Chapter 352: Struggle for the Throne, the Ambitious Eldest Princess

Great Qi Dynasty, Wangdu.

Eldest Princess's residence.

The Eldest Princess's face showed great alarm; the girl before her respectfully reported a matter, a major matter.

It had just happened; others didn't know yet, but she knew in advance.

"Qinglan, is this true?"

Qinglan is the Eldest Princess's guard, a capable assistant, and the head of her intelligence bureau.

They control the Eldest Princess's intelligence organization, gathering all internal information of the dynasty, such as palace news; nothing that happens escapes them.

This is the Eldest Princess's own organization, secretly cultivated for many years, already infiltrated every corner of Wangdu; any stir, they know immediately.

"Your Highness, this is absolutely true; just an hour ago, the Seventh Prince died."

"He drowned; inside the palace, they are now on high alert."

"His Majesty flew into a rage and killed many people."

Qinglan told the Eldest Princess in detail that the Seventh Prince of the Great Qi Dynasty was the emperor's most beloved son, only seven years old, the apple of his eye, born of the consort he loved most, always by his side, the most favored among the princes.

"Drowned?" the Eldest Princess rose, her face icy, killing intent gathering in her eyes.

Such nonsense, she would not believe it; the palace teems with experts, it's impossible for a child to drown there, yet this absurdity happened—what does it mean? There must be a conspiracy.

Who could be so vicious as to not spare a seven-year-old child? The Seventh Prince, who posed no threat, is dead.

He died inside the palace; it would be strange if her father emperor did not launch a massacre.

After much thought, the Eldest Princess still couldn't figure out who did it.

"Can the culprit be found?"

Qinglan fell silent for a moment, then reported truthfully: "Your Highness, we haven't found it yet; our people only learned of this after the Seventh Prince died, as did others in the palace."

"It's strange; we were watching the palace closely, yet... this happened."

"There are no signs of anyone having acted, and the scene left no clues."

The Eldest Princess's face darkened; this will make the father emperor even more furious.

That was a son born to the emperor in his old age, his most beloved child, dead just like that, even under his very nose—one can imagine how pained and furious the emperor's heart is.

Inside the palace, a bloody storm will surely arise.

The Eldest Princess looked toward the palace and could smell the bloodiness.

Killing has already begun.

The father emperor is old, yet not dead; those people dare to touch the dragon's inverse scale—they truly wish to die.

"This matter, you haven't interfered, have you?"

Qinglan hurriedly replied: "Reporting to Your Highness, we did not act, nor are we involved."

"Without your order, we dare not act."

The Eldest Princess nodded; best not to interfere—whoever interferes will die.

The father emperor, his eyes red with killing, won't care who you are.

The culprit must pay with his life.

One night passed.

Inside the palace, the smell of blood grew strong.

The aged Qihuang sat in his seat, like an angry tiger, ready to devour anyone at any moment.

That gaze, that posture—though old, he could still erupt with astonishing might.

Below, his several good sons had all come.

Six sons, except the deceased one, the rest were present, unharmed.

Qihuang's gaze swept over, and he coldly said: "Old Seven is dead; which of you had a hand? Step forward voluntarily, or else don't blame me for being ruthless."

"Cough cough cough."

The aged he, first thing, sought trouble with his other sons; to pull off such a thing under his nose and deceive heaven, aside from a few sons, no one else would dare.

Those ministers and clans would not do such a thing.

One only needs to wait until he dies; no need to act now.

He has only a few years left to live.

These sons can't wait even a few years; they directly killed his young son.

The Eldest Prince hurriedly said: "Father, this has nothing to do with me; I took no part and had no intention of killing the Seventh Brother."

The Second Prince followed: "Father, you know me; I am not that ruthless."

The Third Prince stepped forward and kowtowed: "Father, I would not lay a hand on the Seventh Brother; we are the best of brothers—how could I do so?"

The Fourth Prince lifted his head, staring straight at the father emperor, saying nothing.

The Fifth Prince lowered his head.

The Sixth Prince remained silent.

Inside the Dadian, silence fell.

Qihuang's eyes fixed on his several sons; his imposing aura, angry yet dignified, pressed down on them; the six princes knelt on the ground, Qihuang lowered his gaze and swept a glance—his face looked ten times older.

He sat upright and coldly said: "Old Seven's death cannot just be left as is."

"You had best pray you had no part in it; otherwise, humph."

After glancing at the sons, Qihuang walked past them without letting them rise.

The princes remained kneeling; Qihuang left, and they did not rise.

Qihuang came to the rear hall, and the Eldest Princess came forward to meet him.

"I, your daughter, pay my respects to Father Emperor."

Behind him, two princesses also paid their respects; they were Princess Yuhuan and Princess Menglong, the three daughters of Qihuang.

The Eldest Princess was the eldest, accompanied by her two younger sisters as they waited.

Qihuang nodded, walked to the main seat, and sat down.

"Lao Qi is dead; you've also received the news, right?"

The three princesses knelt together, trembling with fear.

Princess Yuhuan immediately spoke: "Father, this matter has nothing to do with me."

Princess Menglong beside her also spoke: "Father, I... don't know."

Qihuang's gaze fell on the Eldest Princess; the Eldest Princess cupped her hands and said: "Reporting to Father, I also don't know. After Seventh Brother died, I found out. I am also investigating the murderer, but unfortunately there are no clues; the perpetrator is very clever, skilled at concealment."

"Oh?"

Qihuang raised his head and said lightly: "Continue."

"Father, I have searched for a day and a night, but so far there are no clues; it seems no one has entered the Wanggong. I suspect it was someone inside the Wanggong, but as to who exactly, I am not yet sure."

Qihuang gave that daughter a deep look, said nothing; after a long while, he finally sighed.

"Let this matter rest."

"Father, Seventh Brother."

"Enough, don't investigate further; those who deserve to die, I have already killed them."

Qihuang waved his hand, not wanting to pursue the matter further—or rather, having killed too many and learned some answers, he did not want to…

"Yushu, do you understand Father's meaning?"

The Eldest Princess, Your Highness, gritted her teeth and cupped her hands: "Yes, Father."

"All right, you may go; Father wants to be quiet for a while."

"Yes."

The Eldest Princess led her two younger sisters as they retreated.

Inside the Dadian, only Qihuang remained.