freenovelworld Chapter 748 The Prince of Chang Le Returns to the Capital!
Chapter 748 The Prince of Chang Le Returns to the Capital!
Both Wang Xinyan and Sun Ruoxiang were invited into the inner palace by the Empress.
Wang Xinyan's child was only a few days old and too young, and Sun Ruoxiang was also newly pregnant. The Empress was worried that someone might harm the two of them again, so she brought them into the palace.
Furthermore, Wang Xinyan also had to address her as "Grandma," and at this moment, only she, the Empress, could still speak to her.
"Your Majesty, what should we do now? This child is only a few months old. Isn't this a terrible tragedy?"
How could the Empress feel any better than her?
Her own son is gone, but her grandson is plotting to kill her other two sons. And now her third son is plotting to kill her grandson. What a calamity this is!
Thinking that Princess Kang and her family members would soon be escorted to the capital by the fourth prince, and that they had been treated well along the way with good food and drink, she felt somewhat comforted.
“Xinyan, don’t be sad. Think about the child. Don’t worry, I know the Emperor. Even if he’s angry, he would never take Chen’er’s life. After all, he is my son’s only direct descendant.”
Sun Ruoxiang secretly wiped away her tears with a handkerchief. She was pregnant, otherwise she probably wouldn't have been brought into the palace at all.
Ultimately, it's because she's currently pregnant that, so far, none of Prince An's crimes have implicated the Sun family.
This was probably the most beneficial thing she could do for the Sun family.
"Your Majesty, please don't worry too much. Your health is the most important thing. As for the Prince, we will obey His Majesty's decision no matter what."
Sun Ruoxiang remained relatively calm.
It's because the Sun family has never produced an empress!
No matter how serious Prince An's crimes were, the Emperor, out of respect for the Empress, would not really do anything to Wang Xinyan.
What's more, she also gave birth to Duanmu Chen's legitimate son, who was the emperor's great-grandson, his first great-grandson.
"Good children, I'm sorry to trouble you. Things are chaotic outside, so you two can stay here for now and keep me company. Seeing my great-grandson makes me feel a little better."
"Yes, ma'am."
A few days later, Duanmu Chuze led his men to escort all of Prince Kang's family members back to the capital.
When the Emperor's decree came down, everyone except those who were directly involved was moved into the empty Kang Prince's Mansion.
Furthermore, a strict decree was issued forbidding anyone from visiting, and a ring of Imperial Guards surrounded the area outside.
At this point, even if the emperor doesn't issue an edict, I'm afraid no one would dare to visit the family of this traitor.
"Father, I am returning to the palace to report back."
"Get up. You've had a hard time on this trip." The Emperor's voice was noticeably much older.
When Duanmu Chuze looked up, he saw that the Emperor's temples were white, and it seemed that there was even more white hair.
"Father, are you alright? Should we summon the imperial physician?"
The Emperor waved his hand, looking somewhat weary, and said, "No need. Come, help me lie down to the side for a while."
"Yes, Father."
Duanmu Chuze helped him to the soft couch in the inner hall, helped him onto the couch, took off his dragon boots, and covered him with a thin quilt.
“Father, nothing is more important than your health. The external threat has been eliminated. At least for the next two or three months, the Turks will not dare to attack our Great Yong again. If you are worried, I will lead troops to guard the border and keep those Turks in check.”
The Emperor's eyes flickered. "Fourth Prince, are you really willing to go to the border?"
Duanmu Chuze chuckled softly, his eyes gentle. "Father, as you know, I have served on the frontier. I am not afraid of hardship, nor am I afraid of those Turks. Moreover, this time I gave Keli a severe beating. I'm afraid that when he returns, he won't have a good outcome."
The Emperor nodded. "Your elder brother, the Crown Prince, was it Keli who sent people to do it?"
Duanmu Chuze's smile froze for a moment, as if he was hesitating whether to tell the truth.
Even to tell the truth, I'm not sure how to say it right away.
"Don't worry, I know what you're thinking. Just say it. Anyway, your older brother is gone, what else can't I bear?"
"Father, it was indeed Keli who sent people to do it. Moreover, it was the third brother who revealed the eldest brother's whereabouts to them."
After Duanmu Chuze finished speaking, he took out a stack of secret letters. “This was not found in Third Brother’s fiefdom. When I sent people to continue investigating the Han Chinese who served as a military advisor to the Turks, I had someone disguise himself as a Turk and sneak into his camp. We found it there.”
"Because he died, Keli was reprimanded by the Turkic Khan as soon as he returned to the royal court. In addition, he suffered a great defeat, so no one had time to clean up his camp."
The emperor merely glanced at it; he already knew the truth.
Even if Duanmu Chuze didn't say these things today, he would understand that all of this was inextricably linked to the third brother.
After a moment of silence, the Emperor asked again, "I heard that you sent a message to the Second Prince beforehand, telling him not to participate in this matter?"
Duanmu Chuze seemed somewhat guilty and lowered his head. "Your Majesty, since I had already uncovered some clues at the time, I naturally could not allow my second brother to make the same mistake again. At the very least, he should know the truth about what has happened over the years. Even if my sister-in-law did something to wrong him back then, upon closer examination, many things may not have really been done by my sister-in-law."
"Hmm, the fact that you thought of this shows that you still care about feelings."
"Father, I have heard about the matter concerning Prince An. I had not paid attention to him before, but fortunately, you were wise enough to foresee it all in advance, thus preventing a great disaster."
"Hehe! I've always thought this grandson is very much like me, especially in his temperament and the way he does things. But after this, I realize that he and I are quite different."
"Father?"
The Emperor shook his head, his face filled with sorrow. "At least, I won't choose to harm my own uncle. Look at the two of them. Prince Kang wants Duanmu Chen dead. But Duanmu Chen wants Prince Kang and Prince Ming dead. It's because you're not in the capital that he wants to kill you the most. If you were here, I'm afraid the one he'd want to kill the most would be you."
Duanmu Chuze was startled. Could it be that the Emperor knew something?
"Father?"
"You are the most intelligent and shrewd of my sons. You also hold the most military power. Do you think Duanmu Chen wouldn't try to take your place if he wanted to seize power? This child is truly too vicious."
Duanmu Chuze paused for a moment, then asked, "Father, what do you intend to do with him?"