Imperial Husband Chapter 4

"Chen'er, what are you doing coming in here? Get out quickly, this is not a place you should be." Zhou Xiaoru was greatly startled by her son who had suddenly barged in and hurriedly scolded him.

Damn it, who exactly is the person scheming behind my back? They actually managed to lead Chen'er here without making a sound.

When Zhou Xiaoru found out she was suspected of being involved in Gu Rulan's death, she had already taken the step to have her trusted confidant keep a close watch on Li Yanchen to prevent him from getting involved. Because Li Yanchen was Zhou Xiaoru's only hope. If Zhou Xiaoru really ended up in trouble, as long as Li Yanchen's status as the eldest son remained, Li Shiyun would show some consideration when deciding her punishment.

Unfortunately, man's plans are not as good as Heaven's calculations. Li Yanchen, under the calculations of someone with ulterior motives, still barged in, even igniting Li Shiyun's anger.

[人算不如天算 (rén suàn bù rú tiān suàn): lit. Man's plans are not as good as Heaven's calculations; fig. However carefully one plans, unforeseen circumstances can arise, emphasizing the limits of human control against fate or destiny.]

It's him.

Li Jin recognized at a glance that the child who had suddenly burst in was none other than Zhou Yanchen.

"Audacious! Who allowed you to barge in here?" Li Shiyun was provoked and glared displeased at Li Yanchen, his gaze also beginning to hold more dissatisfaction toward Zhou Xiaoru.

This is bad.

Zhou Xiaoru inwardly thought it was terrible and immediately kowtowed to Li Shiyun several times, hard enough to draw blood from her forehead. "Your Highness, Chen'er did not mean to barge in. It must be a misunderstanding. I beg Your Highness for forgiveness, I beg Your Highness for forgiveness..."

Liang Wenliu seized the opportunity to add inflammatory details: "Your Highness, the eldest young master is born of Concubine Zhou. It's hard to guarantee that Concubine Zhou didn't deliberately bring the eldest young master in to escape blame."

Another concubine also gloated: "Yes, Your Highness. It's pitiful that the eldest young master knows nothing and is being used by his own birth mother."

"Shut up! All of you shut up!" Li Yanchen glared fiercely at the two concubines who were making sarcastic remarks. "I came here of my own accord. It has nothing to do with Concubine Zhou. Don't throw all your dirty water on Concubine Zhou."

Although Li Yanchen was only ten years old, the constant intrigues and schemes in the prince's mansion had long forced him to mature early in mind. How could he not understand the implied meaning in these two people's words?

Li Shiyun's cold gaze fell on Zhou Xiaoru. "Zhou Xiaoru, is this the good son you have raised?"

"Your Highness, please listen to your concubine..."

"Enough," Li Shiyun interrupted displeased. "This prince thought that since you had served by the princess consort's side, you would have the ability to raise Chen'er well. That is why I agreed to let you personally take care of Chen'er. It seems now this prince was mistaken."

"Your Highness..."

Li Shiyun paid no attention to Zhou Xiaoru's pleas. He looked toward Wei Shiwan at his side and said, "Secondary Consort Wei, from today onward, the matter of instructing Chen'er is entrusted to you."

Wei Shiwan listened and hurriedly rose to curtsey. "Yes, Your Highness. Your concubine will definitely instruct Chen'er well."

"Your Highness, Chen'er has always been with your concubine..."

No sooner said than done.

Just as Zhou Xiaoru was about to say something more to dissuade Li Shiyun from his order, the guards Li Shiyun had sent out returned. They were holding two dolls made of tung wood, covered in mud.

The leading guard did not dare delay and immediately presented the two tung wood dolls they had found to Li Shiyun. "Your Highness, these two tung wood dolls were discovered buried in the ground of Concubine Zhou's courtyard. They are carved with the names and birth dates of the princess consort and the third young master, respectively."

Li Shiyun's pupils constricted. He immediately took the tung wood dolls to examine them carefully.

Sure enough.

Carved on the back of the tung wood dolls were indeed Gu Rulan and Li Jin's names, along with their birth dates.

"How could this be..." Zhou Xiaoru's face turned pale as she collapsed onto the ground. "Your Highness, I have been wronged! Witchcraft is a serious crime. Even if you gave your concubine a hundred times the courage, I would not dare to commit such a treasonable act!"

Witchcraft had always been considered a serious crime in the Da Xia Dynasty. How could Zhou Xiaoru remain calm? If this wasn't handled properly, not only Zhou Xiaoru, but even Li Yanchen would be implicated.

Li Shiyun threw the two tung wood dolls in his hand directly at Zhou Xiaoru's face. "These two things were found in your courtyard. How dare you still tell this prince you've been wronged?"

Zhou Xiaoru did not dare dodge. The dolls hit her squarely in the face. "Your Highness, your concubine swears to heaven, the matter of the princess consort truly has nothing to do with me. If it did, may I be struck by lightning and die a terrible death."

Li Yanchen: "Father, regarding the matter of Concubine Zhou harming the princess consort, I beg you to investigate it thoroughly and not wrong an innocent person."

"Good, good... very good..." Li Shiyun was so angry he laughed. "Zhou Xiaoru, look at the good son you have taught. Even at this point, he still thinks about absolving you of guilt."

Zhou Xiaoru shook her head violently. "Your Highness, Chen'er doesn't mean that."

"Guards," Li Shiyun looked coldly at the mother and son kneeling below. "Take Zhou Xiaoru and Li Yanchen into custody. This prince will report Zhou Xiaoru's crime of murdering the princess consort to the Emperor for judgment. Li Yanchen is no longer this prince's son. Once Zhou Xiaoru's matter is concluded, immediately expel him from the mansion. If he dares in the future to claim status as this prince's eldest son, this prince will severely punish him."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The guards waiting on both sides immediately acknowledged the order and stepped forward to restrain Zhou Xiaoru and her son.

Hearing that Li Shiyun intended to severely punish Li Yanchen and even strip him of his title as the eldest son of the Prince of Dingbei, Zhou Xiaoru instantly felt as if her heart were burning with anxiety. She could no longer care about anything else. "Your Highness, this matter was done by your concubine alone. It has nothing to do with Chen'er. Your Highness, I beg you to spare Chen'er. I beg you!"

"Take them away."

Li Shiyun flicked his sleeve, showing not a hint of softness. He was determined to punish them.

Li Jin walked coldly to stand before Li Shiyun, cupped his hands, and said, "Father, your son has something to say."