Chapter 434 - 436: Evil Begets Evil
Emperor Yongye began speaking, and the expressions on the faces of those present varied.
Noble Princess Consort Xiao and Princess Consort Mu both showed signs of joy; this time, Feng Bailing and Noble Consort Guo were going to be in trouble.
Noble Consort Guo might not be able to retain her position as a Noble Consort anymore.
"Princess Consort Mu has not taken good care of the offspring, demoted to Lady of Bright Deportment and punished to reflect behind closed doors for three months."
Unexpectedly, Emperor Yongye did not punish Noble Consort Guo; instead, he severely punished the aggrieved Princess Consort Mu by confining her.
"Emperor!"
Princess Consort Mu's face lost color, Prince Mu was stunned, and even Crown Prince Dongfang Yu did not react.
"Father Emperor, what is the reason for this?"
Dongfang Yu did not understand.
Emperor Yongye, who had always known how to maintain balance, was now heavily favoring Prince Mu's family, why would he punish Princess Consort Mu for no reason?
"You say Noble Consort Guo poisoned Princess Consort Mu? Those ginkgoes were gifted by me to Noble Consort Guo. How could they end up in Princess Consort Mu's stomach out of nowhere? Or are you suggesting that the ginkgoes I gifted were poisoned?"
Emperor Yongye's gaze was like a sharp knife that skimmed across the faces of the several people present.
Prince Mu broke out in a cold sweat, and Dongfang Yu was also silenced.
Why would Emperor Yongye gift a poisoned item to Noble Consort Guo? It must have been because Princess Consort Mu bore child unfavorably, resulting in the loss of the dragon offspring.
"Noble Princess Consort Xiao, you as a Noble Princess Consort, did not play an exemplary role in the harem, you are penalized for one month."
As for Dongfang Li, Feng Bailing, and Princess Anyang, Emperor Yongye merely admonished them, especially Dongfang Li.
Emperor Yongye looked at Dongfang Li with pain and deep concern.
"Seventh, you have not handled personal affairs well, the Competition Among Ten Countries is your final chance given by me."
These words of Emperor Yongye seemed to be directed at Dongfang Li alone, but all the princes present including the Crown Prince and Dugu Wu heard them clearly and understood the Emperor's high regard for this event.
Li Qing helped Emperor Yongye to leave.
"Useless things, still not leaving, still embarrassing yourself here."
Prince Mu took Princess Anyang and left.
Mo Qianqian also hurriedly followed.
Noble Consort Guo was shocked, her complexion looked unsightly; just then, Princess Consort Shun arrived, and Feng Bailing asked her to escort Noble Consort Guo back first.
"Seventh, Ninth, I heard both of you have signed up for the Competition Among Ten Countries. There are no brothers on the battlefield, since you have made your choice, I hope you will not disappoint Father Emperor."
Dongfang Yu nodded to his two younger brothers.
Among these two brothers, he did not really consider Ninth, since he just a blind man; it was Dongfang Li, who had grown much steadier over the years and improved his martial skills, not to be underestimated.
Dongfang Yu nodded to Feng Bailing and Dugu Wu, then left.
"Speaking in riddles, don't think I haven't heard those rumors."
Dongfang Li pursed his lips, which pulled at the wound on his face, causing him to grimace in pain.
Recently, in Chu City, there was a rumor that a martial artist from the Crown Prince Mansion camp who signed up for the Competition Among Ten Countries had mysteriously died a few days ago, and his family brought the body to make trouble at the Crown Prince Mansion.
This matter was discussed privately, but the news still spread. After this morning's court session, Emperor Yongye retained Crown Prince Dongfang Yu alone for this matter.
When Dongfang Yu left the Imperial Palace, his expression darkened.
But for no reason, Father Emperor's trust in him was waning.
After returning to the Crown Prince Mansion, he immediately summoned Hua Wushang.
"Wushang, the recruitment cannot continue. If this continues, it will alarm Father Emperor."
Dongfang Yu expressed his concerns.
"Please rest assured, Crown Prince. I have just selected the last suitable candidate, ten positions in total, including the Crown Princess Consort and the Imperial Grandson, are now filled."
Dongfang Yu was initially pleased, but then worry appeared again.
"Wushang, are you really letting Jinjin participate this time? He is too young, I heard this Competition Among Ten Countries is extremely dangerous, and the chosen location is also..."
After confirming that Dongfang Jin was indeed his own biological son, Dongfang Yu placed great importance on him.
At such a young age, he could gather a top-ranking presence, comparable to the son of Dugu Wu.
However, Nalan Yan'er was not mentioned.
"Crown Prince, this was requested by the Imperial Grandson himself. Also, although this competition is perilous, the rewards are also very substantial, which would be very beneficial in the future."
Dongfang Yu then refrained from opposing further.
As he left the study, Hua Wushang encountered Nalan Yan'er.
Nalan Yan'er spoke outright.
"How is the task I assigned you progressing?"
"Are you referring to obtaining the Heavenly Stone?"
Hua Wushang glanced behind him and saw on his body, an invisible force emanating, obscuring whether it was Gang Qi or Wen Energy, isolating the sound of their conversation.