Tuoba Zhen said solemnly: “Father Emperor, this matter is probably inappropriate.”

The Emperor asked sternly and coldly: “What is inappropriate about my summoning the deposed Crown Prince?”

Tuoba Zhen’s brow furrowed slightly as he said: “Father Emperor, the Crown Prince harbors resentment from being deposed. Now confined to a separate residence, his mind has long been unclear. The commander of the guards responsible for watching him, to prevent accidents, had no choice but to assign people to watch him around the clock. If you wish to summon him, I fear—” This news he had actually just learned.

The Emperor’s cold and stern expression gradually relaxed: “Has an imperial physician examined him?”

“Reporting to Father Emperor,” Tuoba Zhen steadied his emotions. “Imperial physicians have examined him multiple times, but there’s still no improvement. With no other options, the guard commander resorted to this last measure.”

Li Weiyang smiled: “It seems the Third Prince truly has deep brotherly feelings, caring so much about the deposed Crown Prince’s every move.”

Tuoba Zhen looked at her coldly and said: “He is my biological elder brother. Even though he did wrong and was punished by Father Emperor, the bond of kinship between us will never change. This is something Princess Anning, being an outsider after all, will never understand.”

Li Weiyang was unconcerned, as if she didn’t hear the mockery in his words. She smiled faintly and said: “Yes, the Third Prince and the deposed Crown Prince have always had good feelings toward each other. Surely you’ve looked after his daily life in many ways.”

Tuoba Zhen frowned, not knowing what Li Weiyang’s words truly meant, but he merely snorted coldly and stopped acknowledging her.

Consort Rou beside them spoke in a gentle tone, saying softly: “Third Prince, may I ask which imperial physician was requested for the deposed Crown Prince?”

Tuoba Zhen was startled, then said: “It was Imperial Physician Liu.” In truth, ever since the Crown Prince was deposed, Tuoba Zhen had stopped caring about this person’s life. A completely useless person—how could he spare him even a glance? Moreover, he never believed the deposed Crown Prince could possibly rise again. Even if he truly could, the Crown Prince’s former supporters had already been completely eliminated by the Emperor. This person could no longer serve any purpose to him, Tuoba Zhen—he might even become an obstacle. He had indeed heard news that the deposed Crown Prince was acting deranged, but didn’t know which imperial physician had been requested. However, Imperial Physician Liu was specifically responsible for treating imperial family criminals and was the lowest-ranking physician in the Imperial Medical Bureau. Pushing forward his name would definitely not be wrong.

Hearing this, Consort Rou secretly sighed and said: “Imperial Physician Liu has the shallowest qualifications. Compared to other highly esteemed and respected imperial physicians, his medical skills probably still lack some refinement… Your Majesty, in this humble concubine’s opinion, it would be better to have Imperial Physician Chen examine the deposed Crown Prince.”

The Emperor looked at Consort Rou hesitantly. The Ninth Princess, seeing this situation, felt great sympathy for the deposed Crown Prince’s plight and spoke up: “Yes, Father Emperor, eldest brother’s mind became unclear because he was momentarily stimulated. If he knew Father Emperor was summoning him, perhaps in his joy his condition would improve. Plus with Imperial Physician Chen’s miraculous healing skills and careful treatment, he would surely recover.”

Consort Rou smiled and glanced at her innocent and naive daughter, saying: “Your Majesty, think about it—if he hadn’t suffered injustice, why would the Crown Prince have become like this? If what that palace maid said is true, Your Majesty truly needs to investigate this matter thoroughly.”

Investigate thoroughly? The Crown Prince was already deposed, the Empress was dead, and even the Crown Prince’s power base had been completely uprooted. What use would investigating now serve, even if the deposed Crown Prince’s case were overturned? The Ninth Princess couldn’t understand. She subconsciously glanced at Li Weiyang and suddenly understood something. Right! If what that palace maid said was true, then the one who framed the Crown Prince would become Tuoba Zhen, while the innocent Crown Prince lost everything without any preparation, even persecuted by his closest brother… Everyone would think this way! Tuoba Zhen, who had originally been very close to the Crown Prince, would become the target of public criticism!

The Ninth Princess was a bit dazed—she felt her brain wasn’t sufficient!

