Chapter 644 - 644 641 Boundless Prospects_1

Chapter 644: Chapter 641: Boundless Prospects_1 Chapter 644: Chapter 641: Boundless Prospects_1 The Empress of the Central Palace, even if she were here, could not justify Consort Yu, the Crown Prince’s mother, ruling the harem. The Crown Prince would never allow such a thing to happen.

Bai Qingyan had a plan in mind. She spoke righteously, as if Fu Ruoxi had indeed suffered a great injustice.

Fu Ruoxi, upon hearing those words, clenched his hand by his side. He knew Bai Qingyan was trying to save him.

Facing the Empress, Fu Ruoxi felt guilty. But the more guilty he felt, the more he couldn’t show it. Otherwise… how could he face his deceased mother and the efforts Bai Qingyan put in to save him?

He closed his eyes. When the Empress sent someone to kill him, he had already severed his feelings. Over the years, he had been used by the Empress so many times. He had repaid what he owed her.

Now, to protect his wife and children, to protect the entire Fu family, he could only let down the Empress.

“Cough, cough, cough…” Hearing the word Empress, the Emperor suddenly coughed heavily. The Crown Prince hurriedly stood up to assist the Emperor, while Gao Demao offered a spittoon, kneeling in front of the Emperor. Doctor Huang also quickly approached to take the Emperor’s pulse.

The Emperor waved his hand repeatedly, took a deep breath to calm himself, his chest gradually stabilizing. He looked at the Crown Prince and asked, “What does the Crown Prince think?”

“Father, you already know the matter. Father also believes in General Fu’s innocence. As for confronting the Empress… I think Father should wait until we younger generations are not present and then talk to her alone.” The Crown Prince turned to look at the Emperor. Seeing the Emperor nod in agreement, the Crown Prince stepped forward to gently help Bai Qingyan up and whispered, “This concerns the dignity of the Imperial Family; it’s always better to handle family matters behind closed doors. Fu Ruoxi is an outsider. It’s not good for him to be involved.”

The Crown Prince phrased it as “family matters” to draw Bai Qingyan closer, letting her know he didn’t see her as an outsider.

“The Crown Prince makes sense!” Bai Qingyan took a step back and nodded respectfully to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince’s gaze fell on Bai Qingyan’s trembling arm. He quickly said, “Let the physician check your arm first! This time, you have made a great contribution by protecting Father. Father will surely reward you well. After your arm is treated, go back to your residence early to rest. Leave the rest to others!”

The Emperor also looked at his silver-haired, wrinkle-faced aunt with sudden softness in his heart. He said, “I’ve been down for these days, thanks to Master Tan and Aunt. Last night, Aunt risked her life to enter the palace to protect me. Aunt has worked hard. Aunt and the Princess of Zhen should go back to rest!”

The Eldest Princess and Bai Qingyan replied in unison.

Outside, King Liang’s cries were heard again: “Father… Father, I truly know nothing!”

King Liang, after all, was a prince, unwilling to leave with the Patrol Camp with a sword to his neck. He stood in the rain, crying to see the Emperor. Fan Yuhuai, who was bandaging his wounds under the porch, felt distressed and could only kneel at the hall’s door and ask the Emperor: “Your Majesty, King Liang holds a sword to his neck, claiming he wants to see Your Majesty. How should I handle this?”

The Eldest Princess’s eyes were cold. She had misjudged before… King Liang was more resilient than he seemed.

King Liang grew up among cracks, understanding the ways of survival better than most, knowing when to kneel, and never showing arrogance until he secured the highest position.

In this, King Liang was much more capable than the Emperor and his brothers.

However, King Liang harbored deep hatred for the Bai family. The Eldest Princess could not let such a person ascend to the highest throne of the Jin Kingdom. Otherwise, there would be no place for her Bai family.

The Eldest Princess turned to the Emperor: “Your Majesty, King Liang claims he knows nothing about King Xian’s rebellion, holding a sword to his neck to see Your Majesty. But during the clash between King Xian’s forces and Master Fan Yuhuai’s Patrol Camp, he didn’t use his sword to beg King Xian to stop! If King Liang truly had the courage to save Your Majesty with his life, why didn’t he at that time use the sword to threaten King Xian? After all, without King Liang, King Xian’s legitimacy would be questioned. Even if King Xian relies on his daughter’s pregnancy with the imperial heir, Your Majesty… other princes still exist.”

Master Tan nodded in agreement.

The Eldest Princess paused, then seriously told the Emperor: “It seems King Liang does harbor thoughts about the supreme position.”

The Crown Prince lowered his eyes, joy gleaming within. If King Liang died, he could rest easy.

The Emperor’s eyes grew darker at the Eldest Princess’s words. He couldn’t help but cough violently a few times: “Gao Demao, issue a decree… imprison that traitor in the dungeon. If he wishes to slit his throat… let him do so! Out of sight, out of mind!”

Gao Demao quickly nodded in response and swiftly walked out of the hall, relaying the Emperor’s words to Fan Yuhuai: “Master Fan, it would be best to leave this matter to others. You should rest quickly!”

Gao Demao looked at Fan Yuhuai, whose face and body were covered in blood, one eye wrapped in fine cotton cloth by the physician, and quickly added.

Fan Yuhuai nodded: “Thank you for your concern!”

Just as Fan Yuhuai finished speaking, he saw Bai Qingyan helping the Eldest Princess and Master Tan out of the Emperor’s bedchamber. Fan Yuhuai quickly bowed: “Eldest Princess, Princess of Zhen, Master Tan.”

Fan Yuhuai, with newly bandaged wounds, had blood seeping through the gauze, his other eye bloodshot. His rain-soaked armor tightly clung to him, making him look quite miserable.

“Thank you for your efforts, Master Fan! You should return to rest soon. His Majesty has sent for Liu Hong to take over, allowing you to rest well!” The Eldest Princess continued, “His Majesty will not forget your efforts to protect him, and you will be heavily rewarded! Master Fan… your future is boundless.”

Upon hearing this, Fan Yuhuai bowed deeply, trembling with excitement.

Who in officialdom doesn’t want to rise swiftly? Who doesn’t want to reach high positions?

The Deputy Commander of the Patrol Camp had already rushed into the rain, shouting at King Liang: “His Majesty has decreed, imprison King Liang. If he wishes to slit his throat, let him do as he pleases.”

King Liang’s face turned pale upon hearing this. The sword in his hand slipped, and he fell to his knees, tears and mucus streaming down his face, looking utterly spineless.

“Father! Son is wronged! I truly didn’t know King Xian was rebelling! I was just too afraid to resist, fearing King Xian would cut off my head with one stroke. I know I shamed you, Father!”

Seeing King Liang’s pitiful state, the Deputy Commander of the Patrol Camp felt a touch of contempt and waved his hand: “Take him away!”