Chapter 100: Cruel Prince 49

This unexpected change—completely different from Tang Qingzhu’s prediction—made the Second Prince feel deeply uneasy.

Fortunately, reports soon arrived from the spies stationed near Feng Qitong.

According to them, after experiencing the brutality of war, Feng Qitong’s violent tendencies had become increasingly severe.

There were even moments when he nearly lost control and attacked his own people.

Only then did the Second Prince breathe slightly easier and decide to continue observing the situation.

He still firmly believed Tang Qingzhu’s predictions were real.

After all, during this period, she truly had predicted many important events accurately.

But what he did not know was—

once Feng Qitong returned,

he would never have another chance again.

...

On the day Tang Wan and Feng Qitong returned to the capital, Elder Tang and the Emperor personally came out to welcome them.

Seeing this, Feng Qitong first escorted the two elders back to the Crown Prince’s residence.

After changing clothes and washing up, he invited them into the study for discussion.

Unlike others, Feng Qitong had never liked beating around the bush.

The moment they sat down, he looked directly at the Emperor and said:

“Father Emperor, this son wishes to ascend the throne.”

The moment these words were spoken, Tang Ge was instantly stunned, his heart trembling violently.

Did the Crown Prince even know what he was saying?

Was he trying to get himself beaten?!

Yet what Tang Ge never expected was—

instead of anger, the Emperor’s eyes immediately lit up.

“Really?”

“Then tell Zhen, why are you suddenly so eager to become Emperor?”

Feng Qitong’s lips curved upward.

“Because Wanwan is pregnant.”

“This son now has a future to fight for.”

“Before the child is born, Gu intends to annex both Wei and Chu.”

Hearing this, Tang Ge was first overjoyed.

But immediately afterward, he frowned.

“Your Highness, isn’t this too rushed?”

“Tang State has only just finished a difficult war.”

“If another war begins immediately without recovery, I fear—”

Before he could finish, Feng Qitong interrupted calmly:

“Grandfather may rest assured.”

“Gu knows what he’s doing.”

The Emperor immediately burst into loud laughter.

“Good!”

“As expected of my son!”

“When he was only five years old, he already declared he would unify the world.”

“And now, that day has finally arrived!”

Seeing the Emperor’s reaction, Tang Ge finally understood.

So the Emperor had long hoped for Feng Qitong to unify the Four Kingdoms.

But after thinking carefully about it, Tang Ge also understood.

The world had been divided for hundreds of years.

Perhaps—

it truly was time for reunification.

...

Thus, on the seventh day after Feng Qitong’s victorious return to court—

during the morning assembly—

all the officials were completely stunned by a single imperial decree.

The Emperor—

was abdicating.

Especially the Second Prince.

Even with his excellent self-control, the moment he heard the decree, his face instantly turned deathly pale.

How was this possible?

How could things become like this?

Didn’t Tang Qingzhu say he would become Emperor in the future?

Then why was Father Emperor abdicating early?!

He was still in his prime!

The Second Prince wanted to object—

but he had absolutely no grounds to do so.

Feng Qitong was the legitimate Crown Prince.

His succession was fully justified.

Moreover, the Emperor was still alive and personally issuing the decree.

Even if the Second Prince wanted to claim the decree was forged, he could do nothing.

For a moment, he could only clench his fists tightly beneath his sleeves, repeatedly forcing himself to calm down.

Don’t panic.

Don’t panic.

So what if Feng Qitong ascends the throne?

Sooner or later, he’ll still go mad!

There’s still a chance!

...

But after court was dismissed, the Second Prince still couldn’t suppress his anger.

He rushed directly to find Tang Qingzhu.

At that moment, Tang Qingzhu was leisurely sitting before her dressing table, playing with a string of pearls.

The Second Prince immediately demanded furiously:

“Didn’t you say Feng Qitong would go mad after returning from the border?!”

“Then why did Father Emperor pass the throne to him in advance?!”

Tang Qingzhu froze.

“What?”

“That shouldn’t be possible!”

“I clearly remember Feng Qitong going mad soon after returning from the border!”

Moreover—

in her memories,

the Emperor had never abdicated early for Feng Qitong.

...

The Second Prince’s expression darkened further.

“How long is ‘soon’ exactly?”

Tang Qingzhu was frightened by his expression, but still forced herself to recall carefully.

“It should’ve been before New Year’s Day...”

“I remember that Your Highness ascended the throne sometime after next year’s Lantern Festival.”

Hearing this, the Second Prince stared at her coldly.

“Then this king will wait.”

“But if your information is wrong—”

“Don’t blame this king for showing no mercy.”