"Stop arguing!" The emperor frowned and interrupted Dongfang Zhan sharply. Looking at the boxes of arrows, he said coldly, "To manufacture arrows privately is audacious and outrageous. To kill the crown prince is an unforgivable crime. I will investigate the truth and bring the culprits to justice!"
Dongfang Heng looked at the emperor, his brows furrowed. He meant that he would not punish Dongfang Zhan for the time being!
"Dongfang Zhan, Yu Jian, and Prince Xun are also suspects. You are to be confined to Wuyou Palace until the truth is revealed!" The emperor's tone was slightly cold, effectively imprisoning Dongfang Zhan.
"Your subject obeys!" Dongfang Zhan's low voice was tinged with anger and resentment. He was furious to hear that he had been unjustly imprisoned without having done anything wrong.
"All of you, step back. I want to be alone!" The emperor sat on the dragon throne, his weary gaze sweeping over Dongfang Heng, Dongfang Zhan, the steward, and the others, before impatiently waving his hand.
"Your humble servants (sons) take their leave!" Dongfang Heng and Dongfang Zhan bowed and left the imperial study.
The emperor looked at the painted railing on the roof and sighed softly: "Eunuch Zhao, do you think Zhan'er is the murderer who shot and killed Prince Xun?"
"This..." Eunuch Zhao's eyes flickered a few times: "Prince Zhan is gentle and polite, not like such a cruel person, but Prince An's accusations are well-founded..." His words were ambiguous, typical of a centrist, not offending either side.
"You may also step down!" The emperor looked out the window and sighed again. Dongfang Heng's words were stern and well-founded. Dongfang Zhan was furious and cried out that he was innocent. The matter was complicated and difficult to discern. He did not know who to believe.
Inside the palace, the trees are lush and green, providing ample shade.
"Dongfang Heng, you can't bring me down!" After looking around to make sure no one was watching, Dongfang Zhan suddenly said this, looking provocatively at Dongfang Heng, who was three meters away.
"Dongfang Zhan, don't be too happy yet. I will definitely find evidence and make you pay with your life!" Dongfang Heng's eyes were sharp as arrows, and his voice was as cold as ice.
"Then I'll be waiting for your evidence!"
Dongfang Zhan looked at the bluestone path, his eyes flickered, and a strange smile appeared on his lips: "Dongfang Heng, you will definitely see Shen Lixue when you return to the palace, right? Tell her for me that I miss her very much, and if she is willing, the position of Princess Zhan is hers!"
Dongfang Heng's sharp gaze, like blades, shot towards Dongfang Zhan: "Li Xue's affairs are none of your concern!"
Dongfang Zhan raised an eyebrow, looking at Dongfang Heng's gloomy face, and laughed triumphantly in his heart, continuing to provoke him: "I have shared a bed with Li Xue, so I have no right to care about her..."
"Get out!" Dongfang Heng shouted angrily, and with a flick of his wrist, a powerful surge of internal energy struck Dongfang Zhan fiercely.
Dongfang Zhan hadn't expected Dongfang Heng to dare attack him in the palace. His dodging was a beat too slow, and his slender body was sent flying seven or eight meters away, landing on the hard ground. His left shoulder was hit, and his entire left arm was numb and without feeling. For the first time in his life, he experienced what it was like to be seriously injured.
"Dongfang Heng!" He looked up and glared fiercely at the culprit, his eyes flashing with a sharp light.
The powerful palm strike startled the nearby palace maids and eunuchs. Seeing Dongfang Heng and Dongfang Zhan standing at a distance on the bluestone road, ready to fight, they dared not approach, their eyes filled with fear. The Prince of An's temper was truly terrifying.
"If I hear you insult Li Xue again, I'll strike your head with my palm!" Dongfang Heng looked down at him, his white robes fluttering, his aura like that of an immortal, but his gaze was like that of a demon from hell. He coldly threw down these words, flicked his sleeves, and strode out without looking back.
"Heh!" Dongfang Zhan watched his departing figure, clutching his left shoulder as he slowly stood up, letting out a cold laugh. Dongfang Heng couldn't take it anymore? This was just the beginning. Shen Lixue was very charming, and she was someone Dongfang Heng truly loved. He would never let her go easily.
At the Holy King's Mansion, in Maple Pine Courtyard, Shen Lixue stood at the entrance, pacing back and forth, looking at the pitch-black sky, her heart filled with anxiety. Dongfang Heng hadn't returned yet so late; could something have happened to him?
If she had known, she should have gone to the palace with him.
Suddenly, a white figure came into view. With a tall and handsome figure and a refined face, it was Dongfang Heng. He walked slowly, his eyes tired and his figure forlorn.
"Dongfang Heng!" Shen Lixue exclaimed, rushing forward to greet him. Seeing Dongfang Heng's sorrowful face, she moved her lips, gently stroking his handsome features with her small, white hand, and whispered, "How did things go?"