Tuoba Zhen and Princess Anguo exchanged glances, both finally recognizing they had inexplicably fallen into the opponent’s trap. If they continued obstructing the Emperor from meeting the deposed Crown Prince, it would only make everyone think they had a guilty conscience. Now they had to let the deposed Crown Prince admit everything himself to prove Tuoba Zhen’s innocence! Tuoba Zhen’s heart burned with rage—laughable that he would one day be forced to this point! After pondering for a moment, Tuoba Zhen actively stepped forward: “Father Emperor, to prove your son did not participate in any frame-up, please summon my imperial brother to the hall.” A look of righteous integrity, unafraid of confrontation in court.

The Emperor waved his hand: “Very well, then have the deposed Crown Prince enter the palace for an audience immediately!”

A eunuch went to deliver the decree. For a time, voices in the great hall fell silent. Only the sounds of wailing from outside could be heard, making people even more fearful and uneasy. Even the ordinary palace maids and eunuchs sensed something was wrong, growing anxious and not knowing what to do. After half an hour, Commander Xie Jing, who was specifically responsible for guarding the Crown Prince, came for an audience. However, as soon as he entered, tears and mucus streamed down as he said: “Your Majesty, the deposed Crown Prince and Concubine Jiang—just before the imperial decree summoning them arrived, they committed suicide!”

The Emperor stood up abruptly, all blood draining from his face.

Consort Rou quickly pressed: “The deposed Crown Prince—is he already—”

Xie Jing said trembling: “Reporting to Your Ladyship, Concubine Jiang has already perished. Though the deposed Crown Prince was rescued in time, the imperial physician says he took too much poison and can only hold on for an hour or so at most. Therefore, this servant has already ordered people to carry him on a stretcher to outside the hall, awaiting Your Majesty’s instructions.”

The Emperor flew into a rage: “I ordered you to watch him properly—what exactly happened? How could two perfectly healthy people manage to commit suicide under your watch?!” Clearly he intended to hold them accountable!

Consort Rou quickly persuaded: “Your Majesty, now is not the time to pursue responsibility. Xie Jing! Why don’t you quickly order people to carry the Crown Prince inside!”

Xie Jing’s entire body trembled violently as if suffering from cold illness, clearly terrified. Obviously he hadn’t expected the deposed Crown Prince would be summoned again by the Emperor, who still cared greatly about this person’s life and death. At first they might have been wary of the Crown Prince making a comeback, treating him with some caution. But later, the Emperor’s series of actions had completely cut off any possibility of the Crown Prince’s restoration, so they began acting recklessly. A deposed Crown Prince in what might be lifelong imprisonment—his treatment could be imagined. But he never imagined the Crown Prince would actually harm himself. In fact, Concubine Jiang, unwilling to accept confinement and blaming the Crown Prince for being incompetent, got into an argument with him. The Crown Prince suddenly went mad and accidentally strangled the imperial grandson to death. Concubine Jiang rushed forward to fight him, but was pushed into the icy lake water. Concubine Jiang couldn’t swim—before they could reach her, she had already drowned. After the Crown Prince regained clarity and discovered he had killed his wife and son while out of control, he swallowed poison and committed suicide.

But these words, no matter what, Xie Jing dared not speak before the Emperor. Because regardless of what he said, the Emperor would think it was due to their negligent guarding. Moreover, they had indeed been quite disrespectful to the Crown Prince all along. If the Emperor truly investigated, they would get no good outcome.

Guards silently carried in the deposed Crown Prince. The Ninth Princess was the first to rush over, raising her voice: “Crown Prince brother!”

The deposed Crown Prince made no sound at all, his face deathly pale without a trace of blood.

A trace of fear appeared on the Ninth Princess’s face: “Crown Prince brother, wake up!” Actually, the Crown Prince wasn’t bad to people and had been quite gentle with the Ninth Princess in the past. So seeing him now in such an inhuman, ghostly state, the Ninth Princess felt truly sad from her heart, tears streaming down continuously.

Seeing this scene, Li Weiyang couldn’t help gently shaking her head. The Ninth Princess’s personality was really too kind. The Crown Prince and Tuoba Zhen had repeatedly schemed about her marriage for their own interests. Now seeing the other party’s miserable appearance, she had already forgiven him from the bottom of her heart. She subconsciously glanced at Consort Rou, but saw her face was bland, appearing somewhat indifferent. Consort Rou—outwardly gentle and weak, but inwardly strong and formidable—was truly very different in personality from the Ninth Princess. Li Weiyang thought this in her heart and couldn’t help sneering coldly.

