Dongfang Cheng winced in pain and quickly withdrew his hand.
Yet even so, the back and the palm of his hand were split open.
"Mother, what are you doing?"
Dongfang Cheng said in annoyance.
"I’ve told you many times, I can make you the Crown Prince, and I can also destroy you with my own hands."
The Empress nonchalantly brushed her hair aside.
When Dongfang Cheng looked again, there were no thorns in sight, but the scars still lingered on the back of his hand.
Could it be that everything that just happened was an illusion?
This woman, she must have tampered with the Wooden Holy Seal.
Had he known this would happen, he should not have returned the Wooden Holy Seal to her.
Dongfang Cheng put on a smiling face.
"Mother, you misunderstand me. I did not mean to offend you. It’s just that I haven’t seen you for so long and I miss you. Look, although I have other women, each one of them resembles you a bit. Marrying them is merely a substitution for you."
The more he said, the worse the Empress’s expression became.
"You and your Father Emperor, truly like father, like son, your preferences are exactly the same. Unable to have the one you love most, you treat them as your moonlight, constantly on your mind, even though you neglect those who love you by your side. If you see someone who looks a bit like her, you take her into your harem."
Her voice was icy cold, starkly different from the usual demeanor she presented in front of others.
Dongfang Cheng shivered under her gaze.
"Mother, I dare not. Rest assured, I will behave and wait to be Crown Prince, but once Father Emperor’s illness is cured, the position of Crown Prince..."
Failing to win her favor, Dongfang Cheng immediately started worrying about the position of the Crown Prince again.
The Empress’s eyes darkened, knowing all too well that her foster son was nothing more than a good-for-nothing, but he was obedient, which was fortunate.
"Don’t worry, although your Father Emperor has been cured of the poison, this, for us, is a good thing. Since the Heartbreak Grass was not put by you, then someone must have discovered that the Emperor is under the influence of our love poison. They tried to cure him with Heartbreak Grass. Unfortunately, they misjudged the dosage and nearly killed him. He used Hong Haoran’s blood and although it cured the poison, it made the poisonous insect incurable."
A mad glint of joy flashed in the Empress’s eyes.
Soon, the Emperor’s love poison will become "incurable."
With that, the Emperor will forever belong only to her.
"Tomorrow, Prince Mu and the other senior officials will advise again, and at that time, your Father Emperor will establish you as the Crown Prince."
Both the Empress and the Eldest Prince smiled.
After coming out from Heavenly Prison, Dugu Wu had been silent.
"Are you really not going to look into this?"
Feng Bailing knew that relying on Dongfang Li was unreliable when it came to investigating the Empress.
This involved Dugu Wu’s wet nurse; if Dugu Wu didn’t investigate, he wouldn’t be satisfied.
"I have already sent someone to investigate the Empress."
Dugu Wu originally didn’t plan to tell Feng Bailing about this, given the complex situation in the Great Chu’s harem, he didn’t intend for Feng Bailing to get involved.
"Have you heard that the Empress and Noble Princess Consort Xiao are both from the Xiao Family?"
Feng Bailing had indeed heard that the Empress and Noble Princess Consort Xiao were like cousins.
"They are called Xiao Family, but in fact, Noble Princess Consort Xiao is the main branch, while the Empress is just a collateral member of the Xiao Family. It was merely by coincidence that she became the Empress. She met the Emperor at an early age and with her virtuous nature, she managed to become the Empress. Unable to bear children, she recommended Noble Princess Consort Xiao to the harem, which is why she became the Favored Concubine."
Dugu Wu did not tell Feng Bailing that originally, the position of the Empress was meant for Lady Dugu.