Chapter 57: Lying and Facing the Consequences

After all, Xiao Ziran was dead.

Dead men tell no tales!

No matter what, he was the Prince Concubine. If he got into trouble, wouldn’t Princess Changping become a widow?

Perhaps the Tyrant Emperor was just temporarily furious. If he followed the process, in a few days, the Tyrant Emperor might not pursue the matter further.

He needed to find a reason to get through these few days.

“Xiao Ziran was only privately friendly with me. As for the official matters, I did not conspire with Xiao Ziran at all. The princess is my wife, and the Tyrant Emperor is our elder brother. How could I break the law, collude with others, and get involved in such a critical matter as the imperial examination? I implore Your Majesty to see the truth!”

[Scoundrel Dad, don’t listen to the scoundrel’s nonsense]

[Do you know who Xiao Ziran is? Do you know why the scoundrel broke the law to help Xiao Ziran?]

Why?

Not only was the Tyrant curious, but Princess Changping and Concubine De were also very curious.

[Xiao Ziran is the younger brother of the outside woman. The reason why the Xiao siblings could quickly establish themselves in the capital was due to the scoundrel’s significant financial and material support.

Ah, it was with the dowry of the princess that the Xiao siblings set up their business.

This is how the originally petty Xiao Ziran became a flamboyant young master in the capital.]

“Cough, cough, cough.” Princess Changping was so angry she could hardly breathe.

No wonder!

No wonder Ah Bao said the outside woman’s brother had died, and the Prince Concubine went to comfort the outside woman…

It turned out that brother was Xiao Ziran.

“Quick, summon the imperial doctor!” The Tyrant gave the order.

Shangguan Ze hurriedly stepped forward to attend to her. Princess Changping must not die now; if Princess Changping died, he would lose his talisman.

He wouldn’t be able to continue wielding his power and influence in the capital with the title of Prince Concubine.

He still had a son and Liangliang to support; Princess Changping had to live until their son was grown before she could die.

“Your Highness, there’s no need.” Princess Changping’s emotions gradually stabilized. “Prince Concubine, I’ll ask you one last time: who is Xiao Ziran?”

Previously, Shangguan Ze had even brought Xiao Ziran to the residence several times.

No wonder Xiao Ziran always greeted her with a grin.

It turned out he was openly mocking her stupidity.

The Prince Concubine was already involved with his sister, while she, foolishly, believed the Prince Concubine loved only her.

“He’s just an ordinary friend. Madam, you must believe me; everything I’ve told you is the truth.”

“Truth? Do you dare swear by Heaven that in the years we’ve been married, you have never once deceived me?”

Shangguan Ze, being a man of action, immediately ran outside, raised three fingers, and swore to Heaven.

“By Heaven above, I, Shangguan Ze, now swear that in this lifetime, my heart belongs only to Princess Changping. Whether before or after our marriage, I have always been devoted to her, sincere and honest. She is my treasure, my love, and I have never concealed or deceived her about anything. If I speak falsely, let me be struck by a carriage or struck by lightning!”

Ah Bao’s little fingers twisted and a burst of spiritual energy shot from her fingertips to the sky.

Suddenly, with a thunderous roar, the sky darkened and seemed to be changing!

Shangguan Ze, who was swearing an oath with his hand raised, looked up in confusion: “?”

Was that… thunder?

‘Crack!’

A bolt of lightning struck down. Shangguan Ze immediately started screaming, “Ahhh!”

He jumped sideways but was still struck by the lightning, which scorched his hair and stood it up on end.

His backside also caught fire.

Shangguan Ze went crazy, shouting, “Princess, help!”

Shangguan Ze danced around like a monkey in front of the door.

Eventually, he lay down on the ground, rolling back and forth while howling.

After some time, he finally extinguished the fire on his body.

But his hair still stood upright.

The Tyrant: “…”

Lying and getting struck by lightning.

Concubine De was astonished and increasingly outraged on behalf of the princess. It was about time this leeching scoundrel got what was coming to him.

Meanwhile, Princess Changping was extremely anxious.

Shangguan Ze struggled to get up and crawled towards Princess Changping. “Ping’er, it was an accident. Please don’t misunderstand. I swear, I never lied to you…”

With the Tyrant Emperor present, Shangguan Ze dared not argue with Princess Changping. He could only rely on his usual soft persuasion.

Princess Changping was particularly affected by this.

[“Aunt, don’t trust the scoundrel. He’s a liar! A big liar!”]

[“The scoundrel wants to use you as a shield. Strike him! Strike him!”]

Ah Bao sat on the table, playing with a chubby cup.

‘Bang!’

Ah Bao threw it with all her might, and it landed directly on the Prince Concubine’s head.

Ah Bao laughed gleefully, “Hit… hit…”

Hit this scoundrel to death!

Ah Bao had never disliked a man so much since coming to this world.

In this era, polygamy was normal, and a one-wife-one-husband system was unrealistic.

But the Prince Concubine was different.

He could have divorced and parted ways amicably, remarrying as he wished, and they would have gone their separate ways.

Instead, the Prince Concubine chose to deceive and use his aunt, hiding women outside. Such a scoundrel deserves punishment!

Princess Changping picked up Ah Bao with concern. “My dear Ah Bao, are you taking revenge for your aunt?”

The Prince Concubine held his head, daring not to express his anger.

That was the little princess! He had to endure being hit with the cup, and even stones if needed.

Princess Changping glared coldly at the Prince Concubine. “Your oath resulted in being struck by lightning; does it still count? If even Heaven doesn’t believe you, how can I?”

Princess Changping was on the brink of collapse from anger.

Over the years, she had been like a fool, believing everything Shangguan Ze said without doubt.

She had never questioned him.

In the past, whenever Shangguan Ze needed money and spoke softly to her, she would relent.

They hadn’t argued for years, and their relationship seemed stable.

Now she realized that it wasn’t stability but rather that Shangguan Ze had deceived her into believing in their stability.

Shangguan Ze was baffled. Why wasn’t his usual deceit working on Princess Changping today?

Princess Changping looked at the Tyrant, who was nearly exploding with anger, “Since Your Majesty suspects the Prince Concubine’s involvement in the examination scandal, please thoroughly investigate it and clear his name.”

Shangguan Ze: “??”

Clear his name?

He had no name to clear!

The Tyrant, unable to endure any longer, kicked Shangguan Ze, “I will thoroughly investigate this matter. If the evidence is conclusive, and you, Shangguan Ze, were indeed involved…”

Princess Changping bowed, “The country has laws. Your Majesty can handle this matter impartially without considering Changping.”

…

On the way back to the palace, the Tyrant sat in the carriage, his anger visibly simmering.

“Shangguan Ze, you’re truly despicable!”

Being a backer for Xiao Ziran only showed his poor character and lack of discernment in friends.

But it wasn’t yet enough to land him in prison.

As an Tyrant Emperor, one must rely on evidence rather than suspicion.

However, if Shangguan Ze was involved in the examination scandal, it was another matter. He would have every right to deal with him accordingly.