Chapter 328 - 134: Ah? I can do it in front of you, too?

Chapter 328: Chapter 134: Ah? I can do it in front of you, too?

’You’re here to stir up trouble again, aren’t you?’

’It must be because he saw how well Little Auntie treats me.’

’But...’

’Something seems a little off.’

’The motive makes sense, but the timing is wrong.’

’From his perspective, now should be the most difficult time to stir up trouble, since Little Auntie just saved me.’

’Shouldn’t the correct play be to first use some minor incidents to build up my dissatisfaction, and then arrange a major event to sow discord?’

’Why is he in such a hurry, sneaking over here in the middle of the night?’

In a flash, a flood of information raced through Zhao Ci’s mind.

However, his expression was perfectly calm. He cupped his hands in a pleased gesture and said in a low voice, "Father Emperor! What brings you here at this hour?"

"Sigh!"

Zhao Huan sighed, his age plain to see. "I couldn’t sleep, so I thought I would come and see you."

Zhao Ci asked, feigning confusion, "Why can’t you sleep, Father Emperor?"

"Regarding today’s events..."

Zhao Huan seemed somewhat ashamed. "Today, I spared those from the Imperial Clan Court the death penalty. Are you resentful about that?"

"I..."

Zhao Ci put on an indignant expression. He didn’t actually have any strong feelings about the people from the Imperial Clan Court. After all, no matter how strong the Imperial Clan Court was, they were only assigned for routine protection. How could they possibly defend against a targeted, all-out attack from the Demon Sect?

’It’s easier to catch a thief than to guard against one.’

’Unless they sent a huge retinue of masters to protect me around the clock.’

’But was that even possible?’

’Still, he had to put on this resentful act.’

"Sigh!"

Zhao Huan sighed. "Of course, I wanted to vent your anger for you, but..."

Zhao Ci’s tone was a bit stiff. "Father Emperor, you are the ruler of a nation. Naturally, you have far more to consider than I do. No matter what you decide, as your son and subject, I should support you. You don’t need to explain yourself to me."

The words were proper.

But they were clearly tinged with petulance.

’I have to be a bit more firm with my attitude.’

He wanted to see just how Zhao Huan planned to drive a wedge between them.

Zhao Huan’s graying eyebrows rose slightly. "Do you think I spared them to solidify my own rule?"

Zhao Ci was silent. "..."

Zhao Huan sighed. "I am old. Even if I earned a favor from them, that favor would not extend to the next Emperor."

"Father Emperor!"

Zhao Ci looked moved, the resentment in his expression vanishing. He said with shame, "That is not what I meant, Your Son! Your Son was simply frightened and couldn’t help but misplace my anger on our kinsmen in the Imperial Clan Court."

"Of course, I know that!"

Zhao Huan sounded emotional. "I just want to tell you that many things are not as simple as they seem. Those who appear to have put you in danger through their negligence may not necessarily wish you ill. And those who seem concerned for your safety might have ulterior motives."

Zhao Ci’s heart skipped a beat. "Father Emperor! What do you mean?"

’This Old Deng.’

’Is he planning to confess to me?’

’Isn’t he afraid of exposing his own dirty laundry?’

’Why is he in such a hurry?’

’Or could it be...’

’...he thinks I’ve already noticed something is wrong?’

Zhao Huan seemed to be in the throes of a painful struggle. After a long hesitation, he said, "Ci, have you felt that your mother-concubine is a bit... off?"

"Ah?"

Zhao Ci’s face paled, and his voice went stiff. "Father Emperor, I don’t understand what you mean."

Seeing this, Zhao Huan felt greatly relieved. ’The boy is indeed resentful because he’s noticed something is fishy.’

He said in a low voice, "Your mother-concubine has always had a cold personality and played the role of a strict mother with you. Moreover, she desperately wanted you to leave for your fiefdom. But recently..."

He didn’t continue.

Because he believed Zhao Ci was now already suspicious of Gu Xiangzhu.

All it would take was a little guidance to stir up endless negative emotions in him.

Saying too much would make it easy to expose himself.

Just as he expected.

Zhao Ci forced a smile. "Perhaps it’s because Your Son has suddenly become enlightened? While it’s said that no mother doesn’t love her son, there are differences between sons. If Your Son performs a little better, it’s normal for Mother-Concubine to be a little happier and have higher expectations. Don’t... don’t you think so, Father Emperor?"

Zhao Huan said nothing, merely watching him quietly.

The silence felt like a thousand-pound boulder pressing down on Zhao Ci.

The sound of his breathing gradually grew heavier.

After a long while.

He finally couldn’t hold it in anymore. "Father Emperor! Are you saying... Mother-Concubine has been replaced by an imposter?"

"I’m not certain either!"

Zhao Huan sighed. "It’s just that the way she is now... she feels like a stranger to me. Both times you were attacked, she arrived on the scene almost instantly. That is indeed how a mother should act, but... don’t you think she was a little too fast?"

"What... what do you mean?"

"I met your mother-concubine on Yingzhou Immortal Island, so I know a fair bit about its Immortal Techniques. As a legacy of the Immortal Dao, Yingzhou Immortal Island has countless Mysterious and Strange Skills, but none of them could allow someone to arrive on the scene in such a short time. I have never even heard of a skill that could achieve such speed. Unless..."

"Unless..."

Zhao Ci’s voice trembled. "Unless she already knew that Your Son would be facing such an assassination attempt!"

’What kind of bullshit are you spouting?’

’My Little Auntie is super fast!’

"Of course!"

Seeing his deathly pale face, Zhao Huan fell silent for a long moment before comforting him in a gentle voice, "This could also be a coincidence. It’s also possible your mother-concubine is hiding some Immortal Technique that she hasn’t told me about. Don’t feel too much pressure. It’s just that...

...you shouldn’t let your guard down completely.

If your mother-concubine has truly been replaced, it’s definitely connected to the Demon Sect.

Those people will stop at nothing to achieve their goals.

Of all the Princes, you are the one I am most optimistic about. Even the future throne... sigh!

In short.

You must keep a clear head.

They have too many tricks up their sleeves. What if they use some illusion to deceive you..."

’Dangling a carrot, are we?’

’Giving me a "vaccination" now?’

Zhao Ci finally understood. This Old Deng must be afraid that Little Auntie will use the organ-swapping Secret Skill to sow discord.