Chapter 34: Conspiracy
The Crown Prince responded in a deep voice: “Father Emperor is the Great Jing Son of Heaven. He has not appeared for a long time, and the people’s hearts are easily unsettled. Appearing today can quickly stabilize the hearts of the Imperial Court.”
“I had no choice but to do it.”
Prince Wei snorted coldly, ignoring the Crown Prince’s sanctimonious words, and called over two tall and strong guards to help the dizzy Emperor Xiaowen back to the Dragon Couch.
Emperor Xiaowen had been in a coma for several days and had just woken up that morning. Wearing the Dragon Robe and sitting on the Dragon Throne to say a few words had exhausted his vital energy.
Lying back down on the Dragon Couch, Emperor Xiaowen fell into a coma again.
Empress Liu and Prince Wei, the mother and son, were as anxious as ants on a hot pan.
In comparison, the Crown Prince was much calmer.
Empress Liu’s current status entirely depended on Emperor Xiaowen’s favor. The young Prince Wei’s current glory was also due to Emperor Xiaowen’s bias. If something happened to Emperor Xiaowen, this mother and son would lose their greatest supporter and immediately fall into an awkward situation.
As for the Crown Prince, he secretly hoped that Emperor Xiaowen would just pass away like this. As the Crown Prince, he could then inherit the Imperial Throne.
His Highness Prince Wei, who was always arrogant and domineering, experienced for the first time in his life the immense power of the four words “rightful and proper.”
With Emperor Xiaowen in a coma and unresponsive, the Crown Prince naturally took full control. The Imperial Harem, which Empress Liu had painstakingly managed for over ten years, now had everyone revering the Crown Prince. There was only one reason: if Emperor Xiaowen did not pull through, the Crown Prince would inherit the Imperial Throne and become the new Great Jing Son of Heaven.
His mother could not be relied on, and it turned out his father could not protect him forever either.
He had to bring down the Crown Prince and seize the position of Crown Prince. Otherwise, after his father passed away, the Crown Prince would surely strike against him.
Just as Prince Wei was racking his brains and itching to act, His Highness the Crown Prince made the first move.
His Highness the Crown Prince ordered all the Daoists to be thrown into the Heavenly Prison and interrogated under severe torture. Some Daoist could not withstand the torture and testified that Daoist Master Tianji had added a potent medicine to the Dragon Tiger Pill, intending to assassinate the Son of Heaven.
Another Daoist exposed that Daoist Master Tianji had close dealings with Prince Wei and had done this under Prince Wei’s instructions.
When Prince Wei learned of this, the Crown Prince had already summoned more than twenty high-ranking officials and had them pass around several pieces of testimony one by one.
Prince Wei flew into a rage and directly charged into the Golden Palace.
Inside the Golden Palace, the atmosphere was solemn, with all officials divided into civil and military ranks, each with a grave expression. His Highness the Crown Prince was saying something, but Prince Wei did not listen at all. He kicked over a wooden chair with a bang: “This king has pure filial piety toward Father Emperor. How could I collude with Daoist Master Tianji!”
“Which treacherous villain is secretly plotting against this king! Come out right now! This king will have him cut into a thousand pieces immediately!”
While shouting in anger, he glared fixedly at the Crown Prince. The implication was clear to those who understood.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he said this, even his father-in-law Situ Xi frowned and said gravely: “Your Highness Prince Wei, please watch your words! His Highness the Crown Prince was just speaking for you, saying that Your Highness has pure filial loyalty toward His Majesty and would absolutely not do anything harmful to His Majesty. He told us officials not to misunderstand Your Highness.”
Prince Wei: “…”
These words were like a basin of cold water poured over him. Prince Wei felt a chill down his back, and three words flashed through his mind.
He had fallen into the trap!
The Crown Prince’s lips curved imperceptibly.
Chancellor Qi, who had always supported the Eastern Palace, stepped forward and said unhurriedly: “Your Highness Prince Wei has arrived just in time. Since this major case of plotting to assassinate the Son of Heaven involves Your Highness, please prove your innocence.”
The civil officials all chimed in: “Chancellor is right.”
