bullyxtreme Chapter 206 The mantis stalks the cicada
Chapter 206 The mantis stalks the cicada
The second prince's rebellion was both reasonable and unexpected.
As for the reason, the ministers who heard the news later understood, the concubines and princes understood, and even the palace maids and eunuchs understood.
Only his own father, the old emperor who had rebelled, did not understand him.
He always doted on his second son; he never even considered the second son when the crown prince and the third son rebelled.
Although he never intended to pass the throne to his second son, he outwardly gave him that hope.
The second prince always considered himself the hidden crown prince, believing that the throne would be his sooner or later.
Why would he rashly rebel?
Just because of his treatment of Consort Xian?
Why should Consort Xian be his mother or his father?
Hearing the old emperor's question, Xiao Ling silently lowered his head and rolled his eyes.
It's true that being flattered for too long has made you stupid. You're about to kill someone's own mother, so why can't they rebel against you?
Apart from the very first prince who enjoyed some of your fatherly love, you treated the others like kittens and puppies.
When they're happy, they'll reward you with something useful to appease you; when they're unhappy, they'll just leave it aside and forget about it altogether.
Do you really think the princes and princesses have any affection for you?
All that filial piety and devotion you showed was just an act, even the eunuchs could see through it, yet you kept deceiving yourself.
If your mother is favored, you're lucky; you can see your father a few more times a year.
Some princesses from humble backgrounds might not even have their names known to you when you meet them.
She's not a lowly person; how dare you, someone who's worse than a stepfather, compare yourself to her mother?
The old emperor really couldn't see things clearly; his mind was full of the idea that the ruler is the guide for the subject and the father is the guide for the son.
In an ordinary family, he would be the head of the household, the Empress would be his legal mother, and the Consort Xian would only be a concubine.
Even a son born out of wedlock is a master, while a concubine is a servant.
I've never heard of a concubine's son going against his own father for the sake of his aunt.
The old emperor's questioning and roaring made the second prince's hand tremble for a moment, but what's done is done, and it's too late to regret it now.
He originally only wanted to go to the palace to plead for his mother, but his good father, the emperor, didn't allow him to say a word and instead launched into a tirade of scolding.
After cursing him, she kicked his wheelchair over, causing him to suffer further injuries.
He even went so far as to say that since he only had a broken leg, why wasn't he using crutches? Did he just want to put on airs in front of his father and sit there without bowing?
It's hilarious.
The fourth brother has been in a wheelchair ever since he injured his leg and has never knelt down to you again. Why is it different when it comes to you?
The second prince felt increasingly disheartened as he thought about it.
Mr. Dong was right. The Emperor's previous favor was all a lie, and he will follow in the footsteps of the Crown Prince.
First, his mother fell from power, and then he was constantly suppressed until all his edges were worn down, turning him into a timid echo.
The second prince, having failed to see his mother, was subjected to a severe scolding and was carried back to his residence with a dislocated leg.
The strategist, who had been scolded yesterday for his treasonous words, calmly watched the Second Prince smash up the house, his eyes gleaming with a determined light.
The old emperor finally shattered his son's last bit of trust, and the second prince, determined not to become like the crown prince, finally made up his mind.
Mr. Dong said that speed is of the essence in war, and that before the emperor could reclaim the power of the second prince, all available manpower should be quickly assembled.
The concubine's nephew said that things could change in the long run, and if the emperor killed her aunt and imprisoned her, she would have no chance.
The nobles who support the Second Prince are in danger of things changing if they delay, so they must act quickly while things are in turmoil, otherwise it will be too late once the Emperor becomes wary of them.
The second prince said: Yes, let's get them!
Thus, a rebellion that was the antithesis of a long-planned uprising was born out of nowhere.
He kicked his son in the morning, and in the middle of the night, the son stormed the palace and forced him to abdicate.
For the first time, the old emperor gained a comprehensive understanding of his second son's quick temper.
With such high execution ability, what can't you accomplish? Why weren't you this quick to do your homework back then?
If you can put it off for a day, then put it off for a day; if you can put it off for a while, then put it off for a while. If you had thought of something, you would have done it immediately and wouldn't have been punished.
You dawdle when you should be efficient, but you act on impulse when it comes to something as big as rebellion.
Or... you've had this idea all along?
Watching the father and son engage in a heated debate, you're getting increasingly anxious about whether you're right or wrong, and how loyal you are to the Second Prince.
"Your Highness, the victor is king and the loser is villain; now is not the time to reason."
"Indeed, history is written by the victors. Your Highness should make a decision soon."
The old emperor looked at the group of people and smiled coldly.
"You're all even more stupid than the second brother! Men, take them down!"
At a command, many men in black jumped out from the roof beams, creating another layer of protection in front of the old emperor.
Outside the main hall, shouts of battle filled the air, clearly indicating that two groups were fighting.
The second prince's hand holding the sword trembled slightly.
Why must Father Emperor resist so stubbornly?
You abdicated the throne to my son and were honored as the Retired Emperor. You can continue to enjoy wealth and honor thereafter.
The crown prince became a cripple, the third prince was half-dead, the fourth prince was paralyzed in a wheelchair, and the sixth prince was a stutterer.
If you don't hand over the throne to your son, to whom else can you hand it over?
Should we hand it over to the fifth brother?
Don't you know what kind of beast he is?
Do you think the entire court would agree?
What man with any sense of decency could tolerate someone insulting his wife and daughters in front of him?
The old emperor, trembling with rage, pointed at the second prince.
"Even if the crown prince is deposed, there is still the eldest grandson of the emperor, the third prince is not dead yet, and the fourth prince is in a wheelchair but it does not hinder the handling of political affairs."
I have seven, eight, nine, eleven, and twelve more sons; I have plenty of sons.
The second prince suddenly burst into laughter, "As expected, Mr. Dong was right. You never even considered me."
No, it's not just me; you haven't considered anyone at all.
You only want to hold onto the power in your hands and have never considered choosing a wise ruler for the Great Jin Dynasty.
"Unfortunately, you are old; the Great Jin needs a young emperor."
As the father and son were confronting each other, the door of the main hall was suddenly kicked open, and the imperial guards in heavy armor surrounded the second prince and his group.
The second prince visibly panicked, "How could this be? You're not..."
The man, carrying a bloodstained knife, knelt on one knee and clasped his hands in a fist salute to the emperor.
"Your subordinate has successfully completed his mission and has killed all the traitors!"
The second prince, leaning on his crutch, finally collapsed to the ground.
That shouldn't be the case. The imperial city was clearly poorly guarded when they stormed in. How could that be...?
Seeing the old emperor's attitude, which seemed to be the proper way, a sudden thought flashed through the second prince's mind.
He was fooled; this father had been wary of him all along.
"Father, Father, your son knows he was wrong."
"Your Majesty, I only acted rashly when I heard you were going to kill Mother. Please forgive me, Father, for the sake of my past filial piety."
The old emperor was pleased with the second prince's disheveled appearance.
These unfilial sons are all arrogant and incompetent, thinking they're something special, and that their previous succession victory was just a sham.
Just as the old emperor was about to mock the second prince for overestimating himself, a cold light suddenly flashed, and the second prince was stunned to see the tip of the knife protruding from his chest.
The general, who had just been kneeling before the old emperor, coldly withdrew his sword, his face full of mockery and ridicule.
The old emperor's expression of astonishment mirrored that of the second prince; upon realizing what had happened, he slammed his fist on the table in anger.
"Who gave you permission to lay a hand on me? Who gave you permission to kill my son?"
You, you too are a traitor and a rebel.
"Guards! Guards, seize him for me!"