Chapter 174: Sneak attack 2 (2/2)
”Answering Your Majesty, the Imperial doctors are attending to the Crown Prince at Xinfeng palace”.
”The meeting is adjourned!” Emperor Zhong stood and walked out of the room. His guards, maids and Eunuchs followed behind, the young eunuch tripped in a bid to follow behind. He bowed respectfully at the ministers and other officials and rushed out of the room.
The officials were silent until they were sure that the Emperor had walked a certain distance away from the room before murmuring between themselves.
The Emperor was not in a good mood and would easily make an example of anyone he caught talking. No one wished to take the risk when they were sure that the Emperor was no longer in the vicinity they turned to talk to each other. Before long news of the Crown Prince's suicide attempt spread wide.
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The Sixth prince was pleased with the news, he was watching a shadow dance with Zhu Faye at Meirong brothel. When the news broke, Zhongshan Cheng dismissed the dancers and prostitutes that gently massaged his thigh and shoulders to give them some privacy. He waited some minutes for the dancers and brother girls to leave before a smile broke on his face.
”You must be overjoyed, your highness” Zhu Faye picked up a jug of wine on the table and poured himself and the sixth prince a cup each. Be dropped the pitcher of wine on the table and passed the cup of wine to the sixth prince.
Zhongshan Cheng took the cup of wine from him and quickly drank up. He held flipped the empty cup over and laughed, ”you, my friend are a genius, Who knew that frustrating him a little for two weeks was all we needed to push him to the edge. Who knew cripples could be that spineless, He truly is nothing without the Lu family to protect him. Now if he could just stat dead, I wouldn't have to go through with that plan”.
”Even if he survives, we already laid the groundwork to depose him, your highness. The public opinion hasn't been in his favour for weeks, a suicide attempt would put a nail in the coffin” Zhu Faye smirked holding a cup of wine close to his lips.
Zhongshan Chen placed his hands on his friend's shoulder and leaned closer, ”you are a mad genius, Faye. Who needs a military strategist when I have you!”
Zhongshan Cheng placed his hands on the handle of the pitcher of wine, about to pour himself a cup of wine. When Zhu Faye, placed his hand on his hands and held him back. He looked up at Zhu Faye, who shook his head.
”Not yet your Highness, the Crown Prince's life is at risk. His Majesty would send word to you soon, even if he doesn't. You should enter the palace and show concern for your elder brother. The Crown Prince is the Empress only son, you should go console her.” Zhu Faye said softly.
”Why do I have to do that!” Zhongshan Cheng pushed his head back and swore silently.
”Your Highness, we are about to get all that want and some more. We can not draw attention to ourselves, you have to play the concerned younger brother to get on the Emperor's good side. Don't worry, I will take care of the rest”
Zhongshan Cheng glanced at Zhu Faye's calm expression and nodded. ”Alright,” he stood straightened up his clothes and walked out of the room.
The sixth Prince stopped at his manor to wash up and changed into fresh clothes before going into the palace. By the time he arrived the Imperial Doctor had stabilized Zhongshan Ling and he had fallen into natural sleep.
The Emperor and the sixth Prince left for morning court while the Empress and Xia Ying stayed back to keep the Crown Prince company.
As soon as the Emperor was seated and the court began, a stout minister with white beards stepped out holding up his white plank bowed and shouted, ”Your majesty, we have a huge problem in our hands. The citizens are demanding that the Crown Prince be disposed...”