Although rumors circulated in private that the emperor intended to depose the crown prince, everyone knew that contemplating something and acting on it were two different things. This was not something that could be accomplished overnight.
For every day the emperor left him in place, the crown prince remained the heir apparent. Not only was his status exalted, but his authority was second only to the emperor's.
If the crown prince ascended the throne one day, wouldn't that unfilial son outrank him, a minister?!
Over all these years, he had schemed and maneuvered tirelessly to climb to this position. He would never allow anyone to drag him down from it.
And so, after unleashing a torrent of scolding on Shen Yangge to vent his anger, Shen Zhi punished him by making him kneel in the ancestral hall again.
Even with her makeup ruined by tears, Madam Shen could not persuade Shen Zhi to rescind the order.
Facing the original owner's ancestors, Shen Yangge found a corner in the ancestral hall, lay down, and went to sleep. He was not afraid that the servants guarding the door would take the opportunity to torment him. They were all afraid he was a ghost anyway.
After everything that had happened today, he understood how difficult it would be to get himself executed without being too deliberate about it. That meant he had to stay somewhere dangerous, somewhere that would draw the most envy-by the crown prince's side, for instance.
Not only could the crown prince kill him on the spot whenever he got fed up with him, but those jealous ministers would also try every means possible to get him killed.
Being treated like a lamb whose life could be ended at any moment-how wonderful was that?
But punishments that stopped short of death would not do. After all, there was no pain-off button for punishment.
Forget it. He would stop thinking about that.
What's the point of all those ministers fighting over the princes they support? The crown prince will take the throne in the end anyway. I just need to kick the bucket before his coronation.
Getting executed comes first. Everything else can wait.
Shen Zhi could lock him up for a while, but not forever.
Early tomorrow morning, Shen Zhi would have to let him out of the ancestral hall. Otherwise, if the crown prince discovered he had not reported for duty and pursued the matter, Shen Zhi would only be bringing trouble upon himself.
With his mind made up, Shen Yangge curled into a ball and drifted off, feeling much better. When he woke again, it was already the next morning.
As he left the residence, Madam Shen secretly slipped him two steamed buns.
Having gone hungry all night, Shen Yangge bit into the rock-hard buns and struggled to swallow. The carriage jolted terribly, and there was no cushion on his seat. By the time he reached the palace, his backside felt as though it had been bounced into several pieces.
Whether he could get himself killed depended on today!
After entering the palace, Shen Yangge followed the servant sent to meet him toward the Eastern Palace. Along the way, he carefully memorized the route. If he failed to die, he would have to navigate these unfamiliar paths alone in the days to come.
When he reached the hall, Shen Yangge kowtowed to the crown prince.
The crown prince seemed much more normal today. At least he no longer stared at him in confusion.
Phew, he really was having an episode yesterday. Still, managing to act so flawlessly even during an episode-you really are one of a kind.
Halfway through his silent grumbling, the crown prince suddenly spoke. "What is your name?"
My name is Your Dad. You broke your promise and actually refused to kill me.
Bound by the character he had to maintain, Shen Yangge could only bow respectfully with his hands clasped. "Your Highness, this subject is Shen Yangge."
The crown prince gave a quiet "Oh" and lifted his deceptively gentle, handsome face, reciting without expression, "Minister Shen's legitimate son, the little prodigy people in the capital speak of. Serving as my scribe hardly does your talents justice."
"It is my honor to serve Your Highness."
As long as you kill me before you take the throne, who gives a damn about wasting my talents? So hurry up and get on with it.
Hmm, looking at you this way, you really do fit the protagonist role. Exceptionally handsome.
After speaking, he clasped his hands, bent at the waist, and bowed deeply.
The crown prince said, "Raise your head."
Shen Yangge hesitated nervously for a few seconds before slowly raising his head from between his clasped hands.
His almond-shaped eyes held neither contempt nor disgust. They were so clear that anyone looking at them would think every word he said was sincere.
But the truth was...
Is he thinking about what punishment to use to kill me? Hurry, hurry, I can't wait.
Why the fuck hasn't he done anything yet? Get on with it!
The crown prince toyed with the thumb ring on his hand, his fathomless eyes sweeping over Shen Yangge from head to toe.
Under that gaze, goose bumps rose all over Shen Yangge's body as he stood there.
"Guards, drag him out and beat him with clubs..."
Before he could finish, Shen Yangge nearly burst into tears of joy. He dropped to his knees with an excited thud, but remembering that he could not break character, he stammered:
"This subject does not know what crime he has committed. Please judge fairly, Your Highness!"
Quick, quick, quick! So I can't profess loyalty or praise him? This bastard is way too mercurial, but I love it!
I can finally rest in peace!
The crown prince listened without betraying anything as the man kneeling below finished speaking. His expressionless face shifted slightly, though he remained as haughty and sinister as ever, as if those earlier words had not come from his mouth.
He leaned back in his chair, his tone somewhat languid. "Scribe Shen, tell me, how can someone be so different on the outside from what he is within?"
His heart lurched.
What did that mean?
Shen Yangge was slightly alarmed. Had the crown prince seen through him somehow?
The crown prince continued, "I do not keep useless people by my side. Insulting me is a capital offense."
Phew, so he hasn't.
Yes, yes, yes, yes, I deserve death. Seriously, just hurry up already.
System 615, which had been watching the entire time, wanted to say something but held back: [...]
Can you just get it over with? How are you so ridiculously petty? You keep dwelling on how I cursed you, but you won't do anything. You shouldn't quibble over every little thing. Taking action is what really matters!
Shen Yangge said in terror, "This subject is not useless. Please grant me a chance to redeem myself through service, Your Highness."
I'm only saying that, and you should only listen. Whatever you do, don't take it seriously. I really don't want to live to see you ascend the throne.
There was no telling what the crown prince was thinking.
The servants at the door had already entered. They bent down, ready to act.
Shen Yangge was so overjoyed that he could barely stop himself from walking to the execution ground on his own.
How fresh the air was today! How pleasing those servants were to look at! Even the ** crown prince was not so irritating anymore.
He could finally go back. It had certainly not been easy.
Goodbye, ** crown prince. Today, you shine brighter than anyone. You've done a wonderful job.
Just as the servants were about to seize Shen Yangge's arms, the crown prince, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly deigned to speak again, snapping, "Who told you to touch him? Withdraw."
The servants he had summoned looked utterly baffled. Although the crown prince had not finished speaking when they came in, he had clearly meant for them to drag the kneeling man out and beat him to death, hadn't he?
How had that suddenly changed?
Still, the servants did not dare disobey their master. They immediately pulled their hands back and straightened up, then bowed and withdrew in a panic.
It was as though staying even a second longer would cost them their lives.
Meanwhile, Shen Yangge, still kneeling on the floor awaiting execution, was left thinking, *??*
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