The Demon Prince

The reason why Gu Linyuan's matter could be brought to the imperial court was because he was a poet.

Xiao Xingyue's talent now far surpasses his.

Then Gu Linyuan wouldn't be the Poet Immortal.

Therefore, the feeling of "when the wall falls, everyone pushes it down" shifted from Xiao Xingyue to Gu Linyuan.

"You didn't copy? Or did Prince Xiao copy yours?"

"With Prince Xiao's unrestrained and boundless talent, why would he need to copy you? And why would he deign to copy you?"

"Gu Linyuan, stop explaining! A real man admits to cheating! We might even respect you for being a man! But now that you've been exposed on the spot, you still refuse to admit it. We're ashamed to be associated with you!"

Writers are extremely quick to sever ties.

Gu Linyuan was so angry that his injuries flared up again, and he bled profusely.

His eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Xiao Xingyue and roared:

"Xiao Xingyue! Speak up! Speak up! Tell everyone! You copied me! It was you!"

Xiao Xingyue didn't even say a word.

An elderly man with white hair, highly respected in the literary world of Great Xia, stepped forward.

He was Gu Linyuan's mentor and one of the elders who loved him the most.

At this moment, he looked at his disciple, his face filled with heartache and indignation:

"Lin Yuan, quickly apologize to His Highness the Crown Prince!"

"teacher!"

Upon seeing his elders, Gu Linyuan's mental state collapsed, and he completely broke down.

"It wasn't me! It really wasn't me! He's the one who tricked me!"

The old man moved closer to him and whispered, "Things have come to this point. To avoid further trouble, just accept your fate..."

These words became the final vehicle that killed Gu Linyuan.

Gu Linyuan was utterly despondent, forced to lower his proud head to Xiao Xingyue, gritting his teeth: "I...am...sorry..."

No sooner had he finished speaking than he could no longer hold on, spitting out a mouthful of blood and completely losing consciousness!

"Oh dear! Quickly take Gu Shixian down to get treatment, lest her injuries worsen."

Xiao Xingyue said, looking extremely anxious.

Upon hearing this, the members of the Great Xia Poetry Society looked at each other, and soon their faces showed shame.

If Xiao Xingyue uses Gu Linyuan to suppress them, they will look down on Xiao Xingyue instead.

But Xiao Xingyue's current leniency made them feel ashamed.

The old man walked up to Xiao Xingyue and bowed deeply.

"Your Highness, it is my fault for being blind and failing in my teaching that allowed that wicked disciple to commit such a grave mistake. I have been prejudiced against you before, and I hope you will forgive me."

His apology made the members of the Great Xia Poetry Society know what to do.

"We were all deceived by Gu Linyuan! Please forgive us, Your Highness!"

"The young master is exceptionally talented and possesses extraordinary bearing; we were truly blind to have seen his true abilities before!"

"With the Crown Prince in the world, it is truly a blessing for the literary world of our Great Xia!"

The poets all put on fawning faces and showered Xiao Xingyue with flowery compliments.

Xiao Xingyue smiled slightly, having won over the hearts of these scholars; it was almost time to move on to the military ranks.

"You flatter me, everyone. In truth, my Xiao family are merely warriors who fight in wars; we are not fit to enter the literary world."

Upon hearing this, several court officials who were originally military officers immediately straightened their backs, their faces beaming with pride.

"Excellent! No wonder he's the son of the old prince! Let's see who dares to say we military officers are all uncultured and ignorant of refinement now!"

"What vulgar, brutish talk! If I hear it again, hmph! Don't blame my halberd for not recognizing its mark!"

The emperor took his seat and merely raised his hand.

The entire audience then left and fell silent.

The emperor looked at Xiao Xingyue with a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

Disappointingly, not only could Xiao Xingyue not be convicted, but he was also given the opportunity to showcase his talent and win people's hearts.

The emperor stepped out from behind the beaded curtain, and Xiao Xingyue finally met the supreme ruler of the Great Xia Dynasty.

He was around fifty years old, wearing a black and gold dragon robe with nine dragons coiled around him, with a chiseled face and deep eyes.

He didn't deliberately release any pressure, but his aura, that of someone who had long held a high position, truly had the imposing presence of a mountain.

"Since there is a reason for this, let's drop the matter concerning Gu Linyuan."

The emperor spoke calmly, and the assembled officials and scholars all bowed in agreement.

Gu Linyuan, who deserved to be punished, was punished.

It was all just a farce. Now that the emperor has made his decision, no one dares to pursue the matter any further.

Xiao Xingyue thought the matter was over, but then he saw the emperor looking down at him: "Years ago, I made an agreement with your father that the descendants of the Li and Xiao families would be married."

Xiao Xingyue immediately became alert.

Yesterday, Li Wangshu's plan for a fake marriage was clearly approved by her mother and the emperor; otherwise, Li Wangshu wouldn't have dared to do it.

To put it bluntly, Gu Linyuan was nothing more than a pawn of the royal family.

Now that the plan has failed, Gu Linyuan is useless, Li Wangshu has truly become the Crown Prince's consort, and the marriage contracts between the other eight princesses and the Xiao family are still in effect. The Emperor will inevitably have to resolve this matter.

"Xiao Xingyue, although I promised this, do you think the Xiao family is still worthy of my daughter marrying into it?"

The emperor spoke calmly.

But everyone present could smell the gunpowder.

Many officials lowered their heads and glanced at Xiao Xingyue discreetly, their eyes revealing their amusement at his predicament.

During the struggle for the throne among the nine princes, Xiao Junlin, the only non-royal prince of the Great Xia Dynasty, stood up to support Li Chengqian, thus securing Li Chengqian's throne.

He then had nine sons. The first eight princes were brave and skilled in battle, and they had the ability to fight on the battlefield at an early age. They also completely led the Northern Army.

In the past, the Xiao family was incredibly powerful and influential.

But now, the King of Zhen is gone, the Eighth Prince of War is gone, and the military power in the Northern Border is gone.

What's left?

A few guards, a few servants, plus a ninth prince who was born weak, and that rickety plaque of the Zhenguo King's Mansion.

That's it.

Such a configuration is utterly unworthy of the emperor continuing to fulfill his promises.

If it weren't for the fact that he held the highest position and his word was law, the emperor wouldn't have even allowed the Ninth Princess to complete yesterday's fake marriage.

"Father..."

Li Wangshu felt a pang of pity seeing Xiao Xingyue standing alone in the court.

But when the emperor raised his hand, Li Wangshu hesitated, not daring to provoke the emperor any further.

Xiao Xingyue felt the overwhelming malice around him, as well as the oppressive feeling from the emperor.

He took a deep breath, trying to appear less subservient, and said, "Marriage is arranged by parents and matchmakers; neither I nor the princesses have the right to make such a decision. I wonder what Father Emperor's opinion is?"