The Crown Prince opened his mouth as his expression changed. His throat made choking sounds until he could not make any more sounds. The grilled fish dropped to the ground. He touched his throat and slowly fell on the hay.
Fu Shui lowered his eyes, his expression unreadable. “I personally made this. When the medicine takes effect, your throat will be numb and you will not be able to speak. Compared to other drugs, its effect takes a longer time to set in. However, only this medicine will be undetectable when the autopsy is done. You have not eaten for days. When the Emperor sends someone to check your body, they will believe that you have starved to death.”
The Crown Prince looked at Fu Shui. In his gaze, there was no hatred. Only sorrow.
Fu Shui could not bear to look and turned his head away slightly. “It is because my surname is Yang. My father is Emperor Yang’s son. I am Emperor Yang’s grandson. My only use is to let Great Sui regain its former glory. It was my intricate plan to make the Eastern Palace and Han Mansion have all sorts of misunderstandings such that you both will end up fighting against each other brutally. You were stupid, and you trusted the wrong person. I was never the close friend in your heart. Ever since the beginning, I got close to you only to think of how to destroy you.”
The Crown Prince struggled to reach out towards Fu Shui.
Fu Shui hesitated but grabbed the Crown Prince’s hand in the end. Seeing how the Crown Prince’s breathing got more and more difficult, he suddenly kneeled down and hugged him tightly, hot tears streaming down his face.
A strong desire that he had never felt before burst forth in him. He wanted to follow his heart just once. Fu Shui took out a pill bottle and poured out a pill. He placed it in the Crown Prince’s mouth.
Chapter 88.2: Right and Wrong
In a single move, Sheng Chumu finished Fu Shui’s villa. Although the people in there either fought to death or committed suicide, he managed to find an old Sui Dynasty flag. In the rear mountain, he found an unrecognisable female corpse. He guessed that this was the missing Lian Yan’er.
This incident attracted the attention of various officials under Situ Zhen’s lead and the Emperor could not ignore it.
Situ Zhen spoke frankly. Emperor Yang’s daughter, Concubine Yan, gave birth to Prince Zhou and he is a descendent of the Sui Dynasty. He could not ascend the throne. Even Fang Xuanling, who did not take a side on issues like choosing the Crown Prince, suggested letting Prince Qin be the Crown Prince. Prince Zhou should assist as best as he could. The position of power was fixed and no one would criticize Prince Zhou.
The Emperor did not immediately express his stand and merely asked Prince Qin to go to Daci'en Temple to prepare the Empress’ Luck Ceremony. They would make a decision when he returned.
When everyone heard this, they could read in between the lines. It was clear that the Emperor had intentions to crown Prince Qin as the Crown Prince.
When Sheng Chumu walked out of Ganlou Palace, he saw Fu Rou waiting by the side and immediately turned his head to the other side. He walked past her as if he did not see her. Although Fu Rou did not feel good, she did not show it.
The Emperor summoned Fu Rou. He wanted her to accompany Prince Qin along with Linghu Deguan as their guard.
Fu Rou was about to leave when an internal attendant came in to report. He said that Prince Han was throwing a tantrum because the person in-charge of him did not buy him the beauty ointment. Prince Han had knocked over a fire pan and almost burned down a room.
The Emperor had a headache.
Fu Rou thought that it was about time. “Your Majesty, a dragon playing in shallow waters will also be disturbed by fishes and shrimps. In the past, Prince Han lived like a prince, now he is under house arrest because of his mistake. The people looking after him might not be as respectful to him as in the past. I heard that there were even servants that dared to mock Prince Han directly. Prince Han must have been agitated. Moreover, ever since Your Majesty punished Prince Han, you have never called in Prince Han, much less teach him. A child’s mistake…” She did not complete the saying, taking care not to overdo it.
The Emperor took over, “...is my failure right?” He pondered for a moment. “Pass down my decree. Prince Han is released from house arrest. Summon him to the palace and lock him up with the Crown Prince.”
Fu Rou wanted to laugh and cry. She had wanted to help Prince Han but got the opposite result. Therefore, there were times where she should not be a smart aleck. This time, she only wished that Prince Han and the Crown Prince would be safe and not make things worse.
Prince Han walked into the prison cell and saw the Crown Prince seated in the corner. His face immediately changed.
“Open the door. Change my prison cell.” The internal attendant’s prison was so big. Why did they have to share the same cell?
The internal attendant laughed as he was put in a spot. “This is His Majesty’s order and I cannot disobey. Please pardon me, Your Highness.” It was not easy to keep watch of the Internal Attendant Prison. All the prisoners were of royal blood. They may be unlucky now but may be able to bounce back the next moment.
Seeing how the internal attendant did not even turn back, Prince Han had no choice. However, as he turned around, the Crown Prince's face appeared in front of him.
“Why did you sneak up on me?” Prince Han jumped as he wrapped his hands into meaty fists. “Our subordinates are gone and our consorts are dead. Our wings are gone and there is only you and me left. Very good, Li Chengqian. If you are capable, let’s fight one on one.”
The Crown Prince wrapped his hands slowly around Prince Han’s fists. “This pair of hands strangled the Crown Princess.”
Prince Han shook off his hands. “That’s right! I was the one that strangled the Crown Princess. My consort died because of her, how can I not take revenge? My consort has always treated her so well. Our wives could have had a peaceful relationship and helped strengthen ours…” As he spoke, his nose clogged up and tears formed in his eyes. “I was the one that emphasised and reminded her to send that plate of jujube cakes into the Eastern Palace. If I had known...if I had known…even if I made Imperial Mother angry, I would not have tried to make you happy.”
The Crown Prince suddenly pressed his hands on his face as his entire body trembled. It was clear that he was in extreme pain. “No, it was because of me... that’s why the Crown Princess...I am the one who let her down. I harmed her…”
Seeing the Crown Prince in this state, pain filled Prince Han. “I also hurt my consort...if not for me, she would not have died…”
Both brothers sat in separate corners, their faces cold.
The Crown Prince spoke, “The poison under the saddle…”
Prince Han replied, “I didn’t do it.”
The Crown Prince said, “I know.”
Prince Han was shocked. “Back then when I tried to explain it to you, you did not believe me. Why do you believe me now?”
“I don’t know why but I believe you now. It feels like someone has told me the truth. You were not the one responsible for the saddle…” The Crown Prince struggled to recall, only to feel his head start to hurt. He grabbed onto his head.
Although at the last moment Fu Shui gave the antidote to the Crown Prince, the poison had affected his memories and everything was a blur to him now.
Prince Han did not mind. “It is too late to be remorseful.” However, he himself got caught up in memories. “When I was young, I heard my tutor say that the sun can be used to tell the time. I asked my teacher for many days before I finally managed to make my own sundial. I brought it to you happily but you simply threw it in the box you used for junk.”
“You were clumsy. In order to make that sundial, you got many cuts on your hands. If I had cherished it, it would only encourage you to continue doing those kinds of strenuous yet unrewarding handicrafts. I was afraid that you would be happy and want to make another one, adding more injuries to your hands.”