AEKMEM chapter 51

Public opinion continued to ferment.

At eight o’clock that night, Chu Heng directly @-mentioned the Second Prince, Chu Feiyu. His imperial uncle, Chu Zhenglong. The Mo family. The Zhou family. And others on his StarNet personal account. He posted evidence showing how they had manipulated public opinion in this incident. They claimed he was unworthy of the position. Previously, they had people spread rumors. They said he’d been severely injured on the battlefield. His talent and strength had declined. He was too violent and murderous to be fit as the Crown Prince.

He also stated, “If you have evidence, bring it out. Don’t spread rumors without proof.”

Though brief, Chu Heng’s response caused a huge uproar.

The people of the empire began to speculate wildly.

“So it involves a power struggle, too. No wonder this incident escalated so quickly. There were quite a few manipulators behind it.”

“No wonder, even though His Highness the Crown Prince led the Second Army to defeat the Zerg, severely wounding the Zerg Queen and winning victory and peace for the Empire, some people were spreading rumors that he was seriously injured, his talent and strength severely damaged. According to imperial tradition, he shouldn’t remain Crown Prince. They even spread rumors that His Highness was blinded by rage on the battlefield and suffered a mental breakdown. ‘He was already showing signs of losing his mind.’ The rumors were so convincing that a few people believed them. Who knew that it was all orchestrated by “malicious individuals”?

“It seems we should remain cautiously observant until the truth comes out.”

“Some people are really low. If they want to fight for the throne, they should do so openly and honestly. They should show their strength and ability. They should fight on the battlefield. What’s the point of hiding behind the scenes and plotting schemes?”

“Spreading rumors that His Highness the Crown Prince is the culprit without evidence suggests a setup by malicious individuals trying to force him to step down. After all, this isn’t the first time they’ve done this.”

**

Emperor Chu Zhengming did not interfere in the power struggle between his two sons. The Chu family tradition has always discouraged interference in the succession process to select the most outstanding successor—except in special circumstances.

Emperor Chu Zhengming wasn’t surprised by Crown Prince Chu Heng’s counterattack.

Aside from being a bit love-struck, Crown Prince Chu Heng was quite capable.

However, it was surprising that Chu Zhenglong had also intervened.

Chu Zhengming twirled the jade ring on his finger, lost in thought.

Like Chu Heng, he quickly connected the dots to the “mysterious person” who had orchestrated and cooperated with the Greedy Wolf Star Pirates to kidnap Chu Heng years ago.

Based on motive and ability, Chu Zhenglong was highly likely to be the culprit at the time.

Concluding this, he ordered his trusted confidants to investigate Chu Zhenglong.

The Second Prince’s emotions were far more intense than Chu Zhengming’s.

He hadn’t expected Chu Heng to use public opinion to turn the tables on him!

Seeing so many people sarcastically accuse him of being the mastermind behind it all and slander him as someone who had deliberately framed Chu Heng nearly made him cough up blood.

That madman, Chu Heng! No matter how bad others’ relationships were in private, they still maintained appearances on the surface. But Chu Heng was different. He had openly torn off all pretense!

However, when he saw that his uncle, Chu Zhenglong, was also involved in the evidence that Chu Heng posted, he couldn’t help but feel suspicious.

After his imperial uncle failed in the struggle for the throne against his father, Chu Zhengming…

He initially believed that Jun Yilian’s downfall was undoubtedly the work of Chu Heng, that madman. At the New Year’s Eve banquet, Chu Heng exploded because of a sarcastic remark made about An Qiao. He insisted that he apologize to his crown princess. Now, with Jun Yilian having repeatedly attempted to assassinate An Qiao, it was possible that, in a fit of rage, Chu Heng would depose Jun Yilian.

However, he now had a slight suspicion that his uncle, Chu Zhenglong, was the mastermind who had deliberately set a trap for Chu Heng.

Of course, Chu Heng was still his biggest suspect.

Only someone like Chu Heng could be so insane and reckless as to cripple an S-rank elf.

Unfortunately, there was no evidence proving that Chu Heng was responsible.

However, Chu Feiyu didn’t originally believe that public opinion alone could bring down Chu Heng. His goal was merely to damage Chu Heng’s reputation in the empire, disgust him, and cause him trouble. After all, without evidence, he couldn’t convict Chu Heng.

Unexpectedly, though, Chu Heng seized upon evidence of him manipulating public opinion and dragged him into it as well.

