Looking at the uncontrollable anger on Feng Qingyang’s face, Prime Minister Bai and the others wisely shut their mouths. When it came to being castrated—whether oneself or others—better it be someone else.
But knowing the secret of the Emperor’s failing health, would they be purged by the Emperor later?
With the Emperor’s suspicious nature, it indeed seemed possible.
Thinking of this, several officials instinctively lowered their heads, trying to hide the unease on their faces.
What kind of mess is this?
At that moment, Prime Minister Bai suddenly narrowed his eyes and then said to Xia Ziyang, who was taking orders: "Commander Xia, according to our investigation, Crown Prince Qi was indeed falsely accused in Consort Li’s matter, and has nothing to do with it. However, he inadvertently killed a palace maid after drinking, and so his food-sharing eunuch sought revenge for him... Do you understand?"
Qi Hao certainly cannot die in Qin Country; otherwise, it would harm relations between the two countries.
But now, with the Emperor so furious, not imposing severe punishment on Qi Hao is certainly not an option either.
The fact remains that Qi Hao must be sent back, so the method of returning him can be flexibly managed.
Following Prime Minister Bai’s words, Feng Qingyang immediately squinted his eyes, then revealed a hint of satisfaction, "Yes, we’ll proceed as Prime Minister Bai suggested."
Indeed, only Prime Minister Bai’s mind is so quick.
Consort Li’s affair involves his dignity. Even knowing it was something Qi Hao and Qi Country did, to uphold his dignity as a monarch, some things cannot be said publicly, forcing him to swallow the bitterness and even exonerate Qi Hao.
However, the fact remains that Qi Hao killed a palace maid of Daqin Palace!
Post-revenge seems justified, doesn’t it?
Upon hearing this, Xia Ziyang immediately nodded, "I understand, my lord."
Having said that, he strode out of the Imperial Study Room.
And not long after, a piercing scream emerged from the side hall where foreign guests were entertained.
Meanwhile, a young eunuch ran into a column and committed suicide.
With matters having reached this point, naturally, there was no need to investigate further.
Soon, everyone still shivering in the night wind learned what had happened.
Upon discovering that Crown Prince Qi had been crippled by a eunuch seizing an opportunity, the men present were stunned.
Yet, Zhao Sheng and Wan Yan Song exchanged quick glances, sensing that the whole incident seemed suspicious.
Having known Qi Hao for quite some time, despite their adversarial yet cooperative relationship, from what they understood, Qi Hao wasn’t one to be misled by drink.
In past gatherings, Qi Hao drank heavily, yet they had never seen him drunk.
Reportedly, he never got drunk outside either.
But this time, Qi Hao not only drunken himself but carried out such a deed, eventually being crippled by the palace maid’s lover.
The whole matter sounded so bizarre, as if Qi Hao was afflicted with black magic.
Nonetheless, for them, Qi Hao being crippled wasn’t really a bad thing.
This guy was the most capable among the princes of Qi Country, but now that he’s fallen, there’s no possibility of him inheriting the throne.
If another prince of Qi Country ascended, it would pose a lesser threat to them.
And at this time, the delegates from Qi Country stared dumbfounded at Qi Hao in his pitiful, tragic state.
"Crown Prince! How are you?"
"Damn Qin Country, we must demand an explanation!"
The Crown Prince of Qi Country suffered such humiliation in Qin Country.
Once word spread, what face would Qi Country have left?
Qi Hao, full of rage, shoved aside the concerned subordinate helping him, "Get away from me, all of you! Useless bunch, how did you protect me? Where is the Imperial Physician? Hurry and summon the Imperial Physician."
Upon hearing this, the Qi Country delegates awoke from their stupor, shouting loudly, "Right, the Imperial Physician! Quickly, call the Imperial Physician."
Annoyed by their frantic shouting, Qi Hao’s head ached.
The pain radiating from his body also brought clarity to his consciousness.
After a moment, Qi Hao’s body suddenly stiffened, then he forcefully reached to smack his forehead.
Also, what’s wrong with his body?
Seeing this, a close confidant of Qi Hao cautiously approached and called, "Crown Prince? How are you feeling?"
Upon hearing this, Qi Hao struggled to maintain a composed expression as he glanced over, "What happened? Why am I here? Furthermore, who hurt my body?"
Witnessing this, the confidant nearly burst into tears of joy.
"Crown Prince! What’s wrong with you? Do you not recall what just happened?" Follow current novᴇls on novᴇlfire.net
He thought, how could someone as wise as the Crown Prince, even while drunk, possibly favor a lowly palace maid?
Clearly, there’s an issue here.
Qi Hao, face solemn, shook his head, "I only remember drinking quite a lot, feeling a bit dizzy, and going outside to get some air."
Upon hearing this, the confidant’s face turned pale.
He hastily recounted the ensuing events to Qi Hao.
Qi Hao himself was dumbfounded.
Afterward, he clenched his fists tightly, "Surely someone has plotted against me. How could I have done such a thing?"
"Of course, we believe in the Crown Prince, but now, everyone else thinks it is true, and your body... has been harmed by that eunuch! It’s our failure to protect You, Crown Prince!" the confidant exclaimed, kneeling down in guilt.
Qi Hao’s fists crackled instantaneously.
Then he endured the burning pain, his mind calculating astutely and meticulously who could possibly be behind this.
Feng Qiwu is always flamboyant and direct; if he were to deal with him, he certainly wouldn’t employ such sneaky and despicable means.
Also unlikely, as he’s merely a Crown Prince, not worth making Feng Qingyang take this approach.
Moreover, causing him to lose reason and commit those acts was certainly not some simple trick.
As far as he knew, the only thing that could control someone’s mind, reducing them to a puppet, was witchcraft.
Among the nations, if there’s someone most skilled in witchcraft, it’s definitely in the Southern Frontiers.
In the Southern Frontiers, the most adept in this field is Yu Qingfeng!
Upon thinking this, Qi Hao’s pallid face twisted slightly in distress.
Why would he harm him so?
During the past Ten Nations Alliance, it was Yu Qingfeng who voluntarily withdrew; now, he decided to take over, yet never did anything harmful to Southern Frontiers’ interests.
While Qi Hao contemplated the mastermind behind the scenes possibly being Yu Qingfeng, Feng Qiwu rose after Bai Susu fell asleep and asked Ling Han, who was kneeling in front, "Has the imperial banquet concluded?"
"Yes, indeed, Your Highness. Everything proceeded as you anticipated," Ling Han’s eyes gleamed with fervent admiration.
The Crown Prince’s methods were brilliant.
Today’s imperial banquet followed his plan at nearly every step.
Of course, except for the Crown Princess Consort unexpectedly solving Zhao Sheng’s riddle.
Initially, according to the plan, someone else aligned with them was supposed to step up to solve that riddle and thus smoothly enter Feng Qingyang’s view.
But never did they expect the riddle to be solved by the Crown Princess Consort.