The deposed Crown Prince suddenly awoke with a start. The dark circles under his eyes looked especially terrifying. He stared wide-eyed at everyone as if not knowing why he was here. Especially when he saw the Emperor, it was as if he’d been pricked by a needle—he immediately rolled off the stretcher and, using both hands and feet, shrank back trembling.

Tuoba Zhen’s heart anxious, immediately stepped forward: “Imperial brother, what’s wrong with you?”

The deposed Crown Prince stared at him in terror, without the slightest intention of reminiscing about past brotherly feelings. The little eunuch Zhang Dezi, specifically responsible for serving the Crown Prince, knelt before the deposed Crown Prince: “Crown Prince, didn’t you always say that from the moment you entered that residence, not a single person dared approach you? Your heart suffers!” The deposed Crown Prince still looked terrified, completely unable to speak. Zhang Dezi shed tears and mucus as he turned and said: “Your Majesty, ever since the Crown Prince was imprisoned in that residence, he has been constantly heartbroken, sighing endlessly, saying everything was someone else wronging him! He also muttered to himself that he is the Emperor’s son, yet now everyone looks at him like a prisoner—not a single person dares approach him. He also said other death row criminals, once sentenced to death, at most suffer one sword strike and are freed. But him? This blade hangs above his head constantly—he doesn’t know when it will fall. Perhaps he’ll be imprisoned for life. The Empress is gone, Your Majesty has also abandoned him…” What Zhang Dezi said did indeed sound like what the Crown Prince would say.

The deposed Crown Prince’s expression seemed frozen, then suddenly he burst into tears. The Emperor was greatly shaken. The Ninth Princess’s tears flowed even more freely in large drops. She actively walked forward and used her handkerchief to wipe away the Crown Prince’s tears that had fallen for unknown reasons: “Crown Prince brother, you’ve suffered.”

The Crown Prince made several incomprehensible sounds—”Ah ah—”—cried a few times, and seemed to regain much clarity at once.

For some reason, the Emperor’s original resentment toward the Crown Prince instantly vanished into thin air. Li Weiyang saw this and a trace of a smile appeared at the corners of her lips. Blood is thicker than water. When the Emperor was filled with resentment toward the Crown Prince, nothing anyone said was useful—they might even be suspected of being the Crown Prince’s accomplices. But when he suspected the Crown Prince was wronged by others and did wrong, his original father-son affection would spring forth all at once, even more intense than before.

Tuoba Zhen sensed a very ominous emotion, but currently he couldn’t think about anything else—he had to prove his innocence: “Imperial brother, I am your third brother. You still recognize me, right?! Now someone has secretly reported to His Majesty that I am the culprit who framed you. Imperial brother, over the years our feelings have been so good. I have always done my utmost to assist you. I hope you can speak a fair word for me. Anyone in this world might harm you, but I never would!”

Princess Anguo also stared at the deposed Crown Prince with extremely nervous eyes, but saw the other party show a confused expression, as if he couldn’t understand at all what Tuoba Zhen was saying.

Zhang Dezi, like a loyal and devoted guard, stood before the Crown Prince, vigilantly watching Tuoba Zhen.

The Emperor said coldly: “Imperial Physician Chen, go treat the Crown Prince.” He said Crown Prince, not deposed Crown Prince—the implications were extremely obvious. Hearing this, Tuoba Zhen found it particularly grating. If it were before, whether the Emperor forgave the Crown Prince or not posed no particular hindrance to him—he had even once used the Crown Prince as a shield! But now, the Emperor’s forgiveness meant he believed what Jin’er had just said—those accusations against Tuoba Zhen! This was extremely ominous!

Imperial Physician Chen quickly went to treat the deposed Crown Prince. After a moment, with a grave expression, he reported to the Emperor that the Crown Prince had indeed taken poison. Although it was discovered early and countless antidotes administered, the poison had entered his internal organs—he probably couldn’t be saved. Both the Emperor’s and the Ninth Princess’s expressions changed. Consort Rou’s face was grave as water, as if she felt great regret.

