xymnovel Chapter 1226 - 1062: Surround Them
Chapter 1226 - 1062: Surround Them
At this moment inside the side hall of Chengqian Palace, Prince Gong and Prince Jing were kneeling before a spiritual tablet, burning paper offerings.Prince Jing glanced at the absent-minded Prince Gong, his lips slightly curved upward before he quickly let it drop, once again allowing a look of pain to fill his face.
Even if these people do not succeed today, he’ll have fewer opponents.
His favorite thing to do was to watch tigers fight from the mountain; soon there would surely be a good show to watch.
"Elder brother! It’s almost the hour, why hasn’t second brother shown up yet? Today is second brother’s official coronation day. Though the enthronement ceremony is postponed, it cannot be taken lightly!" Prince Jing asked Prince Gong doubtfully.
"I don’t know, maybe more preparation is needed. Let’s start heading to Taihe Palace!" Prince Gong replied in a flat tone, casting a probing glance at Prince Jing.
Just as the two were about to step out of the side hall, a group of Imperial Guards arrived outside, led by the Commander Li Chang An.
"Hold!"
Prince Gong’s eyes flickered, and his face suddenly darkened. Prince Jing frowned deeply but inwardly thought, It’s here!
"Two Princes, the Empress requests both of you to go to Guangning Palace for a discussion!" Commander Li bowed to the two, then blocked the hall entrance, not allowing them to pass.
"Commander Li, may I ask why the Empress wants to summon us to Guangning Palace?" Prince Jing asked while frowning, looking at the stern-faced Commander Li, his expression even darker than before.
"I’m unclear of the details, I request the two Princes not make it difficult for me by proceeding!"
Commander Li ordered the dozens of Imperial Guards behind him to clear a path, as they all glared at Prince Gong, seemingly ready to act if he did not move.
"Commander Li, what is the meaning of this?" Prince Gong’s face sank, his aura expanded, even Prince Jing beside him felt the pressure.
Prince Jing’s eyes dimmed; Prince Gong was indeed not to be underestimated.
"Please proceed, Princes!" Commander Li refused to say more, simply gestured a hand sign and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword at his waist.
This attitude was clear; if they refused, it would not end well.
Today was the new Emperor’s ascension day, hence Ministers were waiting at Taihe Palace. At that time in the Chengqian Palace side hall, besides them and the eunuchs, there were only a few monks remaining.
"Elder brother, since it’s the Empress’s decree, we naturally should go." Prince Jing cast a glance at Prince Gong who wore a cold expression, his eyes gleaming with an inexplicable light.
"Alright." Prince Gong nodded in agreement, taking the lead forward.
Prince Gong paused, then chuckled, realizing that the situation wasn’t as he imagined; he held his composure well.
"Two Princes, go ahead, I must also escort Master Liao Wu!" Commander Li smirked, raising his chin arrogantly.
He signaled twenty or so guards to surround the two, before stepping into the side hall himself.
This action was truly disrespectful to the two noble Princes. Prince Jing remained calm but noticeably darkened in face. Nevertheless, he said nothing.
He scoffed internally, this man was indeed arrogant. They were Princes, yet Li Chang An, merely an Imperial Guard Commander, dared show such disrespect.
Prince Jing grew dissatisfied and quickened his pace slightly. However, Commander Li’s attitude was intriguing, indirectly indicating that their trip wouldn’t be pleasant.
Prince Gong hearing Commander Li’s intent to bring Master Liao Wu knew what the Empress was plotting. His resolve strengthened, he accelerated his pace.
"This son greets the Empress!"
The Empress watched as the two stepped into Guangning Palace and, while they bowed in greeting, immediately ordered them to be bound.
"What is this? May I ask the Empress, what is the meaning of this?" Prince Gong felt veins throb on his forehead, and seeing several courtiers standing nearby, his face was full of shock.
The Empress slightly squinted, her gaze at the two was akin to that of a predator.
"You two need not fear, I’ve no intention to harm you. Today the Crown Prince vanished inexplicably in Chengqian Palace’s side hall, and he still hasn’t been found. I ask you, do you know the Crown Prince’s whereabouts?"
Prince Jing was shocked, "This son and elder brother have been guarding the spiritual tablet for father in Chengqian Palace all along; the eunuchs and palace maids present can testify. We haven’t left the place for even a moment, how would we know second brother’s whereabouts?"
"Besides, this is the palace; how could second brother disappear here? Perhaps he went elsewhere. Have you searched thoroughly?"
Prince Jing and Prince Gong bore the indignity of the searching eunuchs, their hearts filled with anger.
"Should you state the obvious? The palace is nearly turned upside down, yet there’s no sign. Eldest, I ask you, do you know where the Crown Prince is?"
The Empress bypassed the pale-faced Prince Jing, her eyes fixed tightly on Prince Gong’s dark complexion and silence.
"It’s interesting that the Empress says this; Fourth brother also said it, this son and Fourth brother have been in Chengqian Palace without leaving. Even if you suspect, you can’t suspect us. Several Masters are also there reading scriptures; we have plenty of witnesses, don’t pin this blame on us."
Prince Gong scoffed coldly, afterwards turning his head away from looking at the Empress.
The Empress suddenly smiled, "Eldest, no need for stubbornness, your mother misses you dearly these years!"
"Come, the culprits who kidnapped the Crown Prince might be hiding in Princess Consort Jing’s Jinghua Palace, do not let them harm Princess Consort Jing, go search it again!"
The Empress sneered incessantly; having the two in her hands, they dared to stay arrogant?
Today the palace was filled with officials of the Crown Prince’s faction, and even the Ministers in Taihe Palace were under her control. If they don’t confess, she had ways to make them speak.
"Why must the Empress be so aggressive? This incident wasn’t done by us sons and Fourth, how could we produce the person?"
Prince Gong saw his mother being used as leverage by the Empress, and couldn’t repress his fury. This venomous woman was truly hateful!
"Will you speak or not? If not, I’ll send you to taste Dali Temple’s punishments."
The delay was long, and the Empress was losing composure, naturally unable to maintain her surface of false kindness.
"Does the Empress intend a forced confession? But second brother is not in our hands; even if beaten to death, we can’t produce him."
Prince Jing was getting annoyed; having no evidence, they were being threatened with imprisonment to elicit a forced confession; it was absurd.
Even back when father sought to eliminate his siblings, he acted with legitimate cause! Yet the Empress behaved so brazenly; truly a woman with a poisonous heart.
Prince Jing glanced at Prince Gong, noticing his face filled with indignation yet remaining inactive. He couldn’t help but feel puzzled; was he mistaken?
"Amitabha Buddha!"
Prince Gong and others hearing this Buddhist chant hurriedly turned to look. Master Liao Wu approached with a calm demeanor, his steps were slow, devoid of any tension.
Commander Li followed him, trailed by a vast array of Imperial Guards.
"Why is Third brother here?" Prince Jing asked quizzically, then turned his gaze to the Empress.
"Third brother is now a monk, long released from worldly ties; what relation does this have with Third brother?" Prince Jing appeared indifferent, his tone carried a hint of disdain.
"Hmph! I won’t bandy words with you; Commander Li, first lock these three in Dali Temple!" If there were instruments of torture, the Empress would’ve whipped them right there.
Stubborn ducks, only through suffering will they speak.
"Yes!"
Commander Li said, suddenly sneering as he unsheathed his long sword.
He ordered the Imperial Guards behind him: "Surround everyone here, don’t let anyone escape!"