Mystique Soul: A Cultivator's Flame
Chapter 85

Chapter 85: Chapter 85

As Feng Jiao Xue stepped out of the space ring, a foreboding chill ran down her spine. The moment her feet touched the cold marble floors of her courtyard, a servant was already waiting for her, pale-faced and visibly trembling.

"My Lady!" the servant gasped, bowing deeply. "Something terrible has happened. His Highness, the Crown Prince, is in grave trouble."

Feng Jiao Xue’s expression darkened. "What happened?" she demanded, her voice sharp.

’I can’t have a freaking break!’

The servant swallowed, forcing the words out. "The emperor has placed him under confinement. They... they traced the servant back to him. The one who was killed."

Her fingers curled into fists. Just as she had feared. Without wasting another breath, she moved swiftly, her robe billowing as she made her way toward Liang Feng’s palace. Her mind raced. "How? How had the servant’s tracks been traced back to Liang Feng? And why was she only hearing of this now?"

Upon reaching the Crown Prince’s palace, she found the once-lavish residence now eerily silent. The guards at the entrance hesitated before letting her in, their gazes wary. Inside, Liang Feng sat on a chair near the window, his face illuminated by the cold moonlight. His usual composed expression was marred with tension, his fingers tapping against the armrest in an uncharacteristic display of impatience.

He looked up as she entered. "You’re here."

"Of course I am," she replied briskly.

He immediately rushed to guide her back out. "Xiao Xue, quick before someone see you here" He urged her worriedly. "You can’t be connected to me right now. I might implicate you"

"Too late for that, I doubt with the heavy monitoring, whoever has eyes on this place haven’t seen me yet, so answer my question, what the hell happened? I haven’t even been into seclusion for long" She asked curiously.

’Of all the effort she made to curing hik and making him one of his allies, it would all be in vain if he kick the bucket before he could even be of use to her!’

"What happened? I heard the servant was traced back to you."

Liang Feng exhaled sharply. "That would have been bad enough. But worse, far worse, someone came forward. A witness. And under a truth potion, they claimed they saw men, ’my’ men near there before the servant died. Their making it appear as if I was involved."

Feng Jiao Xue stiffened. "What?"

His jaw clenched. "Exactly what I said. A witness testified under a truth potion that I orchestrated the servant’s death and, in turn have a hand in this plot."

Her mind whirred with possibilities, but none made sense. A truth potion was indisputable. Whoever the witness was, they couldn’t have lied. At least, even if he did, very few would doubt it. But she knew the Crown Prince, Liang Feng, would never be so reckless.

"Your not are you? Just to be clear?" Febg Jiao Xue asked even though she doesn’t believe it either.

"No!" Liang Feng replied indignantly, holding her hands in his tightly, his eyes gazing at her own imploringly. "Xiao Xue, you need to believe me! I would never poison imperial father or your grandfather!"

"I believe you" Feng Jiao Xue sighed making Liang Feng smile.

It can be seen that he haven’t been having the best of days. His hair was slightly unkempt, some strands misplaced instead of the ussual neat bun and bags hang darkly under his eyes, worn, weary and strained eyes.

"Who is this witness?" she asked.

Liang Feng shook his head. "No one of great standing. A low-ranking court servant. At least, thats what my men figured out. Whoever is behind this is making sure I cant turn the tides. And as a suspect, for the witness’s protection, I am not privy to their identity. All I know is that their someone who shouldn’t have even been in a position to know anything. Yet, their testimony was enough to throw the entire court into chaos."

Feng Jiao Xue’s fingers tapped against her own sleeve. "This reeks of a setup. Someone is orchestrating this from the shadows."

"I know that," Liang Feng murmured, "but knowing and proving it are two different things."

A sharp knock on the door interrupted them. Han Qing ever Liang Feng’s most trusted guards entered his expression grim. "Your Highness, I bring urgent news. The court has convened in an emergency session. The ministers... they’re pressing His Majesty to strip you of your title and name the Third Prince as heir."

Feng Jiao Xue’s eyes narrowed. "Who is leading this?"

The guard hesitated before speaking. "Master Feng Haotian is among the most vocal."

A sudden chill spread through Feng Jiao Xue’s veins. Her own second uncle was siding against Liang Feng? Supporting the Third Prince?

