Reborn, I Chose a Playboy as My Father! But He Ended Up Becoming the Emperor

Chapter 130

The Eastern Palace.

"What?!"

Everyone's expressions turned grave upon hearing the news of Song Yu's return to the capital, especially the Crown Prince, whose face began to twitch uncontrollably.

"Your Highness, the Second Imperial Grandson was directly..." The messenger hesitated, too afraid to continue. Shen Hua'er took a bold step forward.

"What happened to Yan Chao? Speak plainly."

"Prince Qin ordered the Second Imperial Grandson to be bound and accused him of colluding with Cui Qian, plotting to harm Princess Fu'an."

At these words, the Crown Prince swept the teacup in front of him onto the floor.

"Absurd! Yan Zheng, go bring Yan Chao back yourself."

Song Yanzheng nodded.

But as he tried to step out of the Eastern Palace, Shen Xiao blocked his path. "First Imperial Grandson, His Majesty has decreed that the outside is chaotic. I am to ensure the safety of the Eastern Palace."

"Has His Majesty awakened?" Song Yanzheng's pupils constricted. "His Majesty ordered you to protect us, not to confine us to the Eastern Palace."

Yet when Song Yanzheng stepped left, Shen Xiao mirrored him. When he stepped right, Shen Xiao did the same, firmly barring his way.

"Shen Xiao, what is the meaning of this?" Song Yanzheng demanded, frustration boiling over.

Meeting Shen Xiao's unfathomable gaze, Song Yanzheng fell silent.

Could it be... that His Majesty had forbidden them from leaving the Eastern Palace?

A wave of terror surged in Song Yanzheng's chest. Stumbling back inside, he gasped, "The situation has changed. His Majesty is awake. We must immediately dispose of those we sent to spread the rumors."

......

Meanwhile.

The courtyard of the Dali Temple was once again crowded, but unlike before, the scene was eerily silent.

Seated at the head, Song Yu's hawk-like eyes swept over the crowd, making everyone shrink under his gaze.

"Wu Ming, have you gone mute?" Song Yu's icy tone sent a shiver down Wu Ming's spine. "All these people are waiting. If you won't preside over the trial, shall I do it instead?"

"Bring... bring forth the prisoner Cui Qian."

Wu Ming swallowed hard, shooting a meaningful glance at his trusted aide, signaling him to seek help from the Eastern Palace and Prince Qi's Mansion.

Song Yu caught the exchange, his lips curling into a mocking smile.

Cui Qian, after being castrated, was barely recognizable. Supported by bailiffs, he slumped before the court like a pile of mud.

"Cui Qian, I ask you once more—were the twelve skeletons in Cui Mansion killed by you?"

"Yes... yes, they were."

"And what connection does the person in the thirteenth portrait have to this case?"

At Wu Ming's question, Cui Qian strained to lift his head, flashing Song Yu a defiant look.

"She was my accomplice."

"Your Highness, I have concluded the interrogation." Wu Ming sighed inwardly, relieved Cui Qian hadn't altered his testimony.

But before he could relax, Song Yu struck the judge's block.

"Guards, strip this corrupt official of his robes."

Wu Ming jerked his head up as a group of imperial guards stormed in, pinning him down to remove his official attire. "Your Highness, you have no authority to strip me of my position! Only His Majesty holds that power!"

"Open your eyes and see what this is."

A bright yellow imperial decree was thrust before Wu Ming, clearly stating that Prince Qin was to oversee the Cui Mansion murder case, with the authority to execute first and report later if necessary.

Realizing the decree's contents, Wu Ming collapsed to the ground.

"As the Deputy Chief of the Dali Temple, you judged cases based solely on confessions, ignoring evidence. Over the years, how many wrongful verdicts have you handed down? I know every last one."

"Your Highness, I—"

"Bring out the executioner's blade. Behead him."

Song Yu's casual order sent chills down everyone's spines.

"Your Highness, you cannot kill me! I—I was appointed by His Majesty! I am the father of Prince Qi's consort!" Desperation seized Wu Ming as he realized Song Yu was serious. "Your Highness, I beg you! I will clear the princess's name!"

"Now you remember my daughter's innocence?"

"Too late."

Song Yu's slender fingers whitened at the knuckles as he picked up an execution token and let it drop slowly to the ground.

"Execute."

Moments later, Wu Ming's head rolled, blood splattering across the floor.

The gathered crowd fell to their knees, their earlier outrage replaced by silent terror.

Watching them, Song Yu toyed with the judge's block.

Had no one listened before because he hadn't started by chopping off a head?

"Cui Qian, I ask you again—what connection does the person in the thirteenth portrait have to this case?"

.​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‍.....

Outside the courthouse.

Cui Qian's aide, sent to deliver messages, ran straight into Shen Qingping.

"Were you heading to the Eastern Palace and Prince Qi's Mansion to report?" Shen Qingping asked innocently.

The aide turned to flee but was caught by Baoxia, who seized him by the neck.

"I waited here out of kindness to warn you," Shen Qingping said, his smile widening. "The Eastern Palace is sealed off. As for Prince Qi's Mansion... you may deliver a death notice instead."

"A... death notice?"

The aide stammered.

"Indeed. Your master is likely headless by now."

With that, Shen Qingping snapped his jade-handled fan shut and walked toward a carriage waiting at the alley's bend.

"Princess."

Yingchun lifted the carriage curtain, revealing Song Shihuan and Mrs. Qiu inside.

"Wu Ming is dead?"

"His Highness just ordered his execution with the executioner's blade." Shen Qingping's gaze held newfound respect. The decree had been obtained when Song Shihuan accompanied Prince Qin to the palace that very night the scandal broke.

Later, when searching for the missing girl, it was Song Shihuan who suggested sheltering Mrs. Qiu in Qin Prince's Mansion and investigating Wu Ming.

Reflecting on it now, Shen Qingping was deeply impressed by her foresight.

"Here is the full record of Wu Ming's crimes." Song Shihuan handed over a thick dossier, her eyes cold. "From now on, anyone who dares slander Qin Prince's Mansion will think twice—remembering Wu Ming's fate."

Even a clay figurine has its limits.

After enduring baseless accusations for so long, Song Shihuan would not let a single instigator escape unscathed.

Turning to Mrs. Qiu, she said, "Madam, it's your turn soon."

Mrs. Qiu nodded, tightening her grip on her handkerchief.

......

Back in the courtroom.

Cui Qian's face was speckled with Wu Ming's blood. Trembling under Song Yu's questioning, he clenched his teeth.

But thinking of Ning, he forced out, "Song Shihuan was my accomplice."

Song Yu laughed.

"Minister Cui, you truly are stubborn."

"Fortunately, I've found a new witness whose account differs entirely from yours."

Mrs. Qiu, clad in a dark green robe, strode steadily into the hall with measured steps.

"This humble woman, Mrs. Qiu, pays her respects to His Highness, Prince Qin."

In an instant, Cui Qian's eyes surged with turbulent waves of shock.

This woman—she had been feigning madness all along.