Originally, Jiang Qi might not have made this trip, but Jiang Xuan's words reminded him that although they were in Da Zhou, they still had to put on a show for the people of Da Gan. He couldn't let his father be wary of him, otherwise his chances of winning would be even lower!
In the Liuhua Palace of the Imperial Palace, Fenyan welcomed an unexpected guest today: Lin Yingying, the Crown Prince's concubine.
Lin Yingying came to the palace early this morning to pay her respects and brought good news to the Empress Dowager and the Empress: she was pregnant, more than a month along. The Empress Dowager and the Empress were naturally overjoyed and showered her with many rare treasures. Originally, Ouyang Yue's pregnancy was not good for the Crown Prince, but now that Lin Yingying was pregnant, it was extremely beneficial not only for making her the Crown Princess but also for the Crown Prince. The concubines in the palace naturally also sent their congratulatory gifts. Because Fenyan was currently favored by the Emperor and had received many gifts, she was not stingy and sent the most valuable gift among all the concubines. Consort Sun was very stingy because she was angry. It was unclear whether Lin Yingying was angry with Consort Sun or for some other reason, but she actually came to thank her in person.
Lin Yingying was carefully helped in by two servants, and she turned slightly to greet Fenyan: "Greetings, Consort Fen."
"Consort Lin, please rise quickly. You are currently pregnant and must not overexert yourself. Please be careful. Quickly bring a soft cushion and help Consort Lin to sit down." Fenyan immediately spoke up, and Lin Yingying did not act coy. She smiled faintly and sat down with a clear conscience.
Fenyan laughed: "Look at Consort Lin, she looks radiant. Being pregnant really makes a difference; she looks even more energetic."
"You flatter me, Consort Fen. I didn't expect to bear a child for the Crown Prince so quickly. I was a little carried away with my joy. When I felt something was wrong, I consulted many doctors. Today, I was still a little worried, so I had the imperial physician examine me and confirm it before I dared to tell my grandmother and mother the good news." Lin Yingying touched her still-developing belly, her face beaming with joy. She then turned to look at Fenyan: "I must thank Consort Fen for her generosity. I've come to express my gratitude."
"Consort Lin is too kind. I am happy for Consort Lin that you are pregnant." Fenyan smiled, her pretty face seemingly glowing.
Lin Yingying said to the maids beside her, "You may all leave now. I need to discuss the pregnancy with Consort Fen. It is not appropriate for you unmarried women to overhear. Go and wait outside."
Fenyan was taken aback when she saw this, and waved for the palace maid to leave. She then quietly looked at Lin Yingying.
Lin Yingying smiled faintly: "Consort Fen is a smart person. I can't stay in the palace for too long, so I won't beat around the bush. I suppose Consort Fen has heard about the recent rumors in the capital."
"The Prince of Chen and Princess Jiang Xuan."
Lin Yingying nodded, her eyes somewhat cold: "That's right, about them, I wonder what Consort Fen thinks, if these two really get together."
Fen Yan smiled faintly, her expression unchanged: "This matter mainly depends on the Emperor's will, but Prince Chen is naturally handsome, and Princess Jiang Xuan is both talented and beautiful, so they are quite a good match."
Lin Yingying sneered, "Does Consort Fen really think that way?"
Fenyan nodded: "Otherwise, what does Consort Lin think I should think?"
Lin Yingying paused, staring intently at Fen Yan, and said, "Fen Fei is the most favored concubine in the harem, and she is about to give birth to a prince. I heard that Fen Fei and Princess Chen have a good relationship. Now that the matter of Prince Chen and Princess Jiang Xuan has spread, whether it is for Princess Chen's sake or for your own benefit, I think Fen Fei is not happy to see it happen."
Fenyan simply said, "Why does Consort Lin say such a thing?"
"Consort Fen and Princess Consort Chen have a good relationship. If Jiang Xuan enters Prince Chen's residence, she will definitely suppress Princess Consort Chen. Consort Fen's current status is undoubtedly due to Princess Consort Chen's efforts. Even if Consort Fen doesn't get involved in these matters to protect herself, she will lose an ally outside, which is not a good thing for you. Furthermore, with Jiang Xuan marrying Prince Chen, Consort Fen's chances with her son will be even slimmer." Lin Yingying smiled thoughtfully, and sure enough, she saw that Fen Yan could no longer maintain her composure, and her expression changed slightly.