Chu Heng’s evidence was clear. How was Chu Feiyu going to extricate himself now?

**

Meanwhile, following the Second Prince’s instructions, the Jun family hurriedly arrived in Blue Star City on Water Blue Star, in front of the garden castle where An Qiao and Chu Heng lived.

“Please convey to His Highness the Crown Prince that our Jun family has some questions regarding Yi Lian’s deposition,” said the Jun family patriarch, looking weary yet authoritative, to the guards standing at the door.

Besides the Jun family members, a large crowd of onlookers had gathered, drawn by their imposing presence—clearly an attempt to intimidate Chu Heng into responding.

The Jun family patriarch was truly exhausted.

The Jun family produced two S-rank elves this generation, a feat that is enviable. Ultimately, one betrayed the family, and the other was left crippled.

The Jun family devoted themselves wholeheartedly to cultivating Jun Yilian, and he became the most outstanding elf in the empire, as they had hoped.

Although the Jun family was a top-tier clan in the capital city, they had a fatal weakness: they lacked control over the military.

They hoped that Yilian would become empress to the next emperor. This would increase their chances of controlling an army like the current empress’s family, the Mo family. Even if they couldn’t control the military, they could still exert some influence over it. Furthermore, if the next emperor had blood ties to the Jun family, wouldn’t he be expected to show them some favoritism?

However, an unexpected elven bloodline tyrant named An emerged, with a purity even higher than Jun Yilian’s.

Consumed by jealousy, Jun Yilian plotted to eliminate An’s eldest son.

The others knew about the plot but didn’t stop him. Instead, they secretly cooperated with Jun Yilian. An’s eldest son posed too great a threat, and they wouldn’t allow anyone to disrupt the Jun family’s future plans.

They allowed Jun Yilian to send people to prevent An’s eldest son from awakening his healing abilities and destroying his talent. They allowed Jun Yilian to repeatedly plot assassinations against An’s eldest son. They never imagined that Jun Yilian would one day be targeted in retaliation, losing his abilities and becoming incapacitated.

When the head of the Jun family received the news, he aged considerably.

Jun Yilian, their family’s hope, was an S-rank elf, and yet he had been crippled!

Even more terrifying was the fact that Crown Prince Chu Heng was already aware of the Jun family’s actions and had ruthlessly and decisively taken revenge by removing Jun Yilian from his position. Given Chu Heng’s temperament, it was certain that he would not let the Jun family, who were also involved in the assassination of the An family’s eldest son, get away with it.

The Jun family, which had previously remained neutral, had no choice but to align themselves with the Second Prince’s faction.

“What a coincidence,” said Chu Heng, arriving at the doorway and sneering at the Jun family. “You have questions for me, and I’ve been wanting to settle accounts with your family anyway.”

Besides the Jun family, quite a few people had come to watch after hearing the news. The Jun family hadn’t bothered to hide their arrival. On the contrary, they made a big show of it. Anyone with a modicum of sense knew why they were there.

However, Chu Heng made no attempt to conceal his intentions.

That way, he wouldn’t appear guilty.

Indeed, Chu Heng felt no guilt whatsoever. Jun Yilian’s repeated assassination attempts were inseparable from the help and indulgence of the Jun family.

The Jun family head first looked at An Qiao beside Chu Heng.

Because of this elf—Crown Princess An Qiao—Chu Heng had crippled their S-rank elf, Jun Yilian.

Bathed in lamplight and moonlight, the stunning silver-haired elf was breathtakingly beautiful.

No wonder he made Jun Yilian, also an elf who held himself above all others, feel jealous. No wonder he made the cold and ruthless Chu Heng fall for him and become obsessed.

A hint of complexity—and hatred—flashed in the eyes of the Jun family head.

Chu Heng immediately shifted his body to block An Qiao from the Jun family head’s gaze. His expression darkened. “What are you looking at my crown princess for? Does your Jun family intend to assassinate him again?

The onlookers: “…”

The Crown Prince’s possessiveness toward his Crown Princess is truly terrifying. He won’t allow anyone to even glance at him.

“Your Highness, you misunderstand. The Jun family was unaware of the mistake Yi Lian made in a moment of confusion,” said the Jun family head calmly.

Regarding the incident involving the An family’s eldest son, Jun Yi Lian did indeed do it. The Jun family merely facilitated the secret hiring of a professional assassin by Jun Yi Lian.

