Chapter 279 Crazy Man, Crazy Woman 39

Chapter 279: Chapter 275: Crazy Man, Crazy Woman 39

When Wu Chufeng had left, he did not know that Ji Xiaosong was pregnant.

But the Second Prince spoke with such conviction now that he figured it must be true.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger and worry. His tone remained calm. "Your Highness, why be so hasty? The matter of the Tiger Talisman is of grave importance..."

Before he could finish, Zhao Yuanqi flew into a sudden rage. He snatched the White Jade Paperweight from the Imperial Desk and hurled it viciously at Wu Chufeng.

Wu Chufeng was already on guard. He sidestepped slightly, and the paperweight grazed his sleeve before striking the Coiled Dragon Pillar behind him with a sharp CRACK.

"Wu Chufeng! You dare dodge!"

Zhao Yuanqi’s face was livid, and the fury in his eyes blazed even hotter.

He shot to his feet, pointing at Wu Chufeng and roaring, "Do you really think I don’t dare to touch you? Don’t forget, your wife and child are still in my hands!"

Wu Chufeng was skeptical about whether Ji Xiaosong and the others were truly in Zhao Yuanqi’s hands.

’If he really had them,’ he thought, ’Zhao Yuanqi would have dragged them here to coerce me in person long ago.’

He hadn’t seen so much as a single belonging from his family, which told him Zhao Yuanqi was simply making a last, desperate gamble.

Wu Chufeng scoffed internally, but his expression remained impassive.

He glanced around the hall, noticing several court officials who had already sided with Zhao Yuanqi watching him with complex expressions. One of them looked as if he wanted to speak but was holding back.

"Vice Minister Wu,"

Lord Wang, the Minister of Rites, finally couldn’t hold back any longer. His tone was persuasive. "The Prince’s victory is already assured. Why must you remain so obstinate? Surrender the Tiger Talisman. Not only will you save yourself, but you will also spare the entire Wu Mansion from disaster. Even if you won’t think of yourself, you should at least consider your wife and unborn child."

Wu Chufeng’s gaze turned cold as he looked at Lord Wang, his voice laced with scorn.

"Lord Wang, as the Minister of Rites, you are supposed to uphold etiquette and law. Yet here you are, aiding a villain. Are you not afraid of becoming a laughingstock to the entire world?"

Lord Wang’s expression stiffened before he offered a placating smile. "Vice Minister Wu, you are mistaken. The Prince is the late emperor’s legitimate son; it is only right and proper for him to inherit the throne. We, his subjects, must naturally prioritize the stability of the realm and assist a wise ruler."

"A wise ruler?"

Wu Chufeng sneered, his gaze sweeping across the other officials in the hall. "My lords, do you truly believe Zhao Yuanqi can hold onto this throne? The Crown Prince is benevolent and magnanimous, beloved by the people, and he possesses the late emperor’s secret edict. You aid a villain today, but have any of you considered your own fates for when the Crown Prince one day ascends the throne?"

At these words, the hall fell utterly silent.

Several of the officials exchanged glances, clearly swayed by Wu Chufeng’s words.

Seeing this, Zhao Yuanqi’s expression darkened further. He bellowed, "Wu Chufeng! Stop spreading your seditious lies! I am the late emperor’s legitimate son! It is my divine right to inherit the throne! You..."

He pointed at the officials in the hall, his voice thick with menace. "If anyone dares to waver, don’t blame me for what comes next!"

Seeing Zhao Yuanqi lose his composure, Wu Chufeng felt his conviction strengthen.

He turned to Lord Wang, his tone softening slightly. "Lord Wang, as a high-ranking minister of the court, you should understand that a nation’s ruler must possess not only authority but also benevolence. The Second Prince threatens and cajoles his own colleagues today. Once he ascends the throne, how will he treat the people of this realm? Do you truly wish to see that come to pass?"

Lord Wang’s expression wavered, his internal conflict obvious.

He glanced at Zhao Yuanqi, then back at Wu Chufeng, and finally let out a sigh. "Vice Minister Wu, you have a point," he said in a low voice. "But... the situation is already decided. What can we possibly do now?"

Wu Chufeng smiled slightly, his tone firm. "As long as you, my lords, are willing to reconsider, the Crown Prince will surely let bygones be bygones. The Eastern Palace Guard has already broken through Xuanwu Gate, and the Crown Prince’s main army will be at the city walls in a matter of days. If you can help set things right, you will not only be performing a great service to the realm, but you will also save yourselves and your families."

Hearing this, the officials in the hall began to murmur among themselves.

Seeing this, Zhao Yuanqi’s face turned livid. He slammed his hand on the Imperial Desk. "All of you, shut your mouths! Anyone who wavers will be executed on the spot!"

Zhao Yuanqi’s furious roar echoed through the hall. He abruptly drew the sword from his waist, the tip aimed directly at Wu Chufeng, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

"Wu Chufeng! You have provoked me again and again. If I don’t kill you today, this hatred in my heart will never be sated!"

