Chapter 38: The Emperor and Former Crown Prince Witness the Eastern Palace Being Moved

Eastern Palace

The former crown prince, now called Wang Ye Hong Ji, lay half-reclined on his bed. After the emperor’s ascension to the throne, an imperial edict had been placed on his bedside, declaring that he was now a prince with a fief. Within a month, he would be exiled from the capital and never allowed to return.

At this moment, Hong Ji was sipping the cooling medicinal soup prescribed by the imperial doctor, feeling utterly resigned. The rumors about his health problems were false—he had merely stepped down from the throne voluntarily.

The eunuch standing beside him in attendance spoke up. “Wang Ye, today the emperor ascended the throne. He’ll surely discover what’s happened to the treasury, won’t he?”

“What difference does it make?” Hong Ji sneered. “On the night when Father Emperor passed, the treasury was already burned down. Does he dare to find the culprit? Who could have moved thousands of chests of treasure without leaving a trace? A celestial being, perhaps? Does he dare confront such a one?” Hong Ji’s tone was filled with disdain.

Even if the emperor ascended the throne, what did it matter? The imperial study and the treasury were both gone. What could his younger brother possibly do with an empty throne?

Just then, the emperor entered, coldly laughing. “So, second prince, you knew all along, didn’t you? And yet you’ve kept this from me!”

After the death of the first prince when he was just ten, Hong Ji was now the second prince. With the loss of his title as crown prince, he was now simply a prince.

Hong Ji smirked. “Since you know, there’s no need to hide it. There’s been a very powerful immortal in the palace, and now even the imperial study is nothing more than a hollow shell.”

“What?” The emperor’s eyes widened in disbelief. “The imperial study… gone?!”

Treasures, ancient books, countless records of the ancestors—all of it’s gone?!

Hong Ji, a mocking smile on his face, recounted, “That day, I was in the imperial study handling state matters when suddenly, things began to vanish, one by one. A strange wind blew through, and many of the palace guards saw it. I wouldn’t expect you to believe it.”

The emperor’s fury boiled over. His face flushed with rage, and his eyes glared venomously at Hong Ji.

After a long silence.

“You did this on purpose?” The emperor’s voice trembled with fury. His position, his hard-earned throne, now seemed like an empty shell. The bitter weight of everything he’d just discovered was overwhelming.

Hong Ji silently laughed, full of mockery. He downed the last of his medicine and theatrically said, “Since you, my younger brother, were willing to spread rumors among the people to claim the throne, as your older brother, I had no choice but to let you have your way, right? Hahaha!”

The emperor’s face twisted in a vicious snarl. His body trembled with the urge to strike—he wanted to kill him.

“Since the throne is now mine, what use is your life?”

Hong Ji was stunned by the emperor’s words. Despite no longer being crown prince, he was still a prince, and he would not tolerate such insults. His eyes flared with rage as he glared at the emperor. “Preposterous! I am your older brother!”

Hong Ji straightened, his eyes full of authority as he stared at the emperor.

At this moment, Xie Zhizhi had arrived almost simultaneously. She overheard their argument and saw that the two brothers were on the verge of fighting.

Sitting on a small stool, eating sunflower seeds, sipping yogurt, and enjoying the spectacle, she found it amusing.

The former crown prince seemed oblivious to his fate, while the emperor’s eyes glinted with murderous intent. He was clearly planning to kill the former crown prince.

Through the mirror, she observed the lavish imperial chamber, filled with treasures and antiques. However, she wasn’t concerned about the outcome of their argument; she was more focused on collecting valuable items.

That carved dragon incense burner at the door was a beauty—taking it!

The elm wood carved round table used for meals was nice too—taking that as well!

There were ten or so beech wood chairs with bone inlays—adding them to the collection!

Those two small Huanghuali wood tables with raised edges were exquisite—those too!

The beautiful vases—also in the space!

She quickly gathered everything she thought was valuable, silently admiring the treasures she collected. When she had accumulated quite a few things, she turned her attention back to the two brothers.

To her amusement, they had stopped arguing and were now staring at her in fear.