Hearing the question from Grand Prince Gong, upon seeing his somber face as dark as ink, Prince Duan instinctively felt a sense of terror and dared not face Grand Prince Gong.
Suddenly feeling Duke Wu tug at his sleeve, Prince Duan, despite the panic in his heart, put on a composed and loyal front, "Prince Chen poisoned our father, and I wanted to ensure our father’s safety, to prevent Prince Chen’s scheme from succeeding, that’s why I commanded troops to enter the palace. I hope Imperial Uncle can understand my filial piety and my painstaking effort!"
"Prince Duan truly has commendable filial piety, with such painstaking intentions!" said Grand Prince Gong, uttering his sarcasm straightforwardly, without giving another glance to Prince Duan, he then turned to the Empress Dowager and spoke solemnly, "Mother Empress Dowager, matters concerning the royal family should be left to the Clan Leader and the elders, or determined by the Internal Affair Mansion. Since when did Prince Duan and Duke Wu decide who has been poisoned? When did this change? How could I not know about this?"
"Grand Prince Gong..." Duke Wu’s old face turned from red to purple with embarrassment, not expecting Grand Prince Gong to so blatantly disrespect him. Nevertheless, royal family affairs indeed weren’t something he, an external official, should intervene in. Though humiliated, he had no rebuttal.
With the reminder from Grand Prince Gong, the Empress Dowager immediately ordered, "Summon the Clan Leader and the elders to enter the palace at once!"
Duke Wu waved his hand and the great doors of Cining Palace shut abruptly. Slowly rising to his feet and walking a few steps towards the suddenly pale-faced Empress Dowager, Duke Wu paid his respects, "Empress Dowager, with the Emperor unconscious, Prince Duan, being cautious, has already strictly ordered no one to enter or leave the Imperial Palace. Rest assured, with Prince Duan and myself here, the Emperor’s safety is assured."
The Empress Dowager and Empress felt a mix of anger and indignation. Were Prince Duan and Duke Wu attempting a rebellion?
And Grand Prince Gong, expressionless, his gaze deep and unfathomable like the ocean, left others guessing at his thoughts.
Raising his eyebrows, Duke Wu walked to the palace gate, opened the doors and lit a signal flare to shoot up into the sky.
"You... you all..." The Empress Dowager glared at Prince Duan with fury.
Now that the mask had been torn off, Prince Duan no longer held back any concerns, "Since the Royal Grandmother and Mother are tired, they shall rest in the harem and enjoy their years. I will arrange for someone to attend to the Royal Grandmother and Mother. Guards, help the Royal Grandmother and Mother to Fengxi Palace to rest." freewebnσvel.cøm
"I would like to see who dares to lay a hand on Mother and my brother’s wife!" Grand Prince Gong swiftly stepped in front of the two women, his gaze coldly sweeping across the scene.
The palace maids and old women, who had been ordered by Prince Duan to take away the Empress Dowager and Empress, immediately knelt on the ground, their faces as white as paper and bodies shaking uncontrollably.
"Imperial Uncle, don’t think you can act recklessly just because Father has always trusted and valued you!" Seeing the undisguised contempt in Grand Prince Gong’s eyes, Prince Duan exploded with embarrassed anger, "What are you standing there for? Why are you not helping the Royal Grandmother and Mother out quickly?"
Regretfully, none of the palace maids and old women, heads bowed, heeded Prince Duan’s orders.
Concubine De was about to speak when the Empress Dowager glared at her coldly, "You’d better keep quiet. If you have something to say, you may speak when the Emperor awakes."
Prince Duan and his people were filled with an intense urgency, knowing all would be lost once the Emperor awoke. Regrettably, they were no match for Grand Prince Gong and that maid named Lv Luo. Word had it that every maid serving Princess Chen was adept with poisons, especially that wolf and python, who were glaring at them with their piercing eyes. Hence, they didn’t dare make any rash moves. What on earth was happening with his two nephews (sons)? Why had they not yet arrived?
Meanwhile, the news that Prince Chen had intended to seize the throne and had poisoned the Emperor, now captured by Prince Duan, was spreading like wildfire.
Everyone was stunned.
Yet the vast majority of the Capital’s residents steadfastly refused to believe it, flocking to the Imperial Palace, united in their cries for Prince Chen’s innocence.
To them, Prince Chen was the guardian deity of Dong Chu, and Princess Chen had just secured unmatched glory for Dong Chu. Besides, the Emperor had always cherished and esteemed Prince Chen. How could Prince Chen suddenly poison the Emperor and plot to usurp the throne? Such claims were utterly ridiculous!
Xiliang Envoy Inn.
Upon hearing the news, Princess Qiuxin instantly grabbed her sword and rushed out her room door, knocked down the guards that Qi Zonghao had sent to keep watch over her, and bolted from the inn, determined to rescue Long Xuanmo from his confinement.
Alas, the entire inn was tightly surrounded by Dong Chu’s troops. Facing Princess Qiuxin, who was insistent on saving Prince Chen, the leader, Qiu Zhujun, showed a hint of disdain and mockery in his eyes.
Prince Chen and Princess Chen were a match made in heaven, yet this Princess Xiliang was ceaselessly trying to interfere, an utterly shameless act.
Seeing Qi Zonghao arrive in haste, Qiu Zhujun straightened his attire and stepped forward, "Second Prince, spy agents have infiltrated the Capital, causing chaos. We are here on the Empress Dowager’s sacred order to ensure the safety of your country’s envoy. Until the situation is settled, I must request that the Second Prince, Princess Qiuxin, and the envoys from your country do not leave the inn. Should anything happen, it would inevitably disrupt the diplomatic relations between our two nations."
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