Only after being reborn did I realize that I was the white moonlight of a powerful minister.

Chapter 88 Portrait of the Princes

In the more than one hundred years since the founding of the dynasty, there have never been so many assassins in the hunting grounds. Was it sent by one person, or by two or three?

The Emperor is currently unaware of this, but he has sent someone to find Xie Bohuai, as he needs Xie Bohuai to handle matters most right now.

As for everyone else, no one is allowed to leave the paddock. The paddock is now a no-go zone!

Inside the main tent, the Crown Prince had just finished bandaging his wounds and was scolding the patrolling Imperial Guards, "What are you all doing? It's a good thing Father didn't go hunting. If something had happened to him, how would you explain yourselves?"

"Wouldn't you be even happier if something happened to me?" The emperor entered with a stern face, looking at his sons and grandsons kneeling on the ground. He slowly examined each of them carefully.

They were not allowed to get up until the emperor sat down.

The emperor knew in his heart that the one with such great abilities must be one of his good sons.

As for which one it is, that remains to be determined.

"I may be old, but I'm not senile. I know exactly what you're all up to. I'm not terminally ill yet, and you're all already vying for my throne. Aren't you being a little too hasty?" The Emperor threw down the inkstone on the table. "Fourth Prince, why didn't you go hunting today? Isn't that what you love most?"

When the prince was called upon, his shoulders trembled like a leaf, and he kowtowed forcefully, "Your Majesty, I had a stomachache today and I did call the imperial physician. The imperial physician can testify to this; it's not that I was afraid to go!"

"And what about you, Seventh Prince? You're the youngest, and I pay the most attention to you. You won't disappoint me, will you?" With each word the Emperor spoke, the people below held their breath more tightly, afraid of attracting the Emperor's attention.

Unlike King Hui, King Cheng was not afraid. "I am currently with my bride and making preparations. I have not yet entered the woods. Your Majesty is wise and I believe you will clear our names."

"Innocence?" The Emperor found the word laughable. "Do you really think they are innocent?"

The Prince Cheng pressed his forehead to the ground. "Heaven is watching, and my conscience is clear. As for my brothers, they have always respected and loved Father. I believe they would never do such a rebellious thing!"

At such a time, even the emperor's eunuchs could see that someone had treacherous intentions, but Prince Cheng insisted that everyone was innocent, which surprised the emperor.

The emperor couldn't help but scrutinize his youngest son. To be fair, he did dote on his youngest son, but he never considered relying on him. Besides his eldest son who had died young, he had five other sons who were already adults. With so many sons to rely on, by the time his youngest son grew up, he would be too old to have any intention of sharing power with him.

Hearing Prince Cheng say these words, the Emperor felt complicated. "I treat you all the same. I hoped you would be capable, but I didn't expect you to be so capable."

Finally, the Emperor called out to the Crown Prince, "Jun'er, come here and stand beside your grandfather."

The Crown Prince was deep in thought, but the Imperial Grandson was simple-minded. "Go and see Ning'an, and try to persuade her. I will compensate the Bai family and find her a better marriage."

Li Jun's eyes were red. "Grandson knows. You must take care of yourself. Father and the others are all good people. Please don't doubt them."

None of the princes present dared to say such things; only he did.

The Emperor waved his hand, sighing that Li Jun was simple-minded, which was a kind of comfort, but it was not a good thing for people in the royal family to be simple-minded.

The Emperor said weakly, "You may all go back. I am tired."

"Father, I'll stay and serve you," the Crown Prince said voluntarily. As the Crown Prince, he should be by your side at this time.

But the emperor did not allow him to stay and ultimately chose Prince Duan.

Among the princes, Prince Duan was the oldest and the most low-key, and he didn't have any real power.

Upon hearing that it was Prince Duan, the Crown Prince showed no jealousy. Instead, he patted Prince Duan on the shoulder and said, "Brother, take good care of Father. I will definitely find out who has the audacity to send someone to assassinate us at this time!"

When he said "we," he was referring to himself and Prince Duan as being in the same category.

Prince Duan replied, "With Father Emperor here, I believe he will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly." He was not going to side with the Crown Prince, making his stance clear.

The Crown Prince pretended not to understand what Prince Duan meant and left the main tent with the others.

Not long after they left, King Hui began to complain, "Which bastard dared to be so bold? If I find out, I'll beat him to a pulp!"

The Crown Prince and Prince Cheng did not respond, but Prince Xian changed the subject, "Father still values ​​Second Brother. Logically speaking, at this time, he should... never mind, there's no point in saying these things. It's a fact that Father kept Second Brother."

"Fifth Brother, you're always like this, why do you leave things unsaid?" Prince Jing clicked his tongue and said directly, "Logically speaking, Third Brother should stay at this time, after all, Third Brother is the Crown Prince, he is the one who should be by Father's side the most."

After the passing of the late empress and the late crown prince, the new empress ascended the throne. At this time, there was a debate in the court about who should be made crown prince.

In terms of age, Prince Duan should be the oldest, but the Third Prince is the legitimate son.

Although the controversy was minor, it did spark debate. Once the Crown Prince is confirmed, no matter how low-key the Prince Duan's residence tries to be, people will still compare the Prince Duan with the Crown Prince.

To be fair, the Crown Prince was magnanimous, treating all his brothers with equal warmth and not neglecting Prince Duan because of the matter of establishing a Crown Prince. On the contrary, Prince Duan has since distanced himself from the court and now only holds a sinecure.

The Crown Prince frowned and said, "Sixth Brother, you mustn't speak recklessly. Father Emperor kept Second Brother alive because he values ​​Second Brother's character. We are all brothers, so it doesn't matter to me who stays."

King Hui gave a very soft hum, loud enough for everyone to hear, and then he left with his men.

Prince Jing was displeased. "Look at how arrogant Fourth Brother is! He only looks down on us because his mother is favored. I felt like he was talking about one of us just now. It's really despicable!"

The wise prince nodded. "That's true." He and the crown prince bowed. "Since Father Emperor has suspicions about us, we should go back and wait obediently. Your Majesty, I will take my leave now."

The Crown Prince nodded, then looked at Prince Jing and Prince Cheng. "Fifth Brother is right. You should go back first. Don't wander around at this time, lest you cause unnecessary trouble."

Prince Jing left first, while Prince Cheng looked at the Crown Prince and suddenly spoke, "Second Brother, you are the Crown Prince. Do you also believe that someone among us has treacherous intentions?"

"Sigh." The Crown Prince looked at his youngest brother and patted him on the shoulder. "You are still young and don't understand many things. Don't think too much. Go back now."

After parting ways with Prince Cheng, the Crown Prince went to Princess Ning'an's camp.

"Jun'er, you go out first. And the rest of you, go out too." After everyone else had left, the Crown Prince slapped Ning An without hesitation.

"Snapped!"

Crisp and loud.

He used all his strength!