freenovelworld Chapter 350 Father and Son, Ruler and Subject
Chapter 350 Father and Son, Ruler and Subject
"Take him away!"
The emperor suddenly waved his hand, and the morning light shone through the carved window lattice, casting dappled shadows on his majestic face.
The guards immediately stepped forward, their iron boots making a dull thud on the gleaming gold bricks, and dragged the assassins away.
As the palace doors creaked shut, only the Emperor, Lu Jiangnian, and two trusted eunuchs remained in the Hall of Mental Cultivation in the morning.
The rising sun illuminated the floating dust particles inside the hall, making them clearly visible, and the scent of ambergris mingled with the morning air.
"Bring the item up here so Lord Lu can take a look."
The Emperor gave his orders in a deep voice, which had returned to calm but was even more unsettling than his previous rage.
A eunuch bowed and withdrew, returning shortly afterward with a sandalwood tray.
The morning light shone softly on the bright yellow brocade covering the tray. The eunuch carefully lifted the brocade to reveal a set of exquisitely crafted armor.
Lu Jiangnian's eyes flickered slightly, and a perfectly timed look of confusion appeared on his face: "Your Majesty, this is..."
"Take a closer look."
The Emperor picked up the celadon teacup, a few tender buds floating on the tea, but his gaze remained fixed on Lu Jiangnian's changing expression.
Lu Jiangnian stepped forward and picked up the armor with both hands to examine it closely.
His fingertips traced the nail plates that gleamed in the morning light. He paused as he examined the lining, his brow furrowing slightly.
This set of armor was the one that Xuan Ying stole according to the plan. The three small characters "Murong Xiao" were clearly visible on the lining. Although the location was hidden, it could not escape the search of those who were interested.
"This..." Lu Jiangnian looked up abruptly, his eyes filled with shock. "Isn't this the Second Prince's armor?"
The Emperor sneered, slamming his teacup down on the table, startling a sparrow flying from a branch outside the window: "You have a good eye; this is indeed Murong Xiao's armor."
He stood up, his bright yellow dragon robe particularly striking in the morning light. "Three years ago, I bestowed two sets of armor upon each of my princes, each engraved with their name."
Lu Jiangnian secretly praised Xuan Ying for his prudent handling of the matter.
Of course, Xuanfeng was also quite capable.
Xuanfeng must have gone to great lengths to find this armor, arranging the timing and location flawlessly.
"Could it be..." Lu Jiangnian's voice trembled slightly, "that what the assassin said just now was actually true? Is the one who repeatedly tried to assassinate me truly the Second Prince's man?"
He paused precisely, his brow furrowed. "But why would he do that?"
The emperor's lips curled into a mocking smile: "All these years he has pretended to be indifferent to worldly affairs, and he has fooled everyone."
He walked slowly to the window, his back to Lu Jiangnian, the rising sun casting a long shadow. "What he's after is nothing more than my throne."
The sound of guards changing shifts broke the brief silence outside the palace.
Suddenly, the Emperor turned around, the morning light reflecting a sharp glint in his eyes: "Lu Jiangnian, tell me, was the Crown Prince involved?"
Lu Jiangnian felt a chill run down his spine. Although he had expected it, hearing the Emperor ask such a question still sent a shiver down his spine.
The crown prince's succession to the throne was a matter of course, so why would he take such a risk?
The fact that the Emperor asked the question shows that his suspicion of the Crown Prince has been growing.
He bowed calmly, sunlight filtering through his fingers and casting long, thin shadows on the ground: "Your subject dares not speak presumptuously. The Crown Prince and the Second Prince have always been on good terms, perhaps..."
He carefully chose his words, "This is all a scheme set up to frame the Second Prince. I implore Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and not to wrongly accuse or let the guilty go unpunished."
The Emperor's deep gaze fell upon Lu Jiangnian as if it were a physical object.
The air inside the hall was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, and fine dust motes floated in the beams of light, as if time had stood still.
