"Father, did you call for me?" Crown Prince Wilhelm inquired with a smile.
Since Qintian's assassination attempt, his spirits had lifted considerably. Although he felt some regret that Qintian had not been eliminated, he was confident that opportunities would arise again. After all, Qintian's luck could not persist indefinitely.
As for this incident, he believed it would not be traced back to him. After all, he had not directly ordered it. Even if the investigation led to Friedrich Franz III, the Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, he was certain that the duke would not implicate him.
"Prince, are you aware of the situation concerning Oscar?" Wilhelm II asked coldly.
"Father, I was deeply saddened to hear of Oscar's assassination attempt. The perpetrator is truly despicable for daring to attack a member of the royal family—such a crime deserves the death penalty to avenge Oscar!" Crown Prince Wilhelm feigned an expression of profound sorrow.
Seeing this, Wilhelm II could only shake his head, knowing the Crown Prince was unwilling to admit the truth.
"Prince, do you know who the real mastermind is?" Wilhelm II pressed.
"The mastermind? Who could it be? Might it be Oscar's competitors? After all, with Oscar overseeing several enterprises, it's understandable that he would offend some rivals," Crown Prince Wilhelm responded, playing the fool. He had resolved not to admit his involvement in the assassination. He was not a fool; admitting such a thing could cost him his rights to the throne, and preserving those rights was of utmost importance to him.
"Prince, based on our intelligence, the assassin was dispatched by Friedrich Franz III. Do you have anything to say about this?" Wilhelm II inquired.
A flicker of panic crossed Crown Prince Wilhelm's eyes. He had not anticipated that the investigation would lead so swiftly to Friedrich Franz III. Did this not indicate that Wilhelm II was already aware of the entire truth behind the assassination?
"What to do? Father knows. Should I confess? How will he perceive me? Will I lose my claim to the throne?" Crown Prince Wilhelm's thoughts spiraled into chaos.
Yet, he soon resolved that he must not confess. The consequences would be dire. As long as he firmly insisted that he had no knowledge of the affair and shifted the blame entirely onto Friedrich Franz III, he could evade trouble.
"Father, could this be a misunderstanding? How could Duke Friedrich Franz III commit such an act? I am certain there must be some confusion here," Crown Prince Wilhelm argued.
Wilhelm II's gaze toward the Crown Prince turned to one of disappointment.
"Prince, you have truly let me down. At this point, you still refuse to acknowledge the truth? The assassin of Oscar was clearly acting on your orders through Friedrich Franz III," Wilhelm II declared in anger.
"Father, no! I had no knowledge of this; it is unrelated to me!" Crown Prince Wilhelm immediately protested.
The atmosphere grew tense. Wilhelm II was convinced of the Crown Prince's culpability, while the Crown Prince vehemently denied it. Though Wilhelm II knew his suspicions were correct, he also realized that apprehending Friedrich Franz III for interrogation would inevitably draw public attention to the scandal, turning the German Empire and the Hohenzollern family into a global laughingstock—an outcome Wilhelm II was desperate to avoid.
After a moment, Wilhelm II spoke again, "Prince, your denial is of little consequence. I believe we both understand the reality of this situation. For the sake of the royal family's image and the stability of Germany, I do not intend to pursue this matter further."
Hearing Wilhelm II's words, Crown Prince Wilhelm finally breathed a sigh of relief, feeling he had gambled correctly.
"Starting tomorrow, you are to relocate to the palace in Potsdam! You are not to leave without my express command!" Wilhelm II continued.
Crown Prince Wilhelm felt as though a cold bucket of water had been poured over him, chilling him to the core.
"Father, are you placing me under house arrest? You cannot do this! You must not strip me of my freedom! I am the Crown Prince of the German Empire!" he shouted in desperation.
"Reflect on your actions there. When I am convinced you have genuinely repented, I will allow you to return to Berlin. During this time, your rights as Crown Prince will remain intact and will not be publicly disclosed," Wilhelm II replied.
"No, Father, you cannot treat me this way! I am your most beloved son!" Crown Prince Wilhelm pleaded pitifully.
Yet Wilhelm II remained unmoved. The Crown Prince had disappointed him too deeply this time.
"Essen, escort the Crown Prince back!" Wilhelm II commanded, his face cold.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Essen von Jonahlet nodded.
Two palace guards promptly escorted Crown Prince Wilhelm from Wilhelm II's office. Throughout the ordeal, he yelled and screamed like a petulant child, but no amount of noise could alter Wilhelm II's decision.
When Qintian received the news in the hospital, his mood brightened considerably, as if his wounds had begun to heal.
"Your Highness, congratulations. While His Majesty did not strip Crown Prince Wilhelm of his rights to the throne, this clearly indicates that the Emperor's patience has reached its limit," Karl von Jonahlet remarked with a smile.
Qintian shook his head. "That is not what I desired. I nearly lost my life for this!"
If it meant sacrificing his life for the crown, Qintian would not accept such a fate. What good was an inheritance if he were no longer alive to enjoy it?
However, this incident revealed to Qintian the brutal reality of royal politics. For the sake of succession, even brothers could become enemies, capable of resorting to murder. Coming from the East, Qintian had a deeper understanding of this truth. After all, in Eastern courts, the struggle for power was often bloodier than this.
"The throne is stained with blood; one must be ruthless to ascend. This is true in both East and West. Next time, I will show no mercy—I will not allow others to threaten my life again!" Qintian vowed silently to himself.