Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne-Chapter 173 - 147: The Crown Prince’s Grievance

In the Hulong Temple, the Crown Prince completed his morning ritual prayers and learned about what had happened in the court today. He furrowed his brows and went straight to the Eighth Prince’s room, without returning to his own quarters.

The Eighth Prince had received the news slightly earlier than the Crown Prince, but of course, he pretended to be unaware in front of the Crown Prince.

As soon as the Crown Prince entered the Eighth Prince’s room, he cursed Prince Dai for being insincere.

The Eighth Prince quickly asked what had happened.

"During the morning court today, Prince Dai pleaded for the Kong family’s case and earnestly requested Father to cancel his engagement with the youngest daughter of the Kong family," the Crown Prince said, displaying a mocking expression on his face. "He hypocritically claimed that he didn’t want to force the young Miss Kong to marry him, and that he didn’t want the Kong family to suffer grievances because of him."

The Eighth Prince feigned a very surprised look: "Did Prince Dai really say that?"

"Indeed, he even praised Kong for being loyal and dedicated to serving the court, bearing the heavy responsibility of compiling history, and shouldn’t be disheartened because of the marriage," the Crown Prince, usually graceful and refined, seemed like a different person when speaking of Prince Dai, becoming somewhat acerbic and fierce. "He said that being a mere martial artist, he wasn’t worthy of the famously talented Miss Kong, and begged Father to spare the Kong family. If Miss Kong wishes to return to secular life, let her do so, and then Father can grant her another good marriage. If she doesn’t wish to return, let her continue her practice in the Bodhi Temple, without further disturbances."

"He also said it was all his fault for tarnishing Miss Kong’s reputation. If she wishes to return to secular life and marry later, he will add to her dowry. If she wishes to continue her life at the Bodhi Temple, he would donate to the temple for renovations."

"I truly underestimated him, never thought he could put on such an act," the Crown Prince said with a cold face, "Many ministers praised his magnanimity."

"This idea couldn’t have come from Prince Dai," the Eighth Prince scoffed disdainfully, "With Prince Dai’s intellect, such a plan wouldn’t have crossed his mind."

The Crown Prince mocked, "Prince Dai doesn’t have the brains for such an idea; it must have come from them, the Marquis Xuanping and his allies."

"I didn’t expect Marquis Xuanping to have brains either."

"Eighth brother, this is no time to praise Marquis Xuanping," the Crown Prince said with some displeasure, "Because of these words, Prince Dai has become revered among the ministers and the people as a generous and righteous Prince." freewebnøvel_com

After the court session, the news of Prince Dai pleading for the Kong family spread throughout the capital. Naturally, there were those who fanned the flames.

"These days, Prince Dai has been the butt of everyone’s jokes, making him lose face. The people have been mocking this hero from Liangzhou, and his reputation among the common folk has diminished significantly. However," at this point, the Crown Prince paused, then with a dark expression said, "because of these words, his reputation among the common people..."

The Crown Prince didn’t continue, but his eyes were filled with jealousy and distortion.

"Elder brother, I’m not praising Marquis Xuanping," the Eighth Prince smiled reassuringly at the Crown Prince, "In fact, unraveling Prince Dai’s move is very simple."

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince’s eyes immediately lit up, and he hurriedly asked, "How?"

The Eighth Prince did not directly answer the Crown Prince’s question but instead gave a meaningful smile: "Elder brother, what do you think would happen if Miss Kong died?"

He added, "And if it was by suicide?"

The Crown Prince instantly understood the Eighth Prince’s implication and then smiled with a lifted corner of his mouth: "If Miss Kong were to commit suicide, then everyone would believe it was Prince Dai who drove her to death."

"Actually, the best method was to have Miss Kong feel ashamed and commit suicide in prison a few days ago, but Father kept her whole family together and had them guarded at all times, making it difficult to act." The Eighth Prince spoke calmly, "If Miss Kong could have died in prison, Prince Dai would carry the stain of forcing someone to their death for life, but there was no way to act."

"You should have told me this plan earlier." The Crown Prince, after hearing what the Eighth Prince said, did not see any issue with having Miss Kong ’commit suicide’ in prison. "I will have Uncle arrange this matter."

"Elder brother, if I could think of this, then Duke Zhen certainly thought of it long ago, yet he did not arrange for it to be done," the Eighth Prince said, "which shows that Duke Zhen believes this plan isn’t good."

"Why not?" The Crown Prince actually found the plan rather good.

"Elder brother, you will be suspected, everyone will think you were the one who had Miss Kong killed just to frame Prince Dai," the Eighth Prince said, "Even if you didn’t do it, everyone will still believe you did."

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