Lu Jiangnian maintained his bowing posture. He could feel the Emperor's scrutinizing gaze sweeping over him, but he remained calm and composed.
The soft clanging of guards' armor outside the hall made the eerie silence inside seem even more palpable.
"you're right."
The Emperor finally spoke, his voice tinged with weariness, "Xiao'er is, after all, my son, and I will naturally investigate to the end."
Lu Jiangnian raised his head slightly and met the Emperor's deep gaze.
In the morning light, the wrinkles around the emperor's eyes appeared particularly deep, yet his eyes remained as sharp as a hawk's.
"Lu Jiangnian, in your opinion, who would be the most suitable person to handle this case?"
Lu Jiangnian lowered his head again, his voice steady and respectful: "Your humble servant is foolish and dares not speak presumptuously on such a momentous matter. I beseech Your Majesty to make a wise and decisive decision, and I will certainly comply."
The emperor suddenly chuckled, but there was little joy in his laughter.
He raised his hand and rubbed his temples, his bright yellow sleeve slipping down to reveal a string of sandalwood prayer beads on his wrist.
"Very well, you have indeed suffered these past few days." The Emperor's tone softened. "Two assassination attempts in succession—if it weren't for the competence of your subordinates, I would have lost a pillar of my state."
"This matter is of great importance and should not be publicized." The Emperor suddenly raised his voice, emphasizing the last three words, "Do you understand?"
"Your subject understands."
Lu Jiangnian responded in a deep voice, his voice not loud but each word clear.
He felt the emperor's gaze linger on him for a moment before he heard the word, "Step down."
Just as Lu Jiangnian was about to bow and leave the hall, he suddenly heard a eunuch's shrill voice outside: "His Highness the Crown Prince requests an audience—"
This announcement was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake.
The Emperor's half-closed eyelids snapped open, his sharp gaze piercing Lu Jiangnian: "Have you informed the Crown Prince?"
Lu Jiangnian remained composed, calmly shaking his head as he met the Emperor's scrutiny: "Your Majesty, I have been recuperating at the separate residence during this time and have not set foot in the Eastern Palace."
This was said with perfect accuracy.
His interactions with the Crown Prince were indeed all conducted secretly through Xuan Ying, so his answer now was naturally without any guilt.
As the morning light streamed through the window, Lu Jiangnian's well-defined face appeared even more serene.
The Emperor's gaze was sharp; he met the Crown Prince's eyes for a long time, then suddenly chuckled, "That's quite a coincidence. Since the Crown Prince is here, you may stay and hear what he has to do so early in the morning."
"Your subject obeys the decree." Lu Jiangnian respectfully replied and stepped back to stand to the side of the hall.
The palace doors slowly opened, and the Crown Prince, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, stepped into the palace.
The morning light gilded him, making him appear even more gentle and refined.
The Crown Prince was also a master of acting. When he saw Lu Jiangnian, he paused almost imperceptibly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes at just the right moment, before returning to normal.
It was very natural, without any trace of acting.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty."
The Emperor raised his hand in a gesture of support, his tone gentle: "Fortunately, I didn't slack off today. All of you coming to the palace so early, you were going to keep me from sleeping soundly."
The Crown Prince looked ashamed. "It was my oversight. I encountered a difficult matter last night, and couldn't sleep a wink, which is why I took the liberty of entering the palace early this morning." When he looked up, there were indeed faint dark circles under his eyes. "Please forgive me, Father."
"Oh?" The Emperor became interested and leaned forward slightly.
Steam rose from the teacup on the table, forming a thin mist in front of him. "What could be troubling you like this?"
The Crown Prince is now capable of handling matters independently and enjoys a good reputation both in and out of the court. It is indeed rare to see him so hesitant.
The Emperor vaguely recalled that the last time the Crown Prince had asked for help like this was seven or eight years ago.
When the Crown Prince first dealt with the floods in Jiangnan, he encountered a thorny problem and stood nervously in front of the palace to ask for advice.
In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed.