Chapter 39: Give Me Justice!

  Chu Hao sized up the palace maids who were slender and charming, with a flirtatious air about them, while inwardly ridiculing them.

  "Alas, Chen Honghong that guy, I want to be reborn, but he didn't even give me a decent identity. If I were an emperor, with beauties by my side, three thousand concubines in the harem, how wonderful would it be? But Sun Haoran beside him was unaware of the crown prince's treasonous thoughts, otherwise he might not have dared to enter the palace and would have fled long ago."

  At this moment, Sun Haoran's hands were wrapped in gauze, his face was blue and purple, and his left and right faces were obviously disproportionate, looking extremely comical. However, the guards following them did not smile, but instead looked straight ahead with a stern expression, their footsteps steady and powerful.

  These guards include Chu Mo from the Wang Ye's mansion and Jia Jiang from the General's mansion.

  To be honest, Chu Hao was quite bold this time, relying on his identity as the young master, he actually directly rushed into the imperial palace, and a group of people went to Yan Ke's Palace in a mighty manner.

  The young prince was stunned for a moment after receiving the message from the eunuch, and then his face calmed down. He stared at the three swords placed on the table, but did not get up, still sitting in the center of the pavilion.

  Entering the Yan Ge Palace, the eunuchs did not dare to offend this young master and quickly brought him to Chu Dongliu's residence. Outside the courtyard, Chu Mo and several other guards stood guard, allowing only two people to enter.

  "Imperial brother, how could you enter the palace without even giving your imperial younger brother a notice, leaving me completely unprepared and losing the distant welcome." Chu Dongliu slowly stood up after seeing Chu Hao and Sun Haoran walk in from the stone gate, then loudly said.

  "Alright, alright." Chu Hao's face was smiling but his heart wasn't. He stared at the young prince. Chu Dongliu was dressed relatively neatly today, wearing a yellow horse jacket with a jade belt embroidered with a dragon pattern around his waist, and golden buckles on his boots shining brightly, looking quite dashing.

  Chu Hao suppressed the anger in his heart and hummed: "The imperial brother should know what we're here for, right?"

  "How could you say such a thing, imperial brother?" Chu Dongliu seemed to have only just noticed Sun Haoran's appearance at this moment, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes: "Why is Young Master Sun dressed like that?"

  "Honest people don't speak in riddles!" Chu Hao strode into the pavilion, picked up the tea on the table and drank half of it before turning around and saying coldly: "Why did Young Master Sun become like this, I think you, Imperial Brother, are clearer about it than anyone."

  "Brother is confused, please enlighten me, brother." Chu Dongliu also had some guesses in his heart, but he was very suspicious. Just now on that letter, there was no mention of Sun Haoran's name at all.

  "I think the prince is pretending to be ignorant!" Chu Hao sneered, his eyes gleaming with cold light. "Since you don't want to admit it yourself, I'll say it for you." He paused, then sat down heavily on a stool, staring fiercely at Chu Dongliu as he spoke in a slow, deliberate tone: "You're resentful because you lost to me at the Gathering Clouds Pavilion that day, so you resorted to such despicable tactics!"

  "Brother, your words are really unjust to me," Chu Dongliu said with a wry smile. "To be honest, if you hadn't come today, I wouldn't have even known that Mr. Sun was injured." As he spoke, Chu Dongliu approached Sun Haoran and asked, "Mr. Sun, is everything all right?"

  "Don't worry, Your Highness, you won't die just yet." Sun Haoran sneered.

  Chu Hao, on the other hand, slammed his hand on the table and said, "Imperial brother, I never thought you'd be so vicious! You're going to pay for this! Do you know that Young Master Sun almost lost his life? With your reckless methods, if word gets out among the officials, how can Emperor Brother calm the imperial court? And how can I, as the emperor's brother, show my face?"

  "Your Highness, please calm down." Sun Haoran hastily said.

  "Stop being angry, how can I stop being angry?!" Chu Hao's heart ached and he knocked his head, saying: "You are my best brother, seeing you get hurt, my heart is also in severe pain, from last night till now, it still hurts here, it still hurts here!"

  Sun Haoran's mouth twitched slightly as he watched Chu Hao's deep performance, and he lowered his head: "The prince's concern, Sun Mou is grateful to tears."

  Chu Hao patted Sun Haoran's shoulder and said emotionally: "Don't worry, Little Wang will definitely give you justice!"