After calming herself down, Fenyan smiled somewhat reservedly and said, "Why do you say that, Consort Lin? In terms of qualifications, who can compare to the Crown Prince? As for the one in my belly, I have never thought that he would compete for anything. I only hope that he will grow up happily and safely."
Lin Yingying said with a sneer, "At this point, does Consort Fen still need to be so self-deprecating? Now that the Emperor favors you, is that your biggest advantage?"
Fenyan remained calm: "As the Crown Prince's concubine, Consort Lin should be wholeheartedly devoted to the Crown Prince's well-being. There's something wrong with what she's saying."
Lin Yingying bluntly said, "That's right. All princes pose a certain threat to the Crown Prince, but compared to Prince Chen, the threat is negligible. Besides, don't you think our biggest enemy right now is Prince Chen? No matter how much we compete in the future, the biggest threat right now is Baili Chen. If he marries Jiang Xuan, we won't have much of a chance in the future. For the sake of the Crown Prince, and for the little prince in your belly, don't you think what we should do now is to eliminate Prince Chen and ruin this marriage alliance?"
Fenyan's expression changed drastically: "Consort Lin, be careful what you say! Murdering a prince is a heinous crime of rebellion!"
Lin Yingying scoffed, "Why does Consort Fen need to be so cautious? Everyone can guess what we're thinking. Although Consort Fen rose to power with the help of Princess Chen and the Chen Prince's mansion, you survived in this palace on your own merits. Besides, you are Father Emperor's most favored consort, and the positions of Noble Consort and Imperial Noble Consort have been vacant for a long time. In the future, Father Emperor is very likely to push you up, and then the prince in your belly will have more competitive advantages. Consort Fen, we don't speak in riddles. You have no ambition at all? I'm afraid no one would believe it if you said it out loud."
Fenyan sneered: "What Consort Lin said is quite good, every word is tempting. It's a pity that if I choose to help you, then after it's all over, the first person you'll want to get rid of is me."
Lin Yingying smiled dismissively, neither denying nor denying it, saying, "That's true, but who will emerge victorious is still unknown. Does Consort Fen completely trust Princess Chen? Consort Fen, do you not consider that you know so many of her secrets? Do you think Princess Chen would be truly sincere and completely unguarded with you? Consort Fen, do you not consider how many people Princess Chen climbed to her position by stepping on? When she was in the General's Mansion, the mansion was in chaos, and many people were implicated. Why was she the only one left out of the three daughters of the Ouyang family? As the matriarch of the Ning family, she was divorced and became a laughing stock in the capital, and Old Madam Ning died not long after. After that, Mu Cuiwei, Fu Meier, Huang Yu, Ning Xihe, and all those who had a grudge against Princess Chen, did any of them end up well? Isn't she always involved in all of them? Even the Second Princess Baili Jing and the Fifth Princess Baili Le seem to have her shadow. The princesses of the Great Zhou Dynasty are all suffering more and more than the last. Consort Fen, although you are a favored concubine of the palace, do you think you have the confidence to face such a terrifying person?"
Lin Yingying paused, then said gently, "Although I don't want to admit it, Princess Chen is indeed a ruthless person. No one would feel comfortable cooperating with such a person, because she might very well use them to silence others at any moment. Do you think that makes sense, Consort Fen? I'm quite frank; I admit I'm no match for her, but she's much easier to deal with than Princess Chen. If we can't be friends in the future, I won't be enemies, but if she can't be a friend, then she'll be an enemy, won't she?"
Fenyan's expression changed slightly, and finally she lowered her eyes: "Consort Lin, I need to think about this matter carefully, and I cannot agree to it for you yet."
