PFC Chapter 542: Is This Considered Severe Punishment?
Chapter 542: Is This Considered Severe Punishment?
The Emperor: "..."
The Ministers: "..."
Prince Cheng’s Heir, Huangfu Jingchen, was assassinated and his body burned beyond recognition. The entire scene was unbearable to witness, and it was no secret within the court.
When Prince Cheng entered to see the Emperor, the first thing he did was ask about his son. Indeed, he had come to the Capital City because of his son’s death.
The profound grief from a father who had lost his son was so overwhelming that even the air seemed to be suffused with it. A cold wind seemed to blow through everyone’s hearts, and all the ministers present deeply empathized with it.
They empathized with Prince Cheng’s sorrow and despair, as his aura was too strong, and his grief too overwhelming, causing them to feel the same.
Who hasn’t been a father? Who hasn’t been a son?
Even the Emperor paused for a moment before slowly saying, "Jingchen encountered misfortune. When the Capital Governor arrived, there were corpses scattered everywhere, half of which were burned beyond recognition. Jingchen should have been... among them!"
The Emperor did not personally visit the scene, but the Capital Governor, Capital Guard, and everyone else who was there, even the citizens who saw the scene, all provided detailed testimonies.
The Emperor read through them, not just once.
Reading them so many times naturally created a vivid image in his mind.
The Emperor was not deliberately describing the scene, but this father had traveled a great distance to mourn his son. As a father himself, thinking of his Second Prince who died prematurely, he didn’t know if it was out of empathy for Prince Cheng’s grief or if it was the sudden surge of father-son affection that softened his heart.
Prince Cheng’s voice trembled, causing those who heard it to be saddened and empathize: "Father Emperor, are you saying, the half burned beyond recognition includes... Jingchen?"
This question struck directly at the heart. Apart from Prince Zhuang, everyone felt their heartstrings being plucked, finding it unbearable to look directly or respond.
The Emperor sighed softly and said, "Yes!" After he finished speaking, he glared at Prince Zhuang—it was all due to his misdeeds!
Prince Cheng’s eyes reddened further, his voice more somber, as sorrow mixed with anger, and despair mingled with unfeelingness, saying, "Under the Emperor’s feet, in the Imperial City, assassinated in broad daylight! Father Emperor, may I ask where the culprit is?"
Everyone’s eyes involuntarily shifted to Prince Zhuang, who was kneeling to the side.
In the presence of so many important ministers, in front of a grieving father who had lost his son, and with irrefutable evidence already verified by the Capital Governor, the Emperor, no matter his august position, could not cover it up. In a slow voice, he said, "Old Fifth, it is indeed Third Brother’s fault in this matter. I have already punished him!"
Prince Cheng suddenly lifted his head, casting a deep, cold glance at Prince Zhuang, his gaze as chilling as a ghost in the night. Then he turned to the Emperor and said, "Father, may I ask how he was punished?"
The Emperor frowned slightly, somewhat displeased: "The edict to depose the Crown Prince has already been announced to the world, yet you are unaware?"
Prince Cheng replied indifferently: "Your son received the imperial decree sent by the Royal Flying Eagle allowing me to return to the Capital and came day and night, not passing through any city, and did not see any edict. Is Father implying that Third Brother has been deposed as Crown Prince?"
The Emperor, after hearing his explanation and upon reconsidering, showed a slight relief of expression and said, "Your Third Brother, being cruel and violent, attempted to murder his nephew and is unworthy of his position, hence he has been deposed as Crown Prince. This is the severe punishment he received!"
"Severe punishment?" Prince Cheng suddenly let out a laugh, a laugh filled with indescribable melancholy and ridicule, he said, "My son Jingchen lost his life, and Third Brother only lost his position as Crown Prince! Is this considered severe punishment?"
His voice carried endless sorrow within its depths, but each word seemed to strike at the hearts of everyone, causing many to pause.
Previously, they thought that Prince Zhuang losing the title of Crown Prince was a significant punishment.
After all, descending from such an esteemed position as Crown Prince signified that he would permanently remain a minister, with no chance ever to become Emperor.
But now they’re thinking, indeed, for the life of Prince Cheng’s Heir, assassinated openly, only removing a title was considered sufficient punishment. Was it truly severe?
The Emperor was also taken aback for a moment, and his gaze turned sharp as he said, "Is stripping him of the Crown Prince title not enough? Do you want me to execute him to avenge your son?"
Prince Cheng looked at him with ridicule in his eyes and said indifferently, "Your son dares not, Your son only feels that being the Crown Prince of Nanxia seems to be just a protective talisman!"
This statement made the ministers ponder even more.
When Prince Liang was the Crown Prince, his misdeeds shocked half of Nanxia, and ultimately only ended with him losing the title.
Now Prince Zhuang as the Crown Prince, blatantly violating the peace of the Imperial City and committing assassination in broad daylight, had an equally negative impact, yet again only resulted in him losing the title.
The Emperor, embarrassed and angry, was flushed red by his son’s remarks. He shouted, "What are you insinuating with your words? Did you come to the Capital just to provoke me?"
Prince Cheng replied expressionlessly, "Your son dares not. Your son traveled a long way to the Capital for two matters. One is to find out who murdered my son Jingchen, and the second is to arrange Jingchen’s funeral."
The Ministers: "..."
It’s been almost a month already, what funeral arrangements are left? Wasn’t the coffin of Prince Cheng’s Heir already carried out of the Capital and buried?
The Emperor almost fainted from rage again. This rebellious son, finally coming to the Capital after so long, had his eyes set only on these two matters. Did he even consider the feelings of his father, the Emperor? Would it kill him to say he missed his father after so many years?
He roared, "Then why don’t you go back to your Cheng Prince Mansion?"
Prince Cheng kowtowed and said, "Yes!"
He stood up abruptly and without hesitation, headed out.
Suddenly, Prince Zhuang cried out, "Father Emperor, Father Emperor, you must stand up for your son, Old Fifth killed my Wei’er!"
This statement shocked everyone.
Just now they were discussing Prince Zhuang’s killing of Prince Cheng’s son, and now, how did it become Prince Zhuang accusing Prince Cheng of killing his son?
Huangfu Wei’s disappearance was known to the Emperor. The Emperor’s Hidden Guard had searched throughout the Capital but hadn’t found him. Now, Prince Zhuang suddenly accused Prince Cheng of killing Huangfu Wei.
The Emperor frowned, looking at Prince Cheng, "Old Fifth, did you really only enter the Capital last night?"
Half a month ago, Third Brother had been clamoring about seeing Old Fifth and his wife in the Capital. Every now and then, he sent memorials to the palace, each time claiming to have seen Old Fifth and his wife or alleging they had done something to him.
Yesterday, he even sent a memorial written in blood.
Prince Cheng raised his head, meeting the Emperor’s gaze with calm eyes, "Your son arrived at the boundaries of the Capital yesterday, entered the city when the gates opened this morning, and was only outside the city gates last night!"
"Truly?" the Emperor pressed once again.
A hint of sly mockery passed over Prince Cheng’s lips as he said, "Father, if you do not believe me, there is nothing I can do. I and my entourage of three hundred elite cavalry traveled here, although not passing through cities, there should be traces of our journey. Why doesn’t Father send someone to investigate?"