Chapter 1255: Chapter 1255

I tried it myself at home—children between cousins are supposed to be compatible. What on earth is going on here? Could this all just be coincidence?

Before long, a guard returned to report to the Emperor: "Your Majesty, Jin Wei has fled."

"Fled?" The Emperor shot to his feet, visibly agitated.

Jin Wei came today too. He had issued strict orders that no one could leave Prince Jin Residence today, and had already coordinated with Jin Zijin to assign people to watch over everyone. How could Jin Wei have managed to escape?

"Your Majesty, before the banquet began, Jin Wei claimed he was unwell, so he..." The guard trailed off, but the Emperor understood the implication.

He had fled long ago, taking advantage of the time when guests were coming and going, before proper defenses were set up.

Jin Zijin furrowed his brow. Without Jin Wei around, it could be proven that this child wasn’t King Jin’s, but it wouldn’t be enough to confirm he was Jin Wei’s from the Ducal Residence either. This complicates matters greatly.

Was he truly ill or only pretending?

If Jin Wei had sensed something was going to happen today ahead of time, Jin Zijin found it rather unlikely.

If he had known trouble was coming, surely the Ducal Residence would’ve been prepared. They wouldn’t have let things escalate to this point. That old fox, the Duke Protector, would’ve feigned illness and refused to attend in the first place. How could he have shown up so cheerfully for the full-moon banquet?

"Then go to the Ducal Residence and apprehend Jin Wei," the Emperor commanded firmly.

The Duke Protector slumped to the ground, drenched in sweat and trembling with fear.

Today, King Jin unexpectedly betrayed him, catching him completely off guard.

What had gone wrong? What critical misstep had pushed King Jin onto this path?

If Imperial Physician Cui had uncovered something and brought the truth to light, the Duke Protector could never accept it.

If King Jin had known about this all along, why would the Empress have been drawn into agreeing to such an absurd plan to "borrow the seed"?

Seated beside the Emperor, the Empress said nothing, remaining unmoving, like a statue.

The Duke Protector scoffed coldly, "What utter nonsense, Xiaoran! If you had known from the start that we were plotting against you and exploiting you, how could you have agreed to something so outrageous?"

King Jin broke down into tears, fell to his knees before the Emperor, and pleaded, "Father, this was indeed my grave mistake. In a moment of weakness, blinded by power, I committed an unforgivable wrong. My obsession with seizing the throne by any means consumed me. I thought that once I firmly held that position, I could repay today’s humiliation in full.

But over these past days, I’ve thought a great deal. I truly cannot bear it—letting them plant Jin Wei’s illegitimate offspring one after another in my residence.

It was I who freed Lin Qianqing. She is my lawful wife from the wedding night. I couldn’t stand by and allow her to be dishonored, so I arranged for her to be escorted out of Beijing. Father, punish me however you see fit, but I beg you not to send anyone after Lin Qianqing or hold Lord Lin accountable!"

King Jin’s emotional cries and falling tears moved even the silent Empress, who finally shed her own tears.

Meanwhile, a maid nearby, carrying a child, sobbed uncontrollably, while below the guests whispered among themselves in heated discussion. The scene quickly grew chaotic.

Irritated, the Emperor barked at Long Liu, "Take the child away for now. Bring him back when Jin Wei is captured."

Long Liu was promptly escorted away by two guards. As soon as she entered the secluded courtyard, the guards locked the gates behind her.

Several guards stood vigil outside the courtyard, while inside, there was only Madam Zuo, still recovering postpartum, and Long Liu cradling the child.

"How are things progressing?" Madam Zuo, who had recently fallen ill again, asked weakly. She had long known the child was not King Jin’s and had anticipated eventual trouble, so wasn’t surprised that the courtyard had been sealed.