Lin Yingying stopped pressuring and said, "This concubine should also be leaving. It is indeed difficult for Consort Fen to make a choice in this situation. However, this concubine can guarantee that as long as Consort Fen cooperates, this concubine will naturally have a way to make the Chen Prince's Mansion and Princess Jiang Xuan of the Great Gan turn against each other. At that time, we will make them fight each other, not only can we reap the benefits, but we may also destroy the Chen Prince's Mansion in one fell swoop. It all depends on what choice Consort Fen makes."
Fenyan was shocked, while Lin Yingying had already been helped away by servants. She sat in the chair and pondered for a long time without moving. In the end, her eyes flickered, and it was impossible to tell what choice she had made!
The rumors circulating in the capital were naturally known to the Prince Chen's residence. In the room, Ouyang Yue poured a cup of tea and handed it to Baili Chen. Baili Chen picked it up, then put it down again, a cold smile playing on his lips: "It's obvious that someone wants to harm me. In this way, Father will definitely be wary. Although I have no desire to fight, I will inevitably be implicated."
Ouyang Yue pursed her lips in silence, understanding that this was the truth; this person was extremely cunning. She had previously used rumors to deal with Old Ning and Rui Yuhuan, and she knew how effective they could be. Black could be made white, falsehoods could be made true; just three people could make a mountain out of a molehill, let alone so many people intentionally spreading rumors. Under normal circumstances, this matter could be suppressed, but now, Jiang Xuan had indeed entered the Chen Prince's residence multiple times, possessing very compelling evidence. If these rumors were amplified, and some people analyzed the current situation of the Great Zhou and the Great Gan, even if they tried to explain the suppression, this matter couldn't be resolved immediately because they hadn't found a breakthrough. However, if things continued this way, the matter would escalate, which would be extremely disadvantageous for them.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, someone from the palace has sent a message." Just then, Chuncao's anxious voice came from outside. Baili Chen and Ouyang Yue were both taken aback. They arrived so quickly!
Baili Chen went out and opened the door, only to see Chuncao standing nervously outside. Baili Chen helped Ouyang Yue to the main hall, where a messenger was waiting. At this time, the master and servant were required to step forward to greet him. Usually, when the palace sent gifts, Ouyang Yue was exempted from kneeling. However, this time they found that the messenger's expression was very serious, and he did not stop Ouyang Yue from kneeling at all. Clearly, this was not a friendly visitor!
The messenger was a chief eunuch in the palace. Upon seeing Baili Chen, he immediately said, "Prince Chen, this servant is acting on His Majesty's decree to summon you to the palace immediately. So be it!"
"Your subject obeys!" Baili Chen said respectfully, then helped Ouyang Yue up: "My lady, please wait in the mansion. I'll go to the palace first."
However, Ouyang Yue's heart clenched tightly. She knew very well that Emperor Mingxian had no fatherly affection for Baili Chen, and might even hate him. Summoning him to the palace at this time was probably not a good thing: "I will also go to the palace."
Bai Shichen gently patted the back of her fair hand, looking at Ouyang Yue's worried face, but he smiled carefree: "My wife doesn't need to worry, I promise I will come out alive!"
Ouyang Yue held Baili Chen's hand tightly, but he gently tapped her wrist. Ouyang Yue immediately released her hand and saw Baili Chen stride away. Ouyang Yue was about to rush after him, but she gritted her teeth and stopped abruptly: "Someone prepare the carriage, this princess is going to the Prince's mansion!"
Ouyang Yue knew very well that compared to Baili Chen, Emperor Mingxian liked and valued Prince Zhi, whom outsiders thought was dispensable, much more, and now hoped that Baili Zhi could play a role.
Baili Chen rode in a sedan chair sent by the palace, carried by eight people. The sedan chair swayed and wobbled all the way to the palace, and then went directly into the Imperial Study. After about half an incense stick's time, the eunuch Fushun came out to greet him, and Baili Chen followed him into the Imperial Study.
In the imperial study, Emperor Mingxian was reviewing memorials when Baili Chen raised his voice and said, "Your subject greets Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty!"
Then, silence fell over the imperial study. The only sounds were the rustling of Emperor Mingxian turning the pages of the memorials and his soft breathing. Emperor Mingxian did not speak, and Baili Chen could not get up. He remained kneeling quietly on the ground, not disturbing the emperor. His back was straight, and his eyes were fixed on the bright yellow light in front of the imperial desk. A cold smile appeared on his lips.
