Xi Hanzhou understood. Before leaving, he turned and glanced at Fourth Prince Xi Muyan. "Father, Fourth Younger Brother may also have been provoked by treacherous men. I hope that, for the sake of our brotherly bond, you won't reprimand him too harshly."
If he had said nothing, it would have been fine. But after he spoke, the chill in the Emperor's eyes deepened.
"Hmph. You regard them as brothers, but they may not regard you as one."
"Zhou'er, sometimes, you must harden your heart. You must not be too softhearted, lest you leave yourself endless trouble in the future."
Xi Hanzhou fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, Father. Your son understands."
"Qiao, help the Crown Prince to the inner hall to rest for a while."
"Yes."
Su Qiao supported Xi Hanzhou, and the two of them entered the inner hall.
As for what happened outside, they could no longer be bothered to care.
Actually, he was the truly clever one. I had thought he would definitely burn the Dragon Robe and letters that Xi Muyan's people had hidden in his secret chamber.
Unexpectedly, he did nothing at all. He merely took the initiative to ask the Emperor to strip him of his Crown Prince title after the incident, then put on a show of great righteousness, saying that with his ruined body, he did not even know whether he would ever fully recover. This reminded the Emperor of the purpose behind the poisoner's actions, causing him to grow suspicious of all his imperial younger brothers. The Fourth Prince in particular would probably have a miserable time this time.
Su Qiao did not think much of it.
He was too foolish. She still had no interest in him.
In a palace where people devoured one another, how could one