Marrying a concubine to seduce him and lure him into the game

Chapter 190 Invisible Suffocation

Su Rao opened her red lips slightly, and answered politely while keeping a deliberate distance: "I'm fine. Thank you, Your Highness, the Prince of Qi, for your concern."

Her smile was polite but distant, like a thin layer of ice on a winter lake, seemingly crystal clear but actually hard to touch.

The King of Qi responded with an almost imperceptible smile, his words revealing an almost intimate concern: "No need to be so polite, Concubine. As a brother, it is my duty to care about my siblings. Father is calling for me right now, we will talk later."

After saying that, he continued on his way forward, his back firm and calm.

Su Rao watched him go away, but her heart was like the sky covered with dark clouds, full of doubts.

There was nothing unusual about the King of Qi's behavior, but beneath his calmness, there seemed to be an imperceptible change quietly spreading.

The depression of the past seemed to be replaced by a new self-confidence, a certainty about the future, as if he was determined to obtain the supreme position of crown prince.

All these changes made her feel extremely shocked. Could it be that the emperor intended to appoint the Prince of Qi as the crown prince? Or were there other unknown changes quietly happening?

This thought was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples and making her heart beat wildly.

---

Inside the imperial study, candlelight flickered. Prince Qi knocked on the door respectfully and entered, just in time to see the emperor immersed in a mountain of memorials, writing without stopping.

The emperor's eyes did not move away from the document in his hand, and the King of Qi stood quietly aside with a gentle smile on his face, but his heart was calm, waiting for the right opportunity.

It was not until the emperor's pen put the last stroke on the last memorial that he slowly raised his head, his eyes sharp, as if he could see into people's hearts.

"Father."

The emperor nodded gently, signaling the eunuchs around him to withdraw, and his voice revealed irresistible majesty: "You go down first."

The eunuchs immediately obeyed the order, moving quickly and carefully, sorting out the scattered documents, and tiptoeing out of the study. As the door closed, only the emperor and the prince of Qi were left in the room. The air seemed to freeze in an instant, and undercurrents surged.

The emperor's gaze traversed the vicissitudes of time as he gazed at his son, who looked as gentle as jade and had elegant manners.

He knew very well that this gentleness was just an appearance carefully created by his son. Behind it was a depth that concealed an elusive cunning and depth, which was exactly the sophistication that an imperial family should have.

The road to becoming an emperor does not allow for too much kindness. Only an iron fist and wisdom can control this land full of disputes.

Therefore, the emperor had both admiration and vigilance towards his son who knew how to be patient and plan.

But in comparison, her preference for the sixth son, Zhao Huaijue, is like a surging river, unstoppable. Unfortunately, fate plays tricks on her, and the sixth son is like a kite with a broken string, with an uncertain return date.

Although the emperor did not say it, as time passed, he tacitly acknowledged in his heart that the hope of reunion was as slim as the stars.

Therefore, during this period of time, the emperor's attention was increasingly focused on the third son, Zhao Tingduan, intending to crown him with imperial power. However, he was worried that the Wang family's power was too great, which might cause a stir in the court and destabilize the country's foundation.

Historical lessons warned him that interference by external relatives in government affairs often led to the overthrow of the country. The emperor decided to gradually weaken the power of the Wang family and wait until everything was under control before formally establishing his third son as the crown prince to prevent future troubles.

"Tingduan, do you have any dissatisfaction with me in your heart?"

The emperor's question, on the surface, was a warning to the Wang family, but in fact it implied his concern about whether the third son could understand the overall situation.

The King of Qi shook his head slightly, his humility revealing sincerity: "Every decision made by your father is for the future of this son. This son is grateful to me, so how can I complain?"

His words were sincere, which satisfied the emperor and also brought him a sense of comfort.

"It's best that you can understand my good intentions."

The King of Qi lowered his head, with a subtle sarcasm flashing in his eyes.

How could true love come at the cost of sacrifice, and make oneself a laughing stock among the courtiers? I am afraid this is just paving the way for the wandering brother, hoping that he can return one day.

However, Zhao Huaijue's return seems to be far away.

The King of Qi's patience had been worn out by time, and he was unwilling to wait endlessly.

He turned around to pour tea for the emperor, and out of the emperor's sight, he quietly took out a small porcelain bottle containing a tiny poisonous insect, which he mixed silently into the tea.

The poisonous insect dissolved in water and disappeared without a trace, while the surface of the tea remained as calm as a mirror.

The King of Qi raised the cup and handed it to the Emperor, saying in a gentle voice, "Father, are you thirsty? Please have some tea."

The emperor did feel dry in the mouth, and was pleased with the careful care of his third son. "Tingduan, don't be impatient, the position of crown prince will be yours in the end."

The emperor made another promise and was about to raise his glass to drink.

Zhao Tingduan had a smile on his face, but his heart was cold as ice.

He no longer expected his father's promise, and he should fight for what he wanted with his own hands.

Seeing the emperor drink the whole drink in one gulp, Zhao Tingduan raised the corner of his mouth. He quietly observed the changes in his father's expression, with complicated emotions churning in his heart.

"What's in your tea?"

The emperor's face suddenly turned pale. He wanted to get up and ask for help, but found that his body was out of control.

He could only watch his son's smile gradually twisted into something hideous. At that moment, the emperor suddenly realized that he had never truly understood his son.

It turns out that this heir is not only cunning and cruel, but also has no moral bottom line. His scheming is so deep that it is shocking, and he will do anything to achieve his goals.

By the time he realized it, it was already too late. Regret spread like vines all over the emperor's heart.

If this poisonous snake that I have cultivated can really ascend to the throne, it will definitely bring disaster to this country.

How should he deal with himself when facing his ancestors?

Thunder roared and lightning tore through the night sky. Deafening thunder echoed in Shoukang Palace. A flash of lightning illuminated the uneasy beautiful face on the bed.

Su Rao sat up suddenly, her heart filled with panic and anxiety.

She struggled in the abyss of nightmare, surrounded by glaring red, and the image of the person she loved gradually blurred in the blood-red ocean.

The fear was as overwhelming as the night. Even though she shouted until her throat was hoarse, the only response she got was dead silence.

Fortunately, the dawn broke through the shackles of darkness and told her that it was just an illusory cage.

Slowly waking up from the prison of dreams, the fear in my heart receded like the tide, but a trace of uneasiness still remained, like the thin ice on the lake in winter, which would make my heart palpitate at the slightest touch.

This feeling of powerlessness was like an invisible net that suffocated her.

"Rao Rao..."

A gentle call accompanied by hurried footsteps sounded, and the Queen Mother hugged her in her arms lovingly, like an eagle protecting a chick, giving her infinite sense of security.

"Is it a nightmare? Don't be afraid, Mother is here."

The Queen Mother's words were as gentle as the spring breeze. She hurried over without even getting dressed, showing her concern for her.