Catching Monsters

Chapter 472 It’s all over

At the sickbed, there was a scene of fatherly love and filial piety.

Xiao Yuzheng was terminally ill, and his hand trembled slightly as he touched Xiao Jingfu's. He slowly said, "Jingfu, I remember you have been regent for more than four months?"

“That’s right.” Xiao Jingfu nodded repeatedly.

Xiao Yuzheng slowly asked, "During this time, I wonder what your thoughts are on this regent position?"

Xiao Jing replied, "Your subject is foolish and can only spend more time on many things. I hope to be like Father Emperor, working hard to govern the country and make our Zhou Kingdom prosperous and thriving."

"Well, that's good." Xiao Yuzheng narrowed his eyes slightly, then suddenly changed the subject: "I heard that the Imperial Guards in the capital have been mobilized recently?"

Xiao Jingfu's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that his father already knew about this?

He took a deep breath, clenched his teeth slightly, and said in a deep voice, "Father, you are currently unwell, and the situation in the capital is very volatile. I have even heard that some people want to harm you."

"I then ordered the Imperial Guards to strengthen their defenses and protect your safety."

Xiao Yuzheng slowly said, "However, the mobilization of the Imperial Guards must be approved by me. I am just sick, not dead."

"Mobilizing the Imperial Guards can only be done after Father Emperor dies and you ascend the throne, understand?"

Xiao Jingfu's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly: "Your subject was only worried about disturbing Father Emperor's condition."

Xiao Yuzheng's gaze was deep as he slowly asked, "Jingfu, is there something you're hiding from me?"

"As the ancients said, all monarchs have been fickle, and the imperial family is the most ruthless."

“I do not agree with that statement. I believe that you are all my children, and we are blood relatives.”

"If there is anything you are hiding from Father, you can tell him everything."

Xiao Jingfu's heart stirred slightly, and he knelt on the ground: "Absolutely not."

Upon hearing those four words, Xiao Yuzheng felt a chill run through him.

"Then go." Xiao Yuzheng closed his eyes slightly, lay on the sickbed, and said no more.

"Your subject takes his leave." Xiao Jingfu respectfully walked out of the palace, ignoring Xiao Jingqing, and went directly to the palace gate, where he found Zhang Yao, who was guarding the palace.

Arriving at an empty room within the imperial city, they found a pot of arsenic, thick with paste, already brewed, emitting a pungent odor.

The smell was so strong that Xiao Jingfu couldn't help but cover his nose.

"Your Highness, I have prepared the items..." Zhang Yao's voice trembled slightly, "Do...do you really need them?"

Xiao Jingfu gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing. If word got out that he had murdered his father, his reputation would be ruined.

Can……

He had already sensed that something was wrong.

Xu Xiaogang has already entered the palace, and the Emperor probably already knows that he prevented Jiang Yun from presenting the immortal herb.

That's why he asked that question.

If the Emperor were to suddenly issue an edict to replace the Crown Prince while the Emperor was still alive…

Xiao Yuzheng has been able to stand firm in the imperial court for thirty years. As long as he is alive, no one can stop his imperial edicts.

“I’m afraid I won’t be able to sleep until my father passes away.” Xiao Jingfu gritted his teeth and said, “Select one hundred imperial guards and come with me to my father’s palace immediately. I want to personally feed my father this tonic.”

The Emperor had been bedridden for four months when he suddenly passed away. I believe the court officials would not have any doubts.

Then, after he ascends the throne and becomes emperor, he can cover up the truth just like his father killed his elder brother!
Thinking of this, he clenched his fist and made up his mind.

Just then, Feng Yu escorted Xu Xiaogang back to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. His father had no one to rely on, and no one could stop him. Soon, seeing Xiao Jingfu's resolute gaze, Zhang Yao sighed inwardly. He understood that he had no choice but to follow the Crown Prince down this path to the bitter end.

He selected one hundred trusted elites and quickly headed towards the palace.

Soon, the palace was surrounded by Imperial Guards.

Xiao Jingfu led Zhang Yao in, carrying a porcelain bowl containing arsenic.

The Eighth Prince, Xiao Jingqing, was wiping his father's body by the bedside when he saw Xiao Jingfu return and asked, "Fourth Brother, why are you back?"

"Eighth brother, I have found a good medicine for Father. I need to give it to him. I would like to trouble you to go out and give it to him."

Before Xiao Jingqing could resist, at Zhang Yao's signal, two trusted soldiers quickly stepped forward and dragged Xiao Jingqing out of the palace.

Soon, Xiao Jingfu, carrying the bowl of arsenic, walked heavily to Xiao Yuzheng's sickbed: "Father, I have prepared a good medicine for you so that you will not suffer from this illness. Please drink it."

After saying that, he was about to feed the bowl of arsenic to the person in question.

Xiao Yuzheng, who was lying on the bed on his deathbed, suddenly slapped the porcelain bowl hard, knocking it to the ground.

"Is this a good medicine?" Xiao Yuzheng's voice turned completely cold, his eyes filled with deep disappointment. He then said, "Are you in such a hurry for Father to die?"

Arsenic is very easy to identify; when it's spilled on the ground, a pungent smell erupts and churns.

Seeing this, Xiao Jingfu stopped pretending and laid his cards on the table.

"Father, why don't you leave with some dignity?" Xiao Jingfu's eyes were red, and he raised his hand and grabbed Xiao Yuzheng's neck in a somewhat frantic manner.

Xiao Yuzheng grabbed his hand and scolded, "You unfilial son! Zhang Yao, you are the commander of my Imperial Guards, what are you doing?"

Zhang Yao, kneeling on the ground, trembled and cried, "Your Majesty, please rest in peace. With His Highness the Crown Prince here, our Zhou Kingdom will surely prosper..."

Xiao Yuzheng's face turned red from being pinched, and he finally managed to utter two words: "Bai Ying".

Suddenly, a figure appeared in the room, stepped forward instantly, and with a light palm strike, knocked Xiao Jingfu to the ground.

His head slammed hard against the ground, leaving a gash from which blood flowed.

"Who, who are you?" Xiao Jingfu was also frightened when he saw this.

He never expected that there would be such a master in this empty palace.

Xiao Yuzheng, who had just looked sickly and on the verge of death, slowly stood up.

And looking into his eyes, she saw deep disappointment.

“You unfilial son, you unfilial son.” Xiao Yuzheng took a deep breath and said slowly, “I can understand that you would do anything for the throne, even mobilizing the Imperial Guards in an attempt to stop the elixir that would prolong my life.”

"But I never expected that you would dare to lead the Imperial Guards into my bedchamber, intending to kill me outright!"

Upon hearing Xiao Yuzheng's words, Xiao Jingfu trembled, staring at his father in disbelief and fear.

"Father, Emperor, your health..."

Seeing Xiao Yuzheng stand up with imposing power, Xiao Jingfu trembled violently.

Xiao Jingfu was not afraid of Xiao Yuzheng, who had been in charge of the Zhou court for thirty years.

Originally, the plan was to take advantage of his terminal illness and kill the emperor in one fell swoop.

But right now...

It's all over.

(End of this chapter)