So, more than twenty years ago, his Imperial Father had already seen his efforts! He had merely thought his temperament still needed tempering, and so had offered him little praise.
In fact, his Imperial Father had already drafted an Imperial Edict then, intending to pass the throne to him!
And that letter had been written on his Empress Dowager's orders. It stated that although his jealousy ran deep, he was not without merit. His character still needed tempering, and he should not yet be named crown prince, lest he grow too arrogant!
His fourth imperial brother was to be named crown prince and handle the duties of the position, so they could assess his abilities. If he proved capable of shouldering great responsibilities, they would later order him to assist his elder brother, allowing the children of the Imperial House to live in harmony.
"So they named my fourth imperial brother crown prince to teach me how to become a good emperor!!!"
"So! They never overlooked me!"
"They acknowledged me, too!"
"It was me! I smashed my imperial brother's cat to death and disappointed her!!!"
"Why! Why did she keep silent all these years!!!"
The Ruler of Eastern Lin's psychological defenses collapsed completely! He had murdered the child his Empress Dowager loved most and poisoned her into muteness. How could she possibly have told him!
No wonder his Empress Dowager had handed him this Brocade Box a few days ago, calling it his final opportunity.
Had there still been the slightest place for her in his heart, he would surely have opened it at once to see what lay inside.
If he had opened it yesterday and understood everything, he would never have let her ascend the city wall!
If she had not gone up onto the wall, today's catastrophe