PFC Chapter 245 The Ruthless and Disabled Crown Prince (145)
Chapter 245 The Ruthless and Disabled Crown Prince (145)
Before anyone could react, at Ji Shumin's signal, the eunuchs began to carry these people into the palace, as if afraid that any of them would escape. They counted them as they carried them in, while others wrote down each person's name and which family they came from, in great detail.
"What are you doing!" Someone was unwilling to comply and tried to struggle, but before he could do anything, he was held down by two eunuchs. They looked polite, but their strength was great, and he couldn't move at all. He could only raise his voice in shock and anger, and look in the direction of Ji Shumin with his neck stiff!
"Since you all care so much about Father Emperor, I must remember carefully which officials and young masters are involved... Otherwise, it wouldn't be good if someone was missed, would it?" Ji Shumin said slowly and deliberately.
He said he wanted to remember who cared about the emperor, but the way he said it so softly sent chills down one's spine.
It makes you feel deep down that this isn't about earning merit, it's about ending up in the Book of Life and Death! Who knows what this person might do after settling scores...
But by then, it was too late to slip away.
The Third Prince didn't seem to be in a hurry to go to court. He sat comfortably in the carriage, looking down with a relaxed air. The wind outside was biting cold. After looking for a while, he lowered the hand that had lifted the curtain. Everyone could almost imagine how warm and comfortable the carriage must be inside.
Those kneeling here are all living comfortable lives. They've gritted their teeth and endured kneeling for days in the biting cold outside the palace, complaining endlessly. If none of them were willing to back down first, they would have continued to persevere. If they had given up, the Crown Prince would have further reduced their titles and stipends!
But now, many of them truly regret it.
Especially now that they've been targeted by the Third Prince, thinking about his beautiful eyes, they feel no different from being targeted by a poisonous snake in the grass.
Only after the last person's name was recorded did the leading eunuch respectfully tap the carriage tracks: "Your Highness, Third Prince, all names have been recorded."
The curtain was then lifted again, and a warm breeze carrying the scent of incense drifted out through the gap. The Third Prince's voice floated in: "Then those of you scheduled for today, please straighten your clothes and go see Father..."
"Yes!"
"Gentlemen, this way please."
The people who were called out looked at each other, their faces showing helplessness. They simply didn't know what to do with themselves.
Normally they were pampered and respected, but in front of the Third Prince, for some reason, they couldn't stand up straight no matter what they did. They felt a deep-seated fear, which they couldn't explain. They didn't even feel this way about the current regent, the First Prince, or the Second Prince, who had an even worse temper...
Whether it was the eunuchs acting on orders or doing it on purpose, they dragged out the time slowly. Usually at this time, they would have already shouted that they were done and gone back to where they belonged.
But today, they were forced to stay there, their hands and feet so frozen they wouldn't obey them, their faces and noses red and stinging from the cold. They were all dressed in loose robes and sleeves, yet they weren't even as warm as the eunuchs standing nearby.
They've now confirmed that the Third Prince didn't come to court at all; he came to ambush them!
Because... it's already time for the court session to end!
The officials who were attending court were already coming out of the palace one after another, and they bumped into each other on both sides!
For some reason, when they encountered those people coming out of the palace, those of them who were being guarded here inexplicably couldn't lift their heads and subconsciously looked away.
People passing by looked over curiously, all wanting to know what had happened.
As they passed Ji Shumin's carriage, they all bowed in greeting, a sense of bewilderment rising in their hearts.
I didn't see the Third Prince in the court today, so why is he here?
Ji Shumin, the head eunuch, glanced at him and immediately understood his meaning.
Lang Sheng roughly repeated what Ji Shumin had just said, saying that these people were going to enter the palace to see the emperor in different days and would "voluntarily" serve the emperor when he was ill.
Such loyalty and righteousness are truly...touching!
If there are any others like them who are willing to voluntarily enter the palace to attend to the Emperor during his illness, they can join them now! No matter how many people there are, we can never have too many!
