Fang Lao’s body trembled, and he frantically kowtowed. "This old man only has the Crown Prince in his heart!"
"If you didn’t have me in mind, would you even be standing here?! You openly and secretly excluded Qin Shangzhi. Did you really think I didn’t know?! Fang Lao... Considering your loyalty and the years you’ve planned alongside me, I have always helped you suppress Qin Shangzhi. You hinted at others to ostracize Qin Shangzhi both openly and secretly. Did you really think I was blind?!"
The Crown Prince, in a fit of rage, walked up to Fang Lao and bent down to yell at him. "I knew everything! But I never questioned it because you accompanied me through my most difficult times! To me, you are worth more than ten Qin Shangzhis! Even if your strategies sometimes weren’t as good as Qin Shangzhi’s, I still followed them. In the worst case, I would make up for it afterward. Tell me, how has this Crown Prince treated you?!"
"Your Highness, this old man... this old man feels ashamed!" Fang Lao cried, kowtowing again.
"But one must not be ungrateful!" The Crown Prince stood up, looking coldly at the trembling Fang Lao on the ground. After his anger dissipated, he calmed down, his voice softening. "Fang Lao, you are old. You must accept that! You also must recognize Bai Qingyan’s intelligence and ability to command troops. She is indeed superior to you! Even so, I trust you more! You know it well! You all serve me loyally... How can we fight amongst ourselves?!"
"Your Highness, it is this old man’s fault for failing your trust!" Fang Lao cried out. He felt both the shame of being exposed and gratitude for the Crown Prince’s continued trust.
The Crown Prince closed his eyes, recalling Fang Lao’s loyal service. He wanted to help Fang Lao up, but remembering Bai Qingyan’s bloodied image, he withdrew his hand and walked behind the desk, sitting down to stare at Fang Lao.
"Fang Lao, I hope you remember that no matter the time, I will always trust you the most! No one can shake your place in my heart. But the Princess of Zhen is also worthy of my trust because she is a member of the Bai family, known for their loyalty and righteousness! Since Bai Qingyan has acknowledged me as her master, she will naturally be loyal to me! With all her abilities, Bai Qingyan lacks nothing. Having such a person loyal to me should make you happy! Do not engage in internal strife again, or you will end up hurting me!" The Crown Prince sighed and signaled Quan Yu, "Help Fang Lao up!"
Fang Lao heavily kowtowed to the Crown Prince. "Your Highness, this old man will remember your words today! It was my misguided thoughts, worried... that Your Highness would find me useless! But Your Highness... this old man says for the last time in front of you, the Princess of Zhen has extraordinary abilities, it would be wise to still be cautious!"
After speaking, Fang Lao kowtowed once more. "This is the last time this old man will say it. As long as you know, from today on... this old man will no longer cause you grief, if you believe in the Princess of Zhen, then so will I, without any more trouble!"
In the end, he managed to convince the stubborn old mule. The Crown Prince nodded, tiredly waving his hand. "Fang Lao has been frightened today. Go and rest!" ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
Fang Lao kowtowed, then stood up shakily by supporting himself on the table. He bowed deeply and left the Crown Prince’s study.
Quan Yu saw the Crown Prince seated with his eyes closed and spoke softly. "Your Highness... let this servant assist you in bathing and changing into clean clothes!"
The Crown Prince nodded, looking at the disheveled Quan Yu. Remembering how Quan Yu had shared life-and-death moments with him today, his voice softened. "Today, you endured life and death with me twice. You’ve worked hard! You should also bathe, change clothes, and rest! Let someone else serve me!"
"Your Highness, what are you saying! Quan Yu is your humble servant and must follow you to the death!" Quan Yu solemnly looked at the Crown Prince and bowed to him.
"I know you are loyal, which is why you must not fall ill. Take good care of me! Go on! I need to see the Crown Princess Consort first!" The Crown Prince instructed.
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