novelAbuy Chapter 951 - 787: How Do You Intend to Handle This?
Chapter 951 - 787: How Do You Intend to Handle This?
"Ha!" Some officials couldn’t help but let out a sneer, and then the hall was abuzz with whispers.Clearly, many officials didn’t believe the Third Prince’s words at all and felt that he was merely making a last-ditch effort to survive.
Gu Chengyu lowered his head and blinked; he hadn’t expected that the Third Prince would resort to making oaths just to save his life.
But then, who in this world isn’t afraid of death? Especially someone as noble as the Third Prince, who likely hasn’t had his fill of the good life yet!
In fact, the Eldest Prince’s intentions were evident to all the ministers in the Taihe Palace; all he wanted was to demonstrate his magnanimity!
After all, the Third Prince was already in dire straits, and if the Eldest Prince stepped in to further push him down, it would seem cold and heartless.
It would be better to speak kindly for the Third Prince, showcasing his great magnanimity and winning the favor of those present.
Besides, the Emperor was unlikely to easily forgive the Third Prince—who wouldn’t want to play the good person here?
"Father, in fact, Third Brother was just confused for a moment. And if all his foolish actions were to be spread out, wouldn’t that damage the reputation of our Imperial Family?"
The Eldest Prince thought for a moment and then spoke words that brought a ray of hope to the Third Prince’s heart.
"What are you saying? Do you mean to spare the Third Prince?"
The Emperor’s voice suddenly rose, startling the ministers who were whispering to each other.
"Father! Although I feel great sympathy for Third Brother and blame myself for not setting a proper example, Third Brother has committed an unforgivable sin. He attempted to assassinate the Crown Prince, which is a grave crime related to the stability of the country. I dare not speak recklessly."
The Eldest Prince didn’t glance at the Emperor’s expression but instead cast a disappointed look at the Third Prince.
"Even if he acted on impulse, he attempted to assassinate me; I can overlook it, but what about the Crown Prince? What’s the crime of plotting against the Crown Prince? Father! The state has laws, the family has rules; we mustn’t indulge Third Brother like this, or it will surely lead to disaster!"
With a look of resignation, the Eldest Prince knelt on the ground and fell silent.
The Emperor let out a cold laugh; he had thought the Eldest Prince had changed. Turns out, his previous words were all empty—these were his true feelings!
Indeed, according to the Eldest Prince’s character, even expelling the Third Prince from the royal lineage wouldn’t satisfy him.
He likely wishes in his heart that the Third Prince were dead, to eliminate future troubles, doesn’t he?
The Crown Prince observed the situation and sighed helplessly, "Father! Third Brother’s temperament is indeed too ruthless. I also understand he was just confused, but if we don’t severely punish him, how can we guarantee he won’t be confused again in the future? In my opinion, you mustn’t be soft on Third Brother this time; you must curb his nature well, lest he causes greater disasters in the future."
The Crown Prince felt powerless; Father has been debating with them for so long, isn’t it just because he’s feeling pity and doesn’t want to heavily punish the Third Prince?
But the Third Prince has attempted to harm two Princes, and those bribes in his residence only make it difficult for Father to make a decision.
Going back and forth, perhaps he feels it would be hard to explain to the ministers too?
Gu Chengyu wanted to yawn; he wondered how much longer they would argue.
The Emperor’s intention was quite clear—he wanted to show leniency to the Third Prince.
According to Dayan’s law, plotting against the Crown Prince is a capital crime.
Princes and commoners are subject to the same law, so the Third Prince should be executed according to the law.
But after all, the Third Prince is still a Prince; even if the Emperor is ruthless, he would still have a soft spot for his son.
Unless the Third Prince was attempting to usurp the throne, the Emperor wouldn’t go so far as to kill him.
And the principle of Princes and commoners being subject to the same law has always been more talk than action; how could it truly be followed?
Unfortunately, none of the ministers present showed any understanding; they all wanted to overthrow the Third Prince, and no one pleaded for him.
This was because several ministers who were close to the Third Prince had already been imprisoned, and naturally, no one dared to plead for him.
Besides, the Third Prince’s prior actions disheartened the officials who initially supported him.
These people likely switched sides long ago and, at this moment, refraining from stepping on him further was as kind as they could get.
"You are now the Crown Prince, it’s only right for you to share my burdens. Regarding your Third Brother, I want to hear your thoughts—how do you plan to handle it?"
The Emperor couldn’t bear to look at the Third Prince anymore; the Third Prince had brought this upon himself.
His usual selfish and cold behavior had likely disappointed everyone, resulting in no one speaking for him now.
The Crown Prince pondered for a moment, drawing the attention of everyone present.
Some officials felt disdain in their hearts; the Emperor’s actions were clearly making things difficult for the Crown Prince.
If the Crown Prince said to punish harshly, how would the world perceive it?
People would only say that the Crown Prince’s previous benevolence was feigned, that he was actually ruthless and took this chance to deal with the Third Prince.
But if the Crown Prince wished to preserve his reputation and proposed leniency for the Third Prince, many officials in the court would not allow it.
If it were forgiven so easily, what would become of the Crown Prince? Dayan’s laws would become mere decoration.
Furthermore, not talking about the Crown Prince’s inner disgust, he would still have to bear the public’s scorn.
If people trample over him, and the Crown Prince keeps giving in, how could he bear the burden of a nation’s ruler in the future?
No matter what he does, it’s wrong; the Emperor was really putting the Crown Prince on the spot!
Many ministers present realized the Emperor’s intentions, and their thoughts became more nuanced.
Considering how the Emperor announced the Crown Prince two days ago and hadn’t even visited the Empress in Guangning Palace, wasn’t that proof that the Emperor didn’t favor this Crown Prince?
Might the Emperor have selected the Second Prince because of the Empress, coerced by her favors, and had no choice but to choose him?
After all, from the Emperor’s attitude towards the Crown Prince, this seemed plausible.
Rationally speaking, after the Third Prince plotted against the Crown Prince, the Emperor should have severely punished him without a second thought.
But seeing the Emperor’s current demeanor, it didn’t look like he was genuinely standing up for the Crown Prince.
A number of officials present let their gazes dart between the Emperor and the Crown Prince, pondering deeply.
What other officials could see, Gu Chengyu certainly wasn’t an exception.
After all, the Emperor’s actions were too blatant, completely disregarding the Crown Prince’s face.
"Father! According to the law for what Third Brother has done, even granting him a cup of poisoned wine wouldn’t be excessive. Does Father think I’m right or not?"
The Eldest Prince let out a bitter laugh, saluted the Emperor, and uttered a statement that shocked both the Emperor and the court ministers.
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of those present varied greatly.
Some officials believed the Third Prince got what he deserved, and it was only right.
But other officials held a different view, believing the Crown Prince’s actions mirrored the Third Prince’s and that the Crown Prince’s heart shouldn’t be so narrow-minded—otherwise, how could he gain the people’s respect in the future?
Gu Chengyu scoffed; to think there were still hypocrites among the officials!
If this had happened to them, would they really forgive someone who tried to kill them, returning evil with kindness?
It’s easy to talk when it doesn’t affect you; if it were Gu Chengyu, he certainly wouldn’t spare such a person.
However, in front of so many people, for the sake of reputation, he considered it unwise for the Crown Prince to go too far.
After all, there are a thousand ways to deal with someone; there’s no need to make a scene here, is there?