Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne
Chapter 115 - 109: Assassination Attempt

Chapter 115: Chapter 109: Assassination Attempt

The Crown Prince’s visit to Hulong Temple to pray for blessings for the late Empress was genuine and not merely an excuse. He is a filial son, visiting the temple every year on the anniversary of the Empress’s death. However, in past years, he would only pray for seven days.

This year marks the seventh anniversary of the Empress’s passing, making it a particularly significant year. Thus, the Crown Prince intended to pray for forty-nine days.

During this period, besides chanting scriptures with the monks for the Empress, the Crown Prince also transcribed Buddhist scriptures in his own blood for her.

In the seventh year after a relative’s death, it is believed that if their children or spouse transcribe scriptures in their blood, the departed can receive the blessings.

Each day, the Crown Prince writes out scriptures with his blood. Although it’s not much, it makes his complexion increasingly pale.

Eighth Prince, upon seeing the Crown Prince cutting his palm to bleed again, urged, "Brother, you shouldn’t bleed anymore."

Lv Cong echoed from the side, "Your Highness, you cannot afford to lose more blood."

"Brother, let me do it instead. I’ll use my blood to transcribe the scriptures."

The Crown Prince shook his head and said, "Your blood is of no use. Only with my blood can Mother receive my prayers."

Lv Cong hurriedly brought over an ointment, applying it to the wound on the Crown Prince’s palm. This ointment was very effective and stopped the bleeding immediately.

The Eighth Prince wrapped the Crown Prince’s wound with gauze, saying, "Brother, both your hands are covered in wounds. You can’t bleed anymore."

"These wounds are nothing," the Crown Prince remarked, unfazed.

"Brother, I know you are filial to the late Empress, but using your body for her sake would only make her spirit, if she knows, feel distressed and unhappy," the Eighth Prince advised, "Bleeding this way, you can’t possibly endure for forty-nine days. Even if you do, by then, your body will be weak."

"Your Highness, the Eighth Prince is right. You must take care of your health."

"Brother, your filial devotion to the late Empress is known to her," the Eighth Prince continued, "You should refrain from bleeding over the next few days. Rest a bit before continuing."

"His Highness speaks wisely. You must take a proper rest," Lv Cong added, growing increasingly anxious as the Crown Prince’s pallor worsened. However, no matter how he advised, the Crown Prince refused to listen.

"Brother, at this rate, you might not last the forty-nine days. Do you wish to fall ill during this period?" the Eighth Prince pleaded earnestly, "If you fall ill, the late Empress will be heartbroken and blame herself. You don’t want her to feel guilty, do you?"

The Crown Prince, after hearing the Eighth Prince’s words, hesitated and said, "Alright, I will listen to you. I won’t use blood to transcribe scriptures for the next few days."

Upon hearing this, both the Eighth Prince and Lv Cong sighed in relief.

"Brother, you must take good care of yourself over these few days."

"I will have someone prepare a tonic to enrich your blood immediately," Lv Cong said and hurriedly left.

"Brother, your health has never been strong," the Eighth Prince said, full of concern, "Your complexion is completely bloodless."

The Crown Prince smiled faintly at the Eighth Prince, "I’m fine."

"How could you be fine?" the Eighth Prince said, "Once the forty-nine days are over, you must replenish yourself well."

"Very well, I’ll listen to you and take good care of my health," the Crown Prince agreed, deeply touched by the Eighth Prince’s concern.

"Brother, take a rest. I’ll transcribe the scriptures for you."

"Alright." The Crown Prince, feeling a bit dizzy, did not insist on continuing to transcribe the scriptures.

"Eighth Brother, what do you think of Fourth Brother?"

Upon hearing the Crown Prince’s question, the Eighth Prince paused with his pen and looked up at him, asking, "Brother, what do you mean?"

"I want Fourth Brother to help me," the Crown Prince said, "The Li Family behind him cannot be underestimated."

"Brother, Fourth Brother won’t help you," the Eighth Prince continued transcribing scriptures, "And Father won’t allow him to help you."

The Crown Prince asked, puzzled, "Why is that?"

"Because of the Li Family," the Eighth Prince replied, "Brother, you are the Crown Prince; you don’t need the Li Family’s support."

"The Li Family is greatly favored by Father. If I gain their support, wouldn’t it bolster my confidence?"