Liang Feng exhaled slowly, his fingers stilling. "So it’s come to this."

Feng Jiao Xue turned to him. "We don’t have much time. If the court forces His Majesty’s hand, you may not remain the Crown Prince by tomorrow."

Liang Feng gave a short, humorless laugh. "I was prepared for this possibility the moment I was confined here."

She crossed her arms. "Are you going to accept this?"

He met her gaze, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. "Not without a fight."

Feng Jiao Xue smirked. "Good. Because I never planned to let them take you down so easily."

While the two planned for their next course of action...

In the imperial court, the tension was thick, the air almost suffocating as ministers debated fiercely. The Emperor sat on his throne, his face carved from stone, betraying no emotion as he listened to the arguments unfolding before him.

"Your Majesty! The evidence is undeniable! A witness testified under a truth potion that the Crown Prince was involved in this treachery!" one minister bellowed, his voice echoing in the hall.

Another stepped forward, bowing. "Your Majesty, this scandal brings dishonor to the royal family. The people are whispering. If we do not act swiftly, public trust in the throne will crumble."

The Emperor’s gaze remained unreadable. "And what do you propose?"

A different minister cleared his throat. "Your Majesty, the Third Prince has shown exceptional wisdom and virtue. Many believe he would make a fine successor. Perhaps it is time to reconsider the line of succession."

Feng Haotian, standing among the ministers, took a step forward. "Your Majesty, this kingdom’s stability must always come first. If the Crown Prince’s status is in question, the empire cannot afford uncertainty. It would be wise to ensure the line of succession is beyond doubt."

The Emperor’s fingers tightened around the armrest of his throne. "Are you telling me to cast aside my own son based on the words of a single servant?"

"A servant who spoke under the effects of a truth potion, Your Majesty," Feng Haotian said smoothly. "That cannot be ignored."

A deep silence settled over the hall.

Then, the heavy doors of the throne room creaked open, and all heads turned as Feng Jiao Xue strode in, her presence commanding.

She did not bow. Instead, she met the Emperor’s gaze directly. "Your Majesty, may I speak?"

A murmur rippled through the court at her audacity. But the Emperor merely lifted a hand, silencing the protests.

"Speak."

She turned her sharp gaze on the ministers. "Are we truly going to believe that a single, low-ranking servant, one who should not have had access to such information, holds the power to destroy the Crown Prince’s standing? Have any of you stopped to consider how absurd that is?"

Several ministers shifted uncomfortably.

"Feng Jiao Xue, I know that his Highness is your friend but di not speak nonsense. The word of that said servant was given under the compelling of a potion" Feng Haotian responded.

Feng Jiao Xue continued, her voice calm yet cutting. "But there are ways to lie under it. If the witness was prepared before hand, it could be forged. And the one who would benefit in all of this is the Third Prince. Tell me, does that not seem convenient?"

A few ministers frowned, doubt creeping into their eyes.

Feng Haotian, however, was unfazed. "Lady Feng, you speak boldly, but you ignore the key fact, the testimony was under a truth potion which may be possible to get around but not that easily. Are you saying we should ignore the very laws that uphold justice?"

She smirked. "No, I am saying that truth potions can only verify that a person believes what they are saying. It does not verify that the information is true. This so-called witness could have been manipulated, fed false information, or, worse, been under a compulsion to believe a lie."

The room erupted into hushed whispers.

The Emperor leaned forward slightly. "And what would you have me do, Lady Feng?"

Feng Jiao Xue met his gaze, unwavering. "Investigate thoroughly. Do not let the truth be buried under political scheming. If the Crown Prince is truly guilty, I will stand aside. But if this is a ploy, then punishing him unjustly will only weaken the throne."

Feng Jiao Xue looked at her grandfather to back her up on this. "Time, just give me times your majesty"

The Emperor studied her, then slowly leaned back. "Enough. I will make my decision soon. Dismissed."

As the court emptied, Feng Jiao Xue locked eyes with Feng Haotian. He smirked at her, his expression unreadable, before turning away.

Febg Zhenhai gave her a discreet thumbs-up as he walked towards the emperor before the door closed.

She exhaled. This was far from over.

And she would not let them win.