The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

Chapter 549: A Failed Schemer

The ministers couldn’t help but shake their heads. Everyone could see that the Emperor didn’t like the Fifth Prince, yet here he was, not only being careless but even falling asleep. Wasn’t this like walking straight into the Emperor’s fury?

Grandmaster Bao raised an eyebrow and said coldly, "Behaving improperly before the Emperor, this is extremely rude. Prince Cheng, this is just too much!"

The Minister of Rites, ever so formal, added, "What kind of conduct is this for His Highness?"

The Right Minister, Xia Shi’en, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the Fifth Prince must have traveled day and night without rest. Perhaps he should be allowed to rest in the side hall?"

Then, other ministers stepped forward as well. Half of them advocated for severe punishment, while the other half believed that Prince Cheng was merely too tired, suggesting that he be sent to the side hall. Otherwise, with his snoring so loudly, they couldn’t discuss things properly.

Prince Zhuang, of course, hoped the Emperor would impose severe punishment, but he wisely remained silent. For such matters, it would be better left to those rigid old ministers who valued etiquette above all else. If he stepped forward now, it would only make his father consider him as having a personal vendetta, thus feeling displeased.

But he had no intention of letting Old Fifth off easily either.

He was waiting.

Telling Princess Consort Zhuang that Huangfu Wei was training in the estate was merely meant to comfort her and avoid the shock. He was very clear that Huangfu Wei wouldn’t be in the estate. Once King Kang and the Capital Guard Commander found out the truth, Old Fifth would no longer be able to deflect the charge of murdering his nephew.

By then, he would definitely have Father punish Old Fifth severely, ideally executing him to avenge Wei’er!

Everyone was discussing the handling of Prince Cheng’s disrespect before the Emperor, yet Prince Cheng continued to snore soundly, completely oblivious.

The Emperor was infuriated, glaring over, but upon seeing the situation, suddenly sighed and said, "Send this unfilial son to the side hall."

Prince Zhuang felt a bit regretful; it seemed Father wouldn’t punish him. He said, "Father, allow me!"

After all, Prince Cheng was asleep.

Earlier, outside Longyu Hall, when they first saw each other, he had been beaten by Prince Cheng until his face was bruised and swollen, and it hadn’t subsided yet. He also took several punches on his body, so it was just the right moment to quietly settle the score.

Thus, he made a move immediately, going over to push Prince Cheng: "Hey, wake up, don’t sleep anymore!"

As he pushed, he joined his index and middle fingers like a spear, jabbing at Prince Cheng’s body.

This would undoubtedly cause Prince Cheng to suffer internal injuries without knowing it.

Back then, all the Princes had specially hired skilled masters to teach them martial arts. However, talent varied, some were diligent while others were lazy, so despite having skilled masters, each person’s level was different.

Training in martial arts was tough. Without the Emperor’s stern command that no Prince should slack off, and the teachers’ assessments, few of them might have studied seriously.

Prince Liang, the Crown Prince, barely passed back then.

Later, after leading a life of ease, he regressed significantly.

According to the Jianghu’s skill classification, Prince Liang was at the third-class low tier back then, and now he’s no longer in any tier.

Prince Zhuang knew from an early age that only by being outstanding could he gain his father’s favor. He studied hard, reaching the second-class high tier at that time, and was among the best of the princes, proficient with fists, palms, and weapons, especially archery. While he couldn’t pierce the heart of a willow leaf at one hundred steps, hitting the bullseye at eighty steps was no challenge at all.

But in recent years, he focused more on strategy and expanding his influence, carefully and meticulously. Now, at most, he’s at the second-class low tier.

The second-class low tier is still not weak in martial arts.

Prince Cheng was in a deep sleep, and Prince Zhuang had a mind to cause him significant loss secretly.

He acted secretly, harming others in the dark, using insidious means, as it wasn’t an honorable thing.

Seeing his finger about to jab into Prince Cheng, who was still not reacting, he felt secretly pleased, thinking he would take some initial revenge.

His finger had already touched Prince Cheng’s clothes, and a vicious gleam flashed in his eyes, as he added more force.

But just when he anticipated that Prince Cheng would be injured secretly, making him bedridden for at least a few days, Prince Cheng suddenly turned over.

He was sleeping against a pillar, and as if the sleeping posture was uncomfortable, he adjusted for comfort. Originally leaning back, he now turned to lean on his side.

Although it was just a slight difference, it perfectly avoided Prince Zhuang’s attack. Not only that, he also moved his neck and stretched his body as if yawning. So, Prince Zhuang, who had slipped in to harm so secretly, was kicked away.

All they heard were two ’puff’ sounds. Prince Zhuang took a kick to the chest and another to his leg.

Prince Zhuang, kicked to the ground, felt a dull pain in his chest, with two ribs broken, and his entire leg bone seemed fractured, breathless, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

Prince Cheng’s snoring grew louder.

Evidently, the new posture made him even more comfortable.

Everyone: "..."

How terrifying!

Zhuang Wang felt pain to his bones and couldn’t even stand. He was extremely scared; a kick to the chest was one thing, ribs could be reset, internal injuries could be treated with good medicine. But if his leg bone was broken, he would be crippled for life.

That was what he feared most.

Because throughout dynasties, no Emperor allowed a physically disabled person to govern.

Prince Zhuang endured, even though his chest pain made moving nearly impossible due to broken ribs, and his leg was numb with pain, he grit his teeth and stretched his leg with force. This move almost made him faint with pain.

Though nearly blinded by pain, he confirmed his leg bone wasn’t broken, hence sighed a huge relief.

"Outrageous!" This was in the Longyu Hall, right before the Emperor, and this was how brazenly one dared to act? The Emperor’s face was like a brewing storm, as the atmosphere in the hall grew much heavier.

Prince Zhuang quickly responded as well, under numerous eyes, Old Fifth kicked him clearly. He was secretly delighted, Old Fifth was indeed seeking death. Such a chance could not be missed, his eyes darting, he immediately dragged the leg forward a few steps, spit out another mouthful of blood, filled with painful fear, he cried, "Ah, my ribs are broken, my leg, my leg hurts so much, it’s broken... Father, Father, please stand up for your son..."

The moment Prince Cheng’s kick sent Zhuang Wang sprawling to the ground, everyone saw it.

And still, Prince Cheng was snoring, still not awake?

The Emperor looked at Zhuang Wang, who was in so much pain he was nearly rolling on the floor, his face cold, evidently angry, "Summon the Imperial Physician!"

This was a good court session, discussing business. Was Old Fifth deliberately making trouble?

The Emperor instructed Eunuch Feng, "Wake this unruly son up."

Eunuch Feng’s face turned pale, like a bitter melon, he feared his old bones might not be spared.

He knew no martial arts, an old man with old limbs. If Prince Cheng kicked him like that, he’d surely be dead.

But the Emperor’s order could not be disobeyed, so he had to nervously approach.