"Enough! Crown Prince Yan Huai has shown disrespect to His Majesty. By imperial decree, he shall be confined to his residence from this day forward and shall not leave without my permission!"
"..."
Yan Huai suddenly looked up at the person behind the screen, as if trying to see him clearly. Perhaps because he hadn't responded for a while, the emperor's tone was unfriendly: "What, does the Crown Prince intend to disobey the imperial decree?"
Eunuch Fu looked anxious, cold sweat beading on his forehead, and whispered a reminder: "Your Highness, please accept the imperial decree quickly!"
Lowering his gaze, Yan Huai cupped his hands in a respectful bow: "Your subject obeys the decree."
After the Crown Prince left, Emperor Chongde glanced to his side with a grim expression, his eyes filled with dark anger: "Are you satisfied now?"
He looked very weak, almost entirely leaning against the chair for support, and his face was unnaturally pale.
Yan Xingzhou slowly withdrew the dagger he had been holding behind his back, and slowly curled the corners of his lips: "Father, please don't blame your son. If my elder brother finds out that something is wrong, he will probably have to come in and keep you company."
The palace servants seemed oblivious to this scene, their eyes closed and their minds elsewhere.
His chest heaved violently twice. Emperor Chongde's gaze was almost tangible, as if he wanted to pierce two holes in his face. He gritted his teeth and forced out a few words:
"You unfilial son! Aren't you afraid of retribution?"
Yan Xingzhou's face turned cold, and impatience showed in his eyes. He leaned on the chair and stared at him coldly: "Isn't it all because Father Emperor forced me to do this? If Father Emperor hadn't repeatedly brushed me off, why would I have resorted to such a desperate measure?"
Emperor Chongde's expression froze, his face turning pale and then flushed, and he simply closed his eyes to avoid looking at him.
He was drugged, feeling weak and listless. Everyone in the palace had been replaced, including people placed there by this rebellious son in the Imperial Guard.
If Yan Xingzhou hadn't been somewhat cautious, this position would probably have already been given to someone else.
Yan Xingzhou straightened up again, a hint of mockery in his eyes, and slowly wiped his hands: "His Majesty is tired. Someone, help him to rest."
...
On his way out of the palace, Yan Huai was rushed up by a young palace maid. The maid lowered her head in a panic and said, "Your Highness, spare my life!"
The guard frowned and questioned, "Which palace are you from? How can you be so reckless!"
Yan Huai's gaze lingered on the palace maid for a moment, then he raised his lips and gently stopped her from pursuing the matter: "It's alright, just be more careful next time."
The guard breathed a sigh of relief, then gave her a cold, warning glare: "You're lucky this time. His Highness the Crown Prince isn't holding it against you. Hurry up and thank him!"
"Thank you, Your Highness!" The palace maid's voice was tinged with nervousness and unease, as if she had been granted a pardon, and she kept her head bowed.
Yan Huai hummed in response, calmly withdrawing his gaze. The two brushed past each other, and the palace maid hurriedly walked away with her head down.
After walking a distance, she raised her head, revealing a pair of clear and bright eyes. It was Shen Tangning, dressed as a palace maid.
She pursed her lips, staring in the direction Yan Huai had left, her worry barely concealed.
I wonder if my cousin recognized her just now?
She couldn't leave the palace right now, but upon hearing that the Crown Prince had entered, she rushed over, not knowing if she would have another chance if she missed this one.
Yan Huai paused, then suddenly remembered something: "I heard that Kunning Palace caught fire last night. I'd like to go see my mother."
"Your Highness, rest assured. Fires are inevitable in dry weather, but they were extinguished last night, and Her Majesty the Empress was unharmed." The guard paused, seemingly offering a well-intentioned reminder, "Given the current situation, Your Highness would be best advised not to linger in the palace, lest you displease His Majesty."
Yan Huai tilted his head and pondered for a moment, then readily agreed: "Okay."
After leaving the palace, Yan Huai got into the carriage. Only then did he take out the crumpled piece of paper from his pocket, smooth it out carefully, and look at it intently for a few moments before his face darkened.
Shen Tangning's handwriting was somewhat hurried and messy, revealing her haste in writing. She briefly described what had happened the previous night, and then finally put down her pen—
The palace is in danger!
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