After the Crown Prince's palace was reopened, Emperor Xiao did not see Xiao Chengci come to the palace to pay his respects.

I haven't seen Xiao Chengci at the morning court these past two days.

"What has His Highness the Crown Prince been doing these past two days?"

The palace servants said, "His Highness has closed the gates of the East Palace, and the servants inside have been expelled to the outer courtyard."

There were naturally Emperor Xiao's men in the Eastern Palace.

If anything happens to Xiao Chengci, Emperor Xiao will know immediately.

The palace servants meant that all of Emperor Xiao's men had been driven out of the outer courtyard by Xiao Chengci.

What kind of trouble is Xiao Chengci causing in the Eastern Palace?

"He hasn't left the East Palace these past few days?"

If that's the case, why is Xiao Chengci begging for the lifting of the ban?

"On the day the ban was lifted, His Highness went to the temple to burn incense and pray to Buddha."

"Burning incense and praying to Buddha?" Emperor Xiao sneered repeatedly after realizing what was happening.

“He is truly my good son. In the past, every year when I asked him to pray for me, he would always have to bargain with me for a long time.”

The palace maid said with concern, "I heard that His Highness climbed the stairs himself, and his wounds reopened."

Emperor Xiao put down the memorial and said, "Go and take a few people with you to the Eastern Palace to see this rebellious son."

Emperor Xiao was worried that Xiao Chengci might be too heartbroken.

She challenged him for the sake of a girl.

It's understandable that Xiao Chengci was a bit discouraged that he couldn't retain the staff.

Emperor Xiao sighed. This was the first woman Cheng Ci had ever cared about.

If it weren't for the fact that this woman was involved with Shang Huai, Emperor Xiao would have been happy for his son.

After all, this is the first girl her son has ever liked and been willing to get close to.

When Emperor Xiao arrived at the Eastern Palace, he saw a large group of people kneeling in the outer courtyard.

"What are you kneeling here for?"

Pei Minxue led the way, kneeling outside. When he saw the Emperor arrive, he quickly paid his respects.

"No need for formalities, please rise."

A group of people looked at each other, none of them daring to stand up.

"What exactly is going on? Who can tell me?"

Pei Minxue bowed and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, Your Highness listened to the slander of your advisors and invited a group of Taoist priests into the Eastern Palace."

Upon learning this, Pei Minxue and the others rushed over immediately.

But like the servants who served in the inner courtyard, they were all driven out of the outer courtyard.

No one dared to force their way in. No one dared to offend His Highness now; losing one's head was no joke.

Emperor Xiao suddenly raised his voice: "What?"

"He actually hired a Taoist priest?"

When the late emperor was alive, he issued an edict forbidding the veneration of Taoist priests.

After the previous emperor passed away, Emperor Xiao ascended the throne.

Although Emperor Xiao did not suppress Taoists like his predecessor, he never worshipped them either.

None of the officials dared to break this taboo.

"Has he gone mad?"

Emperor Xiao waved his hand, ordering his men to smash open the tightly closed door.

After the door was forced open, Emperor Xiao led everyone into the inner courtyard.

Upon entering the inner courtyard, the ground was covered with talismans, and several Taoist priests were muttering something unintelligible.

This wasn't what angered Emperor Xiao the most. He actually saw Xiao Chengci wearing a Taoist robe and drawing blood.

In front of Xiao Chengci was a large bowl, which was already more than half full of blood.

Emperor Xiao roared, "Guards! Seize these Taoist priests for me!"

A group of Taoist priests who were originally singing and dancing around the stage were all forced down.

Emperor Xiao walked up to Xiao Chengci and angrily asked, "Xiao Chengci, do you know what you're doing?"

"Father, please release them first."

Xiao Chengci pleaded, "They say that as long as a pill is made from my blood, it can bring people back to life."

Xiao Cheng resigned and prayed to Buddha, but that very night, Pei Zhi breathed her last.

Praying to Buddha was useless; his subordinates said that perhaps a highly accomplished master could help.

"Xiao Chengci, are you out of your mind? You actually believe this nonsense?"

Emperor Xiao was so angry with Xiao Chengci that his face turned pale. "Look at yourself now, where is there any resemblance to the Crown Prince?"

The child he had carefully raised had been ruined by a woman, leaving him neither human nor ghost.

Xiao Chengci knelt before Emperor Xiao, clutching the emperor's bright yellow dragon robe.

"Father, I'd rather not be the Crown Prince, please save her!"

With red-rimmed eyes, Xiao Chengci looked at Emperor Xiao: "Father, you are the Son of Heaven, you must have a way to save her, right?"

The person who served Emperor Xiao closely whispered the news to him.

The person inside was already lifeless, and their body was cold.

Emperor Xiao breathed a sigh of relief when Pei Zhi was dead.

Xiao Chengci's eyes were bloodshot, his hair was messy, his eyes were dark, and his palms were still bleeding.

Seeing Xiao Chengci like this, Emperor Xiao really couldn't bring himself to reprimand him.

How could Emperor Xiao not feel sorry for the child he raised himself?

"Aci, I have no way to save her."

"No, no." Xiao Chengci shook his head.

"Father, are you still angry with me?"

"Your subject knows he was wrong." After saying this, Xiao Chengci kowtowed to Emperor Xiao.

"Your Majesty, I truly know I was wrong. Please save her, please save her," Xiao Chengci said, kowtowing repeatedly.

Seeing Xiao Chengci like this, Emperor Xiao was both angry and anxious.

"Are you all dead? Why aren't you helping His Highness up?"

De Shun arrived with his men, and it took several people all their strength to subdue him.

Xiao Chengci shouted loudly, "I want to save her! I want to save her!"

After the frenzy subsided, Xiao Chengci suddenly lost consciousness and fell into a coma.

Emperor Xiao sighed, "Help Chengci to rest and have the imperial physician come to examine him."

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