"This princess can tell he shouldn't know martial arts," another princess scoffed, clearly looking down on Chu Chen.
Gong Chenyi roared with a distorted face, "Don't mind him, I, this Crown Prince, will tear him to shreds!"
"Your Highness, please calm your anger!" the ministers pleaded, fearing Gong Chenyi would erupt again, the consequences of which were unimaginable.
Gong Chenyi gritted his teeth and cursed, "How can I, this Crown Prince, endure this humiliation? Chu Chen, that dog, dared to hit me. I will make him wish he were dead, unable to live and unable to die!" He was utterly enraged.
"Your Highness, now is not the time for revenge. His Majesty ordered you to rest well," an elder advised.
"Shut up! Anyone who dares to stop me, kill without mercy!" Gong Chenyi glared fiercely at the elder and shouted.
"Bang!" Gong Chenyi kicked over a table and chairs, roaring in anger, "Are you all deaf and blind! I've been beaten like this, don't you see!"
Seeing Gong Chenyi's furious state, the ministers dared not speak, but they were very worried. Chu Chen was simply too arrogant and presumptuous.
"Ah..." Suddenly, a heart-wrenching scream rang out, scaring everyone out of their wits. Their hearts clenched, and their faces were filled with terror and fear.
They looked up and saw Chu Chen strangling Gong Chenyi's neck, his expression terrifyingly grim, like a demon of death.
"Save... save me..." Gong Chenyi struggled to squeeze out four words with all his might.
"Bang!"
With a kick to Gong Chenyi's stomach, Chu Chen sent him flying, crashing heavily against the wall. He immediately spat out a mouthful of blood.
Gong Chenyi lay on the ground, twitching and on the verge of death, completely defenseless.
"Pfft!" Gong Chenyi struggled to get up and spat out another mouthful of blood. His face was extremely pale, his eyes vacant and lifeless.
"Your Highness!" Seeing this, the commander of the Imperial Guards and others were terrified to their core, kneeling in fear, trembling all over.
At this moment, all the Imperial Guards looked at Chu Chen in fear, their deep eyes filled with horror. They had never expected Chu Chen's strength to be so terrifying, defeating the Crown Prince with such ease.
"Weren't you going to kill me? Why are you all kneeling?" Chu Chen asked indifferently, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
"The... the Crown Prince was knocked unconscious. Let go quickly, or the Emperor will be back soon," a guard stammered in fear.
"Heh heh." Chu Chen let out a cold laugh, then casually threw Gong Chenyi away, saying haughtily. "Since you don't dare to kill me, don't provoke me again in the future, or you will all die!" With that, Chu Chen swaggered away, domineering and arrogant.
Seeing Chu Chen leave, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that the Crown Prince was unharmed, otherwise, they would be in big trouble.
"Cough cough..." Gong Chenyi, lying on the ground and on the verge of death, coughed violently and gasped for breath.
"Your Highness, are you alright?" A guard quickly helped Gong Chenyi up, asking with concern.
"Pfft!" Gong Chenyi spat out another mouthful of blood, too weak to stand steadily.
"Your Highness, you are seriously injured. You should find an imperial physician to treat you," the commander of the Imperial Guards suggested.
"Quick! Summon the imperial physician!" Everyone immediately sprang into action.
Gong Chenyi clutched his aching chest and said with difficulty, "No need. Go immediately and capture Chu Chen! If I don't kill him, I swear I'm not human!"
"Yes!" The guards received the order and rushed off.
"Your Highness, although that brat was a bit arrogant, he is, after all, someone His Majesty values. If you kill him just like that, His Majesty will surely blame you." A minister reminded him, inwardly thinking that Chu Chen was truly foolish. Knowing that the Crown Prince had set his sights on him, he actually provoked him.
"Father Emperor will not blame me!" Gong Chenyi sneered. "I, this Crown Prince, am of noble status. How can a mere commoner insult me? This matter absolutely cannot be let go!"
"Your Highness is right!" The ministers all agreed. Chu Chen had indeed gone too far, daring to humiliate the Crown Prince in front of so many people. It was simply unforgivable.
"Chu Chen, that scoundrel, is asking for death! He dared to injure His Highness, he's finished!"
"Exactly! Chu Chen must pay a heavy price, otherwise, where is the Crown Prince's dignity?"
"Hmph! Chu Chen dared to injure the Crown Prince, His Majesty will surely not spare him!" Everyone roared in anger, wishing they could kill Chu Chen immediately to vent their hatred.
"Your Highness, this is the imperial palace after all. I think it's better to be cautious. If any commotion is caused, it might attract the attention of other princes and marquises, which would be bad," the minister said gravely.
"Indeed, Your Highness, it is more appropriate to be cautious," everyone echoed.
"I, this Crown Prince, will go to Father Emperor now to report this matter!" Gong Chenyi wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and said angrily.
"Your Highness, please do not be impulsive. His Majesty dotes on the Crown Prince the most. If His Majesty finds out, he will surely punish you, and even hold you accountable," the minister quickly advised, not wanting Gong Chenyi to incur the Emperor's wrath.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Gong Chenyi said coldly. "However, Chu Chen absolutely cannot be spared!" Hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, finally reassured. Gong Chenyi left the Crown Prince's mansion and headed straight for the Qianqing Palace.
"Father Emperor, please help your son!" As soon as he entered the Qianqing Palace, Gong Chenyi wailed, his tragic appearance as if he had suffered an immense injustice.
"What is it?" The Emperor frowned and looked at Gong Chenyi, asking in confusion. He had never seen Gong Chenyi in such a disheveled state.
"Chu Chen dared to beat me in public and even threatened to kill me! He is utterly lawless!" Gong Chenyi pointed to his swollen and red half of his face, gritting his teeth, his expression ferocious.
The Emperor narrowed his eyes and cast a cold glance at Gong Chenyi. His tone suddenly turned cold, "Are you speaking of Chu Chen?"
"It's him! Father Emperor must uphold justice for your son!" Gong Chenyi roared angrily.
"His boldness is truly growing. He even dares to be presumptuous in front of me," the Emperor said coldly, his eyes flashing with a cold glint. His fists clenched, and his eyes burned with boundless rage.
"Chu Chen!" Gong Chenyi gritted his teeth, a bloodthirsty killing intent flashing in his eyes. He vowed to tear Chu Chen to pieces!
"Guards, go and bring Chu Chen here," the Emperor said coldly to the guards outside the door.
"Your will be done!" The guards responded respectfully and then retreated to notify Chu Chen. Gong Chenyi secretly rejoiced, thinking Chu Chen was finished!
A moment later, Chu Chen followed the guards to the Qianqing Palace.
"Greetings, Your Majesty, Your Highness," Chu Chen said calmly, bowing. His demeanor clearly showed no fear despite being summoned by the Emperor.
"Chu Chen, you have grown so bold, daring to beat my son!" the Emperor roared at Chu Chen, his aura imposing.