"Imperial Uncle..." The Crown Prince never expected that Prince Zhao would sell him out so readily!
"So the rumors circulating outside about the Crown Prince abducting another's wife are true." Prince Qin seized the opportunity to add insult to injury.
"If that's the case, then I, your son, also have something to report. Yesterday, I received an anonymous tip letter, accusing the Crown Prince of accepting bribes and selling military grain, which led to widespread starvation and death in Jiangzhou. Afterwards, he silenced witnesses and even provided evidence. Given the gravity of the matter, and fearing it would disrupt the celestial sacrifice ceremony, I intended to investigate thoroughly before reporting to Father Emperor. I never expected such an incident to occur during the ceremony..."
Prince Chu's stab was deep and brutal, stirring up public outrage. Tens of thousands of people died in Jiangzhou, leaving countless families displaced and homeless. Wen Mohan himself had almost died there!
"No wonder the heavens sent a dire omen; it is the heir apparent's lack of virtue that has invited divine punishment."
"Criminal!" the surrounding populace roared, "Punish the criminal to appease the wrath of heaven!"
The Crown Prince and the Empress looked at the enraged crowd with horror. Silencing a few individuals was easy, but silencing the masses was an entirely different matter. Moreover, the public's discontent could easily escalate into immense trouble.
"Your Majesty, this matter requires further investigation," the Empress said urgently. "The Crown Prince is not a reckless person."
"Indeed, Your Majesty, this matter requires further investigation," Grand Uncle Xue stepped forward. "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, as the heir apparent, has always exhibited exemplary virtue..."
"Can someone with exemplary virtue commit murder and abduct another man's wife? Can someone with exemplary virtue engage in licentious acts in such a solemn place as the Grand Temple?" Prince Qi said with a sigh. "Even a foolish and debauched person like myself wouldn't do such a thing!"
Prince Qi's accusation was exquisitely delivered. The Empress's face contorted, and the Crown Prince, kneeling on the ground, trembled. He possessed no great abilities; his position as Crown Prince was secured by being the legitimate eldest son, with the Empress and Grand Uncle Xue plotting on his behalf. Normally, they would cover up his minor mistakes, and he had never anticipated facing such a downfall!
"Father Emperor, I am wronged!" the Crown Prince pleaded urgently. "This woman is... yes, she was brought into the mansion by the Crown Princess, and has nothing to do with me!"
Grand Uncle Xue was stunned by these words. The Empress paused for a moment, then quickly reacted: "Crown Princess, how could you commit such a foolish act?"
Xue Ning'er looked at her father. See, I told you, the Empress and the Crown Prince are a family, and we are outsiders. Once interests are involved, both I and you can be sacrificed like pawns!
Xue Ning'er stepped forward and knelt. "Reporting to Mother Empress, this woman was not brought into the mansion by me. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince secretly brought her back. At the same time, a young boy was also hidden in the mansion. I originally thought this woman was a mistress the Crown Prince kept outside, and the child was his illegitimate son. I even instructed people to care for them, intending to report to Mother Empress after the celestial sacrifice to have him recognized by his lineage. I never expected that this woman's son would be involved."
"Crown Princess, this woman was clearly selected by you!" the Crown Prince exclaimed, desperately winking at Xue Ning'er, urging her to take the blame.
"Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince, any person I select to enter the mansion is recorded on a roster and brought in according to protocol. Whether this person was selected by me can be verified by an investigation."
The Crown Prince looked at the Crown Princess in disbelief. Usually, when there were issues, the Crown Princess would unhesitatingly take the blame for him. Why was she acting so out of character today?
The Emperor's expression had darkened to the color of the bottom of a pot. The Crown Prince's reckless behavior was one thing, but daring to shift the blame onto the Crown Princess was truly a sign of his unsuitability for great responsibility!
"With such virtue, he is unfit to be the heir apparent!" the cries from the populace rose in unison. The Emperor knew that without severely punishing the Crown Prince, he could not quell the people's anger.
"Guards, imprison the Crown Prince in the Honglu Temple dungeon. He will be dealt with after the truth is ascertained," the Emperor immediately commanded. "Regarding the celestial omen, I will investigate and clarify the matter swiftly, to bring peace and prosperity back to the people!"
Qu Yang, hidden among the crowd, watched the spectacle with amusement. The Sheng Dynasty had many princes, and each was outstanding. In comparison, the Crown Prince appeared rather mediocre. How could the other princes tolerate the Crown Prince remaining on the throne of the heir apparent?
However, his target was Xiao Man. Xiao Man, as a princess of the Sheng Dynasty by marriage, stood in a prominent position. Being the eldest daughter of the General's mansion, she stood beside He Qingyi, appearing like a delicate white flower in the wind, swaying precariously from a distance.
"My Lord, this is a colossal scandal. The esteemed Crown Prince, during the celestial sacrifice and prayer ceremony, engaging in such misconduct with a woman in the Grand Temple – he is truly unprecedented."
"Is he truly that foolish?" Qu Yang asked thoughtfully. Although misfortune strikes when one is down, this incident is too coincidental. Especially since the princes' accusations struck at his most vulnerable points. Even if some officials wanted to plead for the Crown Prince, they dared not speak at this moment.
"What about the General's mansion?"
"Guarded strictly. Our people could not infiltrate. However, another group attempted to storm the mansion, and were swiftly eliminated upon entry."
"The masters of the mansion are absent, yet the guards are so vigilant?"
"The Third Young Lady of the mansion is still present."
Qu Yang suddenly remembered. The Third Young Lady of the Xiao family was his primary target. Xiao Man was merely an afterthought. However, Xiao Man gave him a feeling of extreme danger, which is why he paid such close attention to her.
Suddenly, Xiao Man turned her head and looked into the crowd. Qu Yang was startled. Such acute perception! She could detect his observation. Is this person merely a little clever? No, cleverness is a disguise. This person is truly dangerous!
"My Lord."
"Let's go. For now, do not concern yourself with the General's mansion. Try to gather information from the neighbors and ordinary townsfolk. Try to avoid direct contact with anyone from the General's mansion, especially Xiao Man."
"Yes, My Lord."
Qu Yang cast one last glance at Xiao Man before turning to leave. The General's mansion, the Imperial Preceptor's mansion, the Prime Minister's mansion, and Prince Qin's mansion – these four residences seemed to have some connection. The Prime Minister's mansion was clear enough: the Prime Minister's only son was infatuated with Xiao Man. Prince Qin had also declared his intention to marry Xiao Man, though another woman now resided in Prince Qin's mansion, making the truth difficult to ascertain. As for the Imperial Preceptor's mansion...
Qu Yang looked in the direction of the Imperial Preceptor's mansion. The mysterious Imperial Preceptor, coupled with the deserted mansion, meant that despite their efforts, they could not glean any important information about the Imperial Preceptor. Only the citizens' words of admiration, which were of no use.
Qu Yang, lost in thought, headed towards the embassy. Just as he turned a corner, he suddenly felt the street was unusually quiet. Looking up, he saw a young girl with a greatsword standing in the middle of the road, looking at him coldly.