My Lord, the princess doesn't want you anymore.

The assassination planned by Cui Hongqi ultimately ended in failure.

Meng Nan’s failure was not the main reason.

The direct cause was Cui Hongjing's sudden defection, which killed most of Helian Lanfeng's men who had been hiding in advance. Helian Lanfeng fled in a panic under the protection of his cronies and is still being pursued.

Cui Hongqi couldn't understand why Cui Hongjing went back on his word.

When it comes to hatred towards his father, no one in the world can be stronger than Cui Hongjing.

If we were to say who would benefit the most from his father's death, it would be Cui Hongjing - after all, his royal bloodline is the purest.

Besides, Prime Minister Mei is still in his hands. Doesn't he have any fear at all?

But why did everything suddenly get out of his control?

Someone testified that the assassin named Meng Nan had appeared in Prince Qi's palace, so Cui Hongqi has been imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison these days. Because there is no solid evidence and no decree from the upper echelons, he is only detained for the time being.

Naturally, no one would tell him that when he was determined to kill his father, Li Mo had already brought people to rescue Prime Minister Mei.

Although he watched Meng Nan being rescued, he had nothing to worry about. He knew very well that Meng Nan had no chance of surviving the blow he made, let alone standing in front of Cui Qimo to identify him.

He also firmly believed in Meng Nan's loyalty, and even if he could survive, he would never betray his master.

Cui Hongxiao also made great contributions in quelling the rebellion. In order to appease his son, Cui Qimo asked Mei Qianyue to return to Prince Xiao's Mansion.

But there was no reward at all for Cui Hongjing.

No matter what this son did for him, even if he gave his life for him, he did not have any love for him in his heart.

Cui Hongjing had been kneeling outside the palace gate for a whole day. The reason he was punished to kneel was that the emperor suspected that he was colluding with the rebels.

Cui Qimo had no evidence, and many people at that time saw Cui Hongjing fighting bravely to protect the emperor.

Therefore, many palace ladies and court officials were secretly pondering on this matter.

"Is Prince Jing really plotting treason? Is there something hidden that we don't know?"

"I think the emperor wants to take this opportunity to frame Prince Jing with a false charge of treason and get rid of him together with Prince Qi?"

"It has not been easy for Prince Jing over the years."

"Hey, tell me, why does the emperor dislike Prince Jing so much?"

"Do you think that assassin is one of King Qi's men? Is King Qi colluding with Helian Lanfeng?"

"What are you talking about? Don't you want to live anymore?"

"Yes, yes, thanks for the reminder. If you want to survive, you have to learn to be dumb."

……

Cui Qimo looked through the crack in the door at Cui Hongjing, who was kneeling upright outside the hall.

Even though he hadn't eaten or drunk anything for the whole day, he still stood straight and motionless like a statue.

"That stubborn look is somewhat similar to how I was when I was young?" Cui Qimo put his hands behind his back, and such a thought suddenly popped up in his mind.

He felt that this idea was somewhat dangerous, so he moved closer to the crack in the door so that he could see Prince Jing's facial features more clearly.

The eyes, nose, thin lips, and eyebrows clearly resembled the late emperor.

Cui Qimo secretly breathed a sigh of relief and once again confirmed in his heart his own wisdom.

He took a few steps back and suddenly collapsed.

Eunuch Li was horrified and rushed forward to help.

Cui Qimo waved his hand, sat on the ground, and pointed outside, "Look, old man, isn't he made from the same mold as the late emperor..."

Eunuch Li nodded, "Your Majesty is right, Prince Jing really looks a lot like the late emperor..."

After a pause, he added carefully, "After all, they are grandparents and grandchildren."

Cui Qimo's eyes suddenly turned cold, and Eunuch Li shuddered and quickly knelt on the ground: "This old servant just said it casually, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Cui Qimo was silent for a long time before he calmed down and said, "Get up. I know you are loyal."

He looked outside again and simply lay down on the ground and stretched his limbs.

He is very tired and wants to take a rest.

When he closed his eyes, the jumping boy appeared in front of him again.

The boy had just learned to walk, and he was toddling around in the imperial garden chasing butterflies, with a pair of chubby arms like lotus roots raised high.

The butterfly flew away and the boy fell down, crying bitterly.

Cui Qimo smiled lovingly, picked up the crying child and held him high up.

Holding him up, he chased butterflies.

The boy chuckled with joy again.

When he was happy, he pouted and kissed the white and tender face, but the stubble poked the child and made him cry loudly.

A slender figure walked over with light steps. She was wearing a lavender palace dress, the style was simple, not as complicated and luxurious as other concubines.

She likes everything simple and pure.

Concubine Jing took the boy, held him in her arms, patted his back gently, pretended to be angry, and turned to leave.

The little fellow cried and made a fuss, stretching out his chubby little hands to him, "No, I want father, I want to play with father. Mother, I am good, I will be obedient and stop crying! Now that I stop crying, can I let father hold me and lift me up high..."

……

The scene changes.

What I saw before me was him and Concubine Jing boating on the lake, strolling in the garden, composing poetry and painting together.

It was snowing, and the purple figure grabbed a handful of snow, threw it at him, then ran away laughing, waiting for him to chase her.

……

The screen changes again.

The previous emperor passed away and he ascended the throne not long ago.

The bedroom was filled with the rich fragrance of osmanthus.

On the antique shelf, a bunch of freshly picked cassia twigs are still in full bloom.

She fell to the ground with a knife stuck in her chest. Her purple clothes were soaked with blood.

In the vase, a withered osmanthus flower fell without wind and landed on her long eyelashes.

There was a pure smile on her face.

She had the purest smile and said the cruelest words.

"Cui Qimo, I hate you... If time could go back, I would rather die than marry you..."

These were the last words she said to him.

He seemed to be frightened by something, and his trembling hand quickly jumped away from the hilt of the knife.

"Ru, Ruyun... Don't blame me, you were the one who betrayed me first... Ruyun, I don't want to kill you, but I can't face it..."

Dong Ruyun opened her eyes wide and stared at him, no longer able to hear what he said.

He was a little panicked and quickly reached out to close her eyes, but he couldn't.

He was so frightened that he kicked the ground with his legs and backed away a foot with his hands. He pulled off the bed sheet and threw it over her face.

When he could no longer see her eyes, his breathing gradually calmed down.

"Mother—" Five-year-old Cui Hongjing suddenly rushed in and pounced on her.

"Come here, drag him out!" Cui Qimo roared, "Whoever let him in, all of them will be beaten to death!"

A servant came quickly and took Cui Hongjing away.

Cui Qimo will never forget the resentful look Cui Hongjing gave him when he was taken away.

He knew then that this evil child must not be kept!

"Your Majesty, please think twice, Your Majesty, please think twice..." The young eunuch Li kept kowtowing, "The little prince may not be your own flesh and blood. I dare to ask Your Majesty to think twice. What if it is just a misunderstanding? Don't let it lead to lifelong regrets..."

Cui Qimo was furious. He stood up and pointed at the still warm body on the ground. He roared, "I gave her a chance and questioned her. She never refuted from beginning to end. What misunderstanding could there be? Tell me, what misunderstanding could there be?"