  The two of them sang in harmony, but Chu Dongliu's face suddenly turned extremely ugly.

  He looked at Sun Haoran's pretended sickly appearance, where was there even a bit of the look of being seriously injured and on the verge of death?

  Chu Dongliu was extremely displeased in his heart. In terms of status, although the two were both imperial grandsons, if they were to compare their influence, there was simply no comparison between the Crown Prince and an imperial prince! If it weren't for the fact that the power of the Wei Yuan Wangye made people unable to underestimate him, or if Chu Hao had such a appearance, Chu Dongliu would have already exploded in anger. However, as someone who is superior, one must endure what others cannot endure, so he swallowed back his anger and smiled at the somewhat arrogant Chu Hao: "Imperial brother, I think you've really made a mistake. The imperial younger brother has never sent anyone to attack Sun Gongzi. This point, the imperial younger brother can swear to heaven."

  "You don't have to swear, I know you didn't send anyone to attack Sun Gongzi!" Chu Hao's emotions had been stirred up a bit, and he felt a little parched, so he sat down and took a sip of tea. Looking at the three long swords on the table, two wooden and one iron, his heart skipped a beat. It seemed that this kid, Chu Dongliu, was planning to put on an act of self-inflicted suffering when the other princes came to ask for punishment.

  Chu Hao's words, however, left Chu Dongliu stunned for a moment, and he was somewhat bewildered. This young master seemed to be quite different from before, starting from the battle at Ju Yun Lou, he often didn't play by the rules, and this move was even more baffling.

  "Has His Majesty believed his younger brother's words?"

  "Believe my ass!" This sentence almost made Chu Dong's anger subside, but after hearing what Chu Hao said next, his face changed again. Chu Hao spoke in a sinister tone: "Younger brother, the person you wanted to ambush was me, your older brother, right? If it wasn't for Sun Gongzi seeing that things were going badly and saving Little Wang, I'm afraid I wouldn't be standing in front of you now."

  Chu Dongliang's face turned pale with shock. If Chu Hao was indeed the one who wore this hat, he would be in grave danger. Although he had his master to back him up and the Emperor couldn't intervene directly, at least his chance of becoming the Crown Prince was gone! Not to mention, he might even be ridiculed by those pedantic officials and other princes in the capital, ending up being hastily appointed as a king and banished from the capital.

  "Brother, this joke is not to be taken lightly!" Chu Dongliang composed himself and put away his usual tired smile. He spoke seriously: "I'm puzzled, brother, why are you so certain it was me who did it? Furthermore, although I've had conflicts with you, we're both princes of the imperial family. Don't you think I know the rules of Cloud Heaven? Would I really do something that would bring shame to our family?"

  "Hmph, don't talk nonsense." Chu Hao saw the young prince's momentum slipping and was delighted in his heart. Taking advantage of the situation, he said: "When they left, they were muttering and saying that Ninth Master wouldn't let Sun Gongzi off, saying he ruined Ninth Master's good deed." At this point, Chu Hao stroked his fingers and tapped on the chair, coldly smiling and saying: "Younger brother, you can't even recognize this Ninth Master?"

  The young emperor, who was still somewhat suspicious of Chu Hao's transformation, immediately felt a sense of relief upon hearing these words. He thought to himself, "Good, good, he's still an idiot." He smiled and said, "I suppose my brother also knows about what happened last night?" As he spoke, the young emperor stood up and walked towards Sun Haoran, saying, "Sun sir, yesterday, aside from you, six other people in the capital had accidents. Not only was there Zhou Qing, who is close to the sixth prince, but also Nangong sir, who is on good terms with me! Those individuals all claimed to be acting under my banner; do you think I would be so foolish as to do something like that?"

  Sun Haoran hadn't spoken yet, but Chu Hao chuckled softly beside him: "What the imperial brother means is that you've been framed?"

  "This is natural, the emperor should be clear about my character. I have always been on good terms with Prince Nangong, how could I do such a thing?" The young prince said coldly: "In the palace, there are many things that harm others for personal gain, and this time it's unknown which villain has taken action against the emperor, stirring up our emotions."

  Called a little man, Chu Hao was naturally furious and snorted: "Isn't this exactly where your royal brother's skills are excellent? You created this beating incident in the capital to stir up the clear sky, making it turbulent and mysterious. Then, when everyone's attention is focused on the obstacles you set up, you take action against your target!" As he spoke, Chu Hao stared at Chu Dongliu with a cold smile:

  "Your target is me, isn't that right, Little Wang?"

