It was no wonder Chu Xianda looked so horrified.
All along, Prince Fu had given people the impression of being an idle prince. Drinking wine and listening to music, chasing flowers and the moon, calligraphy, paintings, antiques, cockfighting, and hunting.
His reputation was poor because he was too "idle" and too "dissolute"—too carefree and unrestrained. Remaining indifferent to all worldly affairs would ultimately earn him a reputation as a "good-for-nothing dandy."
His reputation was not bad either, because he had no interest in politics or schemes for power, and the things he enjoyed were all refined arts. He did not harm heaven or reason, nor did he ever take a few dog slaves into the streets to harass respectable women.
Chu Xianda had once suspected Prince Fu. He had even conducted countless "loyalty tests" on him.
However, Prince Fu had spent decades enjoying himself as he pleased, and he had shown no ambition whatsoever toward political or military power. He had no support from the civil officials and was even less likely to grow close to any military commander. From every angle, it was impossible for him to have any chance of obtaining the supreme throne.
Many times, Chu Xianda had forcibly bestowed some position upon him, only for Prince Fu to push it away again and again, unwilling to take office. For example, this time, Chu Xianda had forcefully ordered him to take charge of the Supervision Department.
The affairs of the world were truly this ironic.
"It was me." Prince Fu smiled viciously and said, "Imperial Brother, are you shocked? You never thought that your most useless younger brother would actually dare covet your throne, or have the guts to stand against you and overturn the power you held over everything, did you?"
"I truly did not expect