“Does Your Highness Prince Wei have any collusion with the rebel Daoist Master Tianji or not? Please make it clear.”
“No.” The Crown Prince displayed the demeanor of an elder brother, not only not minding Prince Wei’s earlier verbal offense but even speaking up for him: “I know Fifth Brother’s character best. He would absolutely not do such a thing.”
“It must be these Daoists randomly accusing and slandering to drive a wedge between imperial brothers. If I really developed a grudge against Fifth Brother over this, it would fulfill the petty villains’ intentions.”
“Moreover, Father Emperor’s Dragon Body is not seriously ill. He is resting quietly on the couch, and Fifth Brother is indispensable by his side every day.”
Prince Wei, who had a hundred mouths but could not defend himself, looked ugly, with veins bulging on his forehead.
If not for his father-in-law repeatedly signaling him with his eyes to endure, he could not restrain himself at all.
This was clearly a trap set by the Crown Prince, splashing this basin of dirty water on him.
What was terrifying was that he had indeed already bribed Daoist Master Tianji long ago and prepared to frame a major witchcraft case on the Crown Prince. It just had not been carried out yet.
Once thoroughly investigated, his dealings with Daoist Master Tianji would be exposed with nowhere to hide.
By then, who would believe he was innocent?
The Crown Prince looked at Prince Wei, his eyes showing a glee that only the two brothers could understand, his voice even gentler: “Fifth Brother, you go back and take care of Father Emperor first. Leave this to me. I will definitely not let you be wronged!”
His Highness Prince Wei, with anger and fear intertwined, actually calmed down at this most dangerous moment: “Big Brother is right. Someone must be slandering me and driving a wedge between us brothers.”
“Please, Big Brother, investigate this case to the end and clear my innocence.”
After speaking, he even remembered to bow before withdrawing.
The Crown Prince stepped forward, righted the chair that Prince Wei had kicked over, and then said warmly to the assembled officials: “Regarding today’s matter, my lords, do not spread it outside. Fifth Brother is young and impetuous. As his elder brother, it is only right for me to tolerate and forgive him.”
The officials were all convinced by the Crown Prince’s benevolent demeanor and responded in agreement.
General Situ flattered His Highness the Crown Prince’s benevolence on one hand, while sighing inwardly on the other.
Compared to the Crown Prince, who was ruthless in methods yet adept at handling matters, Prince Wei was like a reckless child. Relying on Emperor Xiaowen and Empress Liu, he rampaged through the Palace.
Once Emperor Xiaowen passed away, could Prince Wei contend with the Crown Prince?
……
That night, there was a bizarre qi deviation fire in the Heavenly Prison, and more than twenty Daoists were all burned to death.
Daoist Master Tianji, who claimed to be a celestial descended to earth, was burned the most thoroughly. No coroner came to examine the body. The Palace guards collecting the corpses pretended not to see Daoist Master Tianji’s chest pierced through. They wrapped him in a straw mat, piled him on a cart, and threw him to the mass grave to feed the dogs.
With all the prisoner witnesses dead, this case naturally could not be pursued further.
Emperor Xiaowen was in a coma for several days and woke up again.
The favored Empress Liu stayed by the bed without undressing to serve him, her face haggard, crying and sobbing: “If Your Majesty does not wake up, this concubine will slit my throat with a knife and go with Your Majesty.”
The filial young son Prince Wei, with red eyes, cried: “Father Emperor, Father Emperor!”
Emperor Xiaowen, with dim old eyes, was greatly comforted by his beloved wife and son.
When he saw the calm and composed Crown Prince, Emperor Xiaowen was not so pleased inwardly. This old man is about to be tormented to death, yet you are not the least bit anxious. You are just hoping for this old man to hurry up and go!
The Crown Prince recounted the case of Daoist Master Tianji.
Emperor Xiaowen listened impatiently and interrupted the Crown Prince: “Prince Wei is sincerely filial. How could he do such a thing? It must be some blind person deliberately smearing and framing him.”
“Heaven sent a fire to burn the Heavenly Prison. It was really too lenient on these bastards.”
“This case need not be investigated further. It ends here.”
