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nSilence reigned the Imperial Study.

nHis Majesty was putting more thoughts in this once he heard Murong Yun’s name.

n“Eunuch Cao, tell him to come in.” His Majesty stood up from his seat and added, “I’m sure he knows what to say and what not to say.”

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n“Yes, Your Majesty.” Eunuch Cao withdrew in reverence and awe.

nNo wonder people had been saying that to be in the king’s company was tantamount to living with a tiger, because you could never predict when His Majesty would lose temper.

nThe maids cleaned the mess on the floor promptly and left as well.

nThe Crown Prince soon entered the room by himself, he knew it quite well he would be courting death if he dared to bring dead bodies into the Imperial Study.

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nMu Chaoyangwas not smart, but he was not dumb, growing up in the Imperial Palace he was no stranger to intriguing against each other and playing the victim.

n“Greetings, my father, Your Majesty.”

n“Tell me what happened?” His Majesty now sat back to his throne, looking stately.

nThat made Mu Chaoyang nervous.

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n“Father, Prince Eighth has killed my assassins, please uphold justice for me!”

n“Why did Yun kill your people?” snorted His Majesty.

n“I have no idea, but I know it is Prince Eighth and his subordinates that has killed my assassins, more than one hundred of them! And he… he moved their dead bodies back to my mansion, he is… he is provoking me!”

n“Tea.”

nEunuch Cao served new tea to His Majesty.

nHis Majesty took a sip of tea and took a glimpse at Mu Chaoyang, “How can you be so sure it is Yun?”

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nMu Chaoyang recalled what his mother had taught him, “There are so many people who have witnessed this, Prince Eighth and his subordinates showed up in my mansion and left.”

nMu Chaoyang continued, “Father, Prince Eighth dares to break into where I live and kill my people in broad daylight, who knows the length he would go? We all know he is called General Invincible on the battlefield, in this country I’m afraid he is more respected than you, my father Your Majesty.”

nThe Emperor didn’t interrupt Mu Chaoyang, Mu Chaoyang felt encouraged and he went on in excitement, “I’ve been investigating Brother Eighth lately, and I’ve found some interesting updates, Brother Eighth has been recruiting followers across the whole country, it looks like he has got some dirty tricks up his sleeve. I’ve found several people sent by him and worked for me in disguise, if he is not up to something, why would he ask his people to conceal their identity and work for me?”

nThe guilty party filed the suit first, Mu Chaoyang was such a scum.

nOther people coveting the throne was the most sensitive topic for any emperor, including his own son.

nMurong Yun had been safe and sound so far was mainly because of the hearsay that he was impotent, His Majesty would not feel threatened by a person who was impotent.

nThe truth was in a royal family, father and son were not close at all.

nThe Emperor would not mind losing a son or two, if he wanted more sons he could always turn to his harem.

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nAnyone who dared to covet the throne or who was deemed to covet the throne would receive penalty of death, no exception.

nHearing what Mu Chaoyang said, the Emperor’s heart sank, he knew what his son Murong Yun was capable of.

nThe emperors were the most suspicious people throughout history, they would always tend to assume disputed cases guilty, Mu Chaoyang and his mother was being very strategic this time, and it worked!

nIn this case, it looked like Mu Chaoyang was just reporting some dead assassins, actually that was far from what really mattered. He was actually reporting that Murong Yun had been recruiting followers and Murong Yun had sent spies to his house, these all made strong evidence that Murong Yun was conspiring to overthrow His Majesty.

nThe Emperor kept silent the whole time, but his expression gave him away.

nMu Chaoyang knew his strategy worked, he once again felt utmost respect for his mother who was instructed him about this speech.

nThe Empress had long seen Murong Yun as a thorn in her flesh, she had been waiting for an opportunity to get rid of Murong Yun once and for all and she was glad Murong Yun and Su Liancheng killed Mu Chaoyang’s assassins.

n“No way!” His Majesty thumped on the table and coughed intensely.

nEunuch Cao soon served tea and patted the Emperor on the back, “Your Majesty, please look after yourself.”

n“Summon Prince Eighth.” His Majesty took a few breath and looked at the name list that Mu Chaoyang just handed in, he was lost in deep thought, ‘Yun, you are my favorite son, but I won’t allow any son to covet my thorn, including you!’

n“My father Your Majesty, please look after your health. Me and mother has been worried for you all the time!” said Mu Chaoyang with concern.

n“Eunuch Cao, go arrange the Crown Prince a chair.”

nA crooked smile crawled up on Mu Chaoyang’s face.

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n“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

nAbout half an hour later, a young eunuch announced outside the Imperial Study, “Here comes Prince Eighth— —”

n“Go bring him in.” said His Majesty to Eunuch Cao.

nEunuch Cao walked out to greet Murong Yun, “Greetings, Prince Eighth, this way please.”

nMurong Yun followed Eunuch Cao and walked in the study.

nEven though Murong Yun was in a simple gown, the Emperor felt intimidated by Murong Yun’s presence, he felt like his dragon robe paled compared to Murong Yun’s simple gown.

nRealizing that, the Emperor’s feelings about Murong Yun grew even more complicated.

nThe emperor hid the killing intent in his eyes and signaled Murong Yun to take a seat.

nMurong Yun sat down without coy formality.

nHe looked so calm and poised even though he had just seen the assassins dead bodies at the door.

nHe didn’t want to go ruthless on Mu Chaoyang, but now he was cornered in a position where he must fight back.

nSu Liancheng was not allowed to get into the room this time, he was so anxious outside.

n“Yun, do you know why I’m summoning you today?” asked the Emperor in a casual tone.

n“I heard the Crown Prince accused me of conspiring to overthrow Your Majesty.” was the answer.

nMu Chaoyang and the Emperor exchanged a look.

nThe Emperor didn’t expect Murong Yun would be this blunt, he was at a loss for words.

nMu Chaoyangraise his eyelids and shot a glare at Murong Yun, then he said, “Yes I said that, and I have evidence.”

nMurong Yun knew deep down the Emperor was a cruel father, he hadn’t called the emperor “father” since he was a kid, for he couldn’t forget what happened to him when he was a little boy.

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