Chapter 689.1: Calculative against one another

Hua Zirong watched as Hua Ziqing stumbled, doing his best not to topple to the ground.

“Your wound tore, Prince Qing. Why didn’t you tell me?” He then turned around before giving an order to one of the guards. “Get an imperial physician here now.” 

Hua Ziqing smirked inwardly. His acting is too fake.

Before he could topple over, the guard went up to him and supported him to the bed before leaving the compound.

“Hmm, it seems like Prince Qing has indeed suffered severe injuries.”

Hua Zirong then walked up to him and scoffed, “You can even be this ruthless to yourself.”

“We’re the same.” Hua Ziqing smiled as he answered.

An imperial physician walked in soon after, dropping to his knees upon seeing Hua Zirong.

“I’m here to visit Prince Qing, and I’ve called you here to treat his injuries. There is no need for formalities.” Hua Zirong’s face was now the picture of concern, hiding the icy glare that he had previously shown.

The imperial physician rushed up to Hua Ziqing to take a look at his wound. “Your Highness, please forgive this humble subject.”

He then peeled open Hua Ziqing’s garments to reveal a bleeding gash.

“There’s no cause for concern, Prince Qing. The wound is not very deep. You will recover as long as you get proper rest.”

He then bandaged the wound after putting some ointment on it, but the pain caused Hua Ziqing to go pale.

“Go with the imperial physician to bring back the medicine.” Hua Ziqing instructed the guard.

When only two of them were left in the room, Hua Zirong took a seat on a chair beside the bed and asked, “Is it painful?”

“Your Majesty, are you enjoying the show?” Hua Ziqing smirked.

“It’s very good, worthy of your meticulous preparation for me.” Hua Zirong gave a brief answer before continuing. “If you want to leave Liuhua Courtyard, I’ll let you leave with some fanfare.” 

Hua Ziqing pressed on his wound. “Liushui Compound, huh? You won’t be able to lay a finger on me as long as she’s still around.”

He knew very well that Hua Zirong could do absolutely nothing to him as long as Lanshan was still around.

“Prince Qing, nothing stays constant in this world, and history won’t repeat itself. I must also mention: your subordinate, Li Zikang, is dead[1].” Hua Zirong gave a mocking smile.

Hua Ziqing clenched his fist at this. “I’ll have to thank you for helping me to get rid of a useless chess piece then. However, are you sure you’re able to handle the consequences of losing a general?”

“Prince Qing, there’s not much you can do. It’s an impossible dream for either of you to take the throne.” Hua Zirong looked at Hua Ziqing with a slightly threatening gaze.

Hua Ziqing scoffed. “So what if you’ve gotten your hands on the full set of the imperial secret scrolls? Xiliu’s destiny has already been set in stone, and there is nothing you can do to change it.”

This caught Hua Zirong by surprise. “What do you know?”

1. The original text says that he had gone to the Yellow Springs or huangquan.