Prince Qi knitted his brows and said impatiently, "Let me think this matter over again."
He had grown up beneath his imperial father's oppressive authority. Even after coming of age and seeking power, his struggles had been mere skirmishes. Things had never reached this point before, with so many of the informants he had planted in the palace exposed. Taken seriously, this matter might bring severe punishment even upon him, the emperor's own son.
Fear stirred in his heart, and he wanted to shelter from the storm. But then he thought, With Father raging like this, does he not care at all that this affair will stain the reputations of his grown sons?
Does Father truly intend to reign for thousands upon thousands of years? Could the refinement of the Great Restoration Elixir already be showing promise? If that is true, what am I to do?
If his imperial father truly could live forever, what would become of him-a grown imperial son, invested as a prince, who had already spent years contending for the throne?
Throughout history, whenever an emperor lived a long life, the next emperor was usually chosen from among his younger sons or grandsons, for a long-lived sovereign could outlast his grown sons.
Was he truly going to become such a pitiful prince?
Just as he was thinking this, a man suddenly hurried in from outside. Upon entering the hall, he immediately dropped to his knees. "Your Highness, the seal-bearing eunuch just went to the Duke of Dai's Residence to proclaim an edict. The Duke of Dai has been appointed Commander of the Imperial Feather Guards!"
"What?"
Prince Qi sprang to his feet, his whole body trembling, his teeth grinding audibly.
His heart had already been unsettled by the execution of more than half his palace informants