For a full hour and a half, Baili Chen knelt there, his legs already numb and without feeling. Emperor Mingxian finished reviewing the last memorial, put down his pen, looked up at Baili Chen who was still kneeling upright with an arrogant expression, and sneered: "Do you know your crime!"
Baili Chen's face showed even more mockery: "What crime does Father want me to confess to? If he wants to kill me, any reason will do, but..." Baili Chen sneered with sarcasm, "but do you dare to kill me!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Mingxian flew into a rage, slamming his hand on his imperial desk, knocking over the writing brushes and ink. He stood up angrily, shouting, "How dare you speak to me like that? You're courting death!"
☆、232、Angrily Cursing Emperor Mingxian! (Past Events)
Baili Chen slowly raised his head, looking at the furious Emperor Mingxian. He smiled, his face showing arrogance, just like before, but with a difference. Although the old Baili Chen was strange and unpredictable, he always looked at Emperor Mingxian with longing in his eyes. Even if he deliberately angered Emperor Mingxian, his bright eyes would stare at Emperor Mingxian without blinking, reflecting his anger and seemingly revealing a different intention.
Baili Chen was strange today. No, it should be said that the way he looked at Baili Chen was different from before. There was no longer any hope in his eyes, only endless mockery!
Emperor Mingxian was furious, but Baili Chen seemed completely unfazed. His handsome face, so striking it was almost infuriating, featured a slight upturn at the corners of his mouth and eyes, exuding a charm more captivating than any woman's. Emperor Mingxian was momentarily stunned by his beauty, but the next moment his rage intensified: "You truly have no regard for your own life! Even in my presence, you remain the same!"
Baili Chen laughed: "Virtue? What virtue?" He seemed genuinely puzzled, looking at Emperor Mingxian with a simple and innocent expression. But the next moment, he mocked, "If Father hasn't forgotten, isn't this exactly what you made me do? All I had to do was be an arrogant, unreasonable madman, so that all the officials would despise me, making me have no chance of ascending the throne. Then you would hypocritically favor me, making me a major threat to those disgusting women in the harem, a thorn in the side of the princes. Isn't that the nature of a madman? What, Father, do you think I didn't act well enough?"
Baili Chen's words were a slap in the face to Emperor Mingxian, whose face turned ashen as he gritted his teeth and said, "What nonsense are you spouting? When did I ever say such a thing?"
Baili Chen tilted his head, and perhaps because he had spent so much time with Ouyang Yue, he had mimicked her movements perfectly. At this moment, he tilted his head, a faint smile on his face, looking like someone who wanted to punch him: "Oh, is that so? So Father Emperor doesn't want me to do this? Then I really misunderstood." He then fell silent, simply lowering his head in boredom, ignoring Emperor Mingxian.
The Imperial Study fell silent again. Fu Shun wished he could shrink into a ball and become invisible. The way the father and son were talking made him feel a chill run down his spine.
After a moment of silence, Emperor Mingxian spoke: "You must have heard the rumors circulating outside these days. What are your thoughts?"
Baili Chen raised his head, raising an eyebrow, and asked, "What are you thinking? What is Father referring to?"
Emperor Mingxian narrowed his tiger-like eyes and asked directly, "Do you truly intend to marry Princess Jiang Xuan? What is the meaning behind Jiang Xuan's frequent visits to Prince Chen's residence these days? Is it, as outsiders have rumored, for the sake of getting close to her? Have you and she secretly developed feelings for each other?"
Baili Chen stared at Emperor Mingxian for a long while, then suddenly laughed, the curve of his lips widening until he burst into loud laughter: "Hahaha! Hahahaha!"
The laughter displeased Emperor Mingxian, who glared at Baili Chen with a stern expression: "Shut up and tell the truth!"
Baili Chen sneered, "Regarding feelings, I follow my mother's example. Once I've made up my mind, I'm devoted and will never change it. Father, you've been wise and powerful all your life, but what happened today... Heh, let's not talk about anything else. Even with the Princess Consort by my side, do you think there's any possibility between me and Jiang Xuan? Besides, while others may see Jiang Xuan as beautiful and talented, in my eyes she's nothing!"
