bayedsolid Chapter 110 The Ruthless and Disabled Crown Prince (14)
Chapter 110 The Ruthless and Disabled Crown Prince (14)
That person could even obtain the signature and fingerprint of the person who was providing evidence without anyone noticing. The Second Prince had no idea who was signing it.
Judging from the extent of the Emperor's fury, it's definitely not just a few minor figures... Who on earth could do something like this?
The second prince felt a chill run down his spine, realizing that countless people were against him, and he knew nothing about it!
He's now so suspicious of himself, even in his own residence, that he's constantly on guard, afraid of being watched again.
The staff below were also at a loss for what to do. If they knew who was behind it, it would be fine, but now...
Not only was the Second Prince living in constant fear, but the Seventh Prince was also finding no peace.
His unease didn't begin with the impeachment; it started after the discovery of the two dead palace maids in the palace.
Since the deceased were not palace maids at all, it's no wonder that the Imperial Concubine had been investigating for several days without finding anything, and couldn't even confirm their identities or which palace they worked in.
Because they were brought in from outside the palace by the Seventh Prince! They entered the palace that day disguised as maids of officials' wives, and then changed into palace maids' clothes.
Who exactly is it? Having seen through my actions, is that person hiding in the shadows, or do they hold other leverage over me?
The way the "palace maid" died was something the Seventh Prince couldn't understand. It wasn't just her; Consort Rong couldn't understand it either.
Their target was not actually the Crown Prince, nor the daughter of the Lu family, but simply to muddy the waters.
With the former crown prince's marriage called off and his dignity shattered, the emperor, in his anger, will surely consider a new crown prince candidate. They still have a backup plan, and with the influence of Consort Rong's pillow talk, they are sure to be the best candidate for crown prince!
But to my surprise, he wasn't the only one who made a move!
Judging from this situation, it's impossible to know how many factions are involved; it's utterly chaotic!
“They must all be terrified right now… It’s a pity I can’t see their ugly faces with my own eyes.”
The Buddhist prayer beads that were broken that day have been strung together again and kneaded and crushed by Ji Shumin's fingertips.
"Aren't they all harboring ulterior motives? Then I'll let them have their fun! Mutual suspicion, mutual vigilance and revenge... there's going to be a big show in this palace!" Ji Shumin's lips curled into a cold smile, he seemed to be in a very good mood.
"Your Highness, those two palace maids..." The voice came from the hidden darkness, where a man in black was barely visible unless you looked closely.
"Oh?" Ji Shumin gently rubbed his numb knee.
"What does my stupid brother think? Do I want to get information from those two women?"
His tone was mocking, as if the Seventh Prince were an unintelligent beast in his eyes.
"I was just kindly reminding them that loose tongues can lead to trouble. If they don't want to say the wrong thing, they can pull out their own tongues first... cough cough." The chuckle was interrupted by an uncontrollable cough.
"Soon, they understood what I meant..."
"Your Highness, Your Highness, you...you should drink...drink your medicine." Xiao Xizi brought over the dark-colored medicine.
Ji Shumin lowered his eyes: "Has it been tested?"
"It's been...tested." Xiao Xizi handed a handkerchief to Ji Shumin, on which was a silver needle.
The half that had been soaked in medicine had a faint bluish-black tinge.
"Ah."
Ji Shumin touched the silver needle, picked up the medicine bowl, and drank it all in one gulp.
Not long after he finished drinking, he suddenly gripped the front of his shirt tightly, so hard that his knuckles turned white.
His thin neck was stretched back to its limit, and his frail shoulders trembled from shortness of breath and pain, but not a sound escaped from his slightly parted lips.
After a silent stalemate and struggle, he suddenly relaxed like a broken string. Despite the cool weather, a thin layer of sweat seeped from Ji Shumin's forehead and nose, a testament to the intensity of his pain.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, do you...do you need to..."
"No need, this is a wonderful thing that cleanses the marrow and refines the essence, how can I not enjoy it?" Ji Shumin had to stop and catch his breath after saying a few words, his voice so low that it sounded like he was about to die.
But the sharp sarcasm in his tone remained undiminished, cold and indifferent.
Just as Ji Shumin said, a few days later...
Consort Rong angered the Empress Dowager with her slip of the tongue.
The Dowager Consort, who was usually tolerant of the women in the harem and had a mild temper, suddenly became angry and, without even informing the Emperor, confined Consort Rong to her quarters and punished her with a salary reduction.
The Empress Dowager's actions embarrassed Consort Rong, which surprised everyone in the palace. After all, Consort Rong was the Emperor's most favored woman, and who would dare to offend her normally?
But the Emperor remained silent this time. He went to the palace of the Dowager Consort once, and upon returning, he did not mention the matter of the Imperial Consort.
No one knows what the Empress Dowager said to the Emperor.
The Emperor actually extended the Crown Prince's wedding date by another half a month.
The Marquis of He'an's residence was not happy upon learning this news.
The previous wedding date showed that the wedding was not taken seriously. Now, with a two-week extension, although preparations can be made more thoroughly, it only highlights how hasty the wedding was.
Ji Shumin did not react when he learned of this news.
There was no joy, nor did I feel ignored.
"Your Highness, what are your plans for this marriage?" A man dressed in the coarse cloth robes of a brown eunuch stood behind him.
When he entered, he was hunched over and timid, but now he stood up straight and appeared quite robust.
"Hmm? Oh." Ji Shumin leaned back lazily.
"I don't trust those treacherous servants in the Directorate of Ceremonial. Send someone to keep an eye on things. My wedding must be as grand as the Crown Prince's entourage!" Ji Shumin emphasized earnestly.
"what?"
The man clearly wasn't asking that; he was asking what Ji Shumin's plans were for this marriage, and how he intended to deal with the Crown Princess who wasn't originally part of the plan.
As a result, what His Highness the Crown Prince cares about most now is whether his wedding is grand enough and dignified enough for his status as the Crown Prince.
"What? You can't do it? When have I ever tolerated such incompetence?"
"Your Highness's wish will be obeyed." The man hurriedly bowed his head in agreement.
"Let my good seventh brother do something special on my wedding day... Daring to set his sights on my Crown Princess, he's getting more and more foolish!"
"Yes, Your Highness."
Ji Shumin looked at the long-awaited sunlight streaming through the window, and clenched his fists loosely, as if trying to grasp something.
What belongs to me must be crowned with my honor, and shall not be allowed to be defiled or humiliated in the slightest!
This thought was always in His Highness's mind, and he would never change or compromise on it.
The peach tree in the courtyard finally sprouted a few new green buds. Ji Shumin's gaze swept past the peach tree and landed on...
Behind the tree, above a newly dug dog hole.
When the Crown Princess enters, let's also place auspicious dragon and phoenix candles on both sides of these openings... he pondered.
Perhaps it was because the courtyard was too quiet, or perhaps it was because there had never been such an intimate relationship as that of the Crown Princess before.
Ji Shumin actually began to have some inexplicable anticipation for the wedding.