Upon hearing this, everyone understood what was going on.
Like the other group, their first reaction was surprise. There was no precedent in this dynasty for a subject to attend to the emperor when he was ill. Moreover, they never thought that the Third Prince would actually agree to let them enter the palace to see the emperor. After all... according to their usual understanding, agreeing to the group's request and going along with their wishes would be compromising with them.
Wouldn't that... make me seem weak?
Everyone thought that this standoff would last for an unknown period of time and escalate to an unknown degree. Now, the Third Prince's actions left them completely baffled, wondering what he was up to.
But seeing the Third Prince's calm and composed demeanor, as if he were truly granting the wishes of this group, who dared to say anything more? No one dared to answer the eunuch's questions either.
They could see the book of records, which the Third Prince probably wanted them to see on purpose; it was just placed there and displayed.
So everyone refused, and following the Third Prince's words, they superficially praised the affection between the ruler and his subjects, and then quickly made excuses to leave. If they stayed, they might have their own business to attend to later!
When a group of people came out, the eunuch would announce it, and those standing nearby would be treated as if they were tourist attractions, and everyone would have to take a second look at them.
Some were inquiring, some mocked and ridiculed, some scorned, and some just watched the spectacle...
In short, what people show and what they say are completely different.
In this court, self-preservation is the most common practice, especially for people like them. Everyone knows perfectly well what they are doing all this commotion for, but it has nothing to do with loyalty, courage, or speaking out for justice. So no one feels sorry for them, and their gazes become even more piercing, stabbing at them again and again.
Even the most thick-skinned person wouldn't be completely oblivious.
Moreover, these aristocratic families, who had long been pampered and arrogant, were stared at like this. Even in the cold wind and bitter cold, their faces couldn't help but burn, turning red, and it was hard to tell whether it was from the cold or from embarrassment...
Convicts who have committed serious crimes are deliberately paraded through crowded areas on their way to the execution ground. This allows the people to see their true colors, vent their disgust and anger, and serves as a warning to others not to make foolish mistakes, lest their fate become yours.
Today's events are strikingly similar, serving as a stark warning to everyone: these people should be careful not to follow their example and do such things in the future...
The Third Prince has made it so obvious that he has no intention of hiding anything.
Those who hold positions of power in the imperial court are all shrewd and capable; how could they not understand this?
Even until the last person left the palace, they could see what was happening outside.
Ji Shumin was getting drowsy from waiting. He had gotten up very early today just for this matter.
Those people went from being terrified, ashamed, and irritable at the beginning to becoming numb and shivering from the cold. When they finally heard the Third Prince's voice, they felt as if they had been granted a pardon. At that moment, they didn't want to think about anything else but to get to a warm place as soon as possible!
And those who are even more unlucky are the ones who have to go to the palace to meet the Emperor today!
Watching the others rush off, completely unconcerned about the fate of the remaining people, these people could only wait there in utter despair.
After a while, they entered the palace together with the Third Prince's carriage.
After entering the palace, the Third Prince stopped lingering with them and headed towards the First Prince's palace.
After warming themselves up with a bowl of hot soup, the group was taken to the emperor's bedroom.
Only when they reached the palace gates did the group believe that the Third Prince had truly allowed them to see the Emperor! A surge of excitement welled up within them: what if they could really persuade the Emperor…
But as soon as they entered the emperor's bedchamber, they were all stunned. A chill ran through them, and they stood there, their limbs stiffer than when they had just stood in the freezing cold.
Because the response to their greetings was... the Emperor's howling, which was practically inhuman.
There's no need to see what's behind the heavily drawn curtains anymore...
Their feet felt as if they were walking on cotton, and large beads of sweat dripped from their foreheads under the intense heat of the brazier in the room, even wetting their temples.
They looked at each other, seeing utter terror in each other's eyes, yet neither dared to take the first step forward. How could they allow the Emperor to see him in his current state?
