Xue Heng looked up and saw the new white hairs at his temples, and couldn't help but purse his lips.
However, his estrangement from Emperor Cheng'an was not formed overnight. Even if Emperor Cheng'an wanted to get closer, the father-son relationship could not be close immediately. The two looked at each other and fell silent.
Finally, Emperor Cheng'an broke the silence first, saying, "One of the assassins who tried to kill you has been captured. Have your men told you about it?"
Xue Heng nodded. As the crown prince, he had countless matters to deal with each time. As soon as he woke up, his confidant had already briefly told him about the recent events.
Therefore, he also knew that the assassin had identified Prince Chen.
Emperor Cheng'an sighed slightly, waved to dismiss the others, and then sincerely reiterated his and Prince Chen's analysis to him.
He carefully observed the Crown Prince's expression and said slowly, "I have four children, and you and Prince Chen are the ones I care about most. There are still many doubts in this matter, and I don't want to harm any of my children, so I dealt with them leniently. Do you understand my good intentions?"
The father and son had not spoken so openly for a long time. After a moment of thought, Xue Heng stopped talking to him with the usual platitudes and said directly, "Actually, I also think there are still many doubts about this matter, and it may not be the work of Prince Chen."
But as Emperor Cheng'an said, since the assassin has confessed and there is no other evidence to prove Prince Chen's innocence, this matter must be resolved.
This response was actually beyond Xue Heng's expectations.
Given the previous suppression he suffered at the hands of his father, the Emperor should not have treated Prince Chen so harshly this time.
"It's good that you understand my good intentions."
Emperor Cheng'an seemed to see through his thoughts, patted his shoulder again, and said in a more serious tone, "I am getting old, and I am increasingly unable to do many things. The future of the Great Wei will depend on you."
Although it was just a casual remark, it felt like a promise.
Xue Heng suddenly looked up at him, but Emperor Cheng'an said nothing more, only instructing him to take good care of his injuries before turning and leaving.
After leaving the Crown Prince's palace, Emperor Cheng'an sighed and said, "The Prince of Chen's temperament is far inferior to that of the Crown Prince."
Although King Chen tried his best to endure it that day, he still saw the resentment and hatred in the other party's eyes.
This further solidified his resolve to support the crown prince.
Qi Zhong, who served the Empress Dowager, dared not respond to such a statement casually, and could only echo, "The Crown Prince has always been pure, honest and kind."
Emperor Cheng'an agreed with him and nodded with a hint of relief: "I used to dislike the Crown Prince's overly straightforward nature, but now I think it's not so bad. With such a personality, I won't have to worry about the Empress, Prince Chen, and Xuan Ci when he inherits the throne. I don't think the Crown Prince will be in too much trouble."
Qi Zhong did not respond.
Instead, Emperor Cheng'an said, "Remember this for me: after we return to the palace, send Princess Chen a lot of rewards. Also, draft an edict to grant Zhou Qing the title of Marquis and transfer him to the Ministry of War. As for the position of Commander of the Palace Guard... let Wu Herong take his place."
Qi Zhong was secretly surprised.
He thought to himself that the emperor had finally made up his mind and was no longer going to support the struggle between Prince Chen and the Crown Prince.
Zhou Qing was Prince Chen's maternal uncle, and as the commander of the Imperial Guards, he held real military power and was a confidant of the emperor. Now, though he had been granted a marquisate and transferred to the Ministry of War, it sounded like a promotion, but in reality, he had been removed from the center of power—a demotion in disguise.
Although the person who succeeded as the commander of the Palace Guard was not one of the Crown Prince's men, it was clear to everyone that the Emperor was paving the way for the Crown Prince.
Qi Zhong's heart skipped a beat, knowing that there would likely be major changes after he returned to the capital.
*
After staying at the Xishan Palace for another four or five days, and once the Crown Prince's injuries had completely stabilized, Emperor Cheng'an ordered a return to Tokyo.
After that, one imperial edict after another was issued.
When Prince Chen heard the news, his face turned ashen, and he went to the palace that very night to see the Empress.
"What does Father mean by this?" He tried his best to suppress his anger and the panic in his heart: "Didn't Mother always say that Father dislikes the Crown Prince?"
Zhou Jihou couldn't understand it either.
Knowing that the emperor wanted to try something new during the autumn hunt, she wisely refrained from acting impulsively and instead arranged for two beauties to serve her.
But unexpectedly, in less than a few days, such a huge change occurred.
She had already heard about the matter at the Western Hills Palace from her confidants. She gripped her nail guards and said, "I misjudged him. His Majesty's relationship with the Crown Prince... is ultimately different."
After all, he was the only child personally raised by the emperor.
Prince Chen, however, did not want to hear any of this. He suppressed his anger and said, "This cannot go on any longer. As long as the Crown Prince is not eliminated, I am afraid that Father will no longer have me as his son!" A fierce glint flashed in his eyes as he said, "The Crown Prince must die."
After a moment of silence, Zhou Jihou said, "Don't be impatient. Now is not the right time to make a move."
Prince Chen nodded perfunctorily: "I know."
He certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to harm the Crown Prince, but isn't there the Crown Princess who constantly tugs at the Crown Prince's heartstrings? If something happens to the Crown Princess, given how much the Crown Prince values her, he will most likely lose his composure.
That was his chance.
Prince Chen did not stay in Ciyuan Hall for long before returning to his residence.
When I arrived at the study, I saw Shen Muyu carrying a bowl of soup as she slowly walked over.
Chen Wang paused, narrowed his eyes, and stared at her, as if pondering where to bite off the prey's neck.
Shen Muyu was completely unaware.
She did not accompany the autumn hunt this time. Due to the deliberate suppression by Princess Chen and Zhou Zhenrong, she had few people at her disposal and was not well informed. She was unaware that Prince Chen had suffered a great loss and was burning with anger, eager to vent his frustration.
She approached, but before she could speak, Prince Chen carried her into the study.
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