Starting in Exile: Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Lucky Little Wife

Chapter 84 The Prime Minister's Son Exposed in the Imperial Court

Gu Liuli coldly stared at the trembling maid in front of her, the steaming cup of tea in her hand now serving as irrefutable evidence of a conspiracy. She thought to herself, "This Prime Minister of Xijing Kingdom is truly desperate."

"Speak, who ordered you to do this?" Gu Liuli's voice was not loud, but it carried an irresistible authority. The maid knelt down with a "thump," tears streaming down her face: "Please spare me, young lady! It was the Prime Minister! He gave me a lot of money to poison your tea."

Just then, Jiang Liushen and Xiao Jingchuan strode in. Upon seeing this scene, Jiang Liushen's face instantly turned ashen. "How dare they!" he roared. "They actually dared to poison my imperial sister! Do they think I, the emperor, am just a figurehead?" Xiao Jingchuan's face was also frosty. He had deep feelings for Gu Liuli, and seeing her almost fall victim to poison, his anger burned even more fiercely.

"Kill her!" Xiao Jingchuan coldly uttered three words. The maid raised her head in terror, desperately kowtowing and begging for mercy, but Jiang Liushen and Xiao Jingchuan had made up their minds. In their eyes, someone who had been bribed and aided and abetted evil was nothing but a menace. With a scream, the maid fell into a pool of blood.

Meanwhile, a storm was brewing in the imperial court. The prime minister's son, abusing his father's power, had committed countless atrocities in the capital. His acts of abducting women and monopolizing markets had long aroused public outrage. Today, finally, other officials could no longer bear it and joined forces to report him.

"Your Majesty, we have a memorial to present!" An old minister stepped forward, trembling, holding a memorial in his hands. "The Prime Minister's son, Xiao Yi, has acted recklessly in the capital, committing numerous crimes. We implore Your Majesty to punish him severely to uphold the law!"

These words immediately sparked a flurry of discussion in the court. Some officials hesitated, given the Prime Minister's immense power in the court; while others were overjoyed, having long hoped to bring down the Prime Minister.

Jiang Liushen sat on the dragon throne, his face terribly grim. He was already dissatisfied with the Prime Minister's actions, and this time, both old and new grudges surged into his heart. "Bring Xiao Yi here!" he ordered.

Soon, Xiao Yi was brought to the imperial court. Although he was being escorted, his face showed no fear, but rather arrogance. "You dare to arrest me? I think you don't want to live! When my father arrives, you'll be in for a world of hurt!" he shouted.

"Shut up!" Jiang Liushen slammed his hand on the dragon throne. "You have committed so many crimes, yet you dare to act so presumptuously here! The evidence is conclusive; you will not escape punishment today!"

Xiao Yi then realized the seriousness of the matter, but he still clung to a sliver of hope and argued, "Your Majesty, this is all a deliberate frame-up against me! I'm innocent!"

Just then, another official stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I have evidence of Xiao Yiqiang abducting a woman, as well as witnesses to his bullying and monopolistic practices. All of this can be presented." With that, he handed over the evidence and the list of witnesses.

Looking at the evidence, Jiang Liushen's anger burned even brighter. "Xiao Yi, what else do you have to say?" he asked coldly.

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Xiao Yi finally lowered his head, but his heart was filled with resentment. He secretly vowed that once he got out, he would make these people pay the price.

Meanwhile, the prime minister had already learned of his son's arrest and what had happened in the court. He was extremely anxious and immediately rushed to the palace.

"Your Majesty, this old minister requests an audience!" the Prime Minister shouted loudly outside the palace gates. Upon hearing the announcement, Jiang Liushen sneered, "He's finally here. Let him in."

The prime minister entered the court and saw his son being held captive to one side. A pang of pain shot through his heart. "Your Majesty, my son is young and ignorant. He must have been deceived. I beg Your Majesty to have mercy and spare his life!" he pleaded, kneeling on the ground.

Jiang Liushen looked at the Prime Minister with utter disgust. "Prime Minister, every single crime your son has committed is supported by evidence, and the law cannot tolerate such acts. As Prime Minister, you not only fail to restrain your family but also condone his reckless behavior. What is your punishment?"

The Prime Minister was startled, knowing that Jiang Liushen was truly enraged this time. But he was still unwilling to admit defeat. "Your Majesty, this old minister has always been devoted to the country and has never had a disloyal heart. I am willing to take full responsibility for my son's matter, but I hope Your Majesty will be lenient in your punishment."

