Chapter 331: Exposed

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

You hit him out of concern for his well-being?

Listening to her shameless explanation, the people present involuntarily curled their lips.

As for Liu Miaowu, who had been slapped, thrown against a golden pillar, and had just managed to get back on his feet, hearing this caused him to involuntarily cough up a mouthful of blood.

However, it was unclear whether he had been beaten to the point of spitting blood or was so infuriated that he vomited blood.

“Wu’er! How are you? Do you need the Imperial Physician to attend to you?” The Duke of Dingbei saw the miserable state of his son, and his eyes turned red in an instant as he rushed over to support him.

Liu Miaowu coughed and spat out some blood, saying, “Father, I can hold on.”

The Duke of Dingbei was not known for his good temper. He couldn’t bear to see someone beating his son like this in front of him. He turned to the Emperor and said, “Your Majesty, you have seen it too. This woman is acting outrageously, killing princes, assaulting courtiers, and disrupting the imperial order. I’ve heard that even the Gu family has been in turmoil because of her. Numerous lives have been lost, and many have been left maimed or wounded. Can you truly endure such a wicked individual?”

He knew that he couldn’t beat Gu Qingluan, so he had to exert pressure on the Emperor.

He also understood that the reason the Emperor hadn’t taken action against Gu Qingluan was because of her strength.

He knew very well what a Saint could bring to a country. Therefore, he could understand the Emperor’s decision.

At the same time, he also understood how much suspicion an uncontrollable powerful individual could provoke among those in power.

So, he wanted the Emperor to understand that although Gu Qingluan was a Saint, what she brought to the Chengyuan Empire and the Qishi royal family might not necessarily be beneficial but rather a threat!

Sure enough, Emperor Xuanzong, who was already displeased, furrowed his brows when he heard Duke Dingbei’s words and showed a hint of anger.

Gu Zhicheng secretly rejoiced.

Good, if the Emperor were to deal with Gu Qingluan, it would be perfect.

But how could Gu Qingluan allow herself to be manipulated by others?

Before Emperor Xuanzong could speak, she coldly sneered. “Duke Dingbei, you’re quite good at deflecting blame. Clearly, it was your son who attacked first, and I merely acted in self-defense. How does that make me outrageous?” She suddenly raised her voice, “Why did your son suddenly attack? Don’t you know why? Are you afraid I’ll say it? I insist on saying it!”

Liu Miaowu wanted to stop her urgently.

But for some reason, he opened his mouth several times but couldn’t speak.

On the other hand, Duke Dingbei, who didn’t know the truth, saw his son trembling all over and thought that Gu Qingluan had beaten him like this. He couldn’t bear it and glared at Gu Qingluan with a sinister look, hoping to see what she would say next.

She turned to Emperor Xuanzong, raised her eyebrows, and said in a clear voice, “The Fifth Prince didn’t imprison those women just for pleasure. He used them as cauldrons to practice dark arts. Countless women have tragically died in secret chambers. When we discovered it, there were only dozens left in the secret chamber. There may be similar secret chambers elsewhere. These women, those without background or strength, were forcibly kidnapped by him, leading to their ruin. As for those with status, he used sweet talk and deceit to quietly hide them in the palace. If this matter is exposed, not only will the Fifth Prince’s reputation be tarnished, but the entire royal family will be scorned by the common people!”

Duke Dingbei angrily rebuked, “Nonsense! This is impossible!”

In his eyes, his well-behaved grandson would never be such a wicked person. With Qitian Yu’s status, there were plenty of women willing to offer themselves, and as for those dark arts, how could Qitian Yu possibly practice them?

He was certain that this wicked woman was slandering him!

Emperor Xuanzong, after hearing Gu Qingluan’s words, was greatly shocked and didn’t pay attention to Duke Dingbei’s denial. He furrowed his brows and turned to Gu Qingluan for confirmation, “Is this true?”

Gu Qingluan looked straight ahead and replied, “Every word is true.”

Emperor Xuanzong looked puzzled and turned to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince had not reported this matter to him before.

Qitian You, too, was unaware of this matter, his eyes filled with confusion..