The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 967

Chapter 967: 448 The Wrath of the Emperor (Two More Chapters)

Many things, if not seen, might remain undiscovered until the day one dies.

How high the Emperor’s expectations of Prince Ning once were, at that instant, equaled the extent of his disappointment.

With all his strength, laden with infinite shame and fury, he struck Prince Ning, causing blood to flow from the corner of his mouth!

Gu Jiao felt that the Emperor had never exerted himself as much even when fleeing for his life.

Prince Ning had been in a panic ever since the Dragon Shadow Guard appeared, but after being slapped, he somehow calmed down.

He casually wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, sneered at Gu Jiao, then turned to the furiously enraged Emperor and said with scorn, "Father doesn’t even ask what happened, and just assumes it’s my fault. Is Father teaching his own son here, or is he maintaining his imperial dignity in front of outsiders?"

The Emperor was not so vain.

He admitted that being seen by the young physician was deeply embarrassing, but had the young physician not witnessed it, would he not still be embarrassed?

His eldest son actually thought he was only upholding his imperial dignity?

His eldest son had committed fratricide, what dignity was left for him?

After delivering that slap, the Emperor’s strength was essentially drained, and after being talked back to by this rebellious son, he almost collapsed on the spot.

He struggled to maintain his composure and looked at him with disappointment and anger, "Regardless of the true nature of the incident, I will inquire. But no matter your difficulties, they do not justify drawing a sword on your brother!"

Prince Ning clenched his fists.

He looked at Gu Jiao, who seemed to enjoy the commotion, and with a sarcastic curl of his lips, said, "Are you satisfied with the situation now?"

The Emperor naturally heard this as well and frowned.

Gu Jiao looked candidly at the bruised and swollen Prince Ning and said, "It’s alright; if you had fallen harder, it would have been better."

Prince Ning and the Crown Prince were taken back to the Imperial Palace.

The Emperor had Gu Jiao accompany them to treat the Crown Prince’s severe injuries.

The Crown Princess was also brought back.

The Emperor, having arrived at the scene, only saw Prince Ning attacking the Crown Prince and was unaware of the complications between the three, but he would soon find out.

Gu Jiao would treat the Crown Prince with utmost dedication.

Prince Ning was locked up in Huaqing Palace by the Emperor, who didn’t question him right away, not out of reluctance, but because the Emperor collapsed upon returning to the palace. _{free𝑤ebnovel.com}

He did not pass out completely, but was suddenly spent by the shocking events and could no longer support his own body.

Steward Wei lovingly helped the Emperor onto the Dragon Bed, "Your Majesty, don’t be sad, don’t let the anger harm your health."

But these were just empty words of comfort; with his two sons at such odds, how could he, as their father, not grieve? How could he not be angry?

"Even though I have long understood that in the Imperial Family brotherly affection is flimsy and there is no true siblinghood, I still hoped their brotherhood could have a bit of the common people’s sibling affection. Is it too much to expect?"

The Emperor closed his eyes in agony.

In just half a day, he seemed to have aged by decades, his entire being enveloped in the twilight of his years.

Steward Wei sighed, "Your Majesty..."

Familial love in the Imperial Family was never just that—love between brothers, or between husband and wife... even between father and son.

Steward Wei swallowed these useless words and said bluntly, "Your Majesty, better to discover it early than late."

The Emperor was in his prime. If a feud arose between brothers, he could find a way to resolve it; if he were gone, one son would ascend the throne and another might rebel, leaving no chance for intervention.

How did the former dynasty fall? Was it not because Prince Su was dissatisfied with the Crown Prince’s ascension, rebelled, and indeed killed the Crown Prince, yet also severely weakening himself, ultimately allowing the founding Emperor of our dynasty to take advantage and reap the rewards?

"The realm should not perish in my hands; you are right, there is still room to maneuver."

As for what that meant, the Emperor did not say, and he himself was unsure.

"What about the Empress Dowager..."

After a pause, he said, "Let’s not tell her yet, wait until I have investigated clearly and then tell her myself." He sighed, "Summon Prince Ning."

...

In the East Palace, Gu Jiao finished treating the Crown Prince’s wounds. The Crown Prince had woken up once, became overly agitated, and Gu Jiao injected him with a sedative; he was still on the drip.

She didn’t allow anyone to disturb them until the drip was finished and she packed up her things to leave.

The Crown Princess had also sustained some injuries, but they were only minor.

She had been waiting outside all this time.

Chun Yin was nowhere to be found.

After the second time of betraying her.