The fact that the respectable King has remained in the capital for so many years shows that he is definitely not an impulsive person.
Therefore, when he saw people from the Princess's residence, he just laughed it off and didn't take any responsibility.
In the end, it was another prince who took on the responsibility.
But he was too far away; he was no longer the late emperor's brother, but rather his cousin.
Now that things have come to this, does Shu Chengfeng still care about saving face?
Naturally, they wouldn't be invited into the palace.
On this very day, Shu Chengfeng made another significant step forward.
At the palace gate, several princes shouted and several princesses wept.
The garrison remained unmoved. One prince tentatively ordered his servants to charge, but the garrison immediately wounded three of them.
When Shu Chengfeng arrived, the Prince of Qi was extremely angry: "What is Your Highness doing? Are you trying to imprison His Majesty?"
"Your Highness is overthinking it. For the past two months, the morning court sessions have continued as usual, and civil and military officials have been able to enter the palace. It's just that His Majesty is unwell and needs to rest. It's not possible to see His Majesty for the time being. Besides, His Majesty's illness is quite unusual, and the Empress and I are investigating it. What are you planning to do?"
Shu Chengfeng was too lazy to even dismount his horse.
Anyway, besides our own people, it's just this group of relatives here.
“Your Highness, no matter what, aren’t you being a bit heartless these days? Aren’t you afraid that people will say you’re using ugly methods?” Another prince spoke much more tactfully.
"As I said, His Majesty is seriously ill and cannot withstand any disturbance. The same applies to all the elders present. If any of you were to threaten my father's health, I would not fear the condemnation of a thousand people."
None of the truly respectable elders came.
He showed no fear whatsoever.
In the past six months alone, hasn't the Royal Family lost enough face?
What's wrong with having one more?
If he had any sense of shame, he wouldn't be able to stay in this position.
Seeing the gleaming swords of the garrison behind him, even the King of Qi dared not test them.
In the end, they could only return home unwillingly.
On that very day, the residences of these clansmen who had led the disturbance were all surrounded by the garrison.
You can come and go, but you're not free.
The atmosphere of impending doom is growing stronger.
Shu Chengfeng entered the palace and went to the Beichen Hall.
Shu Zhongjing's health is deteriorating, and in just six months, he looks like he has aged more than ten years.
I was surprised to see that his hair had turned white.
If Yan Nangui were to meet him, she would be surprised, since the first time she saw him, she thought he was a very handsome middle-aged man.
Shu Zhongjing's lower limbs are becoming increasingly weak, his vision is blurry, and his breathing is rapid.
He was in so much pain, yet he still couldn't fall asleep.
Apart from Eunuch Xiang, practically no one dared to approach the entire Beichen Palace.
When Shu Chengfeng arrived, Consort Wan was attending to him while he was ill.
Upon seeing the Crown Prince, he rose, curtsied, and withdrew without saying a word.
Shu Chengfeng walked to the bedside: "Father."
"It's you." Shu Zhongjing turned his head, unable to see clearly, but still managed to make out his features.
"The Crown Prince is currently enjoying immense prestige; what brings him to see me?"
"Father's words make me ashamed. Father is seriously ill, and I must naturally take responsibility." Shu Chengfeng looked at him calmly.
"Responsibility? Serious illness? I am so seriously ill, do you dare say it wasn't your doing?" Shu Zhongjing became agitated and started breathing heavily.
"Father, please calm your anger. Your son did nothing wrong." Shu Chengfeng was already certain that it was Empress Dowager Jiang who did it.
The chess pieces that Empress Jiang buried here have also been removed.
But His Majesty's health is beyond repair.
At least, without several years of recuperation, it won't even be halfway recovered.
The imperial physicians and doctors all knew this.
"What exactly do you want to do?" Shu Zhongjing asked.
"Father, you worry too much. Your Majesty is seriously ill, and I must do my duty. Otherwise, what will happen to the war at the front? What will happen to the court? I am the Crown Prince, personally appointed by Your Majesty. The rightful heir apparent. What would I want?" Shu Chengfeng's words implied that in the end, everything would be his.
"Heh, perfectly justified?" Shu Zhongjing sneered, "If it weren't for... you should know that I've never liked you! You're an ingrate, an ungrateful ingrate! Do you have any fatherly affection for me?"
"Then Father... does your elder brother have any fatherly affection for you? Or rather, do you still remember him? The eldest prince of the Dayan Dynasty, Shu Changfeng. Do you still remember him?" Shu Chengfeng asked calmly, looking at the person on the bed.
Shu Zhongjing paused for a moment, then sneered, "He's just like you! Just like your mother! Just like the Ye family—I dislike him just the same way!"
“Yes. If it weren’t for the Ye family, how could Father have ruled the world? Father naturally doesn’t like the Ye family. He saw you in your destitution and helped you along the way. Once you’ve risen to power, they shouldn’t exist anymore. Isn’t that right?” Shu Chengfeng smiled. “Father may look down on me, but I don’t really care. What kind of kinship is there between royal fathers and sons?”
"But Father Emperor shows no fatherly affection whatsoever towards my elder brother. Before you ascended the throne, he was your only son. You kissed and hugged him, yet you showed no concern whatsoever."
Shu Zhongjing couldn't help but think of his eldest son.
Actually, he didn't hate him.
He... he only cares about the throne.
I didn't intend for him to die back then; he was just too fragile.
"Father remembered? Eldest brother is not good either. Very bad. As the eldest son, he is too gentle and kind. He has not inherited Father's ruthlessness at all." Shu Chengfeng said calmly.
"You are soft-hearted and kind-hearted, and you can't bear the slightest setback. Unlike your son, I have never had any expectations of you, so I am naturally able to live a long life."
"Ha! He's not like you! You're vicious, just like your mother and the Ye family!" Shu Zhongjing gasped.
"No, Father, you're wrong again. I've followed your example. But I'm better than you. I'm still not ruthless enough." Shu Chengfeng sneered, "But I won't be like that again. I won't be soft-hearted anymore."
"Of course you won't be soft-hearted. You have to protect the Ye family, and you have to protect those who don't respect me." Shu Zhongjing patted the edge of the bed.
"No." Shu Chengfeng sighed, "Your subject is unwilling to endure it any longer. Your subject no longer wants to watch Father Emperor foolishly perform a hypocritical act of father-son affection."
"You...you...you wretched creature! Guards, guards, seize this wretched creature! I want to depose him!" Shu Zhongjing roared.
He helped his father-in-law up, but dared not utter a single word.
He was sweating profusely from listening to this for half a day.
The Crown Prince has indeed hardened his heart.
"Send someone? No one can. Shangguan Ba is, after all, an official of the imperial court. I am now acting as regent, and he dares not disobey my orders. As for Yu Qihao and Du Tao, they have too few men, too few assassins. It would be easy to wipe them out."
"Your Majesty is seriously ill, and none of the ministers disobey me."
“You…you unfilial son, even so, I will summon the ministers, and you cannot stop me!” Shu Zhongjing said.
"Of course I can't stop you, but only if you're willing to obey. But I don't want to obey anymore." Shu Chengfeng smiled and said, "Father, I dare not kill my father. Please take care of yourself. As long as you are alive, I will only be the Crown Prince."
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