“Get in here!”

The emperor roared, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was frightened to death.

"Your son pays homage to His Majesty, Father!"

Emperor Kaiyao's eyes were like copper bells, full of murderous intent.

"I heard you went to pay your respects to the ministers?"

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said tremblingly, "Yes! Lord Xie passed away in an accident. I, your son, remember his years of hard work and am here to offer my condolences."

Emperor Kaiyao snorted coldly, "You are a benevolent monarch."

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was trembling with fear.

Bang!

He knelt on the ground and said, "I acknowledge my guilt."

Emperor Kaiyao asked indifferently, "What crime have you committed?"

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was stunned, "Your Highness, Your Highness, Your Highness..."

The rest of the words were too much to say. His Royal Highness believed that he had done nothing wrong in going to mourn Xie Mao. Now it was too difficult for him to find his own fault.

It was the Thirteenth Prince who stepped forward to remind him, "Brother Crown Prince, the East Palace is closest to the Imperial Palace, but you are the last to arrive. This is really inappropriate."

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince immediately said, "Thirteenth Brother is right. I am late, please punish me, Father."

Emperor Kaiyao's gaze swept across the Thirteenth Prince's face, and finally landed on the Crown Prince's face. "You two brothers have a good relationship."

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had just breathed a sigh of relief, but he didn't expect the storm to come so suddenly.

"You bastard!"

Emperor Kaiyao pointed at the Crown Prince and cursed, "You've done something wrong, yet you still need Old Thirteen to remind you. It's obvious that you've never taken me seriously and have only perfunctorily followed my orders. You're worse than a pig or a dog, you bastard."

Emperor Kaiyao took two steps at a time and walked down from the dragon throne, kicking the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince was kicked over, but dared not cry out in pain. He knelt again and kowtowed, "Your Highness is guilty, your Highness is guilty. Your Highness has always taken every word you said to heart and dared not forget it for a single day. Your Highness will never dare to be perfunctory. Please understand your Highness."

Emperor Kaiyao sneered and shouted angrily: "You fart!"

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's face turned pale.

Emperor Kaiyao said angrily, "You keep saying that you take every word I say to heart. Do you think I'm a three-year-old child who can be easily deceived? I asked you to stay away from those corrupt scholars, did you listen? I asked you to care more about the border troops, did you do it?

"I have taught you countless times over the years, but have you ever listened? If it weren't for your mother protecting you, I would have abandoned you long ago!"

His Royal Highness was filled with dread. It had come, the day had finally arrived. He couldn't survive three years.

The other princes and kings were also shocked. Their father actually spoke directly from his heart. Is the old man crazy?

In front of his sons, he directly said that he had abandoned the prince. Was he testing them, or was he just speaking without thinking? Or did the old man really intend to depose the prince?

Although some people were secretly happy, they did not dare to be careless at all.

Who knows what kind of madness the old man has. If you are not careful, the storm he stirs up may blow upon you.

The Crown Prince kowtowed repeatedly to apologize, "Your Highness is guilty, Your Highness is guilty..."

“That’s enough!”

Emperor Kaiyao looked at His Royal Highness the Crown Prince with disgust. "Look at you, you don't even look like a Crown Prince. You're so cowardly and irresponsible. How can I trust you to hand over the throne to you?"

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince lowered his head, a look of sorrow on his face. It was all thanks to his father that he had become so cowardly.

However, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince only dared to complain in his heart and never dared to speak his mind out loud.

Emperor Kaiyao looked at His Royal Highness the Crown Prince with increasing displeasure. He simply picked up the teacup on the table and smashed it!

Tea splashed everywhere, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was splashed the most, but the other princes and kings were not spared either.

Emperor Kaiyao pointed at his dozen sons and said, "Are you all just wishing I would die sooner?"

"Your Majesty, please calm down! I hope you live a long life."

"Shut up! Do you really think I don't know what you're thinking? How dare you reach out to the palace and stir up trouble? Do you really think I'm old and lacking in energy and can't handle things? I tell you, even if I'm old, I can still deal with you. Whoever dares to reach out to the palace, I will chop off his hand. If chopping off his hand is not enough, I will take his life."

