Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 488 Ascension to the Throne (Part Six)

The two guards trembled. Although they were afraid, they did not dare to stop. Instead, they used even more force to control the fourth prince's struggle and forced him to drink the poisoned wine.

"No, pfft! Pfft pfft—"

Perhaps when faced with a life-or-death situation, people often unleash unexpected strength. In his desperate struggle, the Fourth Prince managed to snatch a breath from the grasp of two strong guards and even vomited out the poisoned wine that had been forced into his mouth.

The two guards were momentarily at a loss, and subconsciously turned to look at Emperor Jingtai. However, Emperor Jingtai only gave them a stern look, and then personally poured a cup of poisoned wine, preparing to force it down the throat of this wretched child. But he was stopped by Jiufu after taking only one step.

A glimmer of hope suddenly appeared in the Fourth Prince's eyes as he stared intently at Jiu Fu. He had initially thought this old eunuch was merely a spineless blabbermouth who only knew how to respond to his father. He never expected that, in this critical moment, he would have the courage and willingness to help him. If Jiu Fu survived this crisis, he would surely reward him with riches and honors…

Even Emperor Jingtai stopped and looked at the man who had been with him for decades with an ambiguous expression.

"What are you doing?"

Jiufu remained bowing respectfully, just as he had for decades, but his voice carried an unusually firm tone.

“Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince is indeed your last child. Although you have never said it all these years, this old servant has been by Your Majesty's side for so many years and can see the pain in Your Majesty's heart. The most painful thing in life is for a white-haired person to bury a black-haired person, let alone the fact that you have already lost three princes. This old servant cannot stand by and watch you take matters into your own hands.”

Jiufu respectfully extended his hands and uttered words that made the Fourth Prince's eyes widen in fury.

"So, let this old servant do it. I'll do what's inconvenient for you."

Although he had served in the palace for decades, before that he was also a soldier by His Majesty's side, a subject of His Majesty. As a subject, it is natural to solve difficult and complicated matters for one's monarch.

If His Majesty were to recall the cause of the Fourth Prince's death in the future, he wouldn't possibly realize that he was the one who actually did it, would he? Therefore, even if His Majesty were to be angry and take his anger out on him, that would be fine, but he absolutely must not take it out on me. Although Her Highness the Crown Princess is only one enthronement ceremony away from becoming the new master of this land, in Jiu Fu's heart there will always be only one master, and that is Emperor Jingtai!

Emperor Jingtai stared at Jiufu for a long time before finally placing the lightly poisoned cup into his hand.

Jiufu respectfully accepted it, then turned around, grabbed the Fourth Prince's chin with one hand, and with a hard squeeze, dislocated the prince's jaw. Under the Fourth Prince's horrified gaze, a cup of spicy liquor rolled down his throat and into his stomach.

Although he was released the next moment and his jaw returned to its normal position, the Fourth Prince pounded his chest in terror, coughing violently and even sticking his fingers into his mouth, trying to vomit up the wine. But the wine was already in his stomach and could no longer be expelled.

Seeing the fourth son's wretched state, Emperor Jingtai felt a deep pain in his eyes. He then withdrew his hands, stood with his hands behind his back, and quietly watched the death of the last child.

The poisoned wine was extremely potent. Within two breaths, the Fourth Prince's face contorted in pain, and he coughed up copious amounts of blood from his mouth and nose. The Fourth Prince lowered his hand, staring at the glaring red in his palm, seemingly still in disbelief. But the pain in his abdomen brought him back to his senses. He raised his head and stared intently at the mortal emperor, as if trying to etch the other's image into his very being.

"Father, Father Emperor..."

"From now on, you will only, only..."

"I'm all alone now—"

The voice was shrill and broken, like a scream from the depths of hell, causing Emperor Jingtai's hands, which were clasped behind his back, to tremble violently. The Fourth Prince, filled with resentment and bitterness, cast a final, lingering gaze upon Emperor Jingtai before collapsing to the ground with a thud. From the side window, one could see the gently falling shadows outside. Just a step away lay sunlight and freedom. Sadly, he would never see it again.

Ah, if only, if only back then...

Emperor Jingtai's hands trembled violently, especially when he saw the lifeless eyes of his fourth son, which almost attracted the attention of the two guards.

The four survivors remained silent, while the two guards knelt beside them, trembling with fear, terrified that they would be the next to be forced to drink poison. In the deathly silence that filled the room, Emperor Jingtai let out a long, long sigh.

Even Jiufu, who was always by Emperor Jingtai's side, couldn't tell for a moment whether His Majesty was sighing or...

"Take him to the small hill opposite Ju'an Mountain and bury him there."

After saying this, Emperor Jingtai turned around and strode out.

The two guards trembled, unsure who these words were addressed to. Jiufu, however, understood. Ju'an Mountain was the imperial mausoleum chosen by His Majesty. It seemed that even though the Fourth Prince was dead, His Majesty could not forgive the wrongdoings he had committed. Even if the prince was dead and could not be buried in the imperial mausoleum, being buried on the small hill opposite it would at least allow them to gaze upon each other from afar.

"You two, watch your mouths. Say what you should say, and don't utter a single word about what you shouldn't say."

The two guards finally breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, kneeling on the ground in relief. It seemed His Majesty wasn't going to punish them; they had thought they were truly going to be silenced for witnessing a royal secret…

Seeing the two men's pathetic state, Jiu Fu secretly shook his head, then summoned his trusted eunuch to collect the Fourth Prince's body.

He then caught up with Emperor Jingtai, knowing that His Majesty had another important matter to attend to. Sure enough, Emperor Jingtai was waiting not far from the courtyard.

The master and servant changed into inconspicuous clothes and took a roundabout route until they finally arrived at the Dali Temple prison.

Emperor Jingtai had given prior notice, so the journey was unimpeded, and they eventually arrived at the deepest part of the inner prison, stopping in front of a cell.

The Dali Temple's inner prison was built underground, and at this moment, the only source of light was the candle held by Jiu Fu. This light not only startled the small creatures hiding in the darkness but also disturbed the prisoners lying on the straw in the cell.

The man's eyes, which had become exceptionally sensitive from prolonged lack of sunlight, were now blinded by the candlelight, causing him to tear up. It took him a long time to react, and his thoughts, which had been stagnant for years, began to function again.

He quickly recognized who was standing in front of him, and a hesitant voice rang out.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty?"

Emperor Jingtai looked down at the disheveled figure with a cold gaze.

It seems that even the most glamorous person, after spending so many years in a pitch-black prison, will become a disheveled, unrefined individual, devoid of any semblance of elegance.