"Your Majesty, we failed to keep an eye on them! The Northern Di prince and the Qi princess have escaped!"
The commander of the Imperial Guards knelt on the ground to beg for forgiveness, while several coughs, sounding like gasps for breath, came from above.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"
The poison that had been inflicted on Emperor Chongde had been neutralized, but his face was still somewhat haggard. His eyes were terrifyingly gloomy, and after a long while, he said, "A bunch of good-for-nothings! Execute all the guards!"
A look of horror flashed in the commander's eyes, but he quickly lowered his head: "Yes!"
After the others left, the emperor's eyes were dark and unreadable. He suddenly spoke up: "Little Fuzi, tell me, how many people in this palace are hoping for my death?"
Eunuch Fu was startled, his face turned pale, and he knelt down hastily, his voice trembling with anxiety: "Your Majesty... what are you saying? You are the supreme ruler, who would dare to have such a treasonous thought?"
"Dare not?" Emperor Chongde sneered, his eyes filled with malice. "I doubt it! What about the third prince?"
"He's still imprisoned in the imperial prison!"
...
Chi Yan was summoned to the palace and met Emperor Chongde. He considered the purpose of the summons and respectfully bowed, saying, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."
"Rise," Emperor Chongde said, dismissing his formalities and clearing his throat. "Chi Yan, do you know why I want to see you?"
Chi Yan asked tentatively, "Does Your Majesty wish to inquire about the progress of the case?"
Emperor Chongde, devoid of emotion, merely twitched the corner of his mouth and asked, "Did the third prince make his move?"
“No, the Third Prince refused to admit it and even made a fuss about seeing His Majesty…” Chi Yan hesitated for a moment before telling the truth.
The emperor suddenly asked, "Do you think this was truly the work of the third prince?"
Chi Yan's heart skipped a beat. Judging from His Majesty's words, could it be that he had some doubts?
He hesitated for a moment, then frowned and cautiously said, "Without concrete evidence, I dare not speak rashly."
He couldn't definitively say that the Third Prince was responsible, nor was he so kind as to clear the other party's name.
Emperor Chongde remained silent for a long time, his eyes darkening: "Give me the poisoned wine."
A look of astonishment flashed across Chi Yan's eyes.
——
Yan Xingzhou had been imprisoned for two days. Instead of receiving a pardon, he received the devastating news that his mother had been banished to the Cold Palace, and his heart sank to the bottom.
He knew he was doomed this time.
Who exactly is plotting against him?
The Crown Prince?
Yan Xingzhou's face was gloomy, and he hated the other party to the core.
Footsteps approached slowly outside the cell, their rhythmic patter echoing in my heart.
Yan Xingzhou looked up and a glimpse of a scarlet hem came into view. From below, he saw Chi Yan's calm face. He stood in the light and shadow, the dim light reflecting on his profile, his expression shrouded in gloom.
Yan Xingzhou suddenly narrowed his eyes: "Chi, Yan."
Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. Who could have imagined that a spoiled brat who was once at his mercy would one day be trampled on his head?
Chi Yan slightly lowered his chin and slowly raised the corners of his lips: "Greetings, Third Prince."
Yan Xingzhou sneered coldly, "You're still putting on this act even now; you must be feeling quite smug inside, right?"
Chi Yan tilted his head slightly, his tone ambiguous: "That's a strange thing to say. I have no past grudges or recent enmities with Your Highness. Why should I be proud of Your Highness's misfortune?"
Yan Xingzhou choked, unsure how to refute.
But then Chi Yan chuckled softly, "Or is it that Your Highness has done something to wrong me, and is feeling guilty?"
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