Mu Changxi's fists were clenched at his sides.
At the same time, someone brought Mu Hansu a chair. Mu Hansu stood atop the chair and shouted towards the Guande Hall, "Crown Prince Imperial Brother, Father Emperor, it's me! You've been cooped up in there for so long, don't you plan to talk to me?"
At least in front of the Emperor, he still referred to himself as "me."
But it also showed that his triumph was becoming uncontrollable.
Song Chaoyu scanned her surroundings and realized that Mu Hansu's soldiers were all utterly exhausted.
From within the Guande Hall, the Emperor's reprimand was soon heard: "You scoundrel! I should have killed you long ago, not been soft-hearted and indulged you until now!"
However, the Crown Prince's voice was clearly calmer and more composed than the Emperor's: "Mu Hansu, since you are here, why not give this Prince and Father Emperor a chance? Let us father and sons have a chat, how about it?"
"Alright!"
Mu Hansu was already confident of victory, so he feared nothing. "It just so happens that I've brought Prince Chang as well. We father and sons can finally have a good talk! I know you have no room for resistance left. I'll disarm myself just the same. Let's meet in the side hall, shall we?"
"How can we trust you?"
Clearly, Mu Hansu had lost all credibility in the eyes of the Emperor and the Crown Prince.
Mu Hansu, however, generously removed his armor first. "If I want this throne, I will charge in honorably. I want you to see the last person protecting you die before your very eyes; that is what I, Mu Hansu, desire. After all... this will be the last time we father and sons speak face to face, won't it? I don't want to ruin this last time, and I believe you feel the same, don't you?"
He truly took off his armor, removed the weapons he carried, spread his hands open, and walked towards Mu Changxi. "As an elder brother, I will personally push Prince Chang in. Father Emperor, Crown Prince Imperial Brother, I'll see you shortly!"
With that, he suddenly turned to look at Song Chaoyu. "You come in with us too!"
At the same time, he frowned and instructed someone beside him, "Tie her hands, and remove all sharp objects from her person, including hairpins and ornaments!"
He narrowed his eyes, revealing triumph and cruelty in his gaze. "Song Chaoyu, if you truly wish to follow me, I will show you today how formidable my methods are. If you do not, you will also witness how I devour all of this today. I believe, no matter what, after today, you will only have true devotion for me."
Song Chaoyu raised an eyebrow and shrugged, indicating her cooperation. "Naturally. Everyone acts according to their strength; I am no different. You need not worry."
Her hands and feet were bound, and her hair fell loosely.
As the wind blew, Song Chaoyu's hair swayed with it.
Through her disheveled hair, she seemed to catch Mu Changxi's gaze.
Song Chaoyu understood in her heart that once they entered that hall, it would be a matter of life and death.
If Mu Changxi failed today, if the Crown Prince failed, she would never survive alone.
Perhaps everything would depend on this moment.
—
A moment later, the Emperor's voice echoed from the Guande Hall: "Good, you rebellious son. I shall see you one last time. I also wish to know, at this point, what else you have to say to me!"
All of them headed towards the side hall of the Guande Hall.
Mu Hansu truly left those soldiers waiting outside. He personally pushed Mu Changxi's wheelchair, with Song Chaoyu following behind him.
This was Song Chaoyu's first time in the side hall of the Guande Hall. In fact, few people ever came to the Guande Hall.
Since the previous Emperor, this place had served as a site for sacrificial ceremonies.
Inside the side hall of the Guande Hall at this moment, upon entering, Song Chaoyu smelled a strong scent of sandalwood.
The Crown Prince was already standing in the Guande Hall. He was also wearing armor, and his arm was injured.
The Crown Prince appeared very tired, but there was no trace of cowardice in his eyes.
Song Chaoyu felt that this was how a Crown Prince of a nation should look.
Not seeing the Emperor, Mu Hansu sneered, "Where is Father Emperor? Is he afraid to see me?"
However, the Crown Prince ignored Mu Hansu. He merely looked at Mu Changxi, who was sitting in the wheelchair, and slowly nodded to him, "Rest assured, Noble Consort is also in the Guande Hall. She is well."
That's great!
Song Chaoyu also breathed a sigh of relief, only to hear Mu Hansu snort coldly, "I didn't expect her to be so resilient, to still be alive after being poisoned with Imperial Cold Poison! Hmph, it's too good for her that she's not dead, after making things difficult for my mother in the palace! It's good she's not dead; once I break into the Guande Hall, I'll hand her over to Mother for disposal. I imagine Mother will be pleased."
"Mu Hansu."
The Crown Prince raised his eyes and looked at Mu Hansu. "You still know that your mother is in the palace? You didn't consider what would happen to her when you raised this rebellion. Let me tell you, a few days ago, in his great rage, Father Emperor personally executed your mother."
"What?! That's impossible!"
Mu Hansu's eyes suddenly changed. "She served Father Emperor in the palace for so many years, how could Father Emperor bear to do it?!"
"How could I not bear to do it?"
At this moment, the Emperor also slowly walked out from behind.
He looked as though he hadn't slept in a long time, with dark circles under his eyes, and his entire being exuded exhaustion.
But his imperial aura remained, as did his majesty.
He stared at Mu Hansu and sneered, "The only reason I kept your mother alive was for your sake. Otherwise, your mother should have died more than ten years ago. Did she ever tell you how many of my consorts she harmed, how many of my children she injured? To have raised a child as ungrateful as you, I regret not killing her sooner!"
"Father Emperor!"
Seeing that the Emperor's gaze was not a bluff, Mu Hansu's eyes immediately turned red. "Mother has you in her heart, why did you kill her?"
"Hmph—"
The Emperor snorted coldly again. "When even your son can disregard her life and rebel, why should I still consider her feelings? Moreover, her feelings are merely for her own sake! Su'er, having reached this point, our father-son bond is now severed."
"Severed, so be it, I don't care!"
Mu Hansu paced back and forth. Even the pain of losing his mother could not conceal his ambition to seize the throne. "Father Emperor, since childhood, which eye of yours has ever looked upon your son? You only have the Crown Prince, only Prince Chang! Even this Prince Chang with his broken legs is more important in your eyes than I am!"