An Qiao glanced coldly at the head of the Jun family. “It was all done by Jun Yi Lian alone. Did your Jun family not know?”

He paused, then slowly added, “Then your Jun family is truly useless.”

Chu Heng chimed in, “Indeed, useless. Not a single one of the many beastmen in the Jun family dared to go to the battlefield.”

A burst of suppressed laughter erupted from the crowd.

The head of the Jun family took a deep breath.

He had already witnessed this at the New Year’s Eve banquet. Although An Qiao, the crown princess, looked pale and frail, like a delicate parasitic vine, he was actually quite ruthless.

Crown Prince Chu Heng had consistently indulged and spoiled him.

“Your Highness, I, Jun, am but a humble man, far inferior to your esteemed position and power. Yet, I still wish to ask a few questions.”

“Yi Lian did make a mistake due to a momentary loss of composure. However, his transgressions are subject to the laws of the Empire. By resorting to private torture and crippling Yi Lian’s abilities as an S-rank elf, rendering him helpless, is this not in accordance with the rules?”

Chu Heng smiled enigmatically. “Does Patriarch Jun not understand human language? I have already clarified. Show me the evidence if you have it. Don’t pin accusations on me. While I’m grateful to the person who crippled Jun Yilian, I don’t intend to take the blame for it.”

The Jun family head tried to remain calm. “I have indeed seen His Highness the Crown Prince’s clarification. But although there’s no evidence proving he is the murderer, he is the prime suspect. He certainly had a motive, and…”

“All right, you’ve finished asking your questions,” Chu Heng interrupted.

“Now it’s my turn to settle accounts with the Jun family. You helped Jun Yilian assassinate an elf in the critical stage of awakening. This caused the awakening of this future S-rank elf to fail. As a result, the Empire lost an S-rank elf—a serious crime! Then, not giving up, you were twice suspected of plotting to assassinate my crown princess. Plotting against the crown princess is also a serious crime that cannot be easily forgiven!”

“Don’t say your Jun family was unaware—”

Chu Heng mimicked the Jun family head’s previous words, speaking in a sarcastic tone. “There’s no evidence yet to prove your family’s involvement, but you’re the most suspicious, and you certainly had the motive…”

“And there’s one more matter—”

Chu Heng said calmly. “Our Second Army Corps’ military doctor, Jun Yiran, asked me, his superior, the Marshal, to file a complaint against the Jun family for helping Jun Yilian’s father, an A-rank elf, murder his father, an S-rank elf.”

“The Jun family, father and son, are truly alike, inheriting a deep-seated jealousy and malicious intent,” he sighed with disgust. Then he added, “This time, there’s solid evidence of the murder of the S-rank elf. Your Jun family can’t escape it.”

Chu Heng’s revelation caused the crowd to gasp collectively, their eyes wide with disbelief.

The Jun family is truly “fierce”! It’s no wonder they dared to send someone to assassinate an S-class elf who was about to awaken, causing the awakening to fail. As it turns out, they’ve even murdered real S-class elves before, so they already have “experience.”

The Jun family patriarch’s face turned deathly pale, and he lost his composure.

He had originally come at the Second Prince’s request to cause trouble for Chu Heng, hoping to confront him and find flaws or clues.

However, he hadn’t expected Chu Heng to turn the tables, revealing that the Jun family had murdered an S-class elf years ago.

After revealing this information, Chu Heng calmly closed the door.

An Qiao’s elegant and noble demeanor suddenly became listless; his brows and eyes showed undisguised weariness.

He took a few slow steps, then leaned lazily against a blooming weeping crabapple tree by the roadside.

The aftereffects of the Demon King’s curse hadn’t subsided yet, and he still felt unwell. He had just secretly used his mental power to control the entire area and prevent accidents. Now that he had relaxed, he didn’t want to move at all.

He should rest for a while.

“What’s wrong?” Chu Heng didn’t react at first but quickly seemed to realize something. He frowned with concern. “Has your old injury flared up again?”

“I’m tired. I don’t want to walk,” An Qiao said lazily and succinctly. The weeping crabapple blossoms, illuminated by soft lamplight and moonlight, possessed a more alluring, veiled beauty than their daytime splendor.

But even this paled in comparison to the silver-haired youth beneath the crabapple tree.

Without hesitation, Chu Heng asked, “Then shall I carry you back?”

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