Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot

"You shouldn't have touched her."

Lu Zhaoyan mercilessly withdrew his long sword, one hand covering Liu Qingyun's occiput, using the clean back of his hand to block the splattering blood.

Liu Qingyun smelled the strong scent of blood and heard the sound of someone falling to the ground behind her.

As a martial artist, she could even judge that the other person was breathing their last.

"Ah Yan, you..."

She was stunned as she spoke, "Weren't you not supposed to kill him?"

After all, Prince Rui was a prince of the realm.

No matter how excessive his actions, his life couldn't be taken lightly.

Because she understood this, she willingly stopped, persuaded by Lu Zhaoyan.

"He deserves to die."

Lu Zhaoyan said softly.

Liu Qingyun turned around.

"Don't look."

Lu Zhaoyan embraced her, his tone gentle to the extreme, yet his gaze toward Prince Rui was as cold as ice.

Prince Rui's entire body trembled, blood continually flowing from his mouth.

"Second... second... you..."

He couldn't utter a coherent word.

However, Lu Zhaoyan still understood his lip movements.

He was saying—"You have killed your own brother, you will face retribution..."

Lu Zhaoyan's expression did not change in the slightest.

Retribution?

Then let him bear it alone.

He threw away the sword, dragging his weakened body, holding Liu Qingyun's hand as they left the cell.

...

"Your Highness, something terrible has happened!"

Prince Jin, holding back his anger, had just returned to the Imperial Palace, and before even entering, he was stopped by the Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Justice.

Like someone fleeing from disaster, the Chief Clerk's headwear was askew, his official robe disheveled, and he was even missing one of his official boots.

Prince Jin, who valued ceremony highly, especially since becoming Regent, emphasized it even more.

He would not allow anyone to be improper before the hall.

His brows furrowed: "What kind of behavior is this?"

The Chief Clerk anxiously adjusted the hat on his head, gasping as he spoke, "Your Highness... there's been a huge incident at the Ministry of Justice!"

Prince Jin asked suspiciously, "What could happen at the Ministry of Justice?"

The Ministry of Justice was guarded by both Prince Rui and King Qi.

Though King Qi was impulsive, Prince Rui was steady.

Compared to interrogating Lu Zhaoyan, he was more concerned with how to resolve the great trouble with his aunt.

Compared to the unstable Crown Prince, the Eldest Princess, who had the people's support and military power, was undoubtedly his top internal threat.

The Chief Clerk had just emerged from the Ministry of Justice, unaware that the Eldest Princess had entered the city with troops.

He nearly cried, "Your Highness... Prince Rui... has passed!"

Prince Jin paused with a change in expression: "Who has gone? Where to?"

The Chief Clerk fell to his knees, "Prince Rui! He... he died at the Ministry of Justice..."

Prince Jin's expression dramatically changed: "What?! By whose hand?!"

The Chief Clerk trembled as he spoke, "I... I dare not say..."

Prince Jin pointed at him: "Speak!"

The Chief Clerk lowered his head: "It was... King Qi!"

Prince Jin angrily retorted: "Nonsense! How could King Qi murder Prince Rui?"

The Chief Clerk choked out, "I saw it with my own eyes..."

Prince Jin grabbed the front of his clothes: "Tell me the truth! If you dare utter a false word, I will exterminate your entire family!"

"What a presumptuous dragon Prince Jin is, forgetting his own stature after just a few days as Regent? Extermination of nine generations? Is that a crime you can decide?!"

The Eldest Princess, surrounded by a group of officials, walked over with both dignity and authority.

Prince Jin did indeed misspeak.

That was not a declaration he had the authority to make at this time.

Yet, he hadn't expected so many civil and military officials to arrive at the palace gate!

This aunt's actions were so swift and decisive!

Is she still the brainless aunt from before?

Or had she been pretending all along?

Was it to lower everyone's guard?

Once he and the Crown Prince fought to the death, would she then emerge to reap the benefits?

"Rise."

The Eldest Princess said to the Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Justice.

The Chief Clerk glanced at Prince Jin with trepidation.

If he listened to the Eldest Princess, he'd become a thorn in Prince Jin's side.

In life, one must make choices.

The Chief Clerk gritted his teeth and stood beside the Eldest Princess.

Prince Jin squinted his eyes.

The Eldest Princess said calmly, "I sent Chief Clerk Liu to inform you."

What she spoke of was an announcement, not a report.

Only someone of higher status could speak in such terms.

Prince Jin slowly regained his composure and asked sternly, "So, what happened at the Ministry of Justice is related to you, Aunt?"

The Eldest Princess replied, "As soon as I entered the city, the Imperial Grandson came to me seeking justice, saying that the Crown Prince was being privately punished at the Ministry of Justice."

This accusation was skilful.

It did not claim the Crown Prince was innocent, but that someone was abusing private punishment on him.

She continued, "Therefore, I went to the Ministry of Justice to investigate, and unexpectedly, caught King Qi and Prince Rui red-handed. The Crown Prince is my own nephew, the son of my Imperial Brother, of noble birth, how could anyone use private punishment on him? Let alone the Crown Prince, even for commoners, the trial should be conducted properly and not coerced by torture into confessing!"