Not Your Typical Villianess

The next day, the imperial palace

The voices shouting for the Crown Prince to be dethroned got louder as a minister reported some inconsistencies in the reports submitted by the Crown Prince's office. The officials from the sixth Prince's faction began pushing for the investigation of the Crown Prince. Fresh petitions were submitted by the schoolers every day demanding for Emperor Zhong to treat the Crown Prince fairly.

There were new accusations submitted on the Crown Prince's Office. Although the Crown Prince was not directly involved in these crimes, he couldn't skirt any punishments given since he was the head of the office under fire. The louder the accusations got the more worried Emperor Zhong got. He didn't want the citizens to get wind of the accusations, Emperor Zhong quickly ordered an investigation into the Crown Prince's office.

By the end of afternoon court, the news of the investigation spread throughout the capital. Everyone was curious how the Emperor would punish the Crown Prince if the accusations tired out to be true. A few days later the secret investigator submitted a detailed report, that although exempted the Crown Prince from taking part in the forgery and embezzlement of public funds. 

Provided the sixth Prince's camp with another reason to support their demand for Crown Prince to be dethroned. When the Emperor once again dismissed their demand, they deliberately let it leak to the public. The Crown Prince absences provided an opportunity for his political opponents, which comprises the supporters of the other Princes, to bring him down.

Everyday nee accusations and reports were submitted against the Crown Prince from various offices. Although his team worked hard to dismiss each false accusation, the Crown Prince's reputation was ruined in the eyes of the public. Public Opinion wasn't in his favours especially when the team at the watchtower nearly lost control of the watchtower after days of heavy attack from the Chu States navy. 

The war wasn't going as Emperor Zhong expected, their opponents were well-coordinated and ruthless. They made use of various unexpected tactics, northern Wei had more losses when compared to other kingdoms. Emperor Zhong was always on edge and the current issues concerning the Crown Prince didn't help alleviate his stress. It just added to it.

The voices demanding that the Crown Prince be dethroned increased every day, Emperor Zhong feared that a riot may begin at the rate thing we're going. The pressure from the public gradually got to Zhongshan Ling, although Everyone tried to keep it from him. Although his physical injuries healed quickly, his mental Injuries worsen every day.

Emperor Zhong frequented the war room often, every time there was a new development in the war front he went into the war room to discuss the next strategy to take. During one of the late-night meetings, a young eunuch from Empress Lu's palace rushed into the room.

Empress Zhong like the other occupants of the room was taken aback when the eunuch slapped away the hands of the guards trying to hold him back and rushed into the room. The eunuch immediately fell on his hands and knees and before he is taken away by tbs guards to be published he said, 

"greetings your Majesty. Please forgive this foolish one for badging into your meeting but we have an emergency, your Majesty"

Two guards rushed forward and put their arms through his as he spoke. The eunuch was newly appointed to a major palace like the Empress's palace and was still green. He couldn't stay calm because of the seriousness of the news he brought. The young eunuch was filled with fear and inexperience, he struggled fiercely to get out of the thought hold of the guards. Who promptly bowed to the Empress and tried to pull him away. 

The Young Eunuch tried to pull his hand away and when that wasn't successful, he blurred the incident he was sent to report 

"Your Majesty! His highness attempted to take his own life!"

The writing brush in Emperor Zhong's hands fell and he looked up quickly, "What! How can that happen?"

The other occupants of the rooms which were his advisers, various military officials and key ministers all gasped. Everyone knew to control their expression, they didn't respond as obviously as the Emperor. I was frowned upon to do that, it was unsightly to cause a scene in the Emperor's presence.

The eunuch opened and closed his mouth a few times, his face pale and almost white. He looked at the two hefty soldiers standing at his sides and holding him up by his hand. Emperor Zhong glanced at the snow-white face of the eunuch and frowned. The eunuch looked like he would wet his if the guards held him longer. Emperor Zhong glanced at the guards, "let him go", he said in an exasperated tone.

"Yes, your Majesty", The guards said as they dropped the eunuch's arm and stepped back. The eunuch shivered, he stole a glance at the Emperor's face and looked down immediately. 

Emperor Zhong glared down at the eunuch, "where is he?"

"Answering Your Majesty, the Imperial doctors are attending to the Crown Prince at Xinfeng palace".

"The meeting is adjourned!" Emperor Zhong stood and walked out of the room. His guards, maids and Eunuchs followed behind, the young eunuch tripped in a bid to follow behind. He bowed respectfully at the ministers and other officials and rushed out of the room.

The officials were silent until they were sure that the Emperor had walked a certain distance away from the room before murmuring between themselves.

The Emperor was not in a good mood and would easily make an example of anyone he caught talking. No one wished to take the risk when they were sure that the Emperor was no longer in the vicinity they turned to talk to each other. Before long news of the Crown Prince's suicide attempt spread wide. 

*****

The Sixth prince was pleased with the news, he was watching a shadow dance with Zhu Faye at Meirong brothel. When the news broke, Zhongshan Cheng dismissed the dancers and prostitutes that gently massaged his thigh and shoulders to give them some privacy. He waited some minutes for the dancers and brother girls to leave before a smile broke on his face.

"You must be overjoyed, your highness" Zhu Faye picked up a jug of wine on the table and poured himself and the sixth prince a cup each. Be dropped the pitcher of wine on the table and passed the cup of wine to the sixth prince. 

Zhongshan Cheng took the cup of wine from him and quickly drank up. He held flipped the empty cup over and laughed, "you, my friend are a genius, Who knew that frustrating him a little for two weeks was all we needed to push him to the edge. Who knew cripples could be that spineless, He truly is nothing without the Lu family to protect him. Now if he could just stat dead, I wouldn't have to go through with that plan".

"Even if he survives, we already laid the groundwork to depose him, your highness. The public opinion hasn't been in his favour for weeks, a suicide attempt would put a nail in the coffin" Zhu Faye smirked holding a cup of wine close to his lips.

Zhongshan Chen placed his hands on his friend's shoulder and leaned closer, "you are a mad genius, Faye. Who needs a military strategist when I have you!"

Zhongshan Cheng placed his hands on the handle of the pitcher of wine, about to pour himself a cup of wine. When Zhu Faye, placed his hand on his hands and held him back. He looked up at Zhu Faye, who shook his head.

"Not yet your Highness, the Crown Prince's life is at risk. His Majesty would send word to you soon, even if he doesn't. You should enter the palace and show concern for your elder brother. The Crown Prince is the Empress only son, you should go console her." Zhu Faye said softly.

"Why do I have to do that!" Zhongshan Cheng pushed his head back and swore silently.

"Your Highness, we are about to get all that want and some more. We can not draw attention to ourselves, you have to play the concerned younger brother to get on the Emperor's good side. Don't worry, I will take care of the rest"

Zhongshan Cheng glanced at Zhu Faye's calm expression and nodded. "Alright," he stood straightened up his clothes and walked out of the room. 

The sixth Prince stopped at his manor to wash up and changed into fresh clothes before going into the palace. By the time he arrived the Imperial Doctor had stabilized Zhongshan Ling and he had fallen into natural sleep. 

The Emperor and the sixth Prince left for morning court while the Empress and Xia Ying stayed back to keep the Crown Prince company.

As soon as the Emperor was seated and the court began, a stout minister with white beards stepped out holding up his white plank bowed and shouted, "Your majesty, we have a huge problem in our hands. The citizens are demanding that the Crown Prince be disposed..."