The third prince raised his head in disbelief: "What did my son do wrong to make my father so angry?"
The emperor's face was dark, his eyes flashed with light, and he asked coldly: "How did the things in your eldest brother's palace spread throughout the capital?"
The third prince did not pause and responded without hesitation: "I don't know anything about the affairs of the eldest brother's house."
"Whether you know or not, I believe you know best." The emperor's face became more and more cold. Looking carefully, in addition to anger, there was also a trace of undetectable disappointment in his eyes.
The respect and preference he has gained over the years is definitely not fake, but it is precisely because of this that he is even more disappointed in the third prince. This disappointment is also mixed with some regrets and anger of mistaking the wrong person. All kinds of complex emotions.
The intertwining of them made him more and more excited, and his words became particularly sharp: "Zhao Zhang, there is no airtight wall in the world. Do you really think that I can't find out anything you have done?
"
The third prince's heart trembled, knowing that he had miscalculated again this time.
I originally thought that using the offensive of rumors to destabilize the hearts of everyone in the prince's palace, it would be best to let the father see clearly the true face of the prince's weakness and incompetence. The third prince even thought about it secretly. If the father was angry and deposed the prince, he would change the situation.
And making him the prince would be the best thing...
He guessed the beginning, but not the ending.
The father is indeed very angry, but this anger is not directed at the prince, but at him!
Why did things become like this?! The third prince felt that his heart was filled with blood, not to mention feeling aggrieved. This aggrieved feeling was even worse than the last encounter in the Imperial Study Room. Part 1
Once he was caught off guard and couldn't believe it. This time it frightened him even more. Because he was indeed the initiator of these rumors, so he didn't have the courage to argue at all...
The emperor knew his son very well. Seeing his reaction like this, he felt overwhelmingly disappointed. He could hardly control the turbulent emotions in his heart: "It was you who spread the rumor that I will soon be crowned by destiny!
"
The third prince was startled and raised his head: "Father, I would never let anyone say such treacherous words! Father, please believe me!"
This accusation is much more serious than the one just now.
No matter how fierce the fight between him and the prince is, it is not too much. After all, it is a matter between brothers. But once his father is involved, it is disobedient and unfilial. What's more, there is such a punishment as "the destiny is not long"
Seriously! It would be fine if he had really done these things, but the key point is that he had never done these things at all. Hearing such accusations made me vomit blood.
When the third prince thought about it, he became more and more panicked, and he hurriedly opened his mouth to defend: "I admit that I was the one who spread the rumors in the imperial brother's house. I also secretly found someone to make up a joke and tell it in the teahouse.
However, I have never said a word about my father to anyone. Those rumors must be framed by someone secretly, that’s it! Father, you must believe me!"
After talking about it, the third prince burst into tears and broke down in sobs.
The emperor stared at the third prince for a long time, his sharp eyes seeming to see through all his disguises. Although he didn't say a word, this silence was even more chilling.
The third prince was still kneeling on the ground and crying endlessly. But his heart was cold. He knew his father too well. Such a reaction showed that he was really suspicious...
As an emperor, it is inevitable to be suspicious and jealous. Even his own son cannot be fully trusted. In the past, the emperor probably would not have taken such a thing to heart. But now, the balance in his heart has already tilted to the side of the prince.
, the third prince is no longer as pleasing to the eye as before. But he heard such heart-wrenching rumors again while he was ill. How could he not be angry?
The third prince's voice and tears were both beautiful, and in the eyes of the emperor, they were just pretentious.
The emperor finally spoke: "Zhang'er, you are already old. Now you have a family and have children. It is not suitable to live in the capital for a long time. I will issue an edict and give you some land. You go back and make preparations to go to the land!"
These words are equivalent to announcing "Don't think about the throne anymore and leave the capital obediently"!
Although the third prince had vague expectations, the moment he heard these words with his own ears, his whole body stiffened. A bone-chilling chill spread from the bottom of his heart to his fingertips, and his mind went blank.
Seeing the third prince's pale face in disbelief, the emperor was shaken for a moment.
The son in front of him has been very popular with him since he was a child. He prefers the third prince to the prince. Seeing the third prince like this, he feels bad as a father. But as the emperor, family affairs are state affairs.
Sometimes you can't do things based on your own preferences.
Behind these overwhelming rumors, perhaps it is not just the "contribution" of the third prince. But the emperor no longer wants to delve deeper. The throne can only be passed to one person. Since the prince has been chosen, he must clear the way for the prince to inherit the throne.
Obstacles. There was no need to worry before, but now he can't afford to be ill. Maybe his destiny is not long as the rumors say. It's time to think about the prince...
Therefore, the third prince had to fight!