Inside the hall, everyone was silent.

It was obvious that the old man was really angry.

During this period, the palace was undergoing a major purge, and no less than a thousand people died.

None of the four departments, six bureaus and twenty-four yamen were spared.

Many people who used to be powerful in the palace were unable to escape this time and were all killed.

As a result of this indiscriminate purge, the spies of the princes and royal family in the palace were also eliminated.

Everyone knew that the old man was afraid. He was afraid that someone would harm him, afraid that his sons would take his place, so he wanted to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys, to warn the rest.

I will use the blood of countless people to warn all those ambitious people who are ready to make trouble. Behave yourself, otherwise I will kill your entire family and exterminate all nine generations of your clan.

Several princes and nobles secretly exchanged glances. It seemed that the old man was on the verge of going insane, so everyone had to be careful in the future.

Emperor Kaiyao was furious and paced back and forth in the hall.

If he didn't like any of his sons, he would kick him hard.

The other princes and kings would endure it silently when they were kicked.

Prince Ning was not like that. When he was kicked, he fell to the ground, holding his chest and crying out in pain.

"Father, you're going to kick me to death with that kick. I won't be able to rest in peace until I hold my grandson in my arms."

"Shut up, third brother." Emperor Kaiyao shouted angrily.

Prince Ning is the third child.

Not only did Prince Ning not shut up, he shouted even louder.

"Ouch, ouch, it's over. Old man, my son is dying. You kicked him so hard that all his bones were broken. When he dies, you should quickly give birth to a few more children."

Emperor Kaiyao was so angry that he laughed and scolded, "You bastard, lazy scoundrel. I think you need to be taught a lesson. Why don't you go to the imperial mausoleum and reflect on your actions?"

The imperial mausoleum is located in Beimang Mountain, two hundred miles from the capital. The entire Beimang Mountain is under the jurisdiction of the Shaofu.

Emperor Kaiyao asked Prince Ning to go to the imperial mausoleum to reflect on himself. The intention behind this is worth pondering.

Prince Ning first cried out, "Father, are you abandoning your son?"

"Get out of here!"

Prince Ning quickly got up from the ground and rolled away decisively.

As he left the hall, he didn't even blink at his brothers, as if to say: Brothers, I'm leaving first, you guys just hold on.

Prince Zhao and others gritted their teeth and frowned. Prince Ning, that bitch, actually escaped in this way. He was indeed treacherous.

Prince Ning left Xingqing Palace and went to Changchun Palace to meet Concubine Shu first.

Seeing a footprint on his chest, Concubine Shu frowned slightly and asked, "Did you make your father angry again?"

Prince Ning laughed and said, "I'm going to guard the imperial mausoleum tomorrow. Mother, don't miss me too much."

When Concubine Shu heard this, her face changed.

"What's going on? Why would your father punish you to guard the imperial mausoleum? This, this, this..."

"Forget about this. Guarding the imperial mausoleum is no big deal. My son will be back soon."

Prince Ning looked nonchalant.

How could the Concubine Shu be at ease?

"Guarding the imperial mausoleum is no big deal, are you too careless, or too stupid? You've been exiled. What have you done wrong to deserve your father's punishment of having you guard the mausoleum?"

Prince Ning said, "Don't worry, mother. Leaving the capital now is the best option. The old man is crazy. If I stay in the capital, I'm afraid he'll kill me one day. That's not worth it. I'll go to the imperial mausoleum to hide from the storm. When the capital is quiet, I'll find a way to come back. Don't worry."

Concubine Shu was half-believing and half-doubting, "Are you really going out to hide? Can you really come back?"

Prince Ning laughed heartily, "Don't worry, I will definitely come back. I am not feeling comfortable staying in the palace, so I will take my leave now."

Prince Ning returned to the palace with a relaxed look on his face, and ordered his men to pack up their belongings and set off for the imperial mausoleum early the next morning.

When Princess Pei of Prince Ning learned about this, she was almost driven crazy.

