eurekapd Chapter 257 Loving Father and Filial Son
Chapter 257 Loving Father and Filial Son
Yun Shang stood quietly to one side, his posture as straight as a pine tree, his expression serene.
Yan Hong's screams gradually subsided. The other guards and servants in the palace looked on in horror at the scene, some even with their legs going weak and almost collapsing.
Prince Chen's public execution of Yan Hong with a cane was a warning to them.
This is the consequence of betraying one's master.
The guards dragged away Yan Hong, who had already died.
Prince Chen sat in the main seat, his face still pale, yet exuding an undeniable majesty.
His gaze slowly swept over the crowd, and although his voice was slightly hoarse due to his weak physique, every word was clear: "If you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them. You are all old people from the Prince Chen's mansion, and I have never thought of doubting you."
"And we have always treated you well."
"But today, Yan Hong actually stole my token without permission. Should I kill him?"
Upon hearing the Prince's question, everyone knelt down in fear and cried out in unison:
"Deserves to be killed!"
"Your Highness is wise; such traitors deserve to die."
Prince Chen gazed intently, a gentle smile on his face, but his eyes were icy cold.
"As you all know, I have never liked fighting and killing."
“But today, Yan Hong has betrayed his master. If I let him off lightly, it will be difficult to uphold the discipline of the royal palace. I do not want such a thing to happen again in the future.”
"Your subordinate, this servant, would not dare!"
The crowd trembled and collapsed to the ground, gasping in shock.
Prince Chen then glanced at Mingwei.
Mingwei received a look from Prince Chen and waved his hand, "Alright, everyone, go down and do what you need to do."
The people gathered in front of the hall immediately dispersed, leaving only Prince Chen, Yun Shang, and Ming Wei.
The Emperor Wang Chao waved his cup.
Yun Shang went over and helped Prince Chen up.
Prince Chen's expression was gentle. "Let's talk in the study."
It wasn't the coldest time of year yet, but two stoves were burning in the study. Yun Shang felt warm when she entered the room, but Prince Chen still looked cold.
Yun Shang's eyes darkened, and he asked in a deep voice, "Has the Prince's illness worsened again?"
Prince Chen pulled his cloak tighter around himself and sat down on the soft couch by the window, next to the stove.
“It’s always like this in winter, it’s nothing to worry about.” He gestured gently, “Please sit down too.”
Yun Shang sat down as instructed.
He spoke first, "Your Highness, something seems amiss with Li Ming's death?"
A hint of surprise flashed in Prince Chen's eyes, then he laughed and said, "Nothing can be hidden from you."
"Just now, my father urgently summoned me to the palace and gave me this." As he spoke, Prince Chen took out a token from his bosom.
Yun Shang glanced at it and immediately understood: "The Prince of Xiang did not commit suicide. The Prince's military order appeared at the place where he was killed. The Emperor suspects that you did this?"
Prince Chen nodded with a stern face, "My father has ordered me to find out the truth and prove my innocence."
He gripped the token tightly in his hand, his knuckles turning slightly white.
"So it seems His Majesty has no suspicion of the Prince." Yun Shang said calmly, "Has the Prince already found out who bribed Yan Hong to steal the military order?"
Prince Chen nodded. "Yan Hong has been serving me since he was six years old. It's impossible for him to betray me easily. I sent people to investigate. A couple of days ago, his family encountered people from Prince Yong's residence."
Prince Yong?
Prince Yong, Li Xuan, is only seventeen years old. Because Consort De and Consort Zhou are on good terms, Prince Yong treats Prince Qi almost like his own brother and always follows Prince Qi's lead.
If the Prince of Yong's men bribed Yan Hong, then the Prince of Qi is also implicated in this matter.
"What does Your Highness intend to do?" Yun Shang asked indifferently. "The large number of silver notes found in Yan Hong's house and the fact that Yan Hong's family was threatened by people from the Yong Prince's Mansion can prove that Your Highness was unaware of this matter beforehand."
"Does Your Highness wish to report this truthfully to the Emperor?"
Prince Chen gently stroked the teacup in his hand, then looked up and stared directly at Yun Shang. "What do you think should be done?"
"Prince Xuan is imprisoned for life, and Prince Xiang is dead. Having lost two sons in succession, even if they are not the Emperor's most beloved sons, the Emperor will inevitably be unhappy. If Your Highness were to go before the Emperor now and explain the truth..."
