The gate of the palace opened. Everyone stepped aside and the Crown Prince walked in front.
Li Jiancheng walked in the palace.
He looked around and was in high spirits, thinking that he was cool.
This was the Forbidden Palace. It was where his father lived, where his father worked, and where his father did his work. This used to be his home. This was not his home now, but it would definitely be his home in the future.
Li Jiancheng, the former eldest son of the Emperor, today's Crown Prince, and tomorrow's Emperor.
One day, he would ascend to the throne and turn this place and the entire world into his territory and home country. This majestic Imperial City, the heart of the country revered by the people of the world, would also become his residence, his office, and the place where he would fire his cannons.
Of course, there was a small prerequisite for that day to come.
Imperial Father, my Imperial Father!
The Crown Prince of the Earth, who had suddenly become the Crown Prince overnight and had gradually adapted to his identity, sneered in his heart. There was no family affection between the Crown Prince and the Emperor.
Moreover.
The so-called appointment of the Crown Prince was just another display of the Emperor's scheming. The high and mighty Emperor, whose face was hidden in the shadows, was just moving a chess piece to achieve his unspeakable purpose. In this case, how could Li Jiancheng be grateful?
"Since I've sat in this position, there's no reason for me to go down. Father, you don't treat me sincerely. Instead, you put me on the fire and regard me as a tool to be thrown away after using … Since that's the case, how can I not give you a surprise?
I'll definitely do what you can't do.
You and Sun Lang, you all look down on me. Then I'll make a career for you to see! "
Li Jiancheng cursed fiercely in his heart, but the smile on his face was modest and appropriate.
This kind of skill was a basic skill in the imperial court. Everyone had to learn it, except for a few people — such as Sun Lang. That grandson cursed in his heart, but he would definitely curse out loud.
He said to the eunuch who came to greet him, "I'm here to visit my father."
The most useful eunuch by the Emperor's side was originally Feng Yongting, Eunuch Feng. Unfortunately, Eunuch Feng made a mistake. When the Emperor was attacked by an assassin, he was outside arguing with Sun Lang. As a result, he missed the opportunity to save the Emperor. Seriously, he was suspected of dereliction of duty and even collusion with the enemy. After entering the palace, he was isolated and investigated. Although nothing was found later, he still incurred the dissatisfaction of Empress and the Empress Dowager.
In addition, Sun Lang had even spoken a few words of justice for Eunuch Feng. Well, this time, he was done for. Empress simply found an excuse and sent Eunuch Feng to a leisurely internal affairs yamen. Although his rank was not lowered and he did not suffer, he could not expect to go back and take care of His Majesty.
The palace was like this. The competition was fierce. In order to climb up, everyone was willing to risk their lives. Today, the one who welcomed Jiancheng was another eunuch who had successfully climbed up the ranks.
This eunuch was a new noble. He had just ascended to a high position and was careful everywhere. He did not want to easily incur the wrath of others, let alone in front of His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince. He was even more alert. His waist was bent to 90 degrees, and he repeatedly greeted, saluted, and flattered. He was very skilled in his work. When he heard Jiancheng explain the purpose of his visit, he praised him again and again.
"The Crown Prince cares about His Majesty. This is not only the etiquette between a monarch and a subject, but also the affection between father and son. You are extremely loyal and filial. You are truly an example of the country and a blessing to all living things."
After the praise, it was time to get down to business. The eunuch's old eyes swept over the retinue behind the Crown Prince. His smile was still sincere. "But today is different from the past. Your Highness, you clearly understand that you are the Crown Prince and can naturally go greet the Emperor. However, the outstanding subjects under your command … forgive me for being rude."
It was reasonable.
The Emperor had been assassinated and was still in a coma. The strings of the Imperial Palace were stretched taut. It was not an exaggeration to say that the slightest sound of a crane and that every bush and tree was an enemy. After all, the Emperor of the most powerful country in the world had been assassinated in his Imperial City. This was a great humiliation. These days, the Ministry of Justice and various departments of the Imperial Palace worked hard to find the murderer. The hearts of the Imperial Guards were all hanging in suspense. This time, the Emperor's crime of being assassinated had not been discussed yet. If there was another incident, everyone would have to go home and eat rice.
Under such circumstances, who would dare to allow random people to visit the Sovereign King?
Although this was the case, Li Jiancheng was still terrified.
In the end, he was still afraid of his father.
After all, for almost everyone, the word 'father' meant strength and valiance. From a young age, the person named 'father' would project his own strength into a shadow. It shrouded the immature child. Some people admired it, some people feared it. It became a shadow that was buried in the heart for a long time.
For the children of the Imperial Family, this was especially true.
The current Emperor was a rare hero. He was ambitious, smart, and capable. He had the coldness and ruthlessness that a qualified Emperor should have — the coldness and ruthlessness that treated everyone equally.
Li Jiancheng knew what kind of person his father was.
Even if he was seriously injured and lying in bed, he could still feel waves of fear.