The Ninth Princess anxiously asked: “Imperial Physician Chen, your medical skills are so excellent—you must be able to think of another method, right?” Imperial Physician Chen said: “This… we can only continue using antidotes to see if we can delay for a few days—no, perhaps a few hours. This humble servant truly has no confidence.” After speaking, he took up his brush and wrote a prescription, handing it to a nearby eunuch. The Emperor waved for him to step aside.

The deposed Crown Prince suddenly began speaking deliriously: “Father Emperor, Father Emperor—save your son!” The Ninth Princess glanced at the deposed Crown Prince’s confused eyes, her heart aching. She returned to the Emperor and knelt down, pleading: “Father Emperor, please save Crown Prince brother!”

The Emperor’s face was gloomy as he said nothing. Imperial Physician Chen had already pronounced a death sentence on the Crown Prince—what could he do? But he still actively walked to the Crown Prince’s side. At this moment, the Crown Prince’s entire face showed a deathly pallor—clearly his time was short.

Just then, Li Weiyang stepped forward and said softly: “Crown Prince, whatever grievances you have, tell His Majesty.”

What did this mean?! This woman truly feared the world wasn’t chaotic enough! No, she was looking for every opportunity to throw mud on him! Tuoba Zhen couldn’t help his violent rage, but before the Emperor he had to suppress his emotions. He could only say sternly: “Li Weiyang, what are you saying?!”

Li Weiyang’s tone was extremely calm. She merely raised her eyelids and said blandly: “Third Prince, I merely said the Crown Prince has suffered these days—otherwise he wouldn’t have committed suicide by poison. Why are you so nervous?”

Tuoba Zhen realized he had misspoken, grinding his teeth speechlessly.

Li Weiyang narrowed her eyes, speaking softly: “Crown Prince, look—this is your Father Emperor. Your grievances should properly be told to him!”

The Crown Prince looked at Li Weiyang. From those clear pupils he could see his own reflection. He almost felt every breath was difficult, completely unable to control his body’s trembling. After a long while, he seemed much more clear-headed. He turned to stare at the Emperor. After a long time, several syllables emerged from his throat: “Father Emperor—”

He obviously recognized the Emperor. Though knowing he was already deranged with his mind sometimes good and sometimes bad, seeing he could recognize him, the Emperor was still very pleased. He nodded: “It is I.”

The deposed Crown Prince burst into loud tears: “Father Emperor—” Then he struggled to rise and kowtow to the Emperor. The Emperor pressed him down: “No need—your body is weak, don’t move recklessly!”

The deposed Crown Prince’s eyes were bloodshot. His deathly pale face finally showed a trace of human color as he wept: “Father Emperor, you’ve finally come to see your son! I truly thought I would never see you again!” The Emperor rarely showed such moved emotion, saying: “Haven’t you seen me now? If you have anything to say, tell Father Emperor. What exactly happened with that matter back then?!”

The deposed Crown Prince seemed to want to speak, but as soon as he opened his mouth, violent coughing erupted. The Ninth Princess, fearing the Emperor would be disgusted, quickly took out one of her own handkerchiefs to cover it for him. Who knew a mass of black blood would spurt from his throat, staining the handkerchief and turning a red plum blossom pitch black. The Ninth Princess’s legs went weak as she cried out: “Father Emperor, look—Crown Prince brother is coughing blood!”

Everyone with eyes present saw it. Imperial Physician Chen shook his head—the Crown Prince’s poison had attacked his heart. There probably weren’t many hours to delay.

The Emperor could no longer suppress his paternal love, sorrow appearing on his face.

The deposed Crown Prince barely stopped coughing but said: “Your son doesn’t know who was scheming behind the scenes at that time… truly doesn’t know…” Having just finished one sentence, he coughed up another mouthful of black blood. The Emperor looked at his son in disbelief, unable to say a word.

Consort Rou quickly said: “Your Majesty, we should quickly let the Crown Prince go receive treatment!”

Only then did the Emperor awaken as if from a dream: “Imperial Physician Chen, I leave this to you—you must find a way to cure the Crown Prince!” Cold sweat broke out on Imperial Physician Chen’s forehead. He was a physician, not an immortal—how could he possibly save someone whose poison had attacked their heart? But before the Emperor, he dared not argue half a word. He quickly had people carry the Crown Prince away.

