Chapter 315 Do you believe it?
"Do you still remember when we stormed the capital six years ago and captured the rebellious Prince Chen, Prince Kang, Prince Yi, and others?"
The emperor asked.
Shen Cong thought for a moment and nodded.
Six years ago, he was only six years old, but he remembered many things.
He remembered that his elder brother and sister-in-law had led him and his mother on a long and arduous journey, during which they finally returned to the capital with the help of the Duke of Zhenguo.
They captured all the princes who occupied the capital, including Prince Chen, Prince Kang, Prince Yi, Prince Xiang, and Prince Jin.
“I remember that my brother did not order them to be killed, but instead ordered them all to be imprisoned. However, not long after, the other four died, and Prince Chen escaped.”
The emperor nodded.
"That's right, Prince Chen said that I killed them with a cup of poisoned wine, which is all nonsense."
They were guilty of treason, and I ordered them to be given poisoned wine. However, by the time the poisoned wine was delivered to the imperial prison, they were already dead.
It was Prince Chen who used witchcraft to make the four of them kill each other, and also bewitched the guards of the Heavenly Prison, thus escaping from the prison.
I received the news and personally led men to pursue him, but who knew that Prince Chen would set his sights on you and me.
He somehow managed to cast a spell on both of us.
Shen Cong's expression changed drastically.
"My imperial brother has also been poisoned?"
The emperor nodded with a wry smile, rolled up his sleeve, and revealed his left arm.
On his left arm, near the crook of his arm, there was a bluish-black dot, about the size of a thumbnail.
Something could be vaguely seen throbbing outwards from a distance, like an insect.
"This is... a Gu worm?"
The emperor nodded.
“That’s right. Prince Chen cast a blood curse on you and poisoned me with Gu worms. He threatened the lives of my brother and me, so I had no choice but to let him go.”
When you were young, I kept the matter of the blood curse a secret from you so that you would not be afraid.
Over the years, I have been secretly sending people to search for a way to remove the curse, but I have never been able to find a solution.
Now that we've captured Prince Chen, rest assured, I will definitely find out how to break the blood curse.
The emperor pursed his lips, reached out and touched Chen Cong's head, his voice firm.
"Don't worry, with your brother here, nothing will happen to you."
Shen Cong stared intently at the emperor and smiled slightly.
"Yes, I believe in my elder brother."
The emperor smiled and said, "Would you like to rest a little longer? Or if you're hungry, I'll have the imperial kitchen send over some of your favorite dishes."
Shen Cong shook his head.
"I'm not hungry. Your Majesty wishes to leave the palace. Last night, the Imperial Guards arrested many of Prince Chen's accomplices. Your Majesty thinks..."
The emperor frowned and interrupted him.
"Your health is the most important thing. I have already ordered the Imperial City Guard to take over the interrogation of the traitors, Prince Chen. You can rest assured and take care of your health."
"Until you recover, I forbid you from serving in the government."
Unable to dissuade the emperor, Shen Cong had no choice but to abandon his plan to leave the palace.
Then he asked about Shen Xu.
"How is Changsheng? Was he frightened? How could he have been suddenly kidnapped by Prince Chen's men?"
The emperor's expression darkened slightly.
"I never expected that there were people from Prince Chen in the palace. They tricked Changsheng into leaving the palace to see the lanterns and took the opportunity to kidnap him."
"Fortunately, we rescued him in time. He was not injured and is now in the Queen's palace."
Ninghui Palace.
Empress Xue watched as Shen Xu drank the calming soup and wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes with a handkerchief, still feeling lingering fear.
"You really scared your mother this time. If you want to go out of the palace to see the lanterns, you can tell your mother. Your mother will send more people to protect you."
You ran off without a word with a few young eunuchs; if something were to happen, it would be the death of the Empress Dowager.
As Empress Xue spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.
"Fortunately, Zhao Wanqing saw you being arrested and sent people to follow you while also having Lord Zhao find the Imperial Guards nearby."