Emperor Mingxian's face darkened: "As a prince, how dare you speak so rudely! All the lessons you learned at the Imperial Academy have been completely wasted!"
Baili Chen's face darkened, his eyes fixed on Emperor Mingxian with a sinister glint. He then adopted a grinning demeanor: "Oh, Father, you've probably forgotten about this matter, busy with state affairs. I've never attended the Imperial Academy a single day in my life. Initially, it was because no one cared about me in Chenyu Palace. Later, I was sent to Wuhua Temple. By the time I returned to the capital, I was long past the age for further studies. I truly don't know anything about those classical texts from the Imperial Academy. And please, Father, don't slander this dog. It has absolutely nothing to do with me. Father's ability to frame people—no, dogs—is far too great; I am ashamed to accept such an insult."
"You! Even if you didn't learn etiquette from the Imperial Academy, did you not learn respect, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness from Wuhua Temple?!" Emperor Mingxian was furious. Baili Chen was clearly implying that he was worse than a dog. How could he not understand? If Emperor Mingxian hadn't been relatively composed and patient, he would have slapped Baili Chen to the ground, unable to get up.
Baili Chen blinked and said, "Those stinking monks from Wuhua Temple, which one of them dared to offend me? Besides, back then I was frequently ill, and I could only see three people at most. What could they possibly teach me?"
Emperor Mingxian fell silent. He knew he had indeed made mistakes in this matter, and there was no point in saying more. He simply said, "Just tell me, Jiang Xuan has been going to Prince Chen's residence recently. Do you intend to marry her?"
Baili Chen sneered, "If I were to say yes, Father would surely send his secret guards to assassinate me in the next moment."
Emperor Mingxian, his face darkening, said, "I didn't say that."
Baili Chen, however, was already impatient: "Enough! You summoned me here today precisely to ask me clearly, to find out if I have any intention of vying for the throne. Marrying Yue'er already gives me a huge advantage in the Great Zhou Dynasty. If I were to marry Jiang Xuan as well, I would undoubtedly be the first choice to seize the throne. That would disrupt your plans, wouldn't you want to get rid of me as soon as possible? Over the years, you've made me do so many life-threatening things, and every time you wished I were dead. Unfortunately, I'm born with a tough fate. Even my mother died because of it, but I just can't die. And lately, I've increasingly felt that my fate is getting tougher and tougher. It won't be long before I kill you!" Baili Chen's face was somewhat vicious.
"How dare you, you scoundrel! How dare you speak to your own father like that! You've been acting all sarcastic and unfriendly ever since you entered the palace. Do you really hate me for not daring to kill you?!" Emperor Mingxian was furious, his face burning like flames.
Baili Chen sneered, "That's right! I knew you wouldn't dare kill me. Otherwise, where would I find a shield like me, a willing target? People who are willing to endure hardship and exhaustion to rush forward, who are willing to risk their lives to foolishly block my way? If I die, I deserve it; if I don't, I'm just incredibly lucky. For so many years, I've often wondered, why can't I bring you down with me!"
"Snap!" Emperor Mingxian snapped the pen in his hand, his expression darkening.
As the pen fell, two people suddenly rushed out from behind the wall of the Imperial Study. The two men attacked with lightning speed, each move aimed at Baili Chen with deadly intent. The leader shouted, "How dare you curse the Emperor! You deserve to die!" His palm was already aimed at Baili Chen's crown, showing no respect for a prince or king, only intense killing intent. The killing move was already here.
Baili Chen dodged with a leap, then reached out and slapped the hand down. The man in black was stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting Baili Chen to have such a strong grip, which even made his arm numb. As Baili Chen dodged, someone attacked his back directly, bringing a gust of cold wind, and stretched out both palms to slap the back of his head and back.
