Chapter 855: Chapter 855: Explanation
Unlike the warmth between them in the space, far within the Imperial Palace, after the courtiers dispersed, only the Crown Prince was left behind.
In Cheng’en Hall, the old Emperor wore a grim old face and asked the Crown Prince, "Crown Prince, regarding today’s matter in the great hall, you’d better provide an explanation to me."
Had it not been for the Crown Prince’s intervention, the Tiger Talisman would have already been in his hands by now.
And now, thinking of the lost Tiger Talisman, the old Emperor often had the feeling of a duck flying out of his mouth, naturally causing him immense distress.
The Crown Prince also wore a serious expression, "Father Emperor, the Tiger Talisman is on your mind, and this son knows. But Sikong Mo is no fool either. In recent years, he’s been far at the frontier border, while Princess Changfu hasn’t left the capital city for a moment. Father Emperor, have you not wondered why he’s so insistent on marrying Princess Changfu, even at the cost of offering the Tiger Talisman?"
"What do you mean by this?" The old Emperor’s face also gradually showed confusion.
The Crown Prince clasped his hands, "This son thinks that the secret on Princess Changfu must have already been exposed, which is why Sikong Mo acts this way. This exactly proves that Sikong Mo has long harbored ulterior motives, otherwise, among all the Royal Family’s princesses and commandery princesses, there was no need for him to specifically insist on marrying Princess Changfu."
Sikong Mo’s schemes, the old Emperor believed he had already guessed; he was simply reluctant to part with the Tiger Talisman.
Now, letting the Crown Prince recount it also served to make him feel a bit better inside.
Thinking back on the girl’s performance over the years, she subdued the Liu Family, opened a bank; her wealth-gathering ability aside, just with the high-yield crops she somehow acquired, she had already become a deity in the minds of Dongyue’s people.
In a mere three years, although she had not done many things, each and every deed was a significant matter benefiting the country and its people.
Giving such a treasure to the War Prince Residence, which he had guarded against for many years, was something the old Emperor was naturally reluctant to do. Yet thinking of the lost Tiger Talisman, his heart ached painfully.
The old Emperor, in a foul mood, naturally needed a vent for his ire.
And at this moment, standing before him, the Crown Prince became the ready target for his outburst.
Looking at the Crown Prince, the old Emperor reprimanded, "Crown Prince, you are the foundation of the country, the one who will manage the entire nation in the future. Naturally, your heart should be more magnanimous, but you clearly know that girl is helpful to the people of Dongyue, yet you make things difficult for her at every turn. Don’t think I don’t know your intentions."
Knowing full well he was being blamed out of misplaced anger, the Crown Prince still dared not retort.
Perhaps, this was the visible disparity between him and Prince Jing, despite being biological brothers, in front of their biological parents.
Or maybe, it was precisely because of Prince Jing’s authenticity forming a contrast with the Crown Prince’s restraint, that made Prince Jing especially stand out to the old Emperor.
Walking out of Cheng’en Hall, the expression of the Crown Prince, already grim, immediately became even more somber.
Qin Jiu, indeed was a rare treasure, but regrettably, this treasure was not his.
Moreover, her birth nearly caused him to lose his sole status, hence, even if she was beneficial to Dongyue, he couldn’t bring himself to favor her.
Once, he was the Crown Prince, but Father Emperor and Mother Empress both favored the fourth younger brother, and he could still comfort himself that it was because he was the Crown Prince, holding a different status, thus bearing more responsibilities.
But the fourth younger brother was different, mischievous since young, and did not need to bear any responsibilities, so if Father Emperor and Mother Empress doted on him more, it wasn’t an issue.
Until the Princess Consort of Prince Jing became pregnant, and the prophecy concerning Qin Jiu came, his Father Emperor suddenly entertained the idea of changing the Crown Prince.
If it hadn’t been for Prince Jing’s refusal, perhaps the position of Crown Prince would no longer be his by now!