The Emperor watched the Crown Prince depart, then suddenly turned back to stare at Zhang Dezi: “How did you look after him? Where did the Crown Prince get poison?!”

Zhang Dezi’s face was covered in tears as he accused: “Your Majesty, this servant has followed the Crown Prince since age eight. Everything the Crown Prince ate and drank passed through this servant’s hands. But imprisoned in the separate residence these past two weeks, the food and drink were all spoiled and rotten. The Crown Prince grew up in luxury—how could he endure this? Moreover, after the wet nurse was driven away, Concubine Jiang could only care for the imperial grandson herself. But the child wanting even a bowl of rice soup required the Crown Prince to exchange his own jade pendant. The Crown Prince is such a person—how could he not be angry and sad? For this, this servant repeatedly begged those guards, but what this servant got in return was a beating! Look!” He rolled up his sleeves completely, revealing wounds covering his body—extremely terrifying.

Seeing those hideous scars, the Ninth Princess stumbled back half a step in fright. Li Weiyang caught her, her long lashes lowering to hide the emotion in her eyes. Her voice was very low: “Princess, be careful.” The Ninth Princess was stunned but didn’t know what to say.

Zhang Dezi was indeed a devoted little eunuch at the Crown Prince’s side. He continued speaking: “Three meals a day were all spoiled food—this was already bad enough, but those people dared to embezzle and extort! All the valuable items on the Crown Prince and Concubine Jiang were swindled away by them! Once the Crown Prince truly couldn’t endure it and had this servant take a thumb ring His Majesty had bestowed to find them, begging them to release this servant to go buy some necessities. They did release this servant but forcibly robbed the hundred coins on this servant’s person. The Crown Prince said buying things was false—pleading for help was true. He told this servant to find a way to see the Third Prince and beg him for help, ask him to speak a word so the guards at the separate residence would show some accommodation and our days could be a bit easier. Actually, the Third Prince is the master and currently in favor—saying one word could make our days much better, fulfilling a bit of brotherly feeling. This servant, seeing the Crown Prince placed all his hopes on this, went to call on him.”

Speaking to here, Tuoba Zhen’s expression had already changed. He had never seen Zhang Dezi come to his door seeking help—

Zhang Dezi’s tears fell in streams as he said sorrowfully: “This servant arrived at the Third Prince’s manor gate, but unfortunately had not half a coin and no way to prove this servant’s identity. This servant could only wait at the gate, waiting for four full hours before finally waiting for a carriage to return. But those guards absolutely wouldn’t let this servant approach. This servant had no choice but to shout loudly—Zhuoran seeks an audience! This Zhuoran is the Crown Prince’s courtesy name! Hearing this, the Third Prince would surely know. But there was no response from inside the carriage, so this servant shouted again—Third Prince, the deposed Crown Prince seeks an audience—but unfortunately the carriage drove right past this servant. Not only did this servant not see the Third Prince, this servant was beaten bloody by those gate guards. Those people even mocked this servant saying, never mind you’re fake—even if the Crown Prince truly came, so what? He’s just a waste. He should get lost as far as possible and not let that bad luck contaminate the Third Prince’s manor!”

Terror finally appeared on Tuoba Zhen’s face. He immediately knelt down, his face showing extreme shock: “Father Emperor, your son has never said such words to anyone, much less knew when this servant came looking for me!” He subconsciously glanced at Anguo, but saw her expression was extremely ugly. A thought flashed through his mind in an instant. Ever since the Crown Prince was deposed, Princess Anguo had strongly opposed him continuing to associate with the Crown Prince’s former ministers. Anyone who came to the door pleading was beaten out without exception, to clearly draw boundaries. This clearly showed Princess Anguo deliberately had people humiliate Zhang Dezi… This damned woman truly accomplished nothing but ruined everything!

Princess Anguo hadn’t expected matters would become more and more seriously entangled. She understood even less how, when she had merely come properly to attend the Empress’s funeral, first her stone woman identity was discovered by others, then it implicated the matter of framing the Crown Prince, next came the Crown Prince taking poison, and now servants from the Crown Prince’s manor accused the Third Prince of humiliating the Crown Prince behind his back. Everything was as if in the unseen darkness a pair of hands was pushing… That’s right—back then when she heard in the carriage that someone from the deposed Crown Prince’s side had come to the door, she immediately felt Tuoba Zhen should stay far from these people, especially that he should draw clear boundaries with the deposed Crown Prince when the Emperor was enraged! So she ordered those people to beat that servant thoroughly! But—wasn’t it Tuoba Zhen who said to sever relations with the deposed Crown Prince? What did she do wrong?! The Emperor had clearly hated the deposed Crown Prince to death before! How could he turn around wanting to uphold justice for him?