Before the words left his mouth, Zhao Yuanqi was already charging at Wu Chufeng, sword in hand.

The blade flashed like lightning, aimed straight for Wu Chufeng’s throat.

Though Wu Chufeng was prepared, his hands and feet were bound, restricting his movement. He could only manage to twist his body to the side to evade.

The tip of the blade grazed his shoulder, merely tearing his official robes.

The officials in the hall cried out in alarm, but no one dared to step forward and intervene.

The Minister of Rites, Lord Wang, turned pale, his lips trembling as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he remained silent.

The other officials backed away even further, terrified of being caught in the middle.

Seeing his first strike miss, the malice in Zhao Yuanqi’s eyes intensified. He raised his sword to cut down Wu Chufeng again. "Die!"

In that life-or-death moment, a stern shout suddenly rang out from outside the hall: "Stop!"

Immediately after, the hall doors were thrown open, and the Crown Prince, Zhao Yuanjin, stormed in, leading a troop of elite guards.

He was clad in silver armor and held a longsword, his gaze as sharp as a torch. Behind him were dozens of men from the Eastern Palace Guard, their presence formidable.

Seeing this, Zhao Yuanqi’s face changed dramatically, and the momentum of his sword faltered.

Wu Chufeng seized the opportunity to retreat several steps, putting distance between himself and Zhao Yuanqi.

"Second Brother, what is the meaning of this?"

Crown Prince Zhao Yuanjin spoke coldly, his voice filled with unquestionable authority. "Our father’s body is not yet cold, yet you are already on a killing spree. Do you wish for the world to mock our Zhao imperial family?"

Zhao Yuanqi’s sword hand trembled slightly. A flicker of panic crossed his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by his usual ferocity.

He sneered. "Crown Prince, your timing is perfect! I was just lamenting that I couldn’t find you. Today, we shall settle this once and for all!"

With that, he pointed his sword at the Crown Prince and roared, "Guards! Seize him!"

Yet the hall remained silent. No one responded.

Zhao Yuanqi turned to look, only to see that the Imperial Guards who had followed him were now laying down their weapons, bowing their heads, and moving to the side.

His face instantly turned deathly pale, his voice trembling. "You... you dare betray me?"

Crown Prince Zhao Yuanjin stepped forward slowly, his gaze sweeping across the officials. His tone was steady. "My lords, the Second Prince has committed treason and attempted to usurp the throne. The events of today are his doing alone. As long as you see the error of your ways, I will not hold this against you."

At his words, the court officials in the hall fell to their knees and kowtowed. "The Crown Prince is wise! We pledge our loyalty to Your Highness and will assist you in this great undertaking!"

Seeing this, Zhao Yuanqi completely lost his nerve.

His sword hand dropped limply to his side. He staggered back a few steps and collapsed onto the throne, muttering, "Impossible... This is impossible... I am the one chosen by Heaven’s Mandate..."

Crown Prince Zhao Yuanjin paid him no more mind. He turned to Wu Chufeng, a flicker of concern in his eyes. "Vice Minister Wu, are you all right?"

Wu Chufeng clutched the wound on his shoulder and managed a bow. "Thank you for your timely rescue, Your Highness. I am unhurt."

The Crown Prince nodded, then commanded, "Guards, seize the Second Prince. Take him to the Heavenly Prison to await sentencing!"

A few guards stepped forward and hauled Zhao Yuanqi to his feet. He struggled, his eyes filled with venomous hatred. "Zhao Yuanjin! Don’t you dare be smug! I will haunt you even as a ghost!"

The Crown Prince’s expression was impassive. He waved a hand. "Take him away."

After Zhao Yuanqi was escorted away, the Crown Prince turned to the remaining officials. "My lords, today’s business is concluded. Please return to your own manors and await the court’s decree."

The officials complied and departed, and soon only the Crown Prince and Wu Chufeng remained in the hall.

The Crown Prince walked over to Wu Chufeng and patted his shoulder, his voice filled with appreciation. "Vice Minister Wu, thanks to your skillful maneuvering today, my second brother’s conspiracy failed. As for the wound on your shoulder, I will send an Imperial Physician to treat it."

Wu Chufeng bowed. "Your Highness is too kind. It is merely my duty. It’s just..."

He hesitated, his tone laced with concern. "My family..."

The Crown Prince smiled slightly. "Rest assured. I have already sent men to the Wu Mansion to ensure that your wife and the entire household are safe."

Hearing this, the great weight in Wu Chufeng’s heart finally lifted. He let out a long sigh of relief. "Thank you, Your Highness."

The Crown Prince nodded, his gaze distant. "Vice Minister Wu, the court has only just been stabilized, and there is much to rebuild. I will need loyal and capable ministers like you to help me govern the realm."

Wu Chufeng bowed solemnly. "I will do my utmost to live up to Your Highness’s trust."

With matters tentatively settled, Wu Chufeng was finally allowed to return home.