When the ministers arrived that day, Jiang Sulan and Ah Fu had already left, so the emperor said calmly: "Even the subsequent events were all told to her by me."

The emperor's intention to protect him was so obvious that no one dared to mention it again.

After some discussion, no conclusion was reached, but at least everyone understood that the emperor was still unwilling to depose the prince.

After leaving the Yangxin Palace, everyone had different expressions.

The emperor had long since gotten over his melancholy in front of others. He took Fuping to the imperial garden without stopping, and lay on the recliner with a long sigh of contentment.

I've been so busy these days that I haven't been here for a long time.

He closed his eyes, enjoying the breeze, and asked, "What is the prince doing now?"

Fu Ping paused for a few seconds before saying politely, "Same as His Majesty."

To be precise, he probably enjoys it more than His Majesty.

The emperor chuckled.

…

Southern Gu.

Everyone put on heavy armor, with cavalry in front and infantry behind.

Everyone knew that this was a battle that was sure to be won. Although everyone's faces were serious, they could not hide their joy between their brows and eyes.

The sound of horse hooves from the mighty army shook the mountains and plains.

Gongta led his troops to block the pass.

If the plan had gone smoothly, he should have received the news from Youli by now, but he hadn't.

Gunta took a deep breath and said loudly, "Let me see Amusha, just once. If I see him, I will let you go."

Even though the soldiers behind him heard these almost treasonous words, their expressions remained calm.

After all, most of the important officials in Nan Gu have already fled, and everyone is now just trying to save their lives, not for anything else.

Jiang Zhiyu didn't say much, but waved to the people behind him to bring Amusha up.

The prison van slowly drove over, and Gunta rode forward, staring at Amusha.

Finally seeing his relatives, Amusha could no longer hide his inner fear: "Grandpa..."

His voice trembled slightly, and Gunta's heart softened and his nose felt sore.

Then, amidst the puzzled looks of the crowd, he dismounted and said in a deep voice, "Scatter away and run for your lives. They've already given up on you, so there's no need for you to risk your lives for them."

Without much hesitation, the soldiers guarding the pass rode away on horseback.

Xiao Mingye did not send anyone to chase him.

They just want to capture Nan Gu, not exterminate the clan.

"Open the door and let me in."

Amusha opened his eyes wide in surprise: "Grandpa?"

Gunta looked at him kindly and said, "The world is not peaceful now. Grandpa must protect you."

Naturally, they would not refuse someone who came to their door. After opening the door and locking the person in, the prison van headed towards the military tent.

Gongta has been taken, so they are no longer useful on the way to the royal city and would only be a burden to bring with them.

But the remaining three people are different.

After passing the checkpoint, the army sped up.

…

Tianqi, the Sixth Prince’s Mansion.

After hearing what Shang Yu said, Xiao Yanli paused for a moment. "According to what Censor Shang said, father still believes in the Crown Prince and doesn't intend to depose him?"

Shang Yu hesitated, "According to what I heard today in the Yangxin Palace, that is exactly the case."

"knew."

Xiao Yanli's voice was cold, and Shang Yu glanced sideways slightly.

Why does it seem like the Sixth Prince doesn't seem to be in a hurry?

Had he planned this to secure the crown prince's position? If the emperor didn't agree, then all his efforts would be in vain.

However, Xiao Yanli had no intention of continuing to discuss the matter with him. Instead, he talked about a bunch of old things. Finally, with Shang Yu full of questions, he asked him to leave the house.

Uncle Zhang didn't understand Xiao Yanli's actions either. After he left, he couldn't wait to ask, "Your Highness, just now..."

"Father has already seen through it," Xiao Yanli frowned slightly. "He mentioned before in the court that after the Oirat Mongols were defeated, He Yanting would continue the campaign in Mobei. Only those trusted by Father could enter the Yangxin Palace. Why was he allowed to go?"

"Besides, he openly spoke for me when everyone was doubting me. Isn't this clearly telling Father that he is mine?"

Xiao Yanli gritted his teeth secretly.

"The Emperor has always hated factional strife, and he insisted on showing it in front of the Emperor. Moreover, he has always openly been on the side of the Crown Prince!"

Xiao Yanli's voice gradually became heavier: "Even if the emperor didn't doubt me at first, now that he heard what he said, he will doubt me!"

Uncle Zhang's eyelids twitched slightly: "Then, should we send someone..."

Xiao Yanli sighed softly and waved his hand: "No need. If he comes looking for me today and something happens tomorrow, it will only increase my father's suspicion. So let it be."

Uncle Zhang carefully examined his expression. At this moment, he was thinking the same thing as Shang Yu just now.

Your Highness, why isn't he in a hurry?

Xiao Yanli ignored his curious look and sipped his tea.

Xiao Yanli never told anyone else that Xiao Lingyu was not the true heir to the throne.

He was originally a prince replaced by a cat, and he was only raised for more than ten years. Can the emperor really pass the throne to him?

He was doing this drama just to test who was his.

He will definitely depose the crown prince. This is a perfect opportunity that will definitely not arouse suspicion!

…

Just as Xiao Yanli thought, in the imperial study, the emperor's edict to depose the crown prince had already been written, and all that was left was to be stamped.

After all, I have raised him for so many years, even if it was just a pretense of doting at first, it has become a habit unconsciously after so many years.

"Just be my son. Become a king in the future and live a peaceful life."

The emperor spoke in a very low voice, as if talking to himself.

Then he threw the imperial edict to Fuping and said, "Announce it to the emperor tomorrow."

…

The next day, in the court, the imperial edict to depose the crown prince was like a bomb, detonating the silent court.

Everyone started to make a lot of noise, but the emperor ignored them and left the court.

The ministers in the Yangxin Palace the day before had their eyes wide open.

No, it wasn’t like this yesterday!

You were clearly very reluctant yesterday, so how come the imperial edict has already been selected and announced today?

It's like there's a breath stuck in your throat, you can neither spit it out nor swallow it.

Shang Yu's throat moved slightly.

No wonder when he went to the Sixth Prince’s residence yesterday, the Sixth Prince was not in a hurry at all. It turned out that he had already grasped the victory!

Right now in the imperial city, the only one who has the hope of becoming the crown prince is the Sixth Prince Xiao Yanli!

For a moment, the people who came to the Sixth Prince's residence almost broke down the threshold.

…

On the other side, inside the imperial prison, Xiao Lingyu walked through the prison with his hands behind his back.

"Is this the cell that Grand Master and Brother Kang An are in? Why does it look more luxurious than mine?"

The jailer said cautiously, "Your Highness, what are you talking about? This cell is no match for yours. Back then, we had to hide from the Sixth Prince, so we had to keep everything simple. You are different."

Xiao Lingyu rubbed his chin. No matter what the jailer said, he felt that this cell was better than his previous one.

He smacked his lips twice and said, "Maybe, other people's things are always better than my own."

Jailer: “Ah?”