourth prince.

"Send my regards to your brother, Bai Menxiang."