When she arrived at the study in the outer courtyard, tears fell as soon as she saw Prince Ning.

"I will go with the prince to guard the imperial mausoleum."

"Why are you causing trouble?" Prince Ning said with disgust.

Pei cried and said, "The prince has to go guard the imperial mausoleum. As the princess, how can I not accompany you? Although on weekdays, you are crowded with women in the backyard, but at this time, if I don't accompany you, do you think you can let those bitches accompany you?"

Prince Ning was in a dilemma. "You are just jealous. It's just a few women, why are you so angry? I am only going to guard the imperial mausoleum temporarily, so don't worry about it."

"Temporary?"

Pei was shocked and confused.

Prince Ning nodded. "Yes, it's temporary. The old man has a bad temper, so I'll stay away for now. It's a good idea to guard the imperial mausoleum. It's close to the capital, so if anything happens, I can ride a fast horse back and forth the same day."

At this time, the servant reported that the eldest and fourth sons had arrived.

Prince Ning said, "Let them in. I have something to tell them."

The two brothers Liu Zhao and Liu Yi walked into the study.

"The son pays homage to his father, the king, and his mother, the queen."

"No need to be polite! I'm going to guard the imperial mausoleum. You all know that, right?"

"My son just heard the news."

Prince Ning sat in his chair with a look of contentment on his face. "I will leave early tomorrow morning. Boss, please keep an eye on the affairs of the court for me."

Liu Zhao responded expressionlessly, "Your son obeys. However, guarding the imperial mausoleum is easy, but returning is difficult. This move, father, is a bit risky."

"Risks come with rewards. How can you get out without taking risks?" King Ning laughed.

Liu Zhao thought for a moment and said, "The Chief of Works, under the Ministry of the Imperial Household, is in Beimang Mountain. Father, please go and take a look when you have time. Also, the Imperial Guards are training in Beimang Mountain. Father has acquaintances there, so he should visit them as well."

Prince Ning laughed heartily. "Very good, very good, very thoughtful. I know all these matters well, so you don't have to worry about them."

I will go guard the imperial mausoleum tomorrow morning until the turmoil in the capital subsides. Boss, whether I can return to the capital safely depends entirely on you."

Liu Zhao agreed, "Son will do his best."

Liu Yi said hurriedly, "I, your son, also want to share your father's worries."

Prince Ning stared at Liu Yi, hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded. "Yi'er has grown up, so you should follow your eldest brother to gain experience. Big brother, please guide the fourth brother more often. Brothers united are stronger than iron."

Liu Zhao responded expressionlessly and glanced at Liu Yi calmly.

Liu Yi looked eager to try and seemed very excited.

Pei nodded secretly. The prince was not confused yet and should give Yi'er more chances.

A man should not be confined to his house, he should go out and gain experience.

The next morning, Prince Ning set off with his ceremonial procession, bringing with him his usual belongings, including his bed and toilet. He also brought with him dozens of singing and dancing girls and musicians. The procession, numbering several hundred, left the palace with great fanfare and headed for the imperial mausoleum.

Princess Pei of Prince Ning complained, "This isn't an exile at all, it's basically a place to enjoy life. He even brought those voluptuous women with him to guard the imperial mausoleum. No wonder he didn't let me go with him. He was afraid I'd stop him from enjoying himself."

Pei was so angry that she was vomiting bitterness.

Liu Zhao was not surprised by this. It would be abnormal if Prince Ning did not cause some trouble.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard reported the situation to the palace immediately.

When the Emperor learned that Prince Ning had left the capital with such pomp and ceremony, he laughed and scolded, "What a bastard! He only knows how to enjoy himself. I punished him by sending him to the imperial mausoleum, but he treated it as an outing. He truly ignored my words."

Chen Dachang said: "Prince Ning must know that Your Majesty loves him deeply and criticizes him severely..."

"Alright, stop speaking for that bastard. I know the Third Brother's character better than anyone else. He just can't stand hardship or offense, and he demands the best wherever he goes. Pass on my decree; Prince Ning must clean the imperial mausoleum every day and not neglect it."

