Chapter 48: Trust

As they were speaking, the old lady suddenly stepped forward, leaning heavily on her cane. She declared loudly, “The Xiahou family has always been loyal to the nation throughout the generations, and we would never engage in such treachery against the Crown Prince. Someone is clearly trying to frame us and tarnish the Xiahou family’s reputation!”

“Today is your birthday, so I shouldn’t say too much, but the incident involving His Highness the Crown Prince occurred at the Xiahou residence. Now that his life hangs in the balance, even if the Xiahou family is innocent, those within the residence cannot completely absolve themselves of responsibility!” Third Prince said sternly, his brow furrowed.

As the situation shifted, many began to echo the prince’s sentiments. The old lady’s expression changed; being a woman, she could only cast frantic glances at her sons. No matter what, the Xiahou family could not be destroyed like this!

However, Xia Lin and the others stood silently, their faces solemn. As Third Prince had said, even if they weren’t directly responsible for the incident, the fact that it happened at the Xiahou residence meant they bore some responsibility. All they could do now was hope the Crown Prince would be safe, otherwise…

“Bring everyone from the Xiahou family and throw them into the prison!”

With the Third Prince’s order, a group of imperial guards rushed in to arrest people. Xia Lin and the others managed to remain calm, as the Xiahou family had been established in the court for years, with extensive connections. They wouldn’t fall so easily, and the Duke’s residence wouldn’t simply stand by. Moreover, they still had the fourth young lady!

But the old lady and the other women didn’t have such long-term views. Madam Zhang and the others began to panic and shout in disarray, only to be swiftly restrained by the guards. They had never seen such a scene before, and in their fear, they forgot their dignified demeanor, all crying out in protest.

When Xia Tong saw her parents being taken away, she panicked as well and rushed forward. But her arm was suddenly pulled back by Fang Yu, who shook her head slightly, signaling her not to act recklessly at that moment.

Xia Tong went to see Gu Qin, who was wearing a black robe that fluttered gently in the wind. He appeared calm and detached, as if the ongoing conflicts had nothing to do with him and he had no intention of intervening.

No one expected the once-prominent Xiahou family to end up in such a dire situation. Everyone felt a sense of regret. It would be fine if the Crown Prince woke up, otherwise, the Xiahou family would likely face complete destruction.

Suddenly, the Third Prince turned his gaze toward Xia Tong. “According to the rules, Princess Regent is also from the Xiahou family…”

Gu Qin interrupted, his tone cold and unyielding, “Are you suggesting that I should also be imprisoned?”

His words silenced the crowd, momentarily forgetting that the regent was present. The expressions of the onlookers varied. If the regent was willing to protect the Xiahou family, it could be bearable, but it seemed he had no such intentions.

The Third Prince quickly shifted his approach, clearing his throat. “What I mean is that although the Princess Regent comes from the Xiahou family, she is now married and thus should not be implicated in this situation.”

Xia Tong felt no joy upon hearing this. She could only gaze longingly at her parents, watching helplessly as they were taken away.

“Escort the princess back to the residence.”

Turning her head, Xia Tong saw Gu Qin walking steadily toward the male lead’s room. It seemed the physician had arrived, and everyone rushed in that direction, leaving only Xifeng by her side, looking like he wanted to say something but held back.

“Master, we should leave. The prince surely has his plans,” Fang Yu whispered.

Xia Tong glared at Xifeng and then hurriedly left, tears brimming in her eyes.

The dungeons were a terrifying place. Anyone sent there would first face a series of torturous punishments, even if they were royalty. How could her parents endure such treatment, especially her mother, who was already in poor health? Even if they weren’t punished, the dungeon’s environment could break a person. But here she was, powerless to help them.

In the original story, the third prince was the one who poisoned the Crown Prince, but it never specified how he did it. The male lead hadn’t been poisoned either. With the story twisting this way, it wasn’t a matter of evidence anymore. The issue was that the Grand Tutor wanted to discard the Xia hou family as a pawn, and no one dared to offer help. Only the villain could stop everything from happening.

But it was clear that if he said just one word, the people in the mansion would not be arrested, so why did he refuse to say a word?

Or perhaps he never intended to keep the Xiahou family around from the beginning.

After returning to the residence and sending the people to the courtyard, Xifeng couldn’t help but comfort the princess, who was unable to hide her worry, by saying, “Princess, just trust the prince.”

Xia Tong suddenly turned around, her eyes fierce. “But will my parents still be alive?”

Their gazes met, and Xifeng lowered his head, resigned, then turned and left.

In her room, Xia Tong leaned back on the soft couch, her thoughts in turmoil. The mere thought of her parents facing punishment was unbearable. They had always prioritized her well-being, yet now that they were in trouble, she couldn’t save them.

“You should trust the prince. He might rescue your parents soon,” Fang Yu softly advised from the side.

Xia Tong rubbed her forehead, feeling a knot in her heart. “Do you know what the Ministry of Justice is like? Even if my parents get out, do you think they will survive?”

Fang Yu lowered her head, worry etched on her face. This situation was too strange, all they could do now was hope the Crown Prince would be alright.

