Chapter 498: Chapter 498: Unworthy of the Throne

The Emperor’s originally cold and stern gaze softened. Huangfu Wei, after all, was his grandson, and he must be found quickly!

Additionally, whether or not Old Fifth has returned to the Capital City must also be investigated!

He glanced at Prince Zhuang and said, "You’ve received the Holy Decree, haven’t you?"

Prince Zhuang’s heart skipped a beat. He had already played the family card for a while, yet Father Emperor seemed unmoved and was now asking about the received decree. He didn’t want to admit it, but knew he couldn’t hide it, so he reluctantly said, "I’ve received it!"

He kneeled again, his face filled with remorse, and said, "Father Emperor, your son knows he’s wrong. Please give your son another chance!"

The Emperor swept a cold glance over him, his voice filled with suppressed anger and disappointment: "Did you ever give Prince Cheng’s Heir a chance back then? From the moment you did this, you were no longer qualified to be the Crown Prince."

Prince Zhuang cried out, "Father Emperor, I was momentarily possessed! Furthermore, I lost a son too. My Chi’er and Wei’er—one was severely injured and one went missing. Are they supposed to endure this?"

"The Holy Decree has been issued. There’s no need to say more!"

"Father Emperor, now only your son knows about the decree. I beg Father Emperor for mercy. Your son promises to learn from this, speak and act with caution, and never be impulsive again. I will also make amends to Old Fifth. Father Emperor, it’s only been two years since Eldest Brother. Punishing your son doesn’t matter, your son fears that his actions will affect the foundation of the state!"

Such heartfelt sincerity, such concern for the state.

Words that should have moved him now sounded grating in the Emperor’s ears.

He said sternly: "Did you know someone has been secretly mining in West Mountain?"

Prince Zhuang was taken aback and hurriedly shook his head: "Your son did not know."

"Last night several shops caught fire. Did you know?"

"Your son was confined at home by order; your son did not know."

"Recently, there have been hundreds of disturbances and fights in the Capital City. Did you know?"

"Your son, your son did not know!"

...

The Emperor questioned him with several questions. Initially, Prince Zhuang was dripping with cold sweat, thinking the Emperor knew those properties were his.

Fortunately, he later realized these were related to the security of the Capital City and quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

His face was unchanged, coldly said: "This is all your doing!"

Prince Zhuang’s face turned pale, and he hurriedly kowtowed: "Father Emperor, even if you lent your son the courage the size of heaven, your son wouldn’t dare do this!" Several of the burned properties and places damaged by vandalism were his. He would be foolish to go against his own properties.

The Emperor said coldly: "If you hadn’t attacked in the street and killed Prince Cheng’s Heir, led by the dignity of the Crown Prince, stirring up the Capital City’s security. Those scoundrels take advantage, how could the Capital City’s security have been so troubled? These disturbances were all caused by you, and though you did not act directly, you cannot evade responsibility! Do you think you still have any right to the position of the Crown Prince? Don’t cite your Eldest Brother or say it would cause turmoil in the government. You in this position already affects the foundation of the state!"

Prince Zhuang: "..."

He never expected the Emperor to say such harsh words.

At this moment, he was filled with regret.

Perhaps after the failed palace feast, he should have waited a bit before making a move.

When Huangfu Jingchen changed his route back to the residence, his ambush was unsuccessful, too hurriedly changing course to follow Huangfu Jingchen. This left considerable loopholes in the matter, let alone underestimating Huangfu Jingchen and those around him in martial arts. He also never expected the Antong Three Ghosts to be captured by the Capital Governor’s men.

But to give up the position of Crown Prince like this, he was certainly unwilling. He continued to plead: "Father Emperor, since things have come to this, your son has already been punished. Old Fifth injured my Chi’er and took away Wei’er. Wasn’t this to atone for his son’s death? Do my three sons’ lives not equal his one son’s life? If Old Fifth can forgive me, Father Emperor, could you give me a chance?"

The Emperor: "..."

Was he not clear enough?

To do such a thing proved unworthy of the position. Having such a Crown Prince surely disheartened the courtiers.

The two Crown Princes he appointed, one heartened the common people, and the other disheartened the courtiers, both forced him to deal with them. What sin had he committed?

Yet now, this third son still wanted to ask him for a chance.

To ask others for a chance after making a mistake is itself an unwise action.

Moreover, how many eyes were watching someone in the position of Crown Prince? He who could seize the Crown Prince’s position from Prince Liang should understand more clearly than anyone.

The reason he initially passed over Prince Li and appointed him as Crown Prince was precisely for his steadiness, astuteness, deep scheming, and meticulous actions.

But look at what he did this time?

The Emperor’s eyes darkened, his piercing gaze fixed on Prince Zhuang, as if wanting to see into his very soul: "Tell me, why did you attack Prince Cheng’s Heir?"

Under the Emperor’s sharp gaze, Prince Zhuang’s eyes flickered. He definitely didn’t dare to tell the real reason. He hesitated and said: "Because, because he caused Jing’er to be harmed to death. Your son was heartbroken and acted irrationally, blinded by a desire for revenge for Jing’er, leading to this foolish act. Your son deeply regrets it; he was far too reckless at the time. This matter had nothing to do with Prince Cheng’s Heir. Your son wronged Old Fifth, so even though Old Fifth injured Chi’er and took Wei’er, your son doesn’t blame him."

He believed he was being sincere and earnest. With cause and effect, guilt, remorse, reflection, and forgiveness.

"Utter nonsense! Do you think you can deceive me easily?" The Emperor was furious, his face darkened, and the imperial majesty of the Emperor weighed down heavily, almost scaring Prince Zhuang to death.

Prince Zhuang was filled with uncertainty. He said this to gain a good impression from Father Emperor, hoping Father Emperor would have mercy on him and revoke the decision to depose the Crown Prince.

But why was Father Emperor angry?

The Emperor looked at him coldly, with a somewhat sarcastic tone, and said: "The daughter of the Dragon Nest Tribe’s Clan Leader, with a hidden and turbulent past life. Uncovering his true identity was already no easy task. But who would have thought he was Huangfu Hanyu’s person?"

Prince Zhuang’s face changed drastically. When Wen Yuanting’s people investigated, they only knew that palace maid was the daughter of the Dragon Nest Tribe’s Clan Leader but suspected there might be someone behind.

That doubt was certainly also reported to the Emperor, who sent his Hidden Guard to investigate, uncovering everything thoroughly, digging deeper than Wen Yuanting’s investigation.

If it were only the palace feast incident, even if the Emperor found out, he might have covered it up for the Crown Prince. After all, it was a thwarted attempt, wasn’t it?

But then came the street assassination, almost causing the Emperor to flip in anger!

Though he could discover many things, he couldn’t know everything. He still couldn’t understand why the Crown Prince was so obsessed with killing Huangfu Jingchen, even risking everything.