As if he had eyes in the back of his head, Baili Chen stretched out his foot and kicked backward with a mighty thud. Before the other man could even land his attack, he was sent sprawling to the ground. The first round ended with both men losing. These two were clearly skilled in martial arts and arrogant. When their first attack failed, they joined forces to launch a fierce attack on Baili Chen. However, they were surprised to find that Prince Chen's martial arts were so superb. The two of them could barely hold him back with their combined strength. Moreover, after only a few moves, they noticed something unusual. Every move Prince Chen made was unstoppable, filled with intense killing intent. They could even smell the pungent stench of blood. Every move was a cunning killing move, as if it were a tool made specifically for killing, even more ruthless than their own attacks.
After exchanging more than ten blows, Baili Chen suddenly opened his arms wide, catching the palm strikes of the two men in black from the left and right. Baili Chen paused, while the two men in black were forced back three steps, clutching their chests, their faces flushed, blood churning in their chests. They were eventually forced back, but the outcome was already decided.
For a moment, a deathly still atmosphere filled the Imperial Study.
After a long while, Emperor Mingxian suddenly laughed: "I didn't expect you to be so well hidden. It seems your curse has already been lifted, and you've even secretly learned such superb martial arts. I've underestimated you all these years."
Baili Chen no longer wore his previous carefree grin, but instead curled his lips into a cold smile: "Otherwise, if I didn't have some skills to protect myself, I would have been killed long ago in this palace. You desperately want me dead, but unfortunately, I have a soul and thoughts, and I don't want to die."
Emperor Mingxian ignored him and said only, "So, you also have ambitions to marry Jiang Xuan."
Baili Chen sneered: "In your eyes, I should be like this—ambitious and purposeful, evil, and someone to be eliminated as soon as possible. Unfortunately, if I die, you'll lose your shield. Oh no, you've probably already thought of another shield, so you want to get rid of me, right?"
Emperor Mingxian said indifferently, "I have never said that."
Baili Chen suddenly erupted in fury: "You didn't say it, but that's what you really think! From childhood to adulthood, everything you've done has made you wish I were dead. You're the biggest coward in the world, a useless man. You can't even keep your own woman, so you hate me. What right do you have? You think you're worthy?!"
Emperor Mingxian's face darkened, but Baili Chen completely ignored him: "You are the emperor, high and mighty, but in my eyes you are nothing, not even trash. You couldn't protect the woman you loved, letting those ruthless women harm her, yet you blame me, a child who knows nothing. I've been tormented by the Gu poison since I was a child, wishing I could just kill myself. What were you doing, just standing by, watching, coldly waiting for me to die? You can't protect your wife and children, your heart is so cold and ruthless. What kind of good person do you think you are? What right do you have to criticize me? Don't say I don't want to, even if I did, what could I do? This is all you owe me. At worst, I'll kill you and go down to the Empress Dowager to beg for forgiveness. I don't want to face your disgusting face!"
"Stop spouting your damn nonsense about etiquette and filial piety! You disgusting man! Your mother's sincere love was misplaced, and while you profess unwavering devotion, you deliberately pretended to be drunk, allowing Empress Lin to take advantage of the situation. Do you really think everyone is a fool? You're nothing but a selfish and disgusting person, presuming to use morality to restrain others. The most deserving person in this world to be punished by everyone is a hypocrite like you!"
"How dare you!" Upon hearing this, the two guards flew into a rage and charged at Baili Chen. But Baili Chen suddenly turned around and, as if from his sleeve, shot out a weapon that aimed directly at the throat of one of the guards.
"Thump!" The guard stared wide-eyed, dying with his eyes wide open.
Fu Shun was shocked: "Protect the Emperor!"
Another guard, though knowing he was no match for Baili Chen, rushed forward to try and force him back. Baili Chen laughed loudly: "I came to the palace today not expecting to leave alive! 'Baili Teng,' you are the greatest coward in the world! You don't deserve the Empress Dowager's love at all. Now that she's dead, you feel guilty and are trying to make amends. Too late! The Empress Dowager is dead, but she wasn't killed by me. It was you, you who killed her! Even as a ghost, the Empress Dowager will haunt you! You disgusting person, you are the one who deserves to die!" "You deserve to die! You're a bastard!" Baili Chen shouted like a madman. Fu Shun nervously protected Emperor Mingxian, but he himself was trembling with fear. Fu Shun opened his mouth to call for people to come into the house to protect the emperor, but Emperor Mingxian stopped him. Fu Shun could only slam his fist on the wall a few more times. More than ten people rushed out of the secret room in the wall. They were all dressed in black, with cold and stern faces and sharp eyes filled with murderous intent. They all surrounded Baili Chen. Baili Chen could handle two or three people, but with more than ten people on each side, he would definitely not be able to escape.