“Could it be that someone has framed the master and the others?” Qing’er on the side was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. She was raised by the Madam, and at this moment, her worries were no less than anyone else’s.

It wasn’t clear if the third prince was behind the poisoning, but the Grand Tutor clearly wanted the Xiahou family to fall. Otherwise, with their background, they would never be easily condemned. But the Grand Tutor’s oppression made it impossible for anyone to help.

Recently, the Xiahou family had allied with the Duke’s family, and her father had been promoted to the Ministry of Justice. Their influence was growing, and the Grand Tutor’s family, being at the top of the noble families, could hardly sit back and watch the Xiahou family rise, especially since she had married the villain. In the Grand Tutor’s eyes, they likely regarded her family as part of the villain’s faction, making them desperate to eliminate them.

“Even if we find out who poisoned the Crown Prince, it will be useless. There are those who want the Xiahou family to fall, and even the Emperor cannot stop it.” She sighed, feeling a headache coming on.

“What should we do? Madam’s health is already poor. How can she withstand the Ministry of Justice’s punishment?” Qing;er’s eyes were red as she paced back and forth.

Xia Tong remained silent, and Fang Yu quickly pulled Qing’er aside. Her master needed some quiet time to think.

Throughout the day, the only news circulating was that the Crown Prince had been poisoned and was still unconscious. Several physicians had been at a loss, and the Emperor had sent the third prince to investigate the case fully, determined to find out who had harmed the Crown Prince.

As night fell, a heavy atmosphere enveloped the capital. The cold wind howled, and the curfew seemed to come unusually early, with only the sound of night watchmen passing by on the streets.

Xia Tong hadn’t eaten much dinner and spent a long time alone in her room, reflecting. The ministers in the court were all following the Grand Tutor’s lead, and even the old Emperor had to show some caution toward the third prince. The only one who could save her parents was the antagonist, yet why was he unwilling to speak, even when it would take just one word?

It was getting colder, the window rattled in the wind. When the door opened, Fang Yu entered, holding a bowl of bird’s nest porridge. She looked at Xia Tong with concern. “Master, you haven’t eaten anything today. If you don’t take care of yourself, Master and Madam won’t be at ease either.”

At that moment, Xia Tong couldn’t even think about eating. The thought that her parents might end up looking like the wounded heroine made her heart ache. Ironically, there was nothing she could do. In that moment, she finally understood the heroine’s mindset. Other people’s power was their own, and having strong power for oneself was far more important.

“You drink it, I have no appetite.” she said, leaning against the couch, her expression weary.

Seeing this, Fang Yu wore a worried expression. Just as she was about to say something, she caught a glimpse of a figure outside the door and immediately set down the bird’s nest porridge and turned to leave.

When she heard the door close, there were still footsteps in the room. Xia Tong could only weakly say, “You should go rest, let me be alone for a while.”

As soon as she spoke, the footsteps grew closer. Xia Tong turned around to see a tall, imposing figure standing in the room. His expression was calm, his eyes devoid of warmth, and he radiated an intimidating aura that made others wary.

“Why has the prince come?” she managed to ask, her voice barely above a whisper.

The woman on the soft couch was slender, dressed in a delicate, translucent gown of jade color, making her appear especially fragile. Gu Qin looked at her with a cold gaze and said, “Are you threatening me?”

Just recovered from illness, and now she was pushing herself so hard—was she courting death?

Xia Tong didn’t understand what he meant. She turned her head away, her tone indifferent. “I don’t comprehend the prince’s intentions and wouldn’t dare interfere with any of your decisions. I am merely the daughter of a condemned criminal. It would be better for you to divorce me soon to avoid damaging your reputation.”

The atmosphere in the room turned tense. The man narrowed his eyes, reached out, and turned her head back to face him, his gaze icy. “If you truly want to be the daughter of a condemned criminal, I can help you with that.”

As their eyes locked, Xia Tong felt her eyes sting with tears, her face laced with sarcasm. “Does it even matter now? My parents have already been thrown into prison. Once the Third Prince finds the so-called evidence, it will only be a matter of time before our family is destroyed!”

“So you can trust anyone, but never trusted me,” Gu Qin said, his expression growing colder, a hint of malice beginning to surface.

This time, Xia Tong did not show fear. She wanted to believe in him, but the situation had escalated to this point. He hadn’t even offered a single reassuring word, making it impossible for her to trust him.

Wiping away the tears from her eyes, Xia Tong met his unfathomable gaze, a bitter smile playing on her lips. “I don’t blame you, because in your heart, you never intended to spare the Xiahou family.”

Looking at her tear-streaked face, Gu Qin’s expression turned frigid. He suddenly tightened his grip on her delicate neck, with a little more pressure, he could easily break it.

Though she struggled to breathe, Xia Tong closed her eyes calmly, tears rolling down her cheeks, trembling in the candlelight.

His grip tightened further, watching her flushed face. Gu Qin’s lips pressed together, his eyes swirling with a storm of emotions. Yet after a moment, he released his hold, though a fierce anger still radiated from him.

Glancing at the pitiful little face, the man still frowned, raised his hand to wipe away the tears on her face, and said in a low voice, “This king really wants to kill you.”

**

The author has something to say: I will never abuse you (^_^)/