The moment Luo Qinghan walked into the Discussion Hall, he was questioned by the Emperor regarding the poisoned wine from last night.
“Do you think it was the Eldest Prince who poisoned you?”
The First Prince, Luo Yechen, could not help but interject, “Imperial Father, this son did not administer any poison. This son is wronged!”
The Emperor reprimanded him sharply, “Shut up!”
Luo Yechen shrank his shoulders from the scolding and resentfully shut his mouth.
The Emperor stared at Luo Qinghan and asked once more.
“Crown Prince, We wish to hear your thoughts. Do you truly feel that this matter was carried out by the Eldest Prince?”
Luo Qinghan replied, “Big Brother is not that kind of vicious person. Even if there truly were some friction between us brothers, he would not go so far as to use poison to harm me. This son surmises that someone else must have used Big Brother’s hands to poison and murder this son. If the scheme succeeded, this son and Big Brother would both be completely finished. This is a strategy to kill two birds with one stone.”
After he finished saying these words, a loosening in the Emperor’s expression was clearly perceptible.
The Emperor looked at Luo Yechen and asked in a heavy voice, “Did you hear what the Crown Prince said?”
Luo Yechen lowered his head. “This son heard it.”
“Just a moment ago, you were still clamoring that the Crown Prince was deliberately framing you.”
Luo Yechen knelt down. “It was this son who was narrow-minded. This son accepts punishment.”
The Emperor’s gaze swept across the ten princes present one by one, and he spoke word by word.
“We know that you all harbor dissatisfaction regarding the Third Prince being invested as the Crown Prince. But you must remember, you are biological brothers; the same blood flows within your bodies! We will absolutely not allow fratricide to occur within our family. Have you all understood clearly?”
A chill struck the hearts of the princes, and they knelt and lowered their heads in unison.
“This son respectfully follows Imperial Father’s teachings!”
The Emperor softened his expression and signaled that the princes could leave, save for the Crown Prince, Luo Qinghan, who alone was kept behind.
The Emperor looked at Luo Qinghan in front of him, hesitating slightly before speaking.
“Crown Prince, you were assassinated during the last imperial hunt, and this time someone put poison in your wine. Do you have any thoughts in your heart?”
Luo Qinghan said calmly, “This son has already sent people to investigate these two matters. Presumably, the truth will soon come to light.”
“Do you have any object of suspicion?”
“Not at the moment.”
“Have you ever suspected your brothers?”
“No.”
The Emperor nodded. “It is good that you haven’t. Although you are the Crown Prince, you are also Our son. We do not wish for the future heir of the Dasheng Dynasty to be a cold-blooded person who suspects even his own biological brothers.”
Luo Qinghan lowered his eyes and responded, “This son understands. It must be treacherous people framing us, wanting to sow discord in the relationship between us brothers. This son will not fall for it. Please rest assured, Imperial Father.”
“That you can understand this point means you have not wasted Our trust in you.”
……
By the time Luo Qinghan came out of the Discussion Hall, it was already the hour of noon.
He stood upon the steps, looking at the continuous stretch of majestic palaces ahead.
Imperial Father hoped that they, as brothers, could love one another.
Yet, being born into this imperial palace and facing the temptation of power, how many people could truly maintain their moral boundaries?
Eunuch Chang asked carefully, “Your Highness, shall we return to the Eastern Palace now?”
“Go to Jiaofang Palace.”
Jiaofang Palace was the Empress’s residence. At this time, she had just finished her afternoon meal and was preparing for an afternoon rest.
Luo Qinghan stepped forward to pay his respects. “This son greets Imperial Mother.”
Empress Qin always maintained a cold and dignified appearance. Even though this was Jiaofang Palace, and even though she was facing the child she had raised with her own hands, she still sat perfectly upright, without a single flaw to be picked out from head to toe.
“This Palace heard that you were poisoned last night.”
“Replying to Imperial Mother, this son did not drink that cup of poisoned wine. My body is free from any serious harm.”
“This Palace did not wish to ask about that. This Palace only wishes to know how you plan to handle this matter?”