Though Prince Dai was the emperor's grandson, and common folk often said that a youngest son and eldest grandson were an old man's lifeblood, that was true of ordinary households!
And that greater affection came from grandparents raising their grandson close at hand.
The imperial family was different. Leaving aside how thin familial affection already ran among royalty, even if the emperor truly felt affection for his grandsons, it should long since have gone to those young boys he had watched grow up. How much favor could a grandson who had only been found and brought back as a grown man possibly claim?
It was impossible, however one thought about it!
Moreover, this grandson's own father, the crown prince, had once enjoyed such favor. Had his entire household not still been exterminated, while he himself died a miserable death?
Ultimately, the man before him, the most exalted person under heaven, loved himself most of all, and cherished the great power in his hands above everything else.
Everything else was merely an embellishment to that power, something he could just as easily have or do without!
After turning these thoughts over, Ma Shunde became all the more convinced that his report this time was foolproof and would surely bring Prince Dai down for good!
The emperor's unreadable mood at this moment was naturally because he feared Prince Dai!
These thoughts flashed through his mind, but Ma Shunde answered without the slightest hesitation. "Your Majesty, yes, many people witnessed the scene. If even half a sentence of what this servant has said is false, Your Majesty may take this servant's head at once!"
"Furthermore, Liu Zhan, who presided over the ritual, is waiting outside. Your Majesty may summon him for questioning at any time."
Ma Shunde spoke with his head lowered, while