  Calling you a useless person is already being too kind to you, who would bother to deal with a waste like you!

  Chu Dongliu silently cursed in his heart, but on the surface, he was taken aback for a moment. Then, looking at Chu Hao with an expression of being in control, he said: "Elder brother's analysis is indeed very reasonable, but this matter is not done by younger brother. Younger brother only seeks comfort and leisure in the palace. You and I have always been on good terms, if I were to do such a thing, it would not only be a shame to the imperial family's dignity, but also a handle for others to use against me, which would be of no benefit to me either. Would younger brother be so foolish?"

  Just then, someone came to report that Wu Donghan had arrived.

  Chu Hao had long known that the young prince would definitely call Wu Donghan over to discuss, and at this moment, he didn't show any unexpected expression. Wu Donghan wore a cyan Confucian robe, his whole person shining like a bright pearl, with an extraordinary aura, even walking slowly, no one would overlook him. Originally, Sun Haoran was also a handsome young master, but at this moment, he looked like a pig's head, and was immediately overshadowed.

  Wu Donghan walked into the courtyard and saw Chu Hao and Sun Haoran's appearance, with a hint of surprise on his face.

  "Mr. Wu." The little prince hurriedly walked over.

  "I've met the Ninth Prince, the Crown Prince, and Master Sun." Wu Donghan bowed his head slightly, then stepped up to the pavilion, standing below the three of them. His demeanor was natural and calm.

  "Mr. Wu, I suppose you know what happened last night?" Chu Dongliu met Wu Donghan and felt a little relieved, then smiled wryly: "Sir, would you like to testify for me? Yesterday afternoon till dusk, I was in the Hanlin courtyard with Mr. Wu, tasting tea and playing chess, listening to Quan Yingxin. Except for a few guards by my side, I didn't bring many people, and during that time, I didn't leave for a moment."

  Wu Donghan nodded and said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, Sun Gongzi, the Ninth Imperial Prince indeed spoke the truth. Yesterday, Your Highness was with the students all along, and there are also old scholars from the Hanlin Academy who can testify to this."

  "He's not even taking action himself, just staying in the palace, and he doesn't have any persuasive power." Chu Hao snorted. It seems that Wu Donghan is indeed a subordinate of Chu Dongliu, and when it comes to enemies, he wouldn't bother with courtesy. However, as the grandson of Old Master Wu, his words carry weight, and can't be ignored.

  Chu Dongliu's face changed again upon hearing this, and he said: "I don't know what the emperor wants to do to believe it. This is indeed a frame-up."

  Chu Hao's goal for today has also been achieved. He patted Sun Haoran on the shoulder and said, "Young Master Sun cannot be beaten without reason. Since the prince says he is innocent, we must ask to bring the real culprit to justice. I will avenge Young Master Sun! Now, I will report to His Majesty and General Sun, requesting that the emperor give us justice!"

  Chu Dong's face was stern with suppressed anger as he said, "The Emperor's brother will surely catch the murderer soon and bring them to justice for Sun Gongzi and the Emperor!"

  "It's all right." Chu Hao turned his head and asked Sun Haoran, "Young Master Sun, the Ninth Prince has already issued a military order. It's better for us to put this matter aside for now and see what he says in a few days?"

  Sun Haoran couldn't wait to return to the mansion to treat his injuries, nodded and cupped his hands: "Your Highness, I've disturbed you today, please forgive me!"

  "It doesn't matter! Young Master Sun, rest assured that I will give you justice!" Chu Dongliu hastily said: "Xiaochun, send the Crown Prince and Young Master Sun away!"

  The eunuch who had led the way just now came out, and Chu Hao saw that he was slender in appearance, slightly weak in body, and spotlessly clean all over. Occasionally, a sly smile would appear, making Chu Hao feel chilled to the bone. Just then, Xiaochunzi's shrill voice rang out: "Your Highness, Young Master Sun requests your presence!"

  Chu Hao shivered and hastily said: "That young Wang has taken his leave first."

  As they watched Chu Hao and Sun Haoran's figures disappear completely under the arch, Chu Dongliu's face suddenly turned extremely ugly. Wu Donghan stood beside the young prince, shaking his head slightly...

  Tomorrow's rush ranking, everyone is watching and giving some votes, after all, the red ticket and collection of new books are very important.

  Thank you again.