Blossom in Adversity

C147. Identity Revealed.

Chapter 147: Identity Revealed

Gu Yanxi threw himself into the chair with a flourish, "Tell me everything in detail."

The Sixth Prince paused for a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking eloquently, "It was on the eldest brother's son's birthday. I had intended to offer a gift and leave, but the eldest brother kept me engaged in conversation until everyone else had departed. I found it odd at the time but couldn't fathom his motives. When I awoke, I realized I was no longer in my own bed. The eldest brother then proceeded to present me with a compelling argument, outlining the pros and cons. Mother had always warned me against vying for the throne or becoming entangled in their affairs, and I had taken her words to heart. I politely declined his proposal. But then..."

The Sixth Prince paused, his gaze falling upon the exposed white cloth on his arm. "He ordered his men to subdue me. He told me that if I agreed to his terms and wrote a letter to my maternal grandfather, he would release me and compensate me generously in the future. I couldn't be sure whether he would truly kill me if I refused, but under no circumstances could I involve my grandfather. Mother had made me swear on her deathbed."

Burying his face in his knees, the Sixth Prince seemed oblivious to the pain in his wound. "Yanxi Ge, you'll never guess where the eldest brother imprisoned me. He had the audacity to confine me in the very palace where he had resided before leaving the imperial palace. Right under Father's nose! I managed to escape by hiding beneath an Imperial Household Department carriage and disguised myself as one of my guards. That poor man is surely dead."

Gu Yanxi could already guess what would happen next. Perhaps only the Hua family had a female carriage in the line of carriages. In such a situation, although women were more easily frightened than men, the maternal instincts in women's nature might also choose to protect him.

The calculations of the First Prince were easy to understand. He would let him return in front of everyone, then have someone sneak out and hide in a secluded place. In case things went wrong, there would be people to testify for him.

Once the Sixth Prince succumbed and wrote the letter, even if he managed to escape from the First Prince and report to the Emperor, the Emperor might not necessarily believe him.

Based on their closeness, the Sixth Prince, who had rarely been seen in the past two years, could not compare to the First Prince, who already had the Empress's support. Even if the Emperor believed him, it would be a lose-lose situation. The Emperor would not like a son who easily betrayed him.

This plan could be considered well-thought-out.

Subduing someone and then using them was a common strategy, though a bit outdated. If it weren't for the fact that it was set up by the Fourth Prince, the First Prince would have acted boldly without concerning about the consequences.

Unfortunately, he used this courage on his own brother.

"If you managed to escape in that situation, why didn't you go to the Emperor with your injuries?" the Shizi asked.

The Sixth Prince sighed. "My mother only left six people for me. At that time, only one person was with me. I wasn't sure if I could make it to Father Emperor, and the First Prince had cleaned himself up so well that I had no evidence to prove that he had hurt me. Father... might not believe me."

Not that he wouldn't believe, but he couldn't believe. The father-son relationship of an Emperor usually worked at times like this. Gu Yanxi could almost be certain that if this matter was revealed, it would only result in a punishment and the Sixth Prince being completely marginalized.

How they fought behind the scenes could be ignored by their uncle, but once it became public, he definitely wouldn't tolerate it.

"What are your plans?"

"I have no plans." The Sixth Prince's lips curved in a cold smile. "There are always people more anxious than me."

"And then you'll push the Hua family who saved you into an irreversible situation?"

"I don't intend to." The Sixth Prince sat up straight, the coldness in his eyes replaced by urgency. "If I have to show myself, I will do it quietly. I will not involve the Hua family. Mother said that the Hua family is the most prestigious family in Daqing Dynasty. As long as the Hua family's integrity remains, the arrogance of the literary world in the Daqing Dynasty will not collapse."

Outside, Hua Zhi raised her head to look at the darkening sky. She didn't intend to eavesdrop, but she knew it was the Sixth Prince inside. She had to guard the door herself; too many people around meant too much gossip. She trusted the people inside her room, but some things were better kept secret.

Inside the room, the conversation continued.

"Although the Crown Prince made the move in this matter, it was the Fourth Prince who pushed and designed it. If your people are a little slower, the one who saved you should be the Fourth Prince. By then, things might not be up to you anymore. Whether you like it or not, after this competition, you will belong to the Fourth Prince."

Born in the royal family without the protection of a mother, even with a powerful external family, if one is not clever enough, one cannot survive. The Sixth Prince was obviously not a fool. He quickly understood the twists and turns of the situation. He was angry and at the same time, sad. "I have never wanted to compete with them."

"You are a royal child; by birth, you are enemies."

"So even if I retreat to the edge of a cliff, as long as I don't fall off, they won't let me go, right?"

"Yes."

The Sixth Prince smiled bitterly. "So, just to survive, I have to fight."

Gu Yanxi could not offer him comfort. Born in the royal family, one enjoyed wealth and glory, but also had too many constraints. Those outside the palace would willingly take their place. Those within had to always be on guard, for everyone around them was a potential threat.

If Noble Consort Zhen were still alive, or if she could protect the Sixth Prince, that intelligent woman would have already seen through all this. So she willingly entered the palace as a hostage, releasing the Emperor's suspicion of the Sun family.

But smart people often lead unhappy lives, and she died of depression early.

No, not always. If it were Hua Zhi, the outcome might be completely different.

Gu Yanxi looked outside the door, feeling a twinge of unease. Now that she knew his own identity, he wondered if she would be upset about him keeping it a secret for all these days.