novelAbuy Chapter 947 - 783: One Move Short
Chapter 947 - 783: One Move Short
"I believe all the officials must be puzzled about the Crown Prince’s poisoning, and yet no one inquires about it today. Why? Do you all know who the culprit is, or do you simply not care about the Crown Prince’s safety?"The hearts of the officials present trembled slightly. How could they not want to ask! They simply didn’t dare!
Though today was supposed to be a joyous occasion, the Emperor remained stern throughout, and the Crown Prince looked as if he might faint at any moment. As the grand ceremony was underway, who would dare to bring up such an inauspicious topic?
Besides, isn’t the answer rather obvious? Those absent are likely already detained at Dali Temple!
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is the foundation of the nation, the future successor of the kingdom. Neither I nor the other officials would dare to be negligent. I was just about to ask, who would be so audacious as to poison the Crown Prince?"
Xia Qing was the first to step forward. He glanced at the furious Emperor, trying to discern His Majesty’s true intentions.
Indeed, when the Crown Prince was unconscious, the Emperor was worried and blamed himself daily, though he never displayed such anger.
Now the Crown Prince was awake and had successfully completed the heir-choosing ceremony, so why was the Emperor even more enraged?
Could it be because of the Third Prince? Perhaps the Third Prince did something intolerable to the Emperor?
The Crown Prince pressed his pale lips together, his thoughts not on the court.
He was quite puzzled, having previously inquired with the doctor in the residence about the poison in the wine, which was identified as crane’s beak red.
A mere sip would not endanger one’s life.
If treated promptly, no aftereffects should remain, yet today he felt slightly more sluggish than the previous days.
Logically, he should have felt weaker when he first awoke, but today he was noticeably less energetic than before.
Could it be that he was overly exhausted by the tedious rites just now? The Crown Prince thought this was very likely.
He planned to have the doctor in the residence take his pulse once he returned. This doctor was a renowned physician he had sought out in the city.
The doctor’s medical skills were exceptional, capable of handling even the most complex ailments.
His health must be managed well, lest he ends up with a chronic illness like the Fourth. The cost would be too great.
Not to mention whether he could smoothly ascend to the throne, even getting comfortable in the Crown Prince’s position was uncertain.
"Who else could it be? It’s that disgrace, Zhao Yun. To seize the position of Crown Prince, he harmed his brother, disregarding kinship and the stability of the nation. Such a wolfish ambition—it’s intolerable by heaven."
The Emperor was furious, never expecting the Third Prince to be so audacious. If he could harm his sibling today, what might he do in the future?
If he didn’t pass the throne to the Third Prince, might the Third Prince seek to harm him too?
The Emperor had always known the Third Prince was ambitious and had a cruel and vicious heart.
If not, during the incident with Wan Xue Nian, why didn’t the Third Prince plead for his maternal grandfather?
Yet, back then, the Third Prince simply watched, and to protect himself, he forced Wan Xue Nian to commit suicide.
Not pursuing it didn’t mean he was unaware; it was because of fatherly affection, not wanting to expose it.
But from then on, he decided the Crown Prince could never be the Third Prince.
Unexpectedly, his leniency had only emboldened the Third Prince, making his actions even more reckless.
"What? It was the Third Prince? But has there been any compelling evidence found?"
Xia Qing was taken aback, looking towards Zhao Yun, waiting for further elucidation.
Gu Chengyu watched Xia Qing’s impromptu performance from the back, smirking inwardly—old fox! Who is he pretending for? Can he really be unaware of this?
"Your Majesty! You say the Third Prince poisoned and plotted against the Crown Prince. Are there any discovered pieces of evidence or witnesses?"
Zhong Shize, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, stepped forward, expressing skepticism.
Did they really find evidence of the Third Prince’s crime against the Crown Prince in just one night?
He glanced meaningfully at the Crown Prince. Whether it’s true or false, this matter must be thoroughly investigated.
"What? Do you doubt me? Would I say such things without a thorough investigation? Zhao Yun is a Prince—would I handle things lightly?"
The Emperor was very displeased with Zhong Shize’s words. If the Third Prince hadn’t truly done it, why would he be so enraged?
"Last night, after the Crown Prince regained consciousness, he reported the matter to me. I ordered Kuang Aiqing to investigate overnight. Now, with both evidence and witnesses, there’s no denying it."
The Emperor cast a glance at the ministers below, then focused his gaze on the Eldest Prince.
"Bring the Third Prince and the witnesses forward!"
Gu Chengyu arched an eyebrow. The Emperor intended to have an open confrontation. Clearly, this time, the Emperor did not plan to spare the Third Prince and would severely punish him.
Indeed! Plotting against the Crown Prince is a grave crime! If the Third Prince is excused this time, what if other princes follow suit?
This concern not only endangers the Crown Prince’s position but also undermines his authority and threatens the imperial power.
Bian Shengrong gave a sidelong glance at the Crown Prince, who was resting with closed eyes, sneering inwardly.
So the Crown Prince is also ruthless! Those rumors of gentleness and kindness—who knows where they came from.
He exchanged a glance with the Eldest Prince, and they both smiled knowingly.
Since being arrested and confined to the residence last night, the Third Prince had been anxious.
He knew the heir-choosing ceremony must have begun, but his father had personally ordered him confined, barring him from attending.
Realizing his deeds had been exposed, he deeply regretted it now.
Regrettably, he had ignored the advice of Peng Fang and Huo Huai Zhong, acting recklessly and ultimately making a fatal mistake.
Zhao Xian, yes! It was Zhao Xian! Zhao Xian had framed him; how else could he have acted so rashly?
Zhao Xian had dangled the bait right in front of him; how could he not be tempted?
Li Xiang uncovering You Family as Zhao Xian’s hidden guard—that was Zhao Xian’s deliberate leak, right? Otherwise, how could You Family have outmaneuvered Li Xiang?
Zhao Xian’s cruelty was terrifying! The Third Prince pounded the desk in front of him, anxiety gripping his heart.
What would his father do to him? Would he lose his life over this?
The Third Prince cursed Zhao Xian again, blaming Zhao Xian’s plot to kill two birds with one stone—
And the Fourth too—he must have been involved in this matter.
Without the Fourth’s meddling, could the Eldest have escaped so smoothly, implicating him in the process?
These two colluded against him and the Second, managing to free the Second while pushing him into the fire pit.
As the Third Prince silently cursed his fellow princes, the court began its denunciation against him.
When the witnesses and the Third Prince were brought to court, several officials had already listed numerous allegations against the Third Prince.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, at the beginning of the implementation of the salt permit this year, the Third Prince gained substantial benefits. Moreover, back when the Military Equipment Bureau was producing subpar weapons, the money to heat the furnace came from the Third Prince’s personal funds. Where this money came from—Your Majesty must investigate thoroughly."