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墨書 Inktalez
The Emperor's long-standing disfavor towards Crown Prince Xiao Tianming stemmed from a deep-seated sentiment for the current Empress, who was like a white moonlight in his heart.
Due to the Empress, the Emperor's affection for Second Prince Xiao Yichen far surpassed that for the Crown Prince. Deep down, he hoped that his and the Empress's son, Second Prince, would inherit the Great Unity.
However, during the turbulent political climate, the Emperor had no choice but to name his eldest son, Xiao Tianming, as Crown Prince to stabilize the court and appease the ministers.
Now that the political situation had calmed, the Emperor's biased heart began to stir once more.
Not long ago, he had issued an edict citing the Crown Prince's negligence of duty as a reason to place him under house arrest in the Eastern Palace for reflection. Furthermore, he strictly ordered that without his command, the Crown Prince was not to step outside the Eastern Palace even a single step.
This decree was like a massive stone thrown into a tranquil lake, instantly stirring up a tempest within and outside the palace. Various factions began to reassess their positions, both openly and covertly, and the atmosphere in the court grew increasingly heavy and delicate.
Inside the Eastern Palace, there was a profound silence.
Only an oppressive tension hung in the air.
The attendants all lowered their heads, cautiously moving through the courtyards and corridors, fearful of inadvertently provoking the imprisoned Crown Prince.
Yet, the Crown Prince seemed unfazed by this sudden turn of events, displaying an extraordinary calmness and composure.
Dressed in a Moonlight Blue robe, his expression was as serene as water. His deep-set eyes revealed an elusive depth and steadiness.
During his days of confinement in the Eastern Palace, he would either sit quietly in his study with ancient texts in hand or stroll leisurely through the courtyard. Occasionally, he would gaze up at the azure sky in contemplation, as if the shifting winds and power struggles beyond the Eastern Palace had nothing to do with him.
In his heart, the Crown Prince had already gained clarity.
He understood that this house arrest was orchestrated by none other than the Emperor himself; Second Prince was merely a pawn used by the Emperor to test and suppress him.
Long before the situation began to reveal its true nature, the Crown Prince had already started to lay his plans in silence.
He was merely waiting for the right moment to arrive.
Upon hearing that the Crown Prince had been placed under house arrest, the Second Prince, Xiao Yichen, felt a surge of triumph flood through him like a tidal wave.
He hurried to the Eastern Palace, dressed in a purple brocade robe embroidered with golden dragon patterns, wearing a crown of eight treasures made of glazed glass, and cinched at the waist with a jade belt inlaid with emeralds. Surrounded by a group of attendants, he strode into the Eastern Palace with an air of arrogance.
His face displayed unabashed arrogance.
“Your Highness,”
As the Second Prince entered the Eastern Palace, it was as if he had stepped into an empty realm. He pushed open the door to the study without hesitation, deliberately elongating his tone. His voice was sharp and grating, echoing starkly in the quiet study.
“Look at you in such a pitiful state; it truly is lamentable! Father has completely lost faith in you. It seems you won’t be residing in the Eastern Palace for much longer.”
With that, he burst into loud laughter, filled with arrogance and disdain. His mocking laughter lingered in the study for some time.
The Crown Prince slowly set down the book he had been reading and raised his head, gazing calmly at the Second Prince as if looking at a petulant child.
He stood up and spoke slowly and deliberately.
“Second Prince, you’ve come here so gleefully; surely you just want to mock me? Such behavior not only lacks the dignity befitting a prince but would even draw ridicule from common ruffians.”
The Second Prince's expression darkened, a glint of malice flashing in his eyes.
“Xiao Tianming, stop pretending to be calm! You have been discarded by Father; that position as heir will eventually be mine. If you know what’s good for you, then act accordingly. Don’t make futile struggles; otherwise, don’t blame me for forgetting our brotherly bond!”
The Crown Prince's lips curled slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.
"Second Prince, do you think the position of Crown Prince is already in your grasp? Do you really believe that your little maneuvers with the Empress can deceive everyone? In this court, there are many loyal subjects who love their country; how can you act recklessly and turn black into white?"
The Second Prince's heart tightened, and a fleeting hint of panic flashed in his eyes, but he still forced himself to remain calm and snorted coldly.
"Hmph, Xiao Tianming, keep being stubborn! I want to see how much longer you can struggle in vain."
With that, he flicked his sleeve and left with his guards.
A hint of determination flickered in the Crown Prince's gaze. He knew well that the Second Prince had come not only to flaunt his power but also to test the waters, trying to ascertain whether he had any other cards up his sleeve.
After the Second Prince's provocation at the Eastern Palace, tensions escalated further.
The Emperor's intent to depose the Crown Prince was as palpable as an arrow on the string; everyone in the court fell silent, fearful of being caught up in this struggle for succession.
Within the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince remained calm and composed, as if everything was under control.
However, overnight, chaos erupted in the Eastern Palace—the Crown Prince had gone missing.
This news detonated like a bomb within the palace, infuriating the Emperor, who ordered a thorough investigation into the Crown Prince's whereabouts. The entire capital was shrouded in an atmosphere of tension.
It turned out that from the moment he was placed under house arrest, the Crown Prince had anticipated such an outcome and had secretly conspired with a loyal bodyguard from the Eastern Palace who hailed from the martial world.
This bodyguard was once a remarkable figure in the martial arts community, skilled in disguise, mechanisms, and various esoteric arts.
He utilized his expertise to secretly dig a tunnel leading to the outside world in a hidden corner of the Eastern Palace. This winding passage cleverly avoided the patrol routes of the Imperial Guards, with its exit located deep within a secluded forest on the outskirts of the capital.
The Crown Prince and the Old Servant successfully diverted some guards using pre-arranged insiders, and then quietly left the Eastern Palace through the tunnel.
Disguised as ordinary commoners, they blended into the crowd and, after several twists and turns, finally arrived at the Crown Prince's Residence.
The Crown Prince's Residence was already filled with ministers and military generals who had been persecuted by the Second Prince and the Empress, unwilling to collude with them.
Upon seeing Xiao Tianming approach, all the ministers bowed in respect.
"Your Highness, we greet you. The treacherous are in power now; the Empress and Second Prince are colluding together, and the Emperor is deceived. The world is in chaos. We are willing to follow you to cleanse the court, eliminate the Demon Empress, and restore clarity to our dynasty!"
The Crown Prince's expression was stern as he nodded slightly.
"Please rise quickly. I know of your loyalty. This operation concerns the fate of our dynasty; we must be cautious and prudent. We can only succeed; failure is not an option."
At that moment, excitement surged within the Crown Prince. He knew he had waited far too long for this day.
With a command from Xiao Tianming, the army surged forward toward the palace like a roaring tide.
The soldiers were filled with high spirits, their battle cries shaking the heavens.
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