"Father, what did I do wrong?" The third prince was so unwilling that he did not express gratitude and stubbornly knelt straight: "In terms of talent, I am much better than my mediocre imperial brother. In terms of strategy and skills,
I don’t think I lose even a single point to him. The only thing I lose to him is that I was born two years later than him. Why didn’t my father even give me a chance and just ruled me out?”
If the battle for the throne is compared to a game of flags, the capital is undoubtedly the chessboard. He and the prince each hold a piece, and they compete endlessly. Although he is defeated, he still has the strength to fight. The emperor asked him to leave the capital, which is undoubtedly a chessboard.
I am not going to give him the chance...
The emperor looked at the third prince who was full of unwillingness and anger, and said slowly: "Your fault is that you are too conceited and too bold. You are right. In terms of talent, you are indeed better than the prince. If you are cruel and ruthless,
, he is far less than you. But there is one thing about him that you will never be able to match. That is kindness!"
The third prince also risked his life: "To be an emperor, the most taboo thing is to be merciful and soft-hearted. Aren't you worried, father, that this country will fall into the hands of your brother in the future?"
There was no expression on the emperor's face, but his eyes were cold: "I just missed one sentence. You are too arrogant and have no self-awareness. You keep saying that you are much better than the prince, but in my opinion, the prince has
He knows people well and is considerate in employing them. He may not have the ambition to open up new territories, but it is enough to keep the world peaceful."
Without waiting for the third prince to retort, the emperor said calmly: "When the prince ascends the throne, I can probably tolerate you to live in a corner and become a wealthy and happy vassal king. If it were you, could you tolerate your imperial brother?"
"
...Of course he can't tolerate it! With his temperament, he would definitely rather kill by mistake than let go, and would never leave any hidden dangers.
The third prince was also proud and did not bother to lie about such a matter. He pursed his lips and said nothing.
The emperor put away all the slight fluctuations and regrets in his heart, and said calmly: "You go back first! I will issue the imperial edict in a few days."
The third prince suddenly smiled, and his smile was full of self-deprecation and bitterness: "My son, thank you father for your kindness." He knelt deeply to the end, then stood up and left. His figure was resolute, but also revealed an indescribable desolation and dejection.
But from the beginning to the end, the third prince did not look back. Naturally, he did not see the moment he left. There was a glimmer of water in the emperor's eyes.
…
Although the decree had not yet been officially issued, the news that the emperor was about to give the third prince some land and ask him to surrender spread quickly like fire, and soon spread throughout the palace and inside. It immediately caused an uproar.
The battle for the throne between the third prince and the crown prince has been going on for nearly ten years. In the past, the third prince had always had the upper hand, but the situation has reversed in the past two years. Anyone with a discerning eye can see what the Sacred Heart wants. But no one expected it.
, this day will come so quickly!
The prince's party was greatly excited, and everyone clapped their hands and cheered. The third prince's party, however, panicked and went to the third prince's mansion to find out the news. However, the third prince's mansion closed the door tightly and refused all visitors. This attitude undoubtedly confirmed that the news was true.
It's true.
Suddenly, all the officials of the Third Prince's faction were panicked.
The whole government of Zheng Guogong was also in an unprecedented dilemma.
In fact, Zheng Guogong and his son had vaguely anticipated this day, and were mentally prepared to a certain extent. But when this day actually came, they were still frightened. The father and son were speechless in the study room. They were silent for a long time before Zheng Guogong sighed.
He said: "With the departure of the third prince, the situation of the imperial concubine and the empress in the palace will only become more difficult."
Zheng Yun looked gloomy: "Not only the imperial concubine, but also our Duke Zheng's family will also have difficulties in the future."
Zheng Guogong cheered up and comforted him: "I am lucky to have escaped unscathed. The bloody battle between the crown princes has also happened in the previous dynasty. The saint is wise, the prince is kind, and the three princes are at least safe. From now on, we will be in and out of the court.
Just be cautious and low-key, that’s all.”
That's all it can do.
Zheng Yun responded, not knowing what he was thinking of, and sighed: "Jun Yan is still young, and I don't know if he can survive it..." Looking at this attitude, Zheng Junyan's official career is probably bleak and will end here.
Zheng Guogong was silent for a moment and said calmly: "You will get used to it in the future." He quickly changed the topic: "In a few days at most, the Holy Emperor will issue an order to let the third prince go. Then you and Jun Yan will see him off!"
Zheng Yun sighed and agreed.
…
After the prince heard the news, he was so excited that he could hardly contain himself. He stayed in the study all afternoon and no one was allowed to disturb him. At night, he finally couldn't help but ordered someone to prepare horses and went to the Dingguo Palace. (Unfinished)
to be continued..)
ps: I started to torture the third prince~o(n_n)o~
