The color went out of every face in the court, civil and military.

Had Ning Chen given up on living, to injure the crown prince in the hall of court, in front of the Xuan Emperor?

This time even the Xuan Emperor's face changed.

"You will not injure the crown prince!"

Nie Liang roared it out.

Shk! Shk! Shk!!!

The guards of the imperial presence had their blades out in an instant and closed in around Ning Chen.

Ning Chen looked down, as though he had only now discovered that he was standing on the crown prince's injured foot.

He drew the foot back slowly and said mildly, "Sorry about that. I wasn't paying attention."

"You insolent madman. You injured the crown prince on purpose and anyone can see it."

"Your Majesty, Ning Chen has committed rank treason. He has offended against his superiors. He has made an attempt on the heir apparent. He should be put to death."

"We beg Your Majesty to punish Ning Chen severely, so the government of the court is set straight."

"Your Majesty, Ning Chen will not have anyone speak an evil word against the Wu Kingdom's crown prince. He plainly has something to hide. We beg Your Majesty to see it clearly."

The censors went at Ning Chen again.

The Xuan Emperor's face was still as water.

He gave Eunuch Quan a glance.

Eunuch Quan took a step forward. "Silence!"

The hall of court went quiet at once.

The Xuan Emperor looked at Ning Chen with plenty behind his eyes. "Ning Chen, this emperor wants to hear it from you. What my lords have laid before him — is it true?"

"That crown prince of the Wu Kingdom. Is he yours, by the Wu Kingdom's woman emperor?"

Ning Chen stepped back a few paces to the middle of the great hall, looked up at the Xuan Emperor, and a bitter smile came over his face.

"For Your Majesty to ask it that way, the answer must already be in his own heart... Does your subject's answer still matter?"

The Xuan Emperor's brows drew…