Zhan Tianyu sneered, a hint of triumph on his face.
Though his actions today were impulsive, he had considered the worst possible outcomes and devised countermeasures!
As for what would happen next, whether the Emperor of Western Xia would hold him accountable, he could not worry about it for now. As long as he was alive, none of that mattered!
Seeing Zhan Tianyu's smug expression, Zhan Tianhong’s face darkened. He pursed his lips and revealed the secret he had learned, "I have received information that your mother had an illicit affair with the Emperor of Western Xia. You are the Emperor of Western Xia's illegitimate son. Fourth Brother, you cannot be Sheng Yue Princess's husband. What you can be is Sheng Yue Princess's brother. If you two have already secretly pledged yourselves to each other, then you are disregarding all moral principles."
Zhan Tianye's gaze, sharp as a blade, swept towards Zhan Tianhong. He had never informed Zhan Tianhong of this matter.
So, had Zhan Tianhong discovered it himself in secret?
Or had Zhan Tianhong placed his people near Prince Ning?
Zhan Tianhong knew that revealing Zhan Tianyu's identity at this moment would undoubtedly arouse Zhan Tianye's suspicion, but he believed it was not necessary to worry about his fifth brother's suspicion for now.
The crucial matter was to resolve Zhan Tianyu.
Zhan Tianyu was stunned by the words, then burst into loud laughter. "Hahahaha, hahahaha..."
Zhan Tianhong frowned.
"Do you know why I'm laughing? I'm laughing because you and many others think the same way. They all believe I am the son of the Emperor of Western Xia, but I am not!" Zhan Tianyu appeared resigned, as if he had nothing to lose. He knew this identity as the Emperor of Western Xia's son could not be hidden forever. It was better to let Li De and everyone else clearly realize now that he already knew their scheme!
To use him as a stepping stone was a mere fantasy!
"You are not?" Zhan Tianhong's frown deepened further.
Zhan Tianyu then revealed his characteristic smile, "That's right, I am not. I am still your Fourth Brother."
For a moment, the entire hall fell silent.
Zhan Tianyu felt a secret sense of triumph as he looked at Zhan Tianye and said smugly, "You didn't expect this, did you? Hahaha!"
His true secret, no one in this world would ever know!
"Guards, escort Prince Ning to the imperial prison. His sentence will be decided after dawn tomorrow." Zhan Tianhong's brows were tightly knitted, and the look of grief he had moments before was gone, replaced by an icy coldness.
Seeing Zhan Tianhong's expression finally change, abandoning his pretense, Zhan Tianyu sneered, his laughter chilling. "To act before me, Your Majesty, you are still too young."
Even if the two of them were true brothers, they shared no brotherly affection.
Since there was no brotherly affection, why bother with pretense?
Zhan Tianhong looked down at Zhan Tianyu, his expression unreadable.
Just then, Zhan Tianye, who had been silent and said little, finally spoke, "Zhan Tianyu, you were not born to our father. To my knowledge, your imperial concubine and your mother have always had an illicit relationship."
As soon as these words were spoken.
Everyone in the hall was shocked.
As were the few officials who had just arrived upon hearing the commotion.
They looked at Zhan Tianyu in disbelief.
Then they looked at Zhan Tianhong.
But finally, their gazes settled on Zhan Tianyu, whose face was now a mask of shock.
Zhan Tianyu, who had a trace of color in his face moments ago, turned deathly pale as Zhan Tianye spoke!
"You!"
How could Zhan Tianye know?
Who had told Zhan Tianye?
After a long silence.
A palace servant's report suddenly came from outside the door, "Your Majesty, Princess Sheng Yue requests an audience!"
The next moment.
Princess Sheng Yue, her face pale, strode in, her expression filled with fury and hatred.
Upon reaching Zhan Tianyu, she slapped him across the face several times.
Slap, slap, slap!
"How dare you insult me! Who do you think you are!"
Princess Sheng Yue's eyes were filled with murderous intent. She had been manipulated by Zhan Tianyu!
Utterly hateful!
Although her past conduct had been somewhat arrogant, she had never considered having relations with other men before her marriage. Yet, due to a moment of carelessness, she had been ruined by Zhan Tianyu! And he still wanted to be her husband?
A pipe dream!
Zhan Tianyu, dazed by the slaps, with blood trickling from his mouth, sneered coldly, "Princess Sheng Yue, do you think anyone will marry you after you've lost your purity?"
This statement caught Princess Sheng Yue completely off guard.
After losing her purity, who would marry her?
When the people of Western Xia learned of her experience in Yongning, they would surely mock her. Her sisters might spread rumors outside, and many people would undoubtedly shun her. Even her own father might no longer favor her for disgracing the royal family.
Her status in the palace would plummet!
In an instant, Princess Sheng Yue's heart grew cold, her face even paler than before.
Zhan Tianhong reacted swiftly and sternly commanded, "Zhan Tianyu, audacious and presumptuous, dared to defile Princess Sheng Yue of Western Xia! Multiple crimes warrant severe punishment! Take him away! He shall be beheaded at noon tomorrow for public display!"
Upon hearing this.
Zhan Tianyu looked at Zhan Tianhong in stunned disbelief, "Your Majesty intends to kill me?"
"I shall give you a proper burial out of brotherhood," Zhan Tianhong said expressionlessly.
His words clearly indicated that he no longer held any brotherly affection for Zhan Tianyu.
With multiple crimes piled upon him, coupled with the fact that Zhan Tianyu was not his father's biological son, Zhan Tianyu's hope of relying on Princess Sheng Yue for survival was utterly dashed.
Princess Sheng Yue, stunned by Zhan Tianyu's words, could not process any other sounds.
She had no awareness of what was happening around her.
Zhan Tianyu was forcibly dragged away by the guards. When she finally came to her senses, she heard Zhan Tianyu's voice from outside the hall, "You have no proof! There is no evidence for any of these matters! I came to the palace today only to visit His Majesty! As for what Prince Ye said, it's preposterous!"
However, these voices eventually faded into the distance outside the hall.
No one paid any mind to the truth of these words.
If Prince Ye spoke of something, it was nine times out of ten true.
Evidence would certainly exist.
Furthermore, the Emperor had already issued his decree, and Zhan Tianyu, like a trapped beast, was making his final desperate struggle!
Unfortunately, for many, witnessing this scene made it clear that these struggles were futile.
"Fifth Brother, he really isn't our Fourth Brother?" Zhan Tianhong asked Zhan Tianye, his voice slightly lowered.
Zhan Tianye looked at the young man who had recently grown taller, now the Emperor of Yongning, and said gravely, "Without definitive proof, whether it's true or not is no longer important."
Zhan Tianhong fell silent for a moment.
"No, you cannot execute Prince Ning! Absolutely not! Emperor of Yongning, quickly release Prince Ning!" Princess Sheng Yue anxiously demanded of Zhan Tianhong.
Her eyes were filled with urgency.
If Zhan Tianyu were executed, would she not become a widow?!