Therefore, when the matter came to a head, the Crown Prince's heart flashed with the thought of retreating.
"Sun Lang said that the Emperor is very likely to have directed and acted in those few plays. Sir Pei and Sir Wang also have similar views. That is to say, the person I am about to face is not a half-dead old man, but a scheming old viper who has been acting until now …"
When he thought of this, the Crown Prince's heart trembled.
The shadow that the Emperor had cast on him was really too heavy.
— — Do I have to face him alone?
No, there must be other palace servants and imperial physicians waiting on me in the bedroom.
— — However, it would only take a word from him to drive them away.
So, so what?
Can he still kill me and strangle me to death in my bedroom?
Can he still do anything to me?
That's impossible.
Because Sun Lang is behind me. No matter what he does to me, Sun Lang will not sit by and do nothing. He will take this into consideration and will not easily make a move on me!
I am safe!
No matter what, I cannot escape!
Even in this situation, I do not dare to face him directly. What right do I have to ascend the throne?
Li Jiancheng clenched his fists as this thought flashed through his mind.
The old eunuch opposite him definitely did not know that in a flash, His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince's heart had turned countless thoughts and considerations. In the end, he steeled his conviction and decided to face his father directly.
— — Pattern, Tucson, Broken.
After all, he was a young man and a citizen of the Martial Kingdom.
There was a little side effect of practicing martial arts. His temperament would more or less be influenced by the spirit of martial arts. He advocated courage and hot-bloodedness. He did not advocate wretchedness and liked to be reckless. Just like His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince, he was urged by Sun Lang to rush to the Emperor to prove himself.
He was too naive.
One day, he would understand that if he could win by being a coward, then there was nothing wrong with being a coward all the time.
But today, he tidied up his clothes and followed the eunuch who led the way into the Emperor's bedroom.
In the bedroom, there was a strange fragrance.
The air was fresh and flowing. The wind element Imperial Army was adjusting the wind speed. The incense burner was burning with a calming and calming incense that helped to regulate the vital energy. The temperature, humidity, volume, and air were comfortable. The perfect ward environment advocated by modern medicine was reproduced in this backward and feudal country by the miraculous Imperial Army … With power, one could indeed do whatever one wanted.
The famous doctors of the Imperial Medical Department, the capable people of the Ministry of Finance, the loyal imperial guards, and the cautious palace servants. There were also a considerable number of people around the Emperor's bedroom. In order to prevent any unexpected changes, Li Jiancheng was allowed to go after his identity was verified.
One of the Emperor's doctors quietly came to the Crown Prince and whispered, "His Majesty just woke up. He is very happy to hear that you are here."
Damn.
His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince was not happy.
His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince was even frightened.
Thinking and doing were two different things. Previously, he had prepared himself for a long time, but when it came to it, he realized that everything was useless. Imperial Father was still the same Imperial Father. He didn't need to do anything to make him feel extreme pressure and fear … This was the difference between the two of them.
But the Crown Prince was the Crown Prince after all. He still had courage.
— — I don't believe it!
He gritted his teeth and was about to enter when he heard the doctor say, "His Majesty has ordered us to leave. The Emperor has something to say to Your Highness alone."
Damn, damn, damn!
His courage and bravery shattered and was replaced by an uncontrollable fear. 'What does this old man want to do?'
Is he going to beat me up?
Is he going to arrange an assassin to kill me?
Thinking of this, Li Jiancheng couldn't even speak clearly. At this point, he couldn't turn around and run away. He could only place his hopes on others.
"Master Cheng, Master Cheng …" Cheng Jiancheng grabbed the imperial physician's sleeve and said anxiously, "Imperial Father's body hasn't fully recovered yet. If something happens while we're alone, what should we do?"
The doctor was startled and then smiled, "Your Highness, don't worry. His Majesty is blessed by the heavens. His injuries are not serious. Besides, although we are leaving, we will be waiting outside. If there is any change, just call for help."
Is, is that so …
Jiancheng was a little relieved.
If people were waiting outside, even if the Emperor was angry, he could at least call for help …
Immediately, the order was sent out. The Imperial Guards specially confirmed the order again before ordering the people in the bedroom to leave. The doctor, the Minister of Finance, the eunuchs, the palace maids … People lined up and bowed their heads respectfully when they passed by Jiancheng to show respect to the crown prince. Jiancheng, on the other hand, returned the salute absent-mindedly.
It wasn't until the heavy palace doors slowly closed with a soft click that Li Jiancheng was shocked.
In the bedroom, only the father and son were left.
He was hesitating whether to go forward to meet the Emperor. Suddenly, he felt a bone-chilling coldness. This coldness seemed to be an illusion, like a reflection of his inner fear, but also like it was real.
— — It was like a ghost that emitted coldness, descending here.
Li Jiancheng did not have time to find out where this inexplicable coldness came from. He heard a familiar and gloomy voice from the direction of the dragon bed.
It was the Emperor who spoke.
"Crown Prince …" The Emperor said lightly, "Do you know why Sun Lang urged you to come?"