The Crown Prince, kneeling outside the hall under the scorching sun, felt his head swim from the heat, sweat pouring down him like rain. He could no longer maintain a straight kneeling posture, his buttocks resting on his heels.
But the discomfort he felt was nothing compared to the torment in his heart.
His Imperial Father hadn't punished him in years. Today, as soon as court adjourned, he was summoned to be punished with kneeling, without even being given a reason.
Had his secret been exposed?
It shouldn't be. His Imperial Father had been bedridden for so long, where would he find the energy to meddle in his affairs? If that were the case, he would have reacted long ago when the funds for Zhanxian City were delayed.
The Imperial Study
Li Furui handed Emperor Changwu a bowl of mung bean soup. "Your Majesty, the weather is hot. Please cool down first."
Emperor Changwu didn't feel he would suffer heatstroke, but thinking of the rebellious son outside, he still took the bowl of soup. He needed to quell his anger.
The small celadon bowl felt cool to the touch, but not icy.
Li Furui explained, "Doctor Mo said Your Majesty cannot have anything too cold. This has been chilled in well water."
Emperor Changwu took a sip and couldn't help himself. "What of that rebellious son outside?"
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is a scholar. His constitution is not as robust as Prince Yong's or Prince Rui's. His face is pale now. If he continues to kneel, he might faint."
"Heh, I hired martial arts instructors for him too, yet he cannot endure any hardship."
"It's mainly the sun today. He's been out for two quarters of an hour. Most people couldn't stand it."
"Autumn is almost here, what's two quarters of an hour that one can't endure?" In the end, it was still the Crown Prince who was too pampered.
As soon as he finished speaking, footsteps were heard from outside the door. Li Wang scurried to the door. "Your Majesty, something's wrong! The Crown Prince has fainted!"
Emperor Changwu: ...
His anger intensified. He knew the Crown Prince's constitution. Even if he couldn't compare to Little Four and Little Seven, he shouldn't collapse after just two quarters of an hour. He was most likely faking it.
He abruptly put down the porcelain bowl. "Bring him in."
Li Furui dared not provoke him when he was angry, so he quickly had his men do as instructed.
Seeing the Crown Prince carried in, his eyes still closed, but his fingers unconsciously twitching, Emperor Changwu was so enraged that he poured the bowl of mung bean soup over his head. "Are you awake now?"
There was no way he could continue faking it. The Crown Prince quickly stood up, knelt properly, and wiped the mung bean soup from his face. "Your Imperial Father, please quell your anger. My health is too weak, and I accidentally fainted from the sun."
"Do you know why I punished you?"
The Crown Prince shook his head blankly.
Emperor Changwu threw several pieces of paper at him. "Recall carefully what you have done. I taught you from a young age to love the people as your children. And you? As the heir apparent, you actively spread a plague among the common people. Did you consider the consequences?"
The Crown Prince swayed. "Your Imperial Father, this son is wronged! It must be those conniving individuals who cannot stand me and have framed me. I beg Your Majesty to uphold justice for your son."
"This was discovered by my secret guards. Are you saying I wrongly accused you? Or would you like to see more evidence?"
"You investigated me?" The Crown Prince was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood. "So you were indeed faking your illness all along."
Emperor Changwu glanced at him, his eyes full of disappointment. "I was merely ill, but not so ill that I couldn't mobilize my secret guards."
Since it had come to this, the Crown Prince no longer held back and retorted, "So you did it on purpose, waiting for me to make a mistake, and then forcing me to abdicate to Situ Yan? Father, you are too biased! I have been the Crown Prince for over thirty years. Why should I have to give it up to that bastard just because he returned?"
Emperor Changwu said, "I have told you many times, you are not suited for this position. Even without Little Seven, this position would not have been yours."