By then, both sides of the palace were riddled with crossbow bolts. They had clearly been fired while Wang Yue was away.
The martial artists surrounding Wang Yue realized he had vanished and were warily searching everywhere for him.
Wang Yue reappeared where he had been before and said casually, "You can stop looking. I'm right here, aren't I?"
As he spoke, he led Princess Rou Jia toward the spot where the Eldest Prince, Second Prince, and Third Prince had fallen. Under the wary gazes of the martial artists, he stomped hard, and the trapdoor slammed down. None of the mechanisms it had been designed with could stop the massive boulder.
Seeing Wang Yue do that, Prince Ding's eyes nearly burst with fury. He knew the three princes had been struck with acupoint-sealing techniques. Hiding directly beneath the boulder, they had no way to dodge.
Once the boulder fell over the opening, the three princes would either die or suffer grievous injuries. The thought made his heart ache.
After all, a prince with a physical disability could not inherit the Imperial Throne!
Seeing Princess Rou Jia suddenly appear in Wang Yue's arms, Prince Ding finally understood. He asked in shock, "Rou Jia, was everything you said true?"
Princess Rou Jia knew what Prince Ding meant. Helplessly, she said, "I told you long ago that Wang Yue is practically a deity, but you simply wouldn't believe me."
Wang Yue shrugged and said unconcernedly, "Now every member of the Liu imperial family is here. I've caught you all in one net, thanks to you forcing my hand. But don't worry. I have no grudge against the three princes, and I can guarantee they won't die. That last blow will only leave them crippled at worst. I'm sure of that much."
Prince Ding's