At this moment, Gu Liuli and Xiao Jingchuan also arrived at the court. Gu Liuli looked at the Prime Minister, her eyes full of mockery: "Prime Minister, you have tried to harm me time and time again. Today, your son has committed a serious crime, and you still want to plead for him?"

The Prime Minister looked at Gu Liuli, his heart filled with both hatred and fear. He knew this woman was not easy to deal with. "Princess, this old minister has offended you greatly before. I hope you will be magnanimous and spare my son," he said shamelessly.

Xiao Jingchuan snorted coldly: "Prime Minister, you're thinking too simply. This matter must be settled today."

Just as everyone was at a stalemate, a eunuch rushed in: "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! After learning of Xiao Yi's crimes, the people of the capital have gathered outside the palace, demanding that the murderer be severely punished and that justice be served!"

Jiang Liushen was secretly delighted upon hearing this news. He knew this was a golden opportunity to completely bring down the Prime Minister. "Prime Minister, look at this! This is the consequence of your son's actions. To quell public anger, I must punish him according to the law."

Seeing that all was lost, the prime minister collapsed to the ground. He knew that his power and his family's honor were likely to be destroyed in an instant.

Ultimately, Xiao Yi was sentenced to death.

The Prime Minister collapsed to the ground, his eyes vacant, his heart surging with resentment like a raging tide. The excruciating pain of losing his son had completely robbed him of his reason, and the flames of revenge burned fiercely within him. He returned to his residence, looking at the once bustling but now deathly silent courtyard, clenched his fists, and silently vowed: "Jiang Liushen, Gu Liuli, Xiao Jingchuan, I will make you pay a terrible price!"

So the prime minister began secretly contacting those forces dissatisfied with the court. He spent his entire fortune recruiting loyal followers, stockpiling provisions, and forging weapons. In just a few months, a seemingly powerful rebel army took shape under his covert command. Looking at his soldiers, the prime minister's hatred intensified. He firmly believed that he could overthrow Jiang Liushen's rule and avenge his son.

Finally, on a dark and stormy night, the Prime Minister led the rebel army toward the palace. Shouting slogans, they lit numerous beacon fires throughout the capital, plunging the city into chaos and panic. The people huddled indoors, trembling with fear, their doors and windows tightly shut, while the streets were filled with fleeing crowds and the sounds of fighting.

Upon learning of the Prime Minister's rebellion, Jiang Liushen's expression turned grave. He immediately summoned Gu Liuli and Xiao Jingchuan to discuss countermeasures. "I never expected the Prime Minister to be so audacious as to dare to raise an army in rebellion."

Jiang Liushen frowned as he spoke. Gu Liuli calmly analyzed, "Your Majesty, do not worry. The Prime Minister's actions are courting death. Although his rebel army is of a certain size, it is a motley crew with divided hearts. We, on the other hand, have the regular army of the court and the support of the people. We will surely be able to quell the rebellion."

Xiao Jingchuan gripped his spear tightly, his eyes gleaming with determination: "Brother-in-law, don't worry, we'll definitely wipe out the Prime Minister!"

Thus, a fierce battle unfolded in the capital. The imperial army, led by Xiao Jingchuan, engaged in a desperate struggle against the Prime Minister's rebel forces.

Riding a swift warhorse and wielding a long spear, Xiao Jingchuan swept across the battlefield as if it were empty. Wherever he went, rebel soldiers fell one after another. Seeing their commander's bravery, the soldiers' morale soared, and they fought valiantly against the enemy.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister was also on the battlefield, clad in armor and wielding a long sword, commanding the rebel army. But his eyes revealed a hint of madness and despair. He watched as his rebel forces were gradually suppressed by the imperial army, his hatred growing ever stronger. "I'm not reconciled!" he roared, charging personally towards Xiao Jingchuan.

Seeing the Prime Minister charging towards him, Xiao Jingchuan's lips curled into a slight, contemptuous smile. "Prime Minister, today is your death day!"

He roared and brandished his spear, thrusting it at the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister hurriedly raised his sword to parry, but his martial arts were far inferior to Xiao Jingchuan's. After several exchanges, the Prime Minister revealed an opening. Xiao Jingchuan seized the opportunity and thrust his spear into the Prime Minister's chest.

The prime minister's eyes widened, his face filled with resentment and regret. He slowly collapsed, ending his sinful life. With the prime minister's death, the rebel army, leaderless, surrendered en masse. The rebellion was quelled in a single night.

The next day, sunlight streamed through the streets and alleys of the capital, and people flocked out of their homes, cheering with joy. Jiang Liushen proclaimed to the world, posting imperial edicts announcing the execution of the prime minister for his treason. The people, learning that the rebellion had been quelled, clapped and rejoiced.