"It's hard to guarantee that the Emperor won't overthink it."
If Prince Chen were to present evidence that Prince Yong had framed him, Emperor Wenjing might not only disbelieve it, but might even suspect that Prince Chen had orchestrated the whole thing to frame Prince Yong.
Emperor Wenjing had lost two sons in succession, and now was the most suspicious time of his life.
He wouldn't want to see his brothers fighting amongst themselves, so he'll definitely handle this matter lightly.
Prince Chen understood Yun Shang's meaning, and after a moment of contemplation, said, "I know what to do."
The following day, after the court assembly, Prince Chen went to the palace to request an audience with Emperor Wenjing.
Prince Chen, dressed in a dark brocade robe, walked slowly and unsteadily into the imperial study.
Upon seeing Emperor Wenjing, he respectfully bowed and said, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."
Seeing that Prince Chen's face was pale, Emperor Wenjing raised his hand to signal Prince Chen to stand up and instructed Liu Haide, "Get Prince Chen a soft cushion."
"Hey." Liu Haifu quickly went to get a cushion and put it on the chair.
Prince Chen smiled and thanked the emperor.
Emperor Wenjing said, "You've come to see me so quickly. Have you already found out who framed you?"
Prince Chen nodded respectfully, "Yes, Your Majesty, I have already found out."
Emperor Wenjing stared at Prince Chen, and after a moment of silence, he spoke: "Tell me about it."
When Prince Chen met Emperor Wenjing's gaze, he suddenly stood up and knelt down, saying with remorse, "Father, I have failed in my duties. Please punish me."
"After I returned to the manor yesterday, I questioned everyone in the household and found out that the manor guards' token was stolen by my personal servant, Yan Hong."
“He held a grudge against me for punishing him some time ago, so he conspired with a fellow villager of the imperial mausoleum eunuch to secretly place my guards’ token on my fourth brother’s body when he was found dead, in order to take revenge on me.”
"As for Fourth Brother's death... Your son has no clue yet."
As Prince Chen spoke, he kowtowed with a face full of shame, "Your subject is useless, has failed to manage his subordinates strictly, and has not disciplined them effectively. Please punish me, Father Emperor!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Wenjing frowned slightly, his gaze fixed on Prince Chen, as if scrutinizing the veracity of his words.
After a moment, he slowly spoke: "Is it just a servant taking revenge out of personal grudge?"
Prince Chen paused for a moment, then looked up at Emperor Wenjing, a clear hint of guilt and reluctance flashing in his eyes.
He pursed his lips and nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty, I would never dare to utter a single falsehood."
The imperial study fell silent for a moment.
Emperor Wenjing stood up and slowly paced back and forth, his robes dragging on the ground with a soft sound.
He reached out and helped Prince Chen up.
His tone was gentle, like that of a kind father in an ordinary family: "Your health is not good, so I exempted you from the kneeling ceremony, didn't I? Remember that, don't kneel all the time, it's easy to hurt your health."
Prince Chen looked at Emperor Wenjing with deep emotion, his expression of gratitude and filial piety seeming utterly genuine.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will obey your decree."
Emperor Wenjing patted his shoulder, a smile appearing on his lips. "A few days ago, the Western Rong presented some rare and precious medicinal herbs as tribute. Song De said they would be beneficial to your health. I will have them sent to Prince Chen's residence later."
Prince Chen's eyes reddened slightly, and he said with emotion, "Thank you, Father! Your son will take good care of himself and live up to your love and care."
Emperor Wenjing nodded kindly and said gently, "You should go back to your residence and rest well. Now that this matter has been investigated, you should not worry about it anymore."
Prince Chen acknowledged and slowly withdrew from the Imperial Study.
After Prince Chen left the Imperial Study, Emperor Wenjing watched his departing figure, and the kindness and gentleness on his face vanished instantly.
Liu Haifu watched this scene and lowered his head without making a sound.
Emperor Wenjing called out, "Liu Haifu."
Liu Haifu hurriedly bowed and stepped forward, "Your Majesty, this servant is here."
Emperor Wenjing walked slowly behind his desk and said coldly, "Two days ago, the guards of Prince Yong's mansion rode their horses recklessly in the street and injured people. It is Prince Yong's fault for not being able to control his servants."
"By imperial decree, Prince Yong is ordered to remain secluded for a month to reflect on his mistakes. No one may see him without my decree."