Chapter 389 - 388: Card
The Second Prince and Third Prince had previously guessed that Master Wu Zhi treated the Ninth Prince’s leg. Thinking that the master could help the Ninth Prince, they thought that he could help them with divinations, maybe predict who might inherit the throne in the future. They searched everywhere without success. Just when they finally heard that he had returned to the temple, by the time they went to visit him, Master Wu Zhi had gone on his wanderings again.
After hearing the Emperor’s words, the Third Prince was still somewhat disdainful. With such a severe injury and such a long time, it would be good if he could walk. How could he possibly not limp? The Second Prince was unsure whether the Ninth Prince was really limping a little or pretending. But, he knew the Emperor was "playing a game." The Emperor clearly wanted to pass the throne to the Ninth Prince, yet he said something about "sharing responsibilities for the state with siblings."
Could it be, other than the Ninth Prince, his other sons weren’t his own flesh and blood?
The Second Prince didn’t reveal his feelings, yet he angrily clenched his fists inside his sleeves.
Thinking that the great event was approaching, he hoped that by employing certain means he could secure the Emperor’s attention and favor. He didn’t want much, just to outweigh the Ninth Prince by a little bit in the Emperor’s mind. Then he would have a chance. Once the Chu family’s Third Son suffered a mishap, the Chu family would be finished. In his previous life, the Chu family supported the Ninth Prince to ascend the throne and then collapsed. Even if the Ninth Prince’s leg was cured, what then? The trajectory had changed, he wouldn’t get up there!
In his hand, he held his biggest card. It would be the last straw to suppress both the Ninth Prince and the Third Prince. Once this card was played, he hoped it would accomplish his wish...
On the tenth day, Prince Rui and the Ninth Prince set off for Lingyin Temple together.
The two of them burnt incense and observed vegetarianism in the temple for three days, then returned to the capital. Prince Rui would drop by the Senator’s Mansion on the way to see his son Li Xuan. The Ninth Prince and Marquis Chu accompanied him to the capital city.
After they entered the Senator’s Mansion, a servant reported that the old master and the lady were enjoying the moonlight in the main court and showcasing their talents with the children. Consequently, they all went over.
Because it was pitch black and far away, plus Prince Rui only paid attention to his own son, he did not notice anything unusual about Chen Dabao. He also didn’t notice anything strange in the Ninth Prince’s eyes.