Chapter 499: Poisoned
The servants ran to and fro in the Imperial Palace. Hanging lamps and decorations for some big occasion. There was no big celebration though, since the sound of festivities never left the walls of the Imperial Palace.
In the witching hour, the moon hung high in the sky and the Imperial Palace shone like daylight, revealing four people in the wide hall.
The emperor seated on his throne, crown prince on the seat to his right, his largeness to his left and princess Yongning was seated further to the left.
Two generations of Yuwen clan had gathered here for a family picture, while servants stood to the side at attention.
Looking at his children, the aged emperor showed kindness, “Today is my birthday. It is not as lively as the celebration I had last year, but it is peaceful. It’s been too long since we sat together, as a family.”
“Imperial father, may you live for millenia, to care for our nation and be carefree. It is my privilege to be here with you and just talk at leisure.” Crown Prince bowed.
Fatty followed, while Yongning was still sour, flicking her head away.
The emperor began, “Crown Prince, I know you always go by the rules, but you are among family here. Can’t you let go of those old pedantic and empty formalities?”
“I obey the imperial father’s order.” Crown Prince bowed again.
The emperor sighed, from the imperial power and imperial grief. Even his own flesh and blood treated him like a stranger.
The emperor said, “Go on.”
“Imperial father, everyone covets the Crown Prince’s position. You appointed me early on and had everyone’s attention plastered on me so that fatty will have an easy time filling his future role.”
Crown Prince squinted, “The emperor is ruler supreme and is clear about every little thing happening in Tianyu. Over the decades, it was only the fatty roaming the lands. You didn’t seem to like him, giving him the worst tasks, while you actually favored him the most. You alienated him to protect him. All the tasks you picked for him were to shape him for the throne. While the great Crown Prince was still stuck with a target on his back, drawing everyone’s hostility, only to end up kicked to the curb at the end.”
Crown Prince’s eyes were bloodshot. The other two were hateful and unwilling but still turned to the emperor, stunned.
Yet the emperor only stared back at the Crown Prince…
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