Li Weiyang sneered coldly in her heart, but her face showed bending eyebrows and eyes in a very gentle appearance: “You little eunuch are truly speaking complete nonsense! The Third Prince and the Crown Prince have deep brotherly feelings. He just said he always cared about the Crown Prince’s life. What you’re saying—isn’t that all lies? Did someone instruct you to do this to frame the Third Prince?”

Zhang Dezi kowtowed to the Emperor again, using such force that his forehead was bruised all over: “If this servant has half a word of lies, may heaven strike this servant dead with no good end! If Your Majesty doesn’t believe, you can go to the Third Prince’s manor to interrogate those guards!”

“You’re the one speaking complete nonsense! Father Emperor won’t listen to you! You’ve colluded with someone to frame us! Watch out for your life!” Princess Anguo immediately retorted, but her heart was very nervous—for the first time feeling so nervous. She vaguely felt that her secret being exposed, compared to Tuoba Zhen framing the Crown Prince, simply didn’t matter at all.

Zhang Dezi snorted coldly: “Third Prince Consort, this servant is a castrated man with no family—you needn’t frighten this servant! This servant was born to serve the Crown Prince. Watching the Crown Prince forced into this state by others, this servant has long been willing to risk life to lodge a complaint!”

Princess Anguo flew into a rage: “If you don’t shut up, watch out or I’ll—”

Li Weiyang smiled, those glassy black pupils glancing at Princess Anguo: “Third Prince Consort, watch out or you’ll do what? What do you think this place is? Can you be so presumptuous before His Majesty?”

The Emperor’s eyes looked coldly at Princess Anguo. In that instant, being looked at by those cold eyes, Anguo was almost rendered speechless. If this were in Yue Xi now, she wouldn’t have to suffer such indignity at all. But in the current situation, she herself knew—it wasn’t her turn to speak anymore, much less threaten that eunuch.

“How exactly did the Crown Prince go mad?” Consort Rou asked gently.

Zhang Dezi wiped his tears, his face showing extremely guilt-ridden expression: “It’s all this servant’s fault. This servant told the Crown Prince everything heard at the Third Prince’s manor gates. But the Crown Prince stubbornly refused to believe it. He said the Third Prince was his brother, who always supported him most and was the person he trusted most—how could he abandon and disregard him? The Crown Prince was sincere-hearted—where would he think that if the Third Prince had any intention, how could he refuse to call even once? Even when this servant actively sought him out at his door, he remained indifferent? This clearly shows he’s a petty person who kicks others when they’re down and forgets righteousness when seeing profit! When this servant said this, the Crown Prince became extremely angry—perhaps he couldn’t accept it—”

Tuoba Zhen completely understood, his heart slowly, slowly sinking to the bottom of the valley. He had originally thought Li Weiyang framing the Crown Prince and striking at himself was already the killing move—who knew he had thought completely wrong! This was a chain stratagem! Li Weiyang first designed against the Crown Prince and Beauty Zhang, forcing the Emperor to depose the Crown Prince and enrage the Empress to death. Then at the funeral, she somehow frightened Princess Anguo, then used Consort Rou’s mouth to expose Anguo’s affair with the guard. She even deliberately left the calming incense as such an obvious flaw, using Jin’er to re-implicate the case of the Crown Prince’s deposition! When the Emperor summoned the Crown Prince, she deliberately brought the pitiful Crown Prince and the righteously indignant little eunuch Zhang Dezi!

This Crown Prince had clearly committed suicide by poison—how could he still have a breath left?! And this little eunuch acting so loyally devoted to his master! No, perhaps this little eunuch had long been bought by Li Weiyang, deliberately staging that scene at the Third Prince’s manor gates! All of this was to make the Emperor believe that the one who framed the Crown Prince was him, Tuoba Zhen! To make the Emperor think he deliberately put on a false show of pleading for the Crown Prince—

This was simply unbelievable, yet truly killing three birds with one arrow!