Chapter 109

The Second Prince frowned at Zhou Bo’s anxious appearance.

“Zhou Bo, who has been whispering in your ear again? I’m just going to stay in Zongren Mansion for a year, it’s not a big deal.”

“Not a big deal? How could it not be a big deal!”

Zhou Bo looked emotionally charged, tightly gripping the Second Prince’s arm.

Seeing this, the Second Prince signaled to Liu Yun, “Leave, continue searching.”

Liu Yun respectfully withdrew.

Seeing that there was no one else around, Zhou Bo immediately said with red eyes, “Your Highness, I’ve said it before, he is heartless!”

“He clearly swore in front of the princess back then that he would protect you no matter what. But now, he has ordered to confine you to Zongren Mansion!”

“Your Highness, once you go to Zongren Mansion, you will bear the blame, he wants to extinguish your hope of ascending to the throne!”

Zhou Bo hated Emperor Yong to the core.

He hated him for breaking through the gates of the northern kingdom, for forcing the Princess Yuliu, and more so for betraying his oath and being ruthless to the Second Prince!

Although the Second Prince’s face was grim, he spoke calmly:

“Zhou Bo, don’t lose heart. How the historians and officials write will be determined by the final victor.”

“A mere year in Zongren Mansion won’t change anything.”

“And, after stumbling in the Spring Festival and Dragon Boat Festival palace banquet, it’s time for me to keep a low profile and fade out of the public eye for a while.”

Seeing that the Second Prince remained composed despite the upheaval, Zhou Bo finally relaxed a bit.

But today, Emperor Yong could confine the Second Prince to Zongren Mansion for a year. Who knows if he might move against the Second Prince in the future?

He felt that some things couldn’t wait any longer!

“Your Highness.”

Zhou Bo suddenly knelt down in front of the Second Prince.

The Second Prince hurriedly reached out to help, “Zhou Bo, what are you doing?”

Zhou Bo raised his head, his murky eyes staring at the Second Prince with determination.

“Please punish me, Your Highness!”

The Second Prince’s brow furrowed sharply, “Zhou Bo, what have you done again?”

Zhou Bo gritted his teeth, lowered his voice, and said, “Your Highness, some days ago, I met someone from King Jin Yu!”

“Zhou Bo!”

The Second Prince’s voice was low, and a hint of anger appeared on his face.

Although Zhou Bo trembled slightly all over, he still met the Second Prince’s gaze, saying in a mournful tone:

“Your Highness, I know there are some things you don’t want to hear, but I have to say them!”

“That treacherous emperor is unreliable. With the Crown Prince’s current stable position, once he ascends to the throne, he will never spare you!”

“Your Highness, you are exceptionally intelligent and strategic, but your power is too weak. Now, with successive setbacks, if this continues, you might suffer a crushing defeat!”

“King Jin Yu is the brother of the princess, your own uncle. He left old injuries on the battlefield in the past, and now he has no children. The court is in turmoil, and rebellious thoughts are arising.”

“King Jin Yu was always doting on the princess before, and now he’s willing to bet everything on you!”

“I know you grew up in the Yong dynasty and don’t want to have anything to do with the northern kingdom. But since King Jin Yu is willing to hand over everything, why not accept his power?”

“By then, both the Yong dynasty and the northern kingdom will be in your hands, and the people of the world can live in peace!”

After Zhou Bo finished speaking, he bowed deeply on the ground, incessantly kowtowing to the Second Prince, even when the Second Prince reached out to help, he refused to stop.

Seeing bloodstains on the ground, the Second Prince couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

“Zhou Bo, why do you have to go this far?”

Zhou Bo continued to kowtow, his voice trembling, “Because Your Highness is the only bloodline of the princess, and the one I watched grow up.”

“If Your Highness were mediocre, I would only wish for Your Highness’s peace and safety. But Your Highness is exceptionally intelligent and destined to be a ruler!”

The candlelight flickered, casting the Second Prince’s face into light and shadow.

In the past, Zhou Bo could have refused such words with confidence and vigor.

Because everything had gone smoothly under his planning.

But in recent days, he had faced repeated setbacks, and he truly felt a sense of powerlessness.

Perhaps, this great endeavor could not be completed by him alone.

“Zhou Bo, stop. Let me think it over carefully.”

Zhou Bo’s kowtowing abruptly halted. When he lifted his head again, blood trickled down his nose, staining his garment.

But he paid it no mind, joyfully looking at the Second Prince.

“Your Highness, let me accompany you to Zongren Mansion. If you need anything, I can contact them at any time!”

“Hmm.”

The Second Prince responded faintly, then turned and walked into the inner hall.

“Zhou Bo, get ready. We leave now.”

This path, teetering between life and death, was growing longer by the moment.

Having achieved success at such great cost, the Second Prince had accepted the truth: one must win or lose in this game of power.

“Alright! I’ll get ready right away!”

Zhou Bo replied with great excitement.

---

Guided by an old eunuch, the Crown Prince arrived at the artificial hill where the Second Prince and Consort Yu Zhao had met during the day.

He surveyed the surroundings thoughtfully.

The old eunuch held a lantern silently and respectfully beside him.

The Crown Prince casually asked, “How many years have you been at the Chunhua Garden?”

The old eunuch quickly replied, “Your Highness, it has been twenty years.”

The Crown Prince nodded lightly, then asked again, “Where does this path lead?”

The old eunuch was very familiar with this place.

“Your Highness, this path is quite secluded, rarely used by anyone. However, it leads to the north gate of the Imperial Flower Garden, which is actually a shortcut.”

The Crown Prince’s expression shifted slightly. “The north gate of the Imperial Flower Garden?”

The old eunuch nodded. “Yes, from here, whether it’s to Yikun Palace, Xingrong Palace, or Xinghua Palace, it’s closer.”

The Crown Prince was suddenly startled.

Xinghua Palace…

That was the palace Emperor Yong bestowed upon the Third Prince.

At the daytime palace banquet, the Third Prince left early due to his poor health.

The Third Prince had always been gentle. If he saw Miss Sheng being mistreated, he might feel pity for her.

Thinking of this, the Crown Prince made a decision and turned to walk back the way he came.

The Third Prince was weak, and he didn’t want to involve him in this struggle.

If he were to visit the Third Prince tonight, the Second Prince would surely become suspicious.

Forget it. Once everything is clear, I’ll find an opportunity to ask the Third Prince.

The Crown Prince then walked to the edge of the Yuhua Lake, gazing at the moonlit water for a long time before finally turning back to the East Palace.

---

Xinghua Palace.

The Third Prince, dressed in his robe, sat at the table, holding a letter in his hand.

There was no sender’s name on the envelope, and the Third Prince hadn’t decided whether or not to read it.

At this moment, Fu’an walked in with a bowl of medicine.

“Your Highness, it’s time to take your medicine.”

The Third Prince nodded and took the bowl, finishing it in one gulp.

Seeing the Third Prince still holding the letter, Fu’an couldn’t help but feel fearful.

“Your Highness, this… It’s something left by someone else. It’s best to burn it as soon as possible.”

Fu’an plucked up the courage to advise.

The Third Prince gazed into the distance for a moment, as if making a certain decision. Then he nodded to Fu’an.

“Fu’an, go outside and stand guard. If anyone comes, notify me first.”