Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity

Chapter 1228 - 1064: Hand Over the Jade Seal

"As long as I give the order, your blood will surely be spilled on the spot. Since you’ve taken monkhood, you shouldn’t interfere with worldly affairs. I’m giving you one more chance, will you confess?"Prince Gong lost patience, success or failure lay in today, he couldn’t help but feel nervous.

"Your Highness, Prince Gong, the palace has been secured, not a fly can escape."

Suddenly, a familiar voice rang in his ears, like a thunderclap.

Prince Jing immediately turned to look and upon seeing, he clenched his fist.

Lu Chen? It’s Lu Chen!

Prince Jing stared intently at Lu Chen, pressing his lips tightly, feeling a chill in his heart.

He should have foreseen this; in front of family and friends, anyone would know how to choose. Although he knew this day would come, he couldn’t help but feel sorrow.

The moments of interaction between the two of them from the past echoed in his mind, he gazed steadily at Lu Chen, feeling a strange ache in his heart.

"Good! I have always trusted you with tasks!" Prince Gong slightly curled his lips, turning to look at Prince Jing.

Upon realizing Prince Jing was staring at Lu Chen, a sense of satisfaction filled his heart.

"Fourth, I’ve heard you and Fourth are close friends. Unfortunately, today he has important matters to attend to, so you two won’t have time to catch up!"

Lu Chen had long sensed a burning gaze fixed on him, without looking he knew who it was. But having already made the choice, from today onwards, they would be strangers, never to return to the past.

Prince Jing’s face turned pale, his lips moved. After a while, he didn’t say anything further.

"Lu Chen, is Marquis Zhan’s Mansion opposing the Crown Prince?" The Empress, seeing Lu Chen appear here, knew this represented the stance of Marquis Zhan’s Mansion.

Zhao Xian had stayed on his estate for over two years, yet upon returning to the Capital, he was thoroughly prepared.

Those ungrateful scoundrels must have conspired in secret long ago. Sadly, the Prince’s heart was too soft, giving others an opportunity to exploit.

...

"Splash~" The Crown Prince felt as though a basin of cold water had drenched him to the core, waking him instantly.

Just awake, his mind still felt muddled. He wanted to move his numb limbs but found he couldn’t move at all.

"Cough!" Before him, darkness loomed, likely because his eyes were covered with a cloth strip.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince!"

A low voice rang out, causing the Crown Prince to focus, but he felt the voice was very unfamiliar.

"Who are you? Why have you kidnapped me?" The Crown Prince’s head throbbed, likely from the drug he was administered, its effects not fully worn off.

"Who I am is not important for Your Highness to know. I only ask, where are the Tiger Talisman and the Jade Seal?"

This person crouched down, speaking coldly in the Prince’s ear.

"If I speak, my life would be in danger, do you think I would be so foolish?" The Crown Prince chuckled coldly, his expression not showing much panic.

This person glanced at the Crown Prince, surprised by the calmness he maintained, but he was a hardy character. However, today he must obtain these two items, or else his master would blame him for incompetence.

"Even if you don’t speak, we can still find it. Speak, and sparing your life is not out of the question. It’s your best chance to save your life."

"Haha! Sparing my life? Would it not mean imprisoning me with no sunlight for the rest of my life? Such a life is worse than death. Without the Jade Seal and the Tiger Talisman, I truly wonder how you’ll ascend the throne."

The Crown Prince laughed coldly, the Tiger Talisman is a commander’s seal for moving troops, without it, no army can be mobilized.

The Jade Seal is an imperial symbol, needed for issuing decrees and edicts. Without it, sitting on the Dragon Throne is pointless.

"Do you not care at all about your life?" This person was initially angered but restrained himself.

He knew the Crown Prince wouldn’t hand over the Jade Seal and the Tiger Talisman willingly, because relinquishing them would mean his demise.

Even the promise of sparing the Prince’s life was a tactical lie. The master would not leave the Prince a way out, the previous words were just deceit.

"Handing it over still leads to death, why make it easy for you?" The Crown Prince leaned against the wall, though tied up and appearing bedraggled, he still exuded a certain dignity.

His hands quietly felt the wall behind, touching cold blue bricks, covered with dust.

This place seemed quite shabby, likely not the master’s residence, otherwise, it wouldn’t be dusty.

"Does the Crown Prince not consider the Empress and your offspring? The palace has fallen under our control, who do you expect to save you now?"

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince’s breath quickened a bit.

Waiting for some time, this person found that despite initial agitation, the Crown Prince then became unexpectedly calm.

"If I die, they too shall not survive. Whether I hand it over or not, the result is unchanged."

The Crown Prince chuckled wryly, knowing full well that handing it over meant certain doom for his family.

"Your Highness, you do have a ruthless heart, previously known for kindness and gentleness, now I see rumors aren’t entirely reliable."

The Crown Prince fell silent, after a while he spoke: "You want the Jade Seal and Tiger Talisman, yet you show no sincerity. I demand to see your master and negotiate terms directly."

This person was suspicious, wondering if the Crown Prince was plotting something.

"Can you make that decision? At this point, I must ensure the survival of my offspring, naturally, I need to negotiate with your master. Do you think I’ll just offer these items freely?"

The Crown Prince’s face turned a bit pale, he shifted slightly to ease himself.

Finally, this person decided in his heart, realizing some decisions are not his to make, it’s better to call for the master. After all, the Crown Prince is tied up and can’t stir up trouble.

"Wait here!"

...

Gu Chengyu sat in the carriage, leisurely enjoying himself. Having sat for just over two hours, he naturally wasn’t tired.

After traveling for a day, fatigue would set in.

But he was one to enjoy himself, the carriage’s interior was arranged comfortably. There was plenty of space, whether sitting or lying, it wasn’t cramped.

Just as Gu Chengyu grew tired of the scenery outside and wanted to pick up a book to pass the time, suddenly he heard hoofbeats behind.

The hoofbeats were rapid, approaching quickly, almost upon him.

"Mr. Gu, please wait!"

"Ignore it, don’t stop!" Gu Chengyu frowned slightly, certain that the call was for him.

This should be the hour for the Crown Prince’s ascension, having someone seek him suddenly was definitely not good news.

He had made up his mind to avoid the matters of the Capital, this person seeking him would surely drag him into trouble, Gu Chengyu naturally didn’t want to engage.

If only he had asked Ming Mo to hurry, getting away from this trouble would have been better.

"Mr. Gu! The Empress has commanded that Mr. Gu returns to the Capital immediately to discuss important matters!"