sjar Chapter 722 The Shocking Turn of Events at the New Year's Banquet
Chapter 722 The Shocking Turn of Events at the New Year's Banquet
The wooden chariot was also presented to the emperor by Eunuch Wang, and judging from its workmanship, it was indeed not made by a master craftsman.
The carving technique and the fit of the mortise and tenon joints clearly indicate a novice's work; it looks like the work of a teenager.
How long did it take you to build this tank?
"Father, it took more than three months."
"Oh? It's been so long, you've missed a lot of your fun time."
Upon hearing this, the tenth prince's expression changed. Could it be that his father had noticed something?
No, that's impossible. This chariot was indeed "assembled" by myself, so how can it not be considered something I made myself?
Besides, those craftsmen were already carving with their left hands, so it was impossible for them to tell.
"Well, what's more important than preparing New Year's gifts for Father Emperor? Besides, I'm not a child anymore, and I don't really enjoy playing around."
"Good, good, you're not a child anymore. Not just you, your brothers aren't children either."
The ministers below the stage seemed to sense something different in the emperor's words, but none of them dared to raise their heads.
Let's just say His Majesty is remarking that his sons have all grown up.
"Tenth Brother, you've got heart too—"
Before the word "heart" was even fully uttered, a sudden change occurred.
Suddenly, countless steel needles shot out from the chariot in Wang Gonggong's hands in all directions.
The eunuch Wang suffered the most, carrying the chariot and inevitably being shot with more than a dozen steel needles.
With a loud crash, Eunuch Wang fell to the ground.
The imperial guards drew their swords again to protect the emperor, and in time changed the direction of the steel needles behind them.
Some arrows hit the beams and pillars, while others hit the ministers.
Several unfortunate ministers who were closer to the front were not spared either, and were all hit by a few steel needles.
"Escort!"
The Empress Dowager and the Empress shouted at the same time, "Take him down! Take down the Tenth Prince!"
At this moment, the Tenth Prince was dumbfounded. How could this chariot spit out hidden weapons?!
Is this my own tank? Is this the tank I assembled?
Oh no! I've been tricked! I'm going to be accused of patricide and regicide!
The tenth prince only thought of escaping at this point, but it was too late. The guards had already surrounded him and were waiting for the emperor's next order.
"Take it!"
Those two simple words caused the Tenth Prince to collapse to the ground.
At that moment, all he wanted was to ask his grandfather for help, but before he could turn around, he was blocked by the guard's knife.
Just as the tenth prince was being held back by the guards, chaos erupted inside the hall.
"Imperial Physician! Call the Imperial Physician!"
Although the Emperor was not affected, many high-ranking officials before him were hit by steel needles, and who knows if they contained any deadly poison.
By this time, Eunuch Wang had already been carried away for treatment. He had the most steel needles in his body, so his condition was the most serious, and he was the only one at the scene who had already fainted.
Although the others were also hit by steel needles, fortunately none of them were in vital areas, and they remained conscious.
But it would have been better if they had just fainted. At least they wouldn't feel pain if they fainted, and they couldn't be disrespectful in front of the emperor. They really wanted to shout it out, but they gritted their teeth and held it in.
They were only attending a palace banquet, yet they suffered such an undeserved misfortune; they were truly wronged!
Jiang Xiaoqi immediately confirmed that the Empress was alright, the Crown Prince was alright, and her great-uncle was alright.
Okay, then it's alright.
The officials sitting at the back were extremely grateful that they held low positions and were far from the Emperor.
Of those high-ranking officials, few are still alive and well. Only Minister Lin, who possesses martial arts skills, managed to evade in time and even managed to drag Prime Minister Liu away.
At this moment, Prime Minister Liu was very frightened and, disregarding his official rank, kept thanking Minister Lin.
"Minister Lin, I am deeply grateful and will never forget your kindness in saving my life."
"Prime Minister Liu, you are too kind. It was just something I did on a whim. Please don't take it to heart."
Minister Lin wasn't lying; it really was just a matter of convenience. After all, their seats were next to each other, and Minister Lin wanted to save more people, but there wasn't enough time and the distance was too great.
The steel needles fired from the wooden chariot were fast and sharp, leaving him no time to react. He could only instinctively pull away Prime Minister Liu, who was closest to him.
The imperial physicians came directly to the banquet hall and treated the adults on the spot.
The tenth prince has been taken into custody by the guards, his face blank. The General's Mansion, the tenth prince's maternal family, did not immediately speak out to plead for him, whether out of self-preservation or something else is unknown.
Although the emperor was furious, he did not immediately implicate the general's mansion.
"Investigate this matter thoroughly. I don't believe this was done by the Tenth Prince alone!"
The tenth prince was now ashen-faced and kept shouting, "Father, I am innocent! I have no intention of killing my father!"
"Your Majesty, I was manipulated and fell into the trap of bad people!"
The emperor rubbed his temples and waved for the guards to take the man away.
The New Year's banquet was turned into chaos, and the Imperial Hospital mobilized almost all of its physicians.
There was no other way; a lot of ministers were injured, and they were all in high positions.
The emperor repeatedly instructed that the person be treated well, and the New Year's banquet could not continue. The emperor, empress, and empress dowager returned to their palace to rest under the escort of guards.
However, before leaving, he didn't say whether the banquet ended or everyone should leave as they pleased. For a while, the hall was filled only with busy imperial physicians, wounded patients groaning "Oh my god!", and ministers and their families looking at each other in bewilderment.
"I never expected that my tenth brother would have such a vicious heart. Today is the year-end festival, and he has to do something like this. What bad luck!"
The Fifth Prince's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for the other princes to hear.
The crown prince glanced at him, then walked down to check on the officials' injuries.
With his father absent, he had to take charge of the overall situation; this was a matter of self-cultivation for a crown prince.
"Second brother, oh no, I mean the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince is not like before. He speaks and acts with proper manners now. Anyone who doesn't know him would think that his previous foolish appearance was an act."
"Fifth Prince, watch your words!"
Having already made his own adjustments, Prime Minister Liu timely interrupted the Fifth Prince, asking, "What's wrong with you today?"
The tenth prince, who had always kept a low profile, attempted to assassinate the king, while the fifth prince, who had always been low-key and reserved, began to ramble on.
It's a mess, everything is a mess.
Prime Minister Liu turned his head and saw that his grandson, the Ninth Prince, was standing next to the Eighth Prince, and seemed to be frightened.
Fortunately, my husband is an honest man and hasn't caused any trouble.
Minister Tong received a needle in his arm, and the Fourth Prince was by his side, his eyes filled with worry.
"Imperial Physician, is this steel needle poisoned?"
"Your Highness, based on the examination and diagnosis, we haven't found any signs of poisoning yet. However, I still need to take some of Minister Tong's blood to confirm."