Song Yan Jiao also knew in her heart that, at this point, her only hope of saving her own life was to drag Mu Han Su down with her.
So she simply tugged at Mu Han Su's sleeve, pleading desperately, "Your Highness, I know I have also done wrong in this matter! But Your Highness cannot treat me like this! Shall we both admit our mistakes to Father Emperor? Your Highness cannot push all the blame onto me alone!"
Looking at Song Yan Jiao, who was so unsightly before him at this moment, Mu Han Su finally seemed to understand.
What he regretted was that he should never have married Song Yan Jiao as his princess in the first place.
He even involuntarily raised his head and looked at Song Chao Yu.
That thought, once again, sprouted in his heart: "How wonderful it would have been if he had married Song Chao Yu back then?"
At this moment, he lowered his head, grabbed Song Yan Jiao's arm, and forcefully dragged Song Yan Jiao up from the ground.
"Ah—"
Song Yan Jiao cried out in surprise, looked at Mu Han Su in fear, and then shook her head desperately, "No... Your Highness, I was wrong, I truly know I was wrong! I beg Your Highness to spare me this once, for the sake of the child I desperately kept for you, spare my life!"
The fact that the couple had reached such a state still made one sigh in their hearts.
"Presumptuous!"
Seeing that Mu Han Su was about to lay hands on Song Yan Jiao in front of him, the Emperor's face turned red with anger. "Prince Ning, what kind of place do you think this is? Do you dare to be so presumptuous in front of me?!"
That was right. Mu Han Su closed his eyes and finally seemed to realize something.
He let go of Song Yan Jiao's hand and knelt before the Emperor, beginning to confess his mistakes. "Father Emperor, your son knows his fault! But this poisonous woman has slandered your son, and your son knows nothing about this matter! I beg Father Emperor to see clearly, your son is wronged!"
His explanation now, in the Emperor's eyes, only appeared more pale and powerless.
The Emperor waved his hand and gave Mu Han Su a final "warning." "Stop explaining yourself to me. If you truly knew nothing about these matters, do you think I am a fool to believe you? I tell you, if you say one more word, I will order your death. Do you believe me?!"
In fact, one could tell from the Emperor's constantly trembling body that he was also feeling very distressed.
But this was not only a grave offense of deceiving the emperor, but it also involved the lives of several people and the future of two young children.
This matter was a disgrace to the royal family, and even the Emperor felt he had lost all face. How could he easily let the two of them off?
Upon hearing this, Mu Han Su's heart trembled, and whether it was fear or disbelief, he could only stare blankly at the Emperor. He had not expected the Emperor to truly harbor murderous intent towards him. His heart held only one thought: Father Emperor, I am your son!
He lowered his head, not daring to say another word.
He was truly afraid that the Emperor would kill him.
After such a long commotion, the Emperor seemed to have calmed down a little.
He actually looked at Mu Chang Xi, who had been sitting silently to the side. "Chang'er, although this matter has nothing to do with you, you were still involved. What do you think I should do?"
For some reason, Song Chao Yu's first feeling was that the Emperor was still testing Mu Chang Xi!
However, Mu Chang Xi's eyes remained unchanged, and he shook his head at the Emperor. "This is a matter for Father Emperor's wise decision, and your son cannot say much. There is only one thing that chills your son's heart."
"Oh?"
The Emperor narrowed his eyes, seemingly a little confused. "Why are you disheartened?"
Mu Chang Xi raised his eyes and sneered, "At this point, not a single person has asked about the situation and condition of the girl we picked up? That poor little girl was born only seven months ago and had a congenital weakness from the womb. She should have been the legitimate eldest daughter of the Prince Ning's mansion, pampered in the inner chambers, but now she doesn't even have a proper title!"
He sighed and then couldn't help but take Song Chao Yu's hand. "If it weren't for A Yu giving her a home and a name, I fear that poor child would have died in Bian Xi by now. But even though things have escalated to this point, no one has asked about her!"
He turned back, his gaze towards Mu Han Su filled with a hint of coldness. "Brother Prince Ning, don't you even want to know what that girl's name is?"
His gaze shifted from Mu Han Su to Song Yan Jiao. "Her name is Xiao Tao Zi. Although her health is not good and she has a congenital weakness from the womb, she is an extremely obedient and sensible child. Even though she was just born, she never cries without reason and gives us little trouble. Such a good child, and you do not cherish her, and even now you do not wish to inquire about her condition?!"
Mu Chang Xi's words were enough to make everyone present, including the Emperor, feel ashamed.
While everyone was preoccupied with Mu Han Su's deception of the Emperor, it was only the Chang Prince's mansion that cared about that little girl.
The Emperor lowered his head and rubbed his forehead.
Mu Han Su clenched his fists at his sides.
Only Song Yan Jiao, tears streaming down her face, finally looked up at Song Chao Yu. "Xiao Tao Zi? That's a lovely name. Can I... see her?"
Song Chao Yu shook her head decisively. "She was born less than two days ago, her health is poor, and she was thrown into Bian Xi. It is truly not possible to carry her around and move her."
Song Chao Yu paused, then sighed. "You too. You are still in confinement, and after causing such a scene, I fear your body cannot bear it. So, wait until your confinement is over. If you wish to see her then, come to our Chang Prince's mansion. By then, her health might be a little better."
Everyone could tell that Song Chao Yu truly doted on the child. Even at this point, she was unwilling to return the child to the Prince Ning's mansion, having decided to raise the child herself.
Even the Emperor, upon hearing her words, did not express any objection. He merely nodded at Song Chao Yu. "If the child's health improves, she can also be brought to the palace for me to see, to see what my granddaughter looks like."
Although the Emperor hoped for a grandson, he did not only want grandsons.
Therefore, at this moment, he also felt genuine pity for the little girl.
As for Mu Han Su and Song Yan Jiao, who were kneeling on the ground, what else could they feel besides guilt and regret?
Seeing that things had reached this point, the Emperor knew it was time to make a decision.
He closed his eyes and said in a low voice, "Prince Ning Mu Han Su, for deceiving the emperor and the court, and for allowing the people of his mansion to act recklessly. From this day forward, his title of Prince Ning is stripped, and he is demoted to Prince of the Commandery. He is ordered to immediately vacate the Prince Ning's mansion in the capital and reside with his concubines in the imperial estate villa in the suburbs. He is not to go out without my decree."
The Emperor frowned. "All the servants serving in the Prince Ning's mansion are to be sent to Yong Xiang to receive punishment. They could not restrain their master from acting recklessly, so they are no longer fit to serve."
At this moment, Mu Han Su's eyes were filled only with endless fear and despair.
The Emperor glanced at Song Yan Jiao again, realizing that the Song family, including the old madam Song, were kneeling beside them. He then sighed. "As for Prince Ning's divorce of his wife... I think it is best to put it aside for now. You may all leave. I am very tired today and need time to think."