Chapter 885 - 784: Who Was It?

Chapter 885: Chapter 784: Who Was It?

The Emperor’s gaze remained fixed on Prince Zhuang, his eyes filled with sinister coldness. He said indifferently, "You said back then that it was Master Kong Chan who told you those words, that’s why you acted this way?"

He recalled the tragic scene of Prince Lu, the panic of Prince Xin when he sent people into the palace; both sons had been targeted, but Prince Lu met with a miserable end while Prince Xin barely survived!

Daring enough to target two of his sons simultaneously, audacious, utterly audacious!

Such a crime, even executing the whole family seems too lenient.

Prince Zhuang clearly saw the killing intent in the Emperor’s eyes, his heart trembling, he cried, "Father Emperor, regarding the events back then, I feel ashamed. I should not have listened to some idle gossip, then blindly speculated, scaring myself and making foolish decisions. These days, I have been repenting for the past events, I was extremely foolish! But Father Emperor, I have already realized my mistake, I will definitely not make the same mistake again. Besides, what reason do I have to do such a thing now?"

Whether he truly heard it from Master Kong Chan or someone else, he passed over it ambiguously, shedding tears as he self-accused, his tone anxious and fearful, his whole demeanor filled with unease.

The Emperor was moved only upon hearing the last sentence, Old Third was right. Indeed, he was already a deposed Crown Prince, reduced merely to a Second Class Prince: how could a Crown Prince be deposed and reinstated?

Unless the Emperor had only this one son.

But obviously, that is unrealistic.

With Prince Lu’s misfortune, even though Prince Xin was also targeted with poison, they are just two sons. Even if the person behind succeeded against these two, it wouldn’t concern Old Third.

He knew that this was most likely done by his sons, if not Old Third, then who could it be?

Old First? Even with borrowed courage and brains, he couldn’t accomplish this.

Another person might scheme to regain favor after losing the Crown Prince’s position, but he, on the contrary, was remarkably calm after a brief initial adjustment of reluctance, showing no ambition whatsoever.

Such a person, even with intentions, lacks the ability to orchestrate such a scenario.

Old Fifth has gone to Qingzhou for disaster relief, currently not in the Capital City. Furthermore, if Old Fifth harbored such intentions, he wouldn’t have acted foolishly over twenty years ago. Now he shows no sign of repentance for past actions, everyone in the court knows that even a reinstated Crown Prince wouldn’t become the Crown Prince; Old Fifth included.

Old Fourth and Old Sixth encountered trouble, which leaves only...

The Emperor felt his heart prick with pain, was it Old Nine? Could it really be Old Nine?

He had always doted on him, unwilling to send him to Vassal Land, so he could enjoy life sheltered in the Capital City, unharmed by hardships, living freely without restriction, indulging in whims. Was it really him? What more could he want? Why would he commit such an act?

The Emperor’s face clouded with dissatisfaction, as he listened to Prince Zhuang’s tearful cries, he impatiently waved him away, "Enough, enough, I was merely going through the formalities by asking, why are you crying? You may leave!"

Prince Zhuang, choking back sobs, responded, "Yes, Father Emperor! I am taking my leave!" He then rose and backed away until he exited the hall.

As he stepped out of the hall, Prince Zhuang’s face also turned gloomy.

He was merely enjoying the drama, not expecting himself to almost become part of it.

Although he was glad to see Old Fourth and Old Sixth, and even all those brothers face misfortune, he didn’t want to be suspected by Father Emperor. He was grateful for his quick reaction; had Father Emperor directly questioned him, his protest would have indicated his prior knowledge. This would not serve him well, but his clueless demeanor managed to dispel some of Father Emperor’s suspicions.

He didn’t linger in the palace, promptly returning home.

Regardless of who the perpetrator was, he could not draw attention now.

Regarding Huangfu Jingchen’s affairs, Father Emperor’s favor towards him had already waned, he must not diminish the few remnants left; he should keep a low profile for the coming days to avoid trouble!

The Emperor squinted his eyes, watching the retreating back of Prince Zhuang leaving the hall. Observing the slouched and shrinking figure, this son seemed to become much more subdued since being demoted to Commandery Prince. Even entertaining such thoughts lacked the courage; besides, as shrewd as he was, he wouldn’t set things up for others.

It still seemed to point to Old Nine...

Thinking this, the Emperor’s mood further deteriorated.

He withdrew his gaze, his expression fluctuating. Using Kong Chan’s name to exonerate himself just now in front of him was truly despicable.

Kong Chan?

He remembered that once Kong Chan said to him, "Jinxiu Chen Palace, destined by heaven! Your Majesty has this question, which shows your concern for Nanxia’s realm. Congratulations, among your descendants, there’s a person of talent who, if made Emperor, could ensure the Nanxia Dynasty’s prosperity for three hundred years at least!"

Among his descendants, who could ensure the Nanxia Dynasty’s prosperity for three hundred years, who could it be?

Later on, he asked again, but Kong Chan, citing secrets about the future, refused to divulge any further.

He had to find it himself?

He ordered all nearby eunuchs to withdraw, and from the secret compartment on the right, he took out a black and gold trim dragon scroll; it was the Holy Decree.

His hand trembled as he opened it, his grip unstable, as if unable to hold the light scroll.

He clumsily and slowly unfolded it, reading word by word: "... Fourth Son of Emperor Jinhong, brilliant, brave, and wise, with outstanding talents, exceedingly fitting with my ideals, hereby established as Crown Prince..."

Fourth Son of Emperor, Prince Lu, was to be announced in two days as Crown Prince, given the Crown Prince’s Golden Seal and Golden Book, moving into the Eastern Palace.

But he didn’t live to see it; he didn’t live to see it!

He was assassinated last night!

The Emperor felt both grief and rage; after careful consideration, he found him to fit Kong Chan’s description of talent!

Yet his high hopes ended in disappointment.

The Emperor angrily threw the scroll onto the ground!

White banners rose at the Lu Prince Mansion, a spiritual hall established.

Prince Lu’s son, despite his injury, bowed before the spirit before being advised to rest by the Imperial Physician.

Prince Lu’s son’s eyes were full of hate.

The Emperor summoned his father several times lately, speaking encouragingly, leading him to suspect that the Emperor intended to make his father Crown Prince.

Father and son discussed it, the outlook promising, suppressing their joy, keeping as low profile as possible. Yet despite this, how did his father still become a target for assassination?

Could the Emperor’s audience distributions have betrayed Emperor’s intentions to those lurking behind the scenes, prompting them to eliminate his father and him?

Prince Lu’s son felt his heart filled with hatred, so close, so painfully close to securing the Crown Prince position for his father, and now nothing remained.

With his father’s death, the Emperor wouldn’t value him enough posthumously to make him the Crown Grandson. Their promising dawn extinguished into darkness, never to return!