Regardless of the dynasty, how many people who have witnessed the ugly side of a monarch have managed to die a peaceful death?
Let alone whether the Emperor can let them go, it's still unknown whether even the First Prince can let them go. They know they have completely offended the First Prince, and they wonder if he will want to get rid of them even more because of this.
They are truly afraid now.
"My lords, please..." De Cheng's voice rang out softly from the side, like a sinister death warrant: "None of the empresses have come today. His Majesty is waiting for you all to attend to his ailing state..."
As he spoke, the door behind him closed, making the room even dimmer and more oppressive.
"I wait……"
But it's no use saying anything now.
De Cheng had already urged them to come to the Emperor's bedside. The moment the bed curtains were lifted, everyone knelt down, their heads seemingly drooping into their chests.
A foul smell wafted over, forcing them to look up, where they witnessed a scene they would never forget.
The reason they kept clamoring to see the Emperor was not only to oppose the eldest prince, but also because of the suspicion that originated from somewhere.
It is said that when the emperor attended court for the last time, he looked radiant and did not appear to be terminally ill. Moreover, the emperor's headache was not a problem that had only appeared in recent years, but had existed since the emperor was in his prime. Even when the emperor was at his strongest, he would occasionally skip court due to headache. How could he suddenly be unable to attend court because of a headache attack?
Not only did he stop attending court, but he also disappeared without a trace. They had no idea how long it had been or what the emperor's current situation was.
It's possible that the Emperor is indeed being controlled by the First Prince and the Third Prince.
That day in the side hall, some people also saw the Emperor. Although he was thin and emaciated, he could still speak and had strength. Although he looked... crazy, he could still control the Third Prince.
Even if the Third Prince is crippled, he is still a strong young man, and the Emperor's strength is certainly not insignificant...
So what if they're crazy? Maybe it'll make it easier to understand what they have to say.
Only a few people saw the Emperor that day, and even those who did not remain silent dared not describe it in detail, which is why such doubts arose from who knows where.
So much so that they were fooled...
Before today, many of them thought that as long as they could see the Emperor, things might turn around, or even allow the Crown Prince to step down from his regency.
But His Majesty... has become so ill!
No wonder, no wonder the Third Prince had that expression just now!
But at this point, they had no way out and could only bite the bullet and step forward, saying they were there to attend to the emperor's illness, but they didn't even dare to look at the emperor and knelt in a row, trembling.
De Cheng didn't make things difficult for them. He simply waited until they had stayed for the required time, then had a eunuch escort them out. He specifically instructed them to be careful, since these soft-legged creatures might fall and get seriously injured on the way!
The Third Prince had no intention of making an example of someone; he wanted to kill all the monkeys who were present that day.
It is said that people come to attend to the emperor every day without fail. They even go to those who are sick at home, according to the order of appointment. In short, no matter what, they make sure that the emperor, whom you have been longing for, is there for you!
Despite the Third Prince's antics, the First Prince remained oblivious.
He even went so far as to have historians go to the emperor's bedchamber to record the words and actions of the officials who came to attend to him, intending to record their loyalty to the emperor so that it could be recorded in history and known to future generations.
But in reality, recording what they said and did made it impossible for them to have any ulterior motives and say things that distorted the facts, since several historians were taking turns watching them!
This trick... was also Lu Liruan's idea.
Inspired by: surveillance equipment.
Without any evidence, what if they conspire to tell some lies in the Emperor's bedchamber? It could end up unclear and complicated...
Although there are no surveillance cameras now, someone can act as one, to see who can still take advantage of the situation.
Upon hearing Lu Liruan's idea, Ji Shumin was taken aback and didn't even put down his teacup.
He then laughed so hard he bent over. Lu Liruan had almost never seen him laugh like that before. His eyebrows and eyes curved into crescents, and his cheeks and even the tip of his nose turned red from laughing...
"What does Li Ruan think about every day?" he chuckled and asked in a murmur.