Otherwise, who knows what the thief might do to you...
Shen Xu's face turned bright red.
Having lived in the palace for a month, he had become completely accustomed to a life of luxury. This time, he was tricked by a young eunuch into trying out an incognito trip, only to be arrested.
"Mother, don't cry, I'm fine."
"I was arrested by the rebels because I don't know martial arts. Mother, I want to learn martial arts. Can you ask Father to arrange some martial arts teachers for me?"
Empress Xue frowned and subconsciously retorted.
"Your father prefers children who are good at studying. As the legitimate prince, you will naturally have guards to protect you. You only need to study the way of governing the country."
"Mother, you didn't see it. Last night, Ninth Uncle was vomiting blood, but he still commanded the Imperial Guards to save me."
But I want to learn martial arts. I don't want to rely on others to save me when something happens. I also want to be as powerful as Uncle Nine.
"Mother..."
Empress Xue had no choice but to nod.
"Alright, alright, let me talk to your father first. Let's make it clear that learning martial arts is fine, but it can't interfere with your studies."
When the topic of reading came up, Shen Xu's eyes darted around.
"Mother, I heard that Ninth Uncle has found a house outside, and Zhao Ning and Zhao Kang will be going there to study in the spring."
"Mother, I also want to go to school with them."
Empress Xue disagreed.
“That’s where the princesses study. You’re a prince, you should be learning how to govern a country. What are you doing hanging out with them?”
If you behave, we'll have Grand Secretary Wu from the Hanlin Academy personally instruct you.
Shen Xu looked unhappy.
"It's so boring for me to study alone."
"How can it be just one person? Didn't your father choose two companions for you? Your cousin Xue Song from your maternal uncle's family, and the eldest son of the Marquis of Changping's family."
With them keeping you company while you study, you won't feel bored.
Despite Shen Xu's repeated pleas, Empress Xue refused to agree.
Chen Xu, in a huff, turned around and lay down with a stern face.
Empress Xue couldn't bear to see her son, whom she had finally found, unhappy, so she had no choice but to back down.
"Why don't I wait until I ask your father what he thinks?"
"real?"
Shen Xu sat up abruptly with joy, "I knew Mother loved me the most."
"You!" Empress Xue had no choice but to say, "Let's make this clear first, if your father doesn't agree, there's nothing I can do."
Shen Xu's eyes darted around, and he thought to himself that he must find a way to get his father's approval.
Although the palace was nice in every way, after staying there for more than a month, I found myself wandering around the same places over and over again.
It's more interesting to go outside the palace.
Moreover, I heard that Li Nanke was also a princess's companion. He tricked her last time, and she still wants to find a way to retaliate.
Shen Xu harbored his own little thoughts.
On the other hand, Shen Cong stayed in the palace for a day before leaving the palace and returning to the Xuan Prince's residence the next day.
As soon as he returned to the Prince's residence, Erfeng came to report.
"Your Highness, Miss Ke'er has arrived."
She added, "Yesterday, Miss Ke'er sent Master Nangong to ask if the Prince was feeling better. It seems Miss Ke'er is quite worried about the Prince."
Shen Cong's lips curled up slightly.
At least the little girl has some conscience.
"Let her in."
As soon as he finished speaking, Li Nanke came running in.
Before the person even entered the room, their voice drifted in first.
"Ninth Brother, how are you? Are you feeling any better?"
The little girl rushed into the room like a gust of wind, her clear, grape-like eyes scanning up and down Chen Cong, who was sitting cross-legged.
Today she wore a scarlet short jacket with a green skirt, her hair styled in two buns, and tied with the delicate butterfly ball hairband that Shen Cong had given her.
Shen Cong's gaze swept over the drooping exquisite ball, he hummed in agreement, and gestured with his chin to the person opposite him, indicating that she should sit down.
Li Nanke rested his arm on the small table and asked impatiently, "Do you believe what Prince Chen said that night?"
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