Chapter 54

Qiao Zhongguo immediately hugged Qiao Jiaojiao and retreated to the side. The Western Prince stood by the Crown Prince’s side, unable to help but grip the Crown Prince’s sleeve tighter upon hearing the words.

The Crown Prince sensed the Western Prince’s nervousness and quietly wrapped his small hand, smiling gently at him.

Seeing this, the Western Prince straightened his posture immediately.

With his older brother, the Crown Prince, protecting him, he wasn’t afraid!

Moreover, he wanted to protect Sister Qiao too!

The sound of metal chains clanging echoed, and Sister Qiao looked up to see Di Zaiying walking in with a numb expression.

The bloodstains on his face hadn’t been washed away, making it even harder to discern his original appearance.

Sister Qiao couldn’t help but mutter to herself.

“[Di Zaiying] is a pure-blooded northerner. Even if he washes his face thoroughly, the differences in appearance should still be noticeable.”

“He’s been lurking in the Yong Dynasty for so long, finally entering the imperial palace, yet he still hasn’t seen Yuliu?”

“If I hadn’t suddenly appeared today, Di Zaiying probably could have endured.”

“Kneel!” a guard beside him ordered.

Di Zaiying sneered, knowing he was already doomed, so he no longer concealed his hatred towards Emperor Yong.

“Dog Emperor!”

“Silence!”

The Crown Prince immediately intervened upon Di Zaiying’s insolence.

Emperor Yong waved his hand, surprisingly calm.

“Di Zaiying, we have investigated your background thoroughly and found no issues. Why did you attempt to assassinate the Western Prince?”

Di Zaiying continued to sneer, ignoring Emperor Yong, his gaze sweeping across the Western Zhou. Suddenly, he fixed his eyes on Qiao Zhongguo standing aside.

Qiao Zhongguo…

Back when Qiao Zhongguo besieged the northern capital, he stood by Yuliu’s side, casting a glance at him from afar.

Truly awe-inspiring and imposing.

If it weren’t for Qiao Zhongguo, why would Yuliu come to the Yong Dynasty for a political marriage and become the plaything of the Dog Emperor?

With this in mind, a strong sense of hatred surged in Di Zaiying’s heart. His gaze slowly fell on Sister Qiao in Qiao Zhongguo’s arms, and he suddenly shouted:

“Monster! The daughter of the Qiao family is a monster! She can’t be injured!”

“I used poison needles on her, but I ended up injuring myself instead! She’s unharmed! She’s a monster!”

“What nonsense! Those aren’t monsters! They’re rebound talismans I obtained through meritorious deeds! Specifically to counter people like you, cruel and merciless!”

Sister Qiao knew that Di Zaiying wouldn’t let her go!

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yong narrowed his eyes slightly. “Nonsense!”

Di Zaiying became agitated. He had nothing to lose, but at least he could take away an enemy before meeting Yuliu!

“I’m not talking nonsense! The Western Prince saw it with his own eyes!”

He stretched out his hand, stained with black blood, trying hard to show the wounds on it.

“These wounds, I inflicted them on the daughter of the Qiao family! But the wounds appeared on me instead!”

“Dog Emperor, the Qiao family has a daughter who is invulnerable to blades and spears. Aren’t you afraid?”

Emperor Yong’s expression darkened at these words, surprisingly not immediately rebuking Di Zaiying’s absurdity.

Qiao Zhongguo noticed this and furrowed his brow slowly.

What did His Majesty mean by this?

Did he really suspect Sister Qiao because of a scheming person?

Sister Qiao also cursed inwardly: “This Dog Emperor is truly suspicious!”

Seeing Emperor Yong remain silent, Di Zaiying became even more emboldened.

“Dog Emperor, if you don’t believe me, bring needles now and you’ll see!”

“The daughter of the Qiao family has sorcery! Are you still daring to keep such a person!”

Upon hearing this, Qiao Zhongguo couldn’t contain his anger.

