Chu Xijin shivered all over, "Thank you, Father, for your praise. It is only because of your guidance that I can be this way."
The man scoffed, "I have never guided you."
Sparse laughter echoed around. Chu Xijin felt like he was sitting on needles. He knew his father didn't like him, and his brothers were jealous of him, but he could only bow his head and reply with neither humility nor arrogance, "I have overstepped, daring to hope for Father's guidance."
"It seems the Crown Prince is intelligent but lacks honesty, unlike your royal brothers. You need to learn from them, to avoid arrogance and impatience. You, Crown Prince, may be the master of the Eastern Palace, but not yet the master of the world."
With a thud—
Chu Xijin knelt on the ground, his forehead touching the cold floor, "Father sees everything clearly. I have never harbored such treasonous thoughts!"
Silence.
No one spoke.
Watching the Crown Prince, so high up, being rejected by his most important father.
