If they had not actually been to the imperial prison, they would not believe it!
Who would be reluctant to leave a place like prison and come back again next time!
But then again, the emperor thought about it carefully and felt that this idea was not unfeasible.
Having been used to a life of luxury, they were thinking of stirring up trouble and making them suffer in the imperial prison. This would make them afraid and they would not act so rashly in the future.
After thinking it over, the emperor looked at the two people who were still kneeling on the ground waiting for his decision, and casually handed the paper to Fu Ping: "As a prince, you are so unstable. You are killing your fellow tribesmen, and you can even kill your own brothers. So, is your next move going to be against me?"
These words were truly heartbreaking, and Xiao Yanli and Xiao Chuji's breathing quickened at the same time.
Xiao Yanli took a few steps forward on his knees, but was stopped by He Yanting. Xiao Yanli frowned at him, but the emperor's voice came from behind the curtains: "Forget it, I'm still ill. Since you have so much free time, go to the imperial prison and copy Buddhist scriptures for me and pray for my blessing."
Compared to the previous one which could cost one's head, copying Buddhist scriptures suddenly seemed much more approachable.
The two of them answered yes without any hesitation.
[We need to set a quantity. If we only say we need to copy the Buddhist scriptures, what if they get lazy and only copy once?]
Let them copy more, and wash away the murderous aura.
Jiang Zhiyu spoke up at the right time: "Your Majesty, I have heard from a master before that if you want to pray for blessings, you must copy this Buddhist scripture at least fifty-four times, or one hundred and eight times. Of course, if it is inconvenient for Your Majesty, you can just copy it once. The intention is there."
Xiao Chuji: "..."
Xiao Yanli: "..."
It's fine as long as you have the intention, so why do you say it out loud?
Anyone who hears this and only copies it once is truly brainless.
However, it is not impossible to do something about this matter.
The two people have different thoughts.
…
The news that the second and sixth princes were imprisoned by the emperor spread like wildfire, and more and more people began to set foot in the Eastern Palace.
Most of them are here to get information.
Anyway, the throne would definitely not be in his hands in the end. After Xiao Lingyu dealt with it a few times out of courtesy at the beginning, he disappeared all the time afterwards.
Ji You paced anxiously in his study, "Crown Prince, my Highness, this is a golden opportunity! The Second and Sixth Princes have fallen from the Emperor's favor. All Your Highness needs to do is make friends with a few more ministers, and your position as Crown Prince will be more secure. Why are you still driving them away?!"
Xiao Lingyu fiddled with the leaves of the flower, watching Ji You spinning in circles, and found it amusing: "Sir, you're worrying too much. These fence-sitters have come to me. Sir, why don't you think about whether this will stabilize my position as crown prince or shake it?"
Ji You was suddenly speechless.
After a long while, he finally sighed softly.
"I know you're worried about me, sir, but please rest assured. Shengjing City is not a turbulent place right now. The emperor knows exactly what everyone is thinking. At this moment, if I don't take action and make no mistakes, I will never lose my position as crown prince. Aren't those two people imprisoned the best example?"
Ji You looked at him quietly without saying anything.
Xiao Lingyu ignored him and continued to look at the pot of flowers intently.
After an unknown amount of time, Ji You's voice finally rang out: "Your Highness, there is no need to lie to me. I serve Your Highness because the Empress has done me a favor. I want to push Your Highness to the throne in order to repay the Empress's kindness."
Xiao Lingyu continued to pluck the leaves slowly and methodically.
"Your Highness, I will be unbridled today. Please tell me, have you ever had no desire for the throne?"
Xiao Lingyu paused.
It's a lie to say that I had no intention from the beginning.
With the Queen's constant admonitions and the deliberate inducement of those around him, and his single-minded desire to gain the Queen's approval, how could he not be interested in that position?
But when I grew up, I knew clearly what I should touch and what I shouldn't touch.
He retracted his thoughts and said in a cold voice, "Yes, I didn't mean it. I was lying to you about trying to win over Jiang Zhiyu and make new friends."
Ji You frowned slightly. After getting the answer, he did not feel enlightened. Instead, he became even more confused.
Is it reasonable for a prince of a country to have no interest in the throne?
"Your Highness..."
"I know what you want to ask," Xiao Lingyu interrupted him, "but you've lived for so long, you should know what you should and shouldn't ask. Knowing too much will not do you any good."
Ji You closed his mouth.
After being told off, Xiao Lingyu actually felt much more relaxed: "Whether to stay or go is up to you, sir. In any case, Lingyu is grateful for your companionship these days. As long as you ask for anything, Lingyu will do his best to satisfy you."
Ji You did not answer, but just looked at him silently. After a while, he walked out of the room.
He walked out, and Xiao Lingyu stopped fiddling with the flowers and plants. His eyes were empty, and no one knew what he was thinking.
…
It was already evening when Xiao Chuji and Xiao Yanli were thrown into the imperial prison.
After all, they were both princes, and the emperor hadn't issued any orders, so Xing Maozhi naturally didn't dare to neglect them.
But even if he didn't neglect it, the prison conditions were like that. He couldn't just overturn the imperial prison and build a new one because of the two of them.
He bent over flatteringly and smiled apologetically: "Second Prince, Sixth Prince, if there is any inconvenience, please tell the jailer to handle it."
Xiao Chuji and Xiao Yanli's faces were as black as the bottom of a pot.
The cell was full of weeds. There was a bed made of wooden boards in the corner, with a black object on it. A faint squeaking sound could be heard, which must be a mouse.
The air was still filled with the smell of blood after torture, which was in stark contrast to the large desk in the middle of the cell. It was equipped with all the four treasures of the study, and these new items did not seem like something that should be in this cell.
Xiao Chuji and Xiao Yanli simultaneously passed by the desk and looked at Xing Maozhi. Xiao Yanli sighed softly, "Let's put aside the other things for now. I think we should replace the bedding with new ones, right?"
"That won't do," Xing Maozhi refused with a smile. "Imperial Censor Jiang said that the two princes are here to reflect. If the layout is the same as the prince's residence, wouldn't it delay the two princes' reflection?"
Xiao Yanli: "..."
He shut up, and Xiao Chuji frowned as he looked at the desk.
"It doesn't matter if there's none. At least there should be a servant. This inkstone..."
Before Xiao Chuji could finish, Xing Maozhi interrupted him in shock, "Your Highness, this won't do. Censor Jiang said that copying Buddhist scriptures requires personal effort. If you have a servant accompanying you, your effectiveness will be greatly reduced."
Xiao Chuji: "..."
Both of them looked extremely speechless.
After hearing another squeak, Xiao Yanli couldn't help but ask, "If nothing works, at least we can catch this mouse, right? Or does that Censor Jiang not even allow us to catch mice?"
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