"Brother, you are the legitimate firstborn and the Crown Prince," the Eighth Prince analyzed, "Your status already garners the support of most scholars in the kingdom. Besides, the majority of the civil officials in court support you. You don’t need the Li Family’s backing."

"If you truly gain the Li Family’s support, Father might become wary. Given his temperament, he might even discard the Li Family."

Listening to the Eighth Prince’s analysis, the Crown Prince found it quite reasonable.

"Then let’s drop it."

The Eighth Prince thought for a moment and said, "Fourth Brother might have ambitions too."

"It’s normal for Fourth Brother to have ambitions, but he’s not a concern," the Crown Prince thought it natural for the Third Prince and Fourth Prince to compete for the position; without ambition, it would be odd. As a prince, it’s impossible not to aim for that position.

In the Crown Prince’s view, the Fourth Prince was not as threatening as the Third, Fifth, or Sixth Princes. The families behind the Third Prince—the Wang, Xun, and Yuan Families—are all centennial noble families. Meanwhile, the Li Family behind the Fourth Prince is not a prestigious noble family. Although currently respected by scholars nationwide, mere intellectual support is futile.

Hearing this, the Eighth Prince didn’t say much more.

"Brother speaks the truth."

Although the Third Prince and others posed a threat, they were nothing compared to Prince Dai. To the Crown Prince, the greatest threat was Prince Dai.

"Eighth Brother, Qian Songtao and Li Chuan are on their way back to Jizhou. Do you think we should...?"

The Crown Prince didn’t finish his sentence, but the Eighth Prince understood his implication.

"Brother, if anything happens to Prince Dai’s people, you’ll be the first suspect."

"True. But shall we just watch them return safely to Jizhou?"

"Brother, once Li Chuan returns to Jizhou, his ’good’ days will begin," the Eighth Prince emphasized the word "good" heavily, "He will clash with Qian Songtao. Just wait; soon, Prince Dai’s three trusted generals will fall out. When the time comes, if you extend a hand to Li Chuan, he will surely be grateful."

"Fine, I’ll wait." After hearing the Eighth Prince’s words, the Crown Prince abandoned the idea of targeting Li Chuan and Qian Songtao.

Following this, the Eighth Prince continued transcribing scriptures while chatting with the Crown Prince.

At the hour of the pig, the Eighth Prince returned to his room.

"Is everything arranged?"

Yu Hai quietly replied, "Everything is set, just waiting for midnight."

The Eighth Prince nodded slightly, "Good."

"Your Highness, shall the servant assist you with washing up and sleeping?"

"Alright."

After the Eighth Prince washed up, he lay down on the bed. However, he didn’t fall asleep.

At this moment, the soldiers under Shen Hu and Chu Ying, as well as the martial monks in the temple, were patrolling.

At midnight, they would change shifts.

Just as they were swapping shifts, a group of monks suddenly barged into the courtyard where the Crown Prince resided.

Hearing screams from outside, the Eighth Prince’s lips curled into a slight smile.

Soon, cries of "Assassins!" could be heard.

The "sleeping" Eighth Prince was shaken awake fiercely by Yu Hai, "Your Highness, there are assassins."

Upon hearing the word "assassins," the Eighth Prince hurriedly ran to the Crown Prince’s room, forgetting even to put on his shoes.

"Brother, are you alright?"

"I’m fine," the Crown Prince replied, his face filled with unease, "How could there be assassins?" As soon as he spoke, a thought came to him, and he asked angrily, "Could it be Prince Dai?"

"Prince Dai likely wouldn’t dare," the Eighth Prince said, "If anything happens to you, he’d be the first suspect."

The Crown Prince and the Eighth Prince were surrounded by about ten soldiers wielding swords, warily glaring at the assassins in the distance.

Shortly, three or four assassins charged forward.

The ten soldiers protecting the Crown Prince and the Eighth Prince were no match for the assassins.

Without hesitation, the Eighth Prince stepped in front of the Crown Prince, "Brother, you must go."

The Crown Prince didn’t hesitate, running towards the back. As he ran, another assassin suddenly appeared, charging at him with intent to kill.

Seeing this, the Eighth Prince quickly ran over, shielding the Crown Prince with his body, and was stabbed in the abdomen by the assassin.

"Eighth Brother!" the Crown Prince exclaimed in horror, "Ah..."

The Crown Prince’s arm was injured by an assassin.

"Brother!" the Eighth Prince covered the Crown Prince once more.