LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 59: Depose the Crown Prince

The day grows darker and the torches light up one by one. The battle cries die out slowly.

Officer: Sir, we have been surrounded! We are done for!

Crown Prince: [Sinister laugh] Father, have you been waiting for me here?

The Emperor wearing his dragon robe dashes forward. He is composed and sovereign, not a hint of illness can be seen. The Crown Prince looks around him, only to find all of his people have been captured. He laughs, and throws down his sword.

Crown Prince: You knew all along, father. So you just waited.

Emperor: Yes. This has been a repulsive act! A disloyal son of mine! How could you have gone against the way of heaven! All my years spent giving you my love and care!

Crown Prince: I had no choice, father. Time changes all things, and I can't wait any longer.

At this point the Crown Prince decide to go for broke, for he knows begging for mercy won't help him. You grin coldly.. The Emperor's temper explodes. He walks down the marble steps and faces the Crown Prince, the slaps him hard.

Emperor: You are not worthy of my throne!

The slap had all of the Emperor's strength. The Crown Prince's face swell up right away. Those words are beyond a critical hit for the Crown Prince who had experienced nothing but smooth sailing all his life. His knees weak, face turns pale. He is regretting it.

Emperor: I hereby depose him as the Crown Prince!

Crown Prince: [Tugs the Emperor's robe] Father, it's not like that. It's not me who wants to hurt you! It's Xiu Ying. She poisoned you!

Crown Prince talks about you like you are his lifeline. He wants to blame everything on you.

Crown Prince: That's right! It's Xiu Ying. She coerced me. The vile woman coerced me into it!

Emperor: [Furious] How did I ever raise a worthless son like you! I thought you were most like me. Yet at the end of the line, you try to blame it on a maid? I feel like I was blind all these years for putting all my effort into raising an incompetent son like you!

Xiu Ying: (Yeah, you really were. I was too back then. What did I ever see in this piece of crap?)

Crown Prince: Father, why won't you believe me! You always believe what I say! Why don't you believe me this time!

Emperor: Is this how you repay my trust? Guards. The Crown Prince has rebelled and attempted regicide. The crimes are not to be pardons. He is hereby deposed and to be sent to the Imperial Clan Court for his hearing.

Crown Prince: [Panicking] Father! Father! Please trust me again! Just this once!

The Emperor is unmoved no matter what the Crown Prince says. He turns and walks away as the Crown Prince is carried by tow guards. As you walk out, you see the Crown Prince's eyes bulging in madness, like he wants to rip you apart. But Fu Heng's quick hands immediately lock him in place.

CONFESSION

Xiu Ying: Prince, you already know His Majesty knew from the start. How do you think he was able to find out?

Crown Prince: [Stunned] You. You set me up from the beginning?

That's right. It was me

Crown Prince: My father never took those drugs, right?

Xiu Ying: Congratulations. You are correct. I'm just a maid. I dare not harm the Emperor.

Nobody would react kindly when they find out they've been played by a maid. The Crown Prince goes even madder as he has already been struck down.

Crown Prince: Don't forget, you are still poisoned! The antidote was only a temporary relief. It was not the real antidote. Do you actually think I trusted you that much! If you don't take the real antidote, you will die from bleeding from all orifices.

Xiu Ying: You lied to me.

Before the Crown Prince can crack a laugh, you cut him off mercilessly.

Xiu Ying: [Quietly] Too bad though, I was never poisoned.

You give him a warm smile with a freezing cold look. He is carried away before he could speak. You stand in the same place, watching him leave, unable to grasp the situation. You made him pay for his own mistakes.