Qiao Jiaojiao, upon hearing this, wasn’t afraid.

[“The effect of the rebound talisman can only last for a moment. The time has long passed!”]

Even though Qiao Zhongguo knew that Qiao Jiaojiao had confidence, he still couldn’t bear to let her suffer even the slightest harm.

He handed Qiao Jiaojiao to Qiao Tianjing’s arms, then knelt down in front of Emperor Yong, respectfully saying,

“Your Majesty, Di Zaiying’s identity is unclear, and his intentions are malicious. Such words of malice are clearly aimed at placing my daughter in mortal danger!”

“My daughter is young, just learning to speak, how innocent she is. I have thought it over, and it seems that Di Zaiying is targeting my subordinates.”

“I have been diligent and conscientious in court, always getting along well with others. The only ones in this world who bear such hatred towards me must be the northern traitors!”

When Qiao Zhongguo said this, Di Zaiying’s face showed a moment of panic.

Qiao Jiaojiao, upon hearing this, reached the peak of admiration for her father in an instant!

[“Dad, oh Dad! How are you so clever! You hit the nail on the head! This Di Zaiying is indeed from the north!”]

Qiao Zhongguo continued with his head bowed, “Your Majesty, could you please wash Di Zaiying’s face and see his true appearance?”

[“Ah! Ah! Ah! Right on point again! My dad is both wise and brave, invincible in the world!”]

Emperor Yong’s eyes flashed slightly, then nodded, “Huang Pei, wash his face!”

“Yes!”

Huang Pei quickly arranged for a basin of water to be brought over, instructing the imperial guards, “Hold him down!”

Five people in total approached and firmly pressed Di Zaiying to the ground. Huang Pei dipped a cloth in water and carefully wiped Di Zaiying’s face.

Di Zaiying reacted violently, constantly shouting, “Get away! Let go!”

After Huang Pei finished wiping, he signaled to the imperial guards to release their hold. Di Zaiying suddenly stood up, and this time his appearance was clearly displayed in front of everyone.

Slightly sunken eye sockets, narrow eyes, especially high nose bridge, thin lips, he indeed looked exactly like a typical northerner!

“He’s really a northern traitor!” Qiao Zhongguo said with a low drink, “Speak, who are you, and what is your purpose for infiltrating the imperial palace!”

Di Zaiying harbored deep hatred in his heart. He had already held Qiao Zhongguo in high regard, but he had underestimated him!

“Qiao Zhongguo, don’t think that exposing me will overshadow the fact that your daughter is a monster!”

He was very good at getting to the point. He was determined to drag Qiao Jiaojiao down with him.

Just as the situation was at a standstill, a childish voice suddenly sounded.

“It’s not like that!”

Everyone looked towards the voice and saw the Western Prince with a pale face stepping forward.

“Father, the son has something to say.”

Emperor Yong raised an eyebrow slightly.

He didn’t care much about this youngest son. At the age of six, he rarely inquired about his affairs. The only thing he arranged for him was Di Zaiying, the tutor.

Oh, he remembered that every afternoon, someone would bring in the young Western Prince’s homework.

But he never glanced at it, just disposed of it with the waste paper.

In his impression, the youngest son was overly pampered by the Empress, always speaking softly and unpleasantly.

Now, the Western Prince took the initiative to speak up, which surprised Emperor Yong a little.

“Well, let’s hear it.”

Like all sons in the world, the Western Prince had a unique sense of admiration and reverence for his father.

But he knew very well that Father didn’t like him at all, so he was always very careful in front of Father.

This time Father personally found him a tutor, which made him very happy. He practiced calligraphy every day until his wrist ached before he would rest.

He didn’t know if Father had seen his writing. Mother praised him, saying that his elder brother, the Crown Prince, could only write like him when he was six…

His thoughts gradually drifted away, but were quickly pulled back by the Western Prince.

He fixed his gaze, determined. Today, Sister Qiao still needs him to protect her!