Watching Emperor Chu bend down, Prince Min stared at him without blinking. He could clearly see himself in the other’s eyes, and he wondered what the chances of success would be if he attacked from such close distance.

No, probably not much. Not to mention the countless eyes watching him in the shadows, even the eunuch next to the dog Emperor is skilled. He stands right by the Emperor’s side, his eyes never leaving him.

There’s almost no chance of winning.

Even if there was, it would only lead to mutual destruction.

Fake Prince Min, Xia Houzhe, thought of restoring Xia and naturally wanted to be Emperor; otherwise, why do such things? For fun?

If he got Emperor Chu killed, his son would succeed to the throne, and he would merely be forgotten.

It’s not worth the risk.

Prince Min seemed to back down, revealing a bitter smile: "Please, ask my imperial brother for clarification."

"Ah, alright." Emperor Chu looked at him steadily: "The Prince Min Mansion sent a string of prayer beads and a screen as birthday gifts for Madam Song and me. You acknowledge them, don’t you?"

Prince Min was taken aback, nodded and said: "I am indeed aware. I’ve heard they are crystal stones that can calm the mind and nourish the spirit, good things brought back by Xia Zhixiang from overseas."

Emperor Chu squinted his eyes halfway: "Are they good things or are they harmful poison, hmm?"

Prince Min turned pale and exclaimed: "That, harmful poison, that’s impossible. After all, it’s a birthday gift for my imperial brother. I made sure to have numerous medical experts examine them carefully to confirm they were non-toxic before daring to present them. Otherwise, even if you gave me hundreds of courage, I wouldn’t dare be so blatant."

Emperor Chu watched his sincere expression and laughed.

"Imperial brother, what poison might they be? Has the Imperial Physician diagnosed it?" Prince Min knelt down, full of self-reproach: "If harmful items were found, even if I wasn’t handling them personally, I would still bear responsibility. Please, imperial brother, punish me."

Emperor Chu looked at him steadily and said: "A good case of not handling them yourself, am I wrongly accusing you then?"

Prince Min prostrated on the ground: "I dare not."

"Is it dare not or not afraid? Do you think that the screen is indeed non-toxic and cannot be detected, so you feel secure?" Emperor Chu smiled lightly: "Little one, have you forgotten who I am? I am the Emperor, the ruler of the nation. I say the screen is harmful, then it’s harmful, do you understand?"

The Emperor’s word is final.

The Emperor says you’re guilty, then you are guilty, even if the item is genuinely harmless. If he says there is, then there is. That is the Emperor.

Not convinced? Keep it to yourself!

Prince Min dared not make a sound.

Emperor Chu looked at the back of his head and said: "Don’t worry, though I am the Emperor, I am not autocratic. Surrounding your Mansion is because a spy slipped inside, and until we clear things up, you should stay safely in the Mansion. The Imperial Army will ensure the Prince Mansion’s stability. Once the matter is over and the truth is revealed, I will naturally lift the ban."

Prince Min’s body stiffened.

It was unclear whether it was because of the temporary confinement or the mention of the spy infiltrating.

His fingers trembled slightly as he thanked the Emperor.

At that moment, Wang Yang, head of the Imperial Guards, hurried over, knelt before Emperor Chu, and reported that Princess Consort Ji and Princess were entering the palace to visit the Empress Dowager.

Emperor Chu frowned and said displeased: "Mother’s health is not well, she is resting. Who allowed the Princess Consort to disturb her? Wang Yang, is this how you manage the Imperial Army? Are you defying my orders?"

He clearly instructed no entry or exit from the Prince Mansion, yet Princess Consort Ji still came and went as she pleased. What’s this?

Wang Yang’s mouth felt bitter. He looked up, glanced at the kneeling Prince Min, and said awkwardly: "The Dowager presented the Death Exemption Token bestowed by the former Emperor."

Emperor Chu: "???"