Baili Chen didn't care, only watching Emperor Mingxian laugh mockingly: "Speak up! Why aren't you saying anything? What crime do you want to punish me for now? Disobedience, assassination, filial impiety, what else? Kill me! Just kill me! I'll haunt you as a ghost every day. I will definitely make you die, you damned bastard! I truly hate being born in the palace, I truly hate that you are my father. If I had any thoughts back then, I would have killed myself the moment I was born, rather than see you, this utterly disgusting man." But as he spoke, Baili Chen suddenly burst into tears, squatting on the ground and burying his face in his hands, his voice extremely shrill, "Mother, Mother, why didn't you take your son with you? Mother, your son misses you so much! Mother, why did you abandon your son?"
Everyone in the imperial study was stunned. Fu Shun and the secret guards, though unaware of the grudge between Emperor Mingxian and Baili Chen that would lead Baili Chen to curse the emperor with such a death sentence, had been on edge, expecting Baili Chen to commit some grave error. The sudden contrast—Baili Chen clutching his head as if enduring immense pain—astonished them. Emperor Mingxian, who should have been seething with rage, sat calmly on his throne, his face expressionless. He merely looked at Baili Chen, his eyes revealing a complex mix of joy and anger.
Fu Shun noticed, however, that Emperor Mingxian's fist, resting on his lap, was clenched, veins bulging on the back of his hand, and his forehead throbbed with pain. Fu Shun was horrified; after what he had done today, Prince Chen was likely doomed. In all his years serving the Emperor, no one had ever dared to criticize him so vehemently, let alone hurl insults. Even if someone had, they would be long gone, not still alive. Fu Shun sighed inwardly. Prince Chen had simply clarified the situation; with the Princess Consort's connections and Princess Shuangxia's intervention, he wouldn't be implicated. Why had Prince Chen acted so impulsively? The Emperor was unlikely to escape unscathed now.
Although Fu Shun felt helpless, he dared not plead with Baili Chen. He understood the principle of harming others, and after so many years in the palace, he had long understood the principle of self-preservation.
Gradually, Baili Chen's emotions stabilized. He sat cross-legged on the ground, his head tilted to the side, his face still bearing a crazed expression. His mind seemed to have been affected. Emperor Mingxian simply stared at him without blinking, finally uttering a single, deliberate word: "Do you want to or not?"
Baili Chen turned his head blankly and spat at Emperor Mingxian: "What you shamelessly obtained by abandoning your self-respect and ethics is nothing but a pile of dog shit in my eyes! You can hold it in your hands and smell it like a treasure, but I can't help but want to vomit. You are too self-righteous. Do you really think you are a savior? Do you really think you are the heavens? It's ridiculous. Are the officials afraid of you? Bah! They are only afraid of the Emperor of Great Zhou. One day when you become a beggar, I guarantee how many people will shout to beat you. You will be beaten to death, and people will throw cow dung, pig dung, and dog dung at you. Even if you are not beaten to death, you will be stank to death!" He said this very viciously.
Emperor Mingxian curled his lips into a cold laugh: "But no matter what, I am still your biological father. You cannot commit patricide! Alright, get out of here. I don't want to see you anymore."
Baili Chen opened his mouth to retort, but in the end he only glared fiercely at Emperor Mingxian. He brushed the dust off his clothes and sneered, "Don't worry, I won't kill my father, because I'll be watching others. I even want to see you beaten to death with my own eyes. That will be very interesting. Eating your flesh and drinking your blood will definitely be delicious. Just thinking about it makes me hungry." As he spoke, he stuck out his tongue and licked his lips, looking as if he was savoring the memory.