Chapter 533: Chapter 533: A Life for a Life
Seeing that Huangfu Yi’s murderous intent hadn’t dissipated, and looking at his eyes as if he were seeing a dead person, Prince Zhuang’s legs began to tremble. Now he could only save his life and then report this matter to the Emperor. Entering the Capital City without a decree was tantamount to rebellion, and the Emperor would surely punish him severely.
He stammered, "Old Fifth, let’s talk this over. It was wrong of me to kill Jingchen, but even if you kill me, Jingchen won’t come back. Besides, my Jing’er is also dead!"
"That was your doing, no one else’s fault!" It was better not to mention it, but when it was brought up, Huangfu Yi’s murderous intent rose again, and the sword in his hand slit Prince Zhuang’s throat.
A sharp pain came, and the shadow of death drew near. Prince Zhuang couldn’t argue anymore and shouted in terror, "No, don’t kill me! Don’t you want revenge? I’ll give you Wei’er to atone for Jingchen’s life, spare me..."
Just moments ago he was thinking about saving his son, but now that his own life was threatened, he didn’t hesitate to offer his son in exchange for his own life!
Huangfu Yi sneered, "He’s just an innocent ten-year-old child, you’re the real culprit!"
Prince Zhuang hurriedly said, "Old Fifth, Old Fifth, let’s talk it over. Listen to me, since he’s my son, he’s not innocent! Look, I killed your son, you kill my son, that’s fair."
Just moments ago he said anyone wanting to kill his young son was inhumane, and now he’s the one negotiating and claiming fairness.
Seeing Huangfu Yi unmoved, with sarcasm growing at the corners of his mouth, Prince Zhuang hurriedly added, "Moreover, if you kill me, it will surely cause turmoil in the Capital City. Even if I’ve been stripped of the Crown Prince title, I’m still Prince Zhuang. Under the Emperor’s feet, entering the capital without a decree to kill your brother, the Emperor would kill you too. But if you just take Wei’er’s life in exchange, it won’t cause these troubles!"
"Is that so?"
"Old Fifth, listen to me, I’m thinking of you. You just want a life for a life, your Jingchen was legitimate, my Wei’er is too, you won’t be at a loss! Moreover, Wei’er is young and hasn’t been given the title of Princely Heir yet. If you kill him, I can report it as an untimely death, you can get away safely and I won’t pursue it further. Then our matter will be written off, how about that?"
He tried hard to lean his neck back, afraid the sword tip would move just a bit closer.
His gaze full of flattery, the terror in his eyes was obvious.
Actually, with his status and temperament, if he encountered an ordinary assassin, he wouldn’t act like this. He would display a dignified, indifferent attitude towards life and death, using authority to intimidate, gradually breaking the opponent’s defense, making them fearful and apprehensive.
But this was Old Fifth, who couldn’t be threatened, bought, or subdued.
The Old Fifth who even the Emperor wasn’t afraid of, who acted without concern for consequences.
Knowing him inside out, none of his tactics would work, all his thoughts would be seen through, all his schemes might just end with a fatal blow.
What could he do but try every means to save his life?
Was he not sincere enough?
He even took the initiative to offer his legitimate son, Huangfu Wei, to atone for death, and analyzed the pros and cons. As long as Old Fifth wasn’t foolish, he’d know how to choose.
Would he spare him his life?
Moreover, to make Huangfu Yi abandon him and kill Huangfu Wei, he even said, "If you kill me, once I close my eyes, I won’t know anything, you’re actually letting me off easy. But if you kill Wei’er, it’s different, Wei’er is my only legitimate son, if he dies I’ll be heartbroken and sad. Don’t you think that living in agony is more satisfying than simply ending it all?"
Huangfu Yi looked at him with disbelief. Someone could actually say these things?
He said coldly, "How could someone like you be worthy of being a father?"
Prince Zhuang cried, "Yes, yes, yes! I’m not worthy! Old Fifth, even if I’m not fit to be a father, we’re brothers, sharing the same blood, you can’t kill your brother!"
But in his heart, he thought, it’s better for Wei’er to die than himself.
As long as he was alive, there would be another legitimate son, everything else too. But if he died, there would be nothing left, his ambitions, his dreams, his Crown Prince position, his ultimate supremacy!
The ancients endured humiliation to survive, and later soared. He was just giving up a son. Didn’t he have so many sons to share his worries as a father? Right,
Feeling the sword lifting from his neck, then being thrown heavily to the ground, Prince Zhuang cried out in pain but felt immensely relieved in his heart. He had finally persuaded Old Fifth.
He wouldn’t have to die.
But Wei’er, he...
Wei’er died to save him, he would never forget Wei’er.
And as for Old Fifth, his people couldn’t find Old Fifth, and unexpectedly, he was right in his mansion. This insult must be avenged, he must tell the Emperor. Old Fifth not only came to the Capital City without a decree, but also intended to murder him.
Yes, he must tell the Emperor that Old Fifth was lawless and elusive, then let the Emperor send the Hidden Guard to protect him!
With Prince Zhuang’s cry, the guards outside were immediately alarmed, someone outside shouted urgently, "Prince, what happened inside?"
Prince Zhuang hurriedly embraced something, shouting, "Someone, there’s an assassin!"
Feeling the object he was holding being yanked by his force and thrown to the ground, he felt immense joy. Old Fifth, you can’t escape this time, right?
He only needed to have him bound and sent to the palace. This accusation of entering the capital without a decree, he couldn’t deny even with a hundred mouths. Because Old Fifth lost his position as Crown Prince, he couldn’t let Old Fifth live well either!
The reason he didn’t call for help before was because he feared that by the time help arrived, he’d already be killed by Old Fifth, and then Old Fifth could leave easily and deny everything.
But now the guards were at the door, just needed to open the door to see Old Fifth—unless Old Fifth could kill everyone here in a blink of an eye.
As long as the guards could capture Old Fifth, maybe even Wei’er could be saved. Didn’t he just admit that Wei’er was in his hands?
With his shout, the guards outside were terrified, a prince was in the room with an assassin? So many of them didn’t even notice an assassin and let him reach the prince’s quarters?
No one could escape responsibility in their hearts, and in a panic, they kicked at the door and the windows. Just the sound of crashes, and the guards burst into the room like dumplings.
Then everyone was stunned.
Only to see Prince Zhuang sitting on the ground, tightly clutching a cylindrical quilt, seemingly putting all his body weight on it.
At this moment, Prince Zhuang clasped his hands together and shouted, "What are you waiting for? Seize him, I’ve caught him!"
The guards looked at each other in dismay, seize what? Who? The quilt?
