The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

Chapter 552: Standing in an Invincible Position

If it weren’t for the Emperor who was reviewing memorials at the desk, these two might have fought again.

The Emperor didn’t bother with them; the stack of memorials in front of him was too large, and he had to handle them one by one.

As for Prince Zhuang saying Prince Cheng entered the capital without a decree to secretly assassinate his son Huangfu Wei, this matter will be addressed when King Kang and the Capital Guard Commander arrive.

Kneeling like this and not moving might not seem tiring on the surface, but in reality, the legs can’t take it after a while. Especially since Prince Zhuang was previously injured, his broken ribs had just been set, and his leg bones were still aching.

Before long, he felt it was simply a torture.

Looking at Prince Cheng over on the other side, he was kneeling on the ground as if nothing was the matter, relaxed and leisurely, eyes slightly closed, as if deep in thought, or perhaps resting.

Prince Zhuang felt a deep sense of imbalance surge within him.

But now he could only suppress this emotion.

If he disturbed father with such a trivial matter, father would likely become irritable and develop even more dislike for him.

In father’s eyes, he is the son who made a mistake and is reflecting on it, so he’d better keep a low profile.

Thinking of this, Prince Zhuang glaringly cast a look at Prince Cheng, supporting himself on the ground with his arms, carefully relieving some pressure from his knees.

No one knew how long they had been kneeling. Prince Zhuang felt that each second was an eternity.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded outside the hall.

A little eunuch came in to report, "Emperor, King Kang and Commander Pei request an audience."

"Summon them!"

Prince Zhuang was suddenly invigorated; King Kang and Capital Guard Commander Pei Yichang had returned. They came back quite quickly.

Then again, it’s merely a village where servants labor; what’s worth seeing there?

At the time, it was just to placate Princess Consort Zhuang, lest she couldn’t bear it and fell ill.

This princess was, after all, his legitimate wife, and her family influential, which would be advantageous to him in the future.

If she were to suffer any mishap, losing this medium would greatly weaken his connection with the Duke of England Mansion, which he didn’t want to see.

So, the village was just a place he mentioned casually.

If King Kang and Capital Guard Commander could find anyone at that location, then there was truly something fishy. Thus he was nearly undefeatable and just awaited the news to return, watching how father would deal with Old Fifth.

King Kang and Pei Yichang quickly entered.

However, there was another figure before them.

A child’s figure.

Upon arriving, the child first ran forward to kneel and bow, then said crisply, "Grandson Huangfu Wei greets Grandfather. May Grandfather be well!"

Kneeling to the point of dizziness, feeling he could no longer endure, Prince Zhuang initially didn’t see Huangfu Wei and was even more bewildered upon hearing the voice.

Wei’er?

How could he be here? Wasn’t he killed by Old Fifth?

Prince Zhuang trembled and called out, "Wei’er, is that really you? You’re not dead?"

Prince Zhuang and Prince Cheng were kneeling in a nook by the wall, where the first anyone entering the hall would see was the high and elevated Emperor behind the desk.

Upon hearing the voice, Huangfu Wei paused, also surprised, "Father, you’re here too!"

He blinked a few times, thinking the father must have angered Grandfather and was punished by him.

Although only ten, he had learned court etiquette from a young age, where every word and deed were strictly regulated. Before Grandfather, he must remain composed, without any lapse in manners.

After inadvertently asking that question, he realized it was impolite toward Grandfather and quickly said, "Grandfather, Grandson interrupted unintentionally, please forgive Grandson!"

The Emperor set down the memorial, speaking gently, "Wei’er, come to Grandfather’s side."

Back when Prince Zhuang was the Crown Prince, Huangfu Wei, his legitimate son, frequently visited the Imperial Palace.

After all, he could be the third-generation Emperor in the future, so grooming him from a young age was crucial. Besides facing adults often involves some sycophancy, flattery, and manipulation, whereas a child is like an unpainted canvas, easier and more relaxing to interact with, with less need for guarding.

Huangfu Wei was delighted, immediately obeying and approaching the Emperor.

The Emperor looked at this grandson who raised his head and offered a naive smile, feeling slightly better himself, smiling warmly and saying, "Wei’er, tell Grandfather where you’ve been these days?"

Huangfu Wei replied, "To Grandfather, father said since Grandson is a descendant of the Imperial Family, he shouldn’t be a flower sheltered in a greenhouse and sent Grandson to the village to hone his skills!"

Prince Zhuang, upon hearing this, was utterly confused; when did he send Huangfu Wei to the village?

Even if there was to be training, it should be at twelve. What could such a young child hone? Furthermore, the village was merely for ordinary planting, and he had a private militia there, so if there was any honing, he’d send Huangfu Wei to that village.

After listening to Huangfu Wei’s words, the Emperor glanced at Prince Zhuang; earlier, Princess Consort Zhuang mentioned Huangfu Wei was at the village.

Prince Zhuang said it was merely a place mentioned to ease her shock.

Now, with Huangfu Wei directly brought back from the village, and even alleging it himself, it was evident Prince Zhuang had been lying beforehand.

The Emperor continued conversing with Huangfu Wei; despite his mere ten years, he was exceptionally bright, knowing how to speak favorably of Prince Zhuang, and everything seemed so natural, pleasing the Emperor greatly.

After all, he was a descendant of the Imperial Family, with these traits inherent.

Grandfather and grandson conversed for a good while; the longer Prince Zhuang listened, the more despair he felt. He couldn’t fathom what was happening, his village truly had Huangfu Wei there, which meant all he said to father before was a lie?

However, he spoke the truth, the absolute truth!

Yet who would believe him now?

His son hadn’t died, of course he was delighted, but facing the current situation, he had no idea how to handle it. With Huangfu Wei speaking happily with the Emperor, cold sweat kept pouring from his forehead, uneven fear surging through him, gradually blurring his vision.

Why had it turned out like this? Who was plotting against him? Was it Old Fifth? It had to be Old Fifth!

Frightening him in the Crown Prince Mansion, capturing Huangfu Wei and deliberately sending him to the village, it had to be so!

The conversation between grandfather and grandson came to an end, the Emperor kindly said to Huangfu Wei, "Wei’er, return to the mansion first, your mother misses you!"

Huangfu Wei blinked his big eyes, looking at Prince Zhuang who was still kneeling, and said crisp and clear, "Grandfather, can Grandson wait for father to return to the mansion together?"

The Emperor said quietly, "You can go back first; Grandfather has matters with your father, so he can’t leave for now!"

Huangfu Wei’s eyes flickered rapidly, detecting a slight displeasure in the Emperor’s tone, immediately showing a naive smile and nodding, appearing obedient, "Grandson understands, Grandfather, Grandson takes leave!"

Catching the Emperor’s look, Eunuch Feng promptly said, "The servant will arrange a carriage to send the Ninth Young Master out of the palace!"