Chapter 23

Luo Qinghan had just entered the council hall when the emperor asked him about the poisoned wine from last night.

"Do you think it was the eldest brother who tried to poison you?"

The eldest prince, Luo Yechen, couldn't help but interject, "Father, I did not poison him, I am innocent!"

The emperor sternly rebuked, "Be silent!"

Luo Yechen, reprimanded, shrank his shoulders and sullenly closed his mouth.

The emperor stared at Luo Qinghan and asked again.

"Crown Prince, I want to hear your thoughts. Do you really think it was the eldest brother who did this?"

Luo Qinghan replied, "Eldest brother is not a cruel person. Even if there are any conflicts between us brothers, he would not go so far as to poison me. I suspect that someone else is using his name to poison me. If the plan succeeds, both I and the eldest brother will be ruined. This is a two-birds-with-one-stone strategy."

After he finished speaking, it was clear that the emperor's expression had softened somewhat.

The emperor looked at Luo Yechen and asked in a deep voice, "Did you hear what the Crown Prince said?"

Luo Yechen lowered his head, "I heard it."

"You were just shouting that the Crown Prince was deliberately framing you."

Luo Yechen knelt down, "I was narrow-minded, I accept the punishment."

The emperor's gaze swept over the ten princes present, speaking each word deliberately.

"I know you are dissatisfied with the third prince being established as the Crown Prince, but you must remember, you are brothers, you share the same blood! I will not allow fratricide in our family, do you understand?"

The princes were taken aback and整齐地下跪低頭.

"We will follow Father's teachings!"

The emperor's expression softened, indicating that the princes could leave, but the Crown Prince Luo Qinghan was left behind.

The emperor looked at Luo Qinghan in front of him, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke.

"Crown Prince, after the assassination attempt during the last hunt, and now being poisoned in the wine, do you have any thoughts on this?"

Luo Qinghan replied calmly, "I have already sent people to investigate these two incidents, and I believe the truth will be revealed soon."

"Do you have any suspects?"

"Not yet."

"Have you suspected any of your brothers?"

"No."

The emperor nodded, "That's good. Although you are the Crown Prince, you are also my son. I do not want the future heir of the Great Sheng Dynasty to be a cold-blooded person who suspects even his own brothers."

Luo Qinghan lowered his eyes and replied, "I understand. There must be a villain trying to sow discord between us brothers. I will not fall for it, please rest assured, Father."

"You understand this, and it shows that my trust in you has not been misplaced."

...

When Luo Qinghan came out of the council hall, it was already noon.

He stood on the steps, looking at the majestic palaces stretching out before him.

Father hopes that we brothers can love each other.

But in this palace, facing the temptation of power, how many can truly hold to their principles?

Eunuch Chang asked cautiously, "Your Highness, shall we return to the Eastern Palace now?"

"Go to the Pepper Room Palace."

The Pepper Room Palace was the residence of the Empress. At this moment, she had just finished her lunch and was preparing to rest.

Luo Qinghan approached and paid his respects, "I come to greet Mother Empress."

Empress Qin always maintained a cold and dignified demeanor. Even in the Pepper Room Palace, even when facing her own child, she sat perfectly straight, with no flaw to be found.

"I have heard that you were poisoned last night."

"Mother Empress, I did not drink the poisoned wine, and I am fine."

"That is not what I want to know. I want to know how you plan to handle this matter?"