Even the crown prince couldn't help but frown at the emperor's actions.
"It seems that bringing down the eldest prince is no easy task," Qiao Lian'er said.
Pei Shijiu continued from within the space: "It's not just the eldest prince; those princes who are not favored are also the emperor's own flesh and blood. In cases like this, which are clearly framed, the emperor will protect them no matter what."
Qiao Lian'er fell silent.
She said quietly, "There's plenty of time in the future."
The crown prince slightly turned his head, and immediately a follower behind him knelt on one knee before the emperor.
"Is there anything else?"
The emperor's single word "return" made the crown prince's brow twitch, and he detected a hint of impatience in the sound.
He originally wanted his subordinates to explain that the people the eldest prince brought today had done something dishonest. If the emperor had a problem with the eldest prince, this could help to fuel the fire. However, if he was biased towards the eldest prince and was framed, it would be pointless and might even make the emperor think that he was deliberately making things difficult for the eldest prince.
He then waved for his men to leave and said, "Today, a letter was found in the Qiao family's incense burner, which caused some commotion and almost led to misunderstandings about the Qiao family. However, after opening the contents, it was confirmed that it was a letter of congratulations from Princess Feiluan, written by her own hand, wishing the Emperor good health."
The emperor's expression softened, and he said with a mix of sincerity and sarcasm, "Lian'er is still the best. She doesn't bother me. Even when she blesses me, she keeps it to herself and doesn't say it out loud. That's true sincerity. On the contrary, all of you princes and princesses always annoy me."
The crown prince had no choice but to kneel down and repent.
"Alright, you've had a hard day too. In the future, there's no need to make such a fuss over these baseless rumors." With that, the emperor glared at the eldest prince again.
The eldest prince didn't even dare to raise his head.
“Stained items were found in your room. Although it was a frame-up by the servants, you are also guilty of negligence. You are hereby confined for three months and fined one year’s salary.”
The emperor rubbed his temples, lifted his foot, and walked away, exuding an air of irritation.
The crown prince watched the emperor leave, showing no sign of frustration. Soon his father would understand that there might be something hidden behind his words.
The Emperor guessed that the straw doll found in the eldest prince's room might have been his doing, but what if the eldest prince had struck first, trying to harm the Qiao family?
The eldest prince slowly got up from the ground, his face already showing a smug expression.
"Second brother, you're being far too naive to think you can trip me up this time. You've seen Father's attitude. If you weren't born to the Empress, you wouldn't even have the right to live in the Eastern Palace."
As he spoke, the eldest prince patted the crown prince on the shoulder: "The truth is hard to hear, but it is the truth."
The crown prince smiled faintly, reached out and brushed his shoulder, silently expressing his displeasure.
"Your Highness has misunderstood. You are the one who mismanaged your servants and now you want to blame it on me? Why bring up the position of the Crown Prince? Heaven decides who will sit in that position. If it is not your destiny, do not force it. Thinking too much will only strain your mind and will not be good for your health."
Seeing that he kept going around in circles and refused to admit it, the eldest prince scoffed: "The road ahead is long, and it's hard to say who will be who. The crown prince had better hold on tight, lest one day your words become a joke."
"Then I will take your kind words, my elder brother. I will do my best in this position and will not disappoint Father."
After a silent battle between the two, the eldest prince entered the palace, while the crown prince left with the imperial guards.
The emperor leaned back on the soft couch in his bedchamber, his fingers supporting his brow. He felt that something was amiss, and after careful consideration, he realized what it was.
Why did Lian'er write a letter and put it in the incense burner?
While wishing you peace and well-being is a commendable sentiment, since it's not meant to be shown publicly, it's best to keep it in your heart. Why go through all this trouble and make things complicated?
While it's somewhat justifiable, after all, it's an ancestral shrine, and the emperor is said to live as long as heaven and earth, so placing it in that position does show a degree of sincerity.
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