Chapter 333: Let's go speak before Father Emperor

No one responded.

The Crown Prince couldn't have met with misfortune, could he?

The patrolling soldiers had already reached the mouth of the dark alley, and they saw a figure fleeing in panic.

"Don't run!"

Someone rushed over, for if they could capture this assassin, it would be a great merit!

The rest, whether out of timidity or greater concern for the wounded, crowded around the huddled figure in the shadows and squatted down.

"Crown Prince?"

"Your Highness, are you alright?"

"Quickly go summon the Imperial Physician!"

Several soldiers were at a loss.

This dark alley only had sparse moonlight squeezing in; they couldn't make out whether the person in the shadows was Pei Di, nor how badly he was injured.

If they had been a bit more careful, they would have noticed there was no smell of blood.

"What's going on?!"

A stern voice suddenly sounded outside the dark alley, and everyone turned toward the sound.

"I am the Eldest Prince, Pei Biao!" To prevent these lowly soldiers who don't recognize Mount Tai from not knowing him, Pei Biao produced his waist tablet representing his identity.

All immediately clasped their hands: "We pay respects to the High Prince!"

"In reply to the High Prince, the Crown Prince has been attacked!"

Hearing this, Pei Biao startled and lost color, took a swift step to push them aside, nervously squatted to examine his younger brother's wound: "Crown Prince brother! Little Di!"

He saw Pei Di with his head lowered, no reaction, secretly delighted, then turned and shouted angrily: "What on earth is happening?! Where is the Imperial Physician?! What are you all just standing here doing?!"

Only then did those people, as if waking from a dream, hurriedly go!

"No need."

"What do you mean no need?!" Pei Biao, for a moment not realizing who was speaking, was still angry when his hand was suddenly seized; he stared back in shock, his doubtful gaze moving from the arm that held him to Pei Di's face.

The clouds in the sky happened to drift apart, and moonlight spilled down a bit more; Pei Biao could clearly see Pei Di's face, a half-smiling expression.

Pei Biao's heart lurched, and he instinctively asked: "Are you alright?"

"Do you want me to be hurt, elder brother?"

Not only Pei Biao, but even the soldiers who had gone and returned were filled with astonishment and suspicion.

"This is...?"

Pei Biao's head buzzed; he completely failed to grasp what was happening.

"Pei Di is unharmed?"

"Why is he unharmed?"

"Shouldn't Pei Di be seriously injured?"

Si Ma had assured him that he would surely not fail; last time, wasn't Pei Shangling gravely injured and his martial arts ruined?

"How come with Pei Di nothing happened?"

"What a perfect opportunity!"

"No, Crown Prince brother, did you knock your head? Are you alright?" Pei Biao spoke haltingly.

Pei Di sat up straight: "I naturally have nothing wrong with me, because the one who has a problem is you, elder brother."

His expression was gloomy, the corner of his mouth hooking in self-mockery: "I really didn't expect you to be such an elder brother..."

"Little Di, what are you... what? Elder brother doesn't understand?" Pei Biao, who had done something guilty, felt his heart race; he told himself to stay calm, for Pei Di knew nothing and had no evidence, so he needn't panic!

But he instinctively felt afraid, because this younger brother's expression really didn't look like someone who knew nothing; on the contrary, it seemed as if all his schemes were anticipated by the other side.

Pei Di curled the corner of his lip; in the shadow, his expression was indistinct, yet Pei Biao felt inexplicably afraid.

Strange, he had never before feared this younger brother, who was clearly like a child, only knowing how to act cute and make a fuss, utterly unimpressive; even if he became heir apparent he would still be unqualified, clearly just a clueless youngster, yet he defied ancestral rules and became Crown Prince out of turn—on what basis?!

The Crown Prince's position ought to be his!

"Crown Prince brother?"

"Elder brother, since you don't understand, let's go before Father Emperor and speak; he will understand." Pei Di said as he rose to his feet.

Pei Biao watched him rise, suddenly feeling this younger brother had grown taller, and he too hurriedly stood up.

"What do you mean? Little Di?"

"Report to the Crown Prince, the assassin has been captured!"

The monk's voice came over.

Pei Biao snapped his head back, only to see behind the monk was Gu Rongjin escorting someone; his heart had never raced so fast, for he actually saw Xiao Yichen seized!

Pei Di: "Well done."

Xiao Yichen still had a black cloth tied around his neck, his hands bound behind his back by Gu Rongjin; looking at his face, he seemed to be still pondering why he had been exposed and captured, his soul unsettled.

"It's over!"

Pei Biao shouted inwardly.

"Everything is over!"

What good is Si Ma?

Why was Xiao Yichen captured!

No, he's not done yet; what does this have to do with him?!

He wasn't even there, right? Even if they accuse him, he can simply deny it!

Right, he is the Eldest Prince, the eldest son of the Father Emperor!

Thinking this, Pei Biao's heart settled somewhat.

But he still arrived at Xuanshi Hall with a pounding heart and trembling nerves; as soon as he entered the hall, seeing the Son of Heaven seated high above, he had never felt such fear toward his own father as he did now.

At this moment, here, this is not his father, merely his sovereign.

"Son, son subject pays respects to Father Emperor!" Pei Biao stammered a bit before managing to speak clearly.

In contrast, Pei Di and the others already looked as if victory was in their grasp, only waiting to pull him down from his horse.

Pei Biao clenched his palm tight, forcing himself to calm down.

Don't panic, hold steady!

The new emperor's gaze fell upon the row of people standing below, his expression solemn: "What's going on, in the middle of the night?"

"Disturbing Your Majesty at this late hour is unavoidable, all because the Crown Prince suffered an assault, a matter of great importance that cannot be delayed; I must report immediately!" Gu Rongjin said, clasping his hands.

"An assassination?!" The new emperor rose from his seat, stepping down from the jade steps, worry etched between his brows as he strode forward: "What happened, Di'er, are you injured?"

Even though Pei Di stood perfectly fine, showing no sign of injury, the new emperor could not rest easy.

Beside him, Pei Biao ground his teeth; according to the original plan, when Father Emperor asked this question, Pei Di should have been lying on his deathbed—guess right!

The heir's assault only further confirmed the omen of disaster, fortune and misfortune unpredictable, and now he himself was being roasted over a fire!

Pei Di looked at his father's worried face, pursed his lips before speaking: "I am unharmed; thanks to Young Master Jin and the others seeing through my elder brother's treacherous scheme, I have come to no harm!"

"Younger brother of the Crown Prince, what are you saying? Elder brother doesn't understand at all!" Pei Biao instantly grew nervous, his voice unintentionally rising.

Upon hearing this, the new emperor's eyes fell on Pei Biao, his pupils holding obvious anger, making Pei Biao feel another wave of panic, his heart pounding with fear.

Father Emperor has already believed it?!

"Exactly what is going on?"

The new emperor asked, his gaze never leaving Pei Biao, clearly still doubtful about this matter.

This made Pei Biao even more afraid, as if Father Emperor had long suspected him?

Impossible, he is Father Emperor's eldest son! How could Father Emperor possibly suspect him?!