"Li Xue!" Looking at Shen Li Xue, a light flashed in Dongfang Heng's dark eyes. He reached out and hugged her tightly, greedily inhaling her unique scent, and murmured to himself, "Fortunately, you are by my side!"
His parents have passed away, and his brother is gone too, but he still has Shen Lixue; he is not alone.
"I will always be by your side and will never leave you!" Shen Lixue hugged Dongfang Heng tightly and whispered in his ear as if making a vow.
His parents and brother passed away one after another. Although he never said anything and never showed his sadness in front of others, she knew that he was suffering in his heart. She would stay by his side and face the unknown hardships with him.
Dongfang Heng nodded heavily, a glimmer of light flashing in his eyes. He still had Shen Lixue, his future still held hope.
The new prefecture of Lingzhou, where Duke Wen took office, was a thousand miles from the capital. The palace dispatched guards on an urgent mission to Lingzhou to escort him away. Two days and one night later, the guards brought news that Duke Wen's prefectural courtyard was empty. He had resigned his post and disappeared without a trace.
Shen Lixue and Dongfang Heng sat in the pavilion discussing Dongfang Xun's funeral arrangements. The afternoon sun shone on them, casting golden halos that were hazy and indescribably beautiful.
Upon hearing the news from the guards, he was both shocked and furious. After the emperor issued the order, Dongfang Heng, to prevent Dongfang Zhan from making any underhanded moves, also sent people to Lingzhou. However, Dongfang Zhan's men beat him to it.
"The Duke of Wen has disappeared, and the young master Xun's great revenge has not been avenged. Are you two grieving?" With a casual question, Dongfang Zhan strode over and looked at Shen Lixue in the pavilion.
“With Prince Zhan personally taking action, how could Duke Wen not disappear?” Dongfang Heng said coldly, standing up to block Shen Lixue and cut off Dongfang Zhan’s view of her.
Duke Wen is an official outside the capital. Privately manufacturing sharp arrows is a serious crime. The emperor has already become suspicious of him. As soon as he steps into the capital, he will be arrested and imprisoned, facing endless torture. If he cannot withstand the interrogation and reveals everything, Dongfang Zhan will be the one to suffer.
Dongfang Heng had seen all of Wen Guogong's actions over the years. Although he was fond of power, he had no ambition to unify the world, let alone manufacture weapons or rebel.
His escape was an admission that he had illegally manufactured feathered arrows. His escape with his life indirectly proved that Dongfang Zhan was wronged. Dongfang Xun's death and the illegal manufacture of feathered arrows had nothing to do with Dongfang Zhan. He absolved himself of all responsibility and easily escaped punishment!
What a brilliant plan that kills two birds with one stone! Dongfang Heng's jade-like fingers clenched tightly, and a cold light flashed in his sharp eyes.
If Dongfang Heng had previously only suspected that Wen Guogong had sided with Dongfang Zhan, now he was absolutely certain that the two of them were in cahoots.
"Dongfang Heng, Father Emperor has lifted my confinement order because he believes I did not plot against Prince Xun. If you continue to speak disrespectfully, you are questioning Father Emperor's decision!" Unable to see Shen Lixue, Dongfang Zhan was displeased and vented all his anger on Dongfang Heng.
"Dongfang Zhan, don't be too happy yet. I will definitely find evidence and bring the real culprit to justice!" Dongfang Heng looked coldly at Dongfang Zhan. He had just been released from confinement, and he had already come to the palace to provoke them. He was really impatient.
"Finding the real culprit and avenging Prince Xun is a good thing. I will wait for Prince An's good news!" Dongfang Zhan looked at Dongfang Heng provocatively, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. Even if Dongfang Heng had extraordinary abilities, he could not find Duke Wen.
Without finding Duke Wen, we cannot punish him. Without punishing him, how can we avenge Dongfang Xun? All our enthusiasm is just empty talk and grand pronouncements.
"Butler, see the guests out!" Since they couldn't agree on anything, Dongfang Heng unceremoniously ordered them to leave.
"I've come to see the old prince!" Dongfang Zhan smiled gently, his eyes flashing with intense provocation and mockery, as if to say, "I haven't come to see you, so you have no right to ask me to leave!"
Dongfang Heng's gaze sharpened. Behind him, Shen Lixue tried to stand up and rebuke Dongfang Zhan, but he reached out and pressed her down: "Get out! The Holy King's Mansion does not welcome you!"
The old prince is in poor health, and the news of Dongfang Xun's death has been kept from him. Dongfang Zhan's visit to the Holy Prince's Mansion is definitely not well-intentioned; he will surely reveal the news of Dongfang Xun's death. At that time, the old prince will be deeply shocked, and at best, he will fall seriously ill and never recover; at worst, he will die.
"I came to the palace with good intentions to visit the old prince. Is this how you, Prince An, treat your guests?" Dongfang Zhan was not angry that he could not see the old prince. Instead, he continued to provoke Dongfang Heng. He had killed Dongfang Xun, and Dongfang Heng was being polite and wanted to treat him warmly. He was sure that Dongfang Heng would be furious.