Chapter 1178: Furious
Editor: Henyee Translations
It was a catastrophic event when the gate collapsed, and the entire house sank into the ground. This incident had serious implications as the Crown Prince believed he had been set up by the Fourth Prince. In order to regain his position, the Crown Prince knew he had to retaliate, but he also understood that his followers might not agree with his approach.
Although he was known for being magnanimous, the Crown Prince had his limits, and he couldn’t let this betrayal slide. After being humiliated by the Fourth Prince, he intended to strike back when the opportunity arose.
Being the Crown Prince meant he had to uphold certain principles and a sense of responsibility. Without maintaining his integrity and principles, he wouldn’t be worthy of the title.
After the Fourth Prince took over, rumors about him spread like wildfire, signifying the concept of “heaven’s fury.” The mysterious collapse of the front door and main room of the courtyard without any warning raised questions about the divine intervention, indicating that the heavens themselves disapproved of the situation.
At the East Palace, attempts were made to downplay the incident, attributing it to a simple accident caused by the servants. However, the Crown Prince’s supporters demanded a proper investigation before accepting such explanations.
The Fourth Prince, his mother, and their supporters were startled and apprehensive after the investigation results were revealed, possibly realizing the gravity of their actions. They couldn’t help but feel a mix of fear and respect for the Crown Prince’s determination to seek justice and reclaim his position.
Upon hearing about the incident, Emperor Xuan grew annoyed and puzzled. He questioned why the heavens seemed to meddle in other people’s affairs, first warning the Crown Prince and now turning their attention to Fourth Sister.
In response, Emperor Xuan ordered his men to conduct an investigation at both the Crown Prince and Fourth Prince’s mansions. However, this swift action didn’t leave enough time for the Fourth Prince to offer a proper explanation to the public.
The Crown Prince, on the other hand, was transparent about the situation. He clarified that the fire was an accidental result of a servant’s actions, which coincided with a thunderstorm followed by rain. He suggested that the Fourth Prince’s men might have used this opportune moment to stir up trouble.
The collapse at the Fourth Prince’s place remained a mystery, as even the Ministry of Architecture couldn’t identify its cause, making the situation seem inexplicable. This unusual circumstance was difficult to comprehend, as it involved forces beyond human control, like the heavens.
The Fourth Prince, feeling a mix of anger and fear, became more compliant in light of these events. Even Emperor Xuan was taken aback by the situation, wondering if it truly reflected the will of the heavens.
The possibility that Fourth Sister and her allies had overstepped their bounds to the extent that it drew the heavens’ displeasure crossed Emperor Xuan’s mind. He understood the Crown Prince’s nature—kind, gentle, generous, and virtuous—but didn’t take strict action regarding his children’s occasional conflicts, turning a blind eye to such disputes.
Deep inside his heart, he couldn’t shake off the lingering fear of the Crown Prince. Despite the Crown Prince’s filial and virtuous nature, he couldn’t entrust the entire governance of the country solely to him. After all, securing his position as the next Emperor of the Qin Dynasty was of utmost importance.
For this reason, he found comfort in the presence of his second, third, and fourth sons. Having them around provided a sense of assurance and stability. At times, he couldn’t help but think that the Crown Prince lacked the strength to handle such responsibilities, leading him to occasionally overlook his actions and decisions.