Prince Ling said, "Father, An'er left marks along the way. I followed those marks and eventually arrived at Fifth Brother's residence."
"An'er and his Fifth Uncle have no grievances or grudges. He wouldn't frame Fifth Brother without reason."
"I was desperate to find my son and wanted to search the residence, but not only did Fifth Brother refuse to let me in, he even had his men wound my guards!"
"Father, if you don't believe me, summon An'er to the palace and ask him yourself. You'll know the truth!"
The Emperor looked at his two sons, rubbed his temples, and ordered someone to bring Xiao Yun'an to the palace.
Soon, Xiao Yun'an was brought in.
As soon as he saw Prince Ling, Xiao Yun'an burst into tears.
Prince Ling's face darkened, and he gave Xiao Yun'an a meaningful glance.
Understanding his father's intention, Xiao Yun'an knelt before the Emperor.
"Grandson Xiao Yun'an greets Your Imperial Majesty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years!"
The Emperor frowned at Xiao Yun'an's teary expression.
Since ancient times, men shed blood, not tears.
This son of the second prince truly lacked courage and resolve.
"An'er, tell your grandfather exactly what happened. He will see justice done for you," Prince Ling prompted.
Xiao Yun'an kowtowed heavily.
"Grandfather, my sister was kidnapped by villains."
"I chased after them and saw them enter a mansion."
"I couldn't get in, so I left marks for Father to find."
"Later, the coachman said he saw the kidnapper come out through the side gate."
"I quickly followed with the coachman."
"In the end, we caught up with the man and rescued my sister..."
Prince Ling interrupted urgently, "An'er, what about the kidnapper?"
Xiao Yun'an's face showed regret. "I was so focused on rescuing my sister that he got away!"
"Fearing other villains might be nearby, I took my sister straight home."
Fifth Prince clutched his chest in distress.
"Father, as Yun'an's uncle, I too feel distressed that he encountered danger."
"However, I refuse to accept Second Brother's accusation that I ordered the kidnapping of my niece!"
"Perhaps Second Brother's own men pretended to be villains, kidnapped his daughter, and framed me!"
"Fifth Brother, don't slander me!" Prince Ling was so angry he nearly sat up from his reclining chair.
But a sharp pain in his tailbone made him cry out and slump back down.
"Father, I am not lying!" Fifth Prince said indignantly.
"The day I returned to the capital, a woman rushed out and dashed her head against my carriage, dying on the spot."
"Then her son ran out, insisting on clinging to me and calling me 'Father.'"
"I had no way to defend myself and ended up taking him to my residence."
"Because of this child, my wife and I have been at odds."
"You rebuked me, Father, and the ministers have filed endless censures against me."
Prince Ling interrupted, "Fifth Brother, we are discussing your niece's kidnapping!"
Ignoring him, Fifth Prince continued his lament.
"Father, I swear on my life that I had absolutely nothing to do with that woman!"
"That child is certainly not my son!"
The Emperor's face darkened.
"Enough. We will discuss that later."
"Right now, we are dealing with Yun'an's matter."
Fifth Prince paled and dropped to his knees.
"Father, I have had the child followed by my men."
"Later, those sent to tail the child came back to report that the child had secretly gone to Second Brother's residence!"
Prince Ling's face instantly changed. "Fifth Brother, don't talk nonsense!"
The Fifth Prince kowtowed heavily to the Emperor.
"Father, please see clearly. Your son would never dare lie!"
Prince Ling, lying in his recliner, quickly defended himself.
"Father, it absolutely could not have been me! Fifth Brother is wronging me!"
The Emperor rubbed his brow.
Second and Fifth—weren't they said to be on good terms?
But now, the way they were biting at each other, what sign of harmony was there?
This matter was most likely because Fifth felt wronged by Second and held a grudge.
That was why he deliberately kidnapped Xiao Yun Ning—just to spite Prince Ling.
Now, with no evidence to speak of, continuing to argue was pointless.
The Emperor waved his hand weakly.
"Enough. Let this matter be put to rest."
"Both of you go back and reflect on your faults behind closed doors!"
"Do not appear before me until my birthday celebration!"
"Father!" Prince Ling and the Fifth Prince cried out in alarm simultaneously.
The Emperor held back the urge to let his forehead veins bulge.
"What? Not satisfied?"
"Do you want me to order an investigation into the truth?"
"I handle myriad state affairs daily; I worry about important national matters. As my sons, instead of sharing my burdens, you add to my troubles!"
With that, the Emperor could not help but slam his palm on the dragon desk.
"Get out!"
"If you don't leave now, I'll have you flogged several dozen times!"
Prince Ling reluctantly bowed to the Emperor.
"Father, please do not be angered. Your son will take his leave immediately."
The Fifth Prince quickly kowtowed to the Emperor.
"Father, calm your anger. Your son will return at once to reflect!"
Xiao Yun An was too frightened to speak. He followed behind Prince Ling, quietly slipping away.
The Emperor watched their retreating backs and, in a rage, smashed an inkstone.
It was all troublesome, irresponsible children!
Prince Ling and the Fifth Prince left the palace one after the other, not exchanging a word, and boarded their respective family carriages.
The two brothers, who had once been fairly amiable, now bore a rift between them.
Princess Consort Ling sat in the carriage. Seeing her husband and son board, she shed tears.
She pulled Xiao Yun An close, examining him over and over.
"An'er, did they do anything to you?"
Xiao Yun An shook his head, looking dejected.
"And your sister? Is she all right?" finished asking about her son, Princess Consort Ling remembered her daughter.
"She's fine, Mother, rest assured." Xiao Yun An saw his father's grim expression and replied softly.
Princess Consort Ling, knowing both her children were safe, finally let the suspended heart settle back in her chest.
"After school, weren't you supposed to come straight home?"
"Why did you get off the carriage midway? And why not send someone back to inform the residence?"
"Where are the servants attending you both? Are they dead?"
Holding her son's hand, Princess Consort Ling finally had the mood to be angry.
Xiao Yun An cautiously glanced at Prince Ling. "Mother, let's discuss this when we get home."
"Yes! Once home, I'll have them sold off!" Princess Consort Ling, recalling the danger her son and daughter had faced was filled with hatred.
Xiao Yun An tugged at his mother, because he saw that his father's face had been extremely grim since leaving the palace.
Seeing her son gesture, Princess Consort Ling turned to her husband.
"Your Highness, about Ning'er being abducted by Fifth Brother's men—what did His Majesty say?"
"Your Highness, you cannot just let this matter drop just because you and Fifth Brother have been close."
"In my humble opinion, Old Five must be the one who has been bewitching the prince."
"Finally, he couldn't hold back any longer and has shown his true colors!"