Humph, he just didn’t believe that he couldn’t cure Prince Ning’s lazy and hedonistic nature.

Prince Ning happily went to guard the imperial mausoleum, but the entire Eastern Palace was in a state of misery.

Yesterday, because he knelt for too long, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince injured his knee and it hurts a lot.

This was an old problem for him. When he was young, he once knelt in the rain for four or five hours and injured his knee.

From then on, whenever His Royal Highness the Crown Prince knelt for a little longer, his knees would ache for several days.

The endless, needle-like pain made His Royal Highness the Crown Prince feel like he was dying.

Crown Princess Sun personally tied the medicine bag to the Crown Prince's knees and said, "Your Highness, this will not hurt so much."

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince sighed, "I'm sorry to have made you worry."

Crown Princess Sun said, "Your Highness, it's too polite for you to say that. We are husband and wife, and husband and wife are one. It is my duty to take care of Your Highness."

His Royal Highness's face was haggard. "Father...his remaining patience is running out. Don't worry, I will definitely protect you and your child."

Crown Princess Sun paused, then continued her busy work as if nothing had happened. "It's not time yet, Your Highness, you should relax."

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince shook his head, "You didn't see it with your own eyes, so you don't know that Father has given up all hope on me.

Yesterday, Prince Ning said many impertinent words in front of his father, but his father praised Prince Ning highly and then let him down lightly, and only punished Prince Ning to guard the imperial mausoleum.

This morning, Prince Ning left the capital with a grand ceremony, accompanied by dozens of singing and dancing girls, and even concubines. However, the Emperor only punished Prince Ning by ordering him to clean the imperial mausoleum.

Given Prince Ning's temperament, he naturally wouldn't do it himself. Even if he complained to his father, the emperor would probably not punish him, but would at most reprimand him.

If I had been a little late, I would have been scolded by my father. If I had been as presumptuous as Prince Ning, bringing singing and dancing girls with me to guard the imperial mausoleum, my father would have deposed me and imprisoned me.

Prince Ning and I are both princes, but unfortunately, we have different fates. I have no dignity in front of my father. In front of my brothers, my father has never given me the slightest respect. My father despises me for being weak, but he doesn't think that I am what I am today because of him.

"Your Highness, be careful with your words."

Crown Princess Sun looked nervous and signaled her trusted eunuchs to guard the door and not allow anyone to approach the bedroom.

The Crown Prince laughed at himself, "In the East Palace, I can't say whatever I want. In my life, I have never had freedom, nor have I ever lived for myself."

Crown Princess Sun frowned, "Your Highness, if your knee hurts, just lie down. Bear with it, it will be better in two days."

"You all tell me to be patient. I've been patient for forty years. How much longer do I have to endure?"

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince looked at the Crown Princess with complicated eyes, which were filled with pain, anger, struggle, hesitation and cowardice.

Crown Princess Sun sighed and whispered in his ear, "When His Majesty passes away, Your Highness will be reborn."

The Crown Prince's pupils widened. "You...don't do anything rash. If Father really wants to destroy me, the worst that can happen is that I die."

"If Your Highness dies, there will be no point in me living. I will die with Your Highness then." Crown Princess Sun said in a resounding voice.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince held up the Crown Princess's face and said solemnly, "You cannot die. The lives of hundreds of people in the Eastern Palace, as well as the lives of the children, all depend on you to protect. If anything happens to you, my death would be in vain."

Crown Princess Sun looked at the Crown Prince eagerly, tears falling down her face.

"I cannot bear to leave Your Highness. Your Highness must take care of yourself."

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince laughed and hugged the Crown Princess in his arms, "I can't bear to leave you, I will try my best to live. But when that day comes, don't be too sad."

"No. Your Highness, we still have a chance."

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince slowly shook his head, "Don't be so foolish. I'm indeed not qualified to be a Crown Prince. It's only a matter of time before I'm deposed."

No, no.

Crown Princess Sun repeatedly shook her head. She would never give the emperor the opportunity to depose the crown prince.