At the morning court session.

An urgent report was sent to the court: Prince Chen and the princess were attacked by bandits while searching for medicine and their whereabouts are unknown. General Fan and his guards were killed in battle.

The emperor was furious. Yesterday, he received news that there were unusual movements among the troops in the Northern Mongols. He has ordered General Weiyuan to lead troops to the border immediately to deter them.

The only option is to send Jiang Chengtian, who was just arrested and stripped of his official rank to await punishment, to redeem himself by going to rescue Prince Chen.

These words were spoken.

Prince Jing stepped forward without hesitation, “Father, Commander Jiang is guilty of a crime. Your son is willing to lead troops to rescue my seventh brother!”

“Prince Chen has been frail since childhood and is now ill. Although the princess has some medical skills, the bandits are unruly, and I am truly worried.”

Prime Minister Cui coldly observed Prince Jing's hypocritical face, and... not far from the Emperor, a high-ranking monk sat in meditation, resembling a Brahma King.

Suddenly, he stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, His Highness Prince Chen is traveling lightly with hundreds of guards. The bandits are after money and will certainly not harm His Highness and the Princess. I'm just afraid... I'm afraid someone is colluding with the bandits, using their influence to plot against the prince!"

"This old minister received a secret report yesterday, saying that His Highness Prince Chen's itinerary had already been leaked before he even left the capital!"

"General Fan, who protects Prince Chen, was recommended to join the army by Prince Jing. I wonder what explanation Prince Jing has for this matter?"

boom--

Prime Minister Cui actually...directly questioned whether Prince Chen's abduction by bandits was related to Prince Jing?

Has this completely ruined their relationship?

The entire court was astonished, and all eyes turned to Prince Jing, who stood at the head of the royal family.

For a moment, the court was completely silent, with only gazes filled with doubt, shock, and inquiry fixed on Prince Jing.

Prince Jing's previously composed expression suddenly changed. He hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty is wise and discerning. I only recommended General Fan for service because I witnessed his extraordinary martial arts skills and felt that such a talent could serve our dynasty if he joined the army. Apart from official business, I have no private dealings with General Fan!"

"How did Prime Minister Cui know that General Fan had leaked Prince Chen's itinerary?"

"Although I am not familiar with General Fan, I trust his character. Now that General Fan has died to save Prince Wei Chen, Prime Minister Cui wants to ruin the general's reputation with this unfounded speculation. Isn't that chilling to the hearts of my court's soldiers!"

"Your Highness Prince Jing—"

Prime Minister Cui shouted, "Don't wrong this old minister! I was just questioning you. Since Your Highness knows General Fan's skills, you know that ordinary mountain bandits are no match for General Fan."

"Your Majesty, this old minister begs Your Majesty to investigate this matter thoroughly!"

"I second that proposal—"

"I second that proposal—"

The courtiers of Prime Minister Cui's faction, upon hearing the news, eagerly stepped forward to second the motion.

The emperor, seated on the dragon throne, had a face so dark it seemed to drip water, and his once majestic features were now distorted with rage.

His sharp, hawk-like eyes swept coldly over the crowd below, finally settling on Prince Jing.

The sharpness and scrutiny contained within became increasingly apparent, like two cold glints piercing straight into Prince Jing's heart.

Prince Jing felt a chill rise rapidly from his spine, instantly spreading throughout his body, causing him to shiver involuntarily. Fine beads of sweat began to appear on his forehead, slowly sliding down his cheeks.

Prince Jing knew that he absolutely could not show the slightest fear at this moment.

So he forced himself to remain calm, took a deep breath, and said, "Your Majesty, I beg you to thoroughly investigate this matter and ensure that General Fan is exonerated!"

He clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white, and his fists were trembling slightly.

Damn Prime Minister Choi!

He was too careless!

Having said that, he naturally dared not ask for permission to rescue the man. In any case, he would only go to confirm whether Prince Chen was really dead.

He wasn't the only one who wanted Prince Chen dead.

He believed that neither Prime Minister Cui nor the second son would want Prince Chen to live.

Seizing the opportunity, Prime Minister Cui pressed on, saying, "Now that there is such a thing as redeeming oneself through meritorious service, this old minister dares to humbly request Your Majesty to grant the Prince of An a chance to make amends and atone for his sins!"

The Minister of War immediately stepped forward from the ranks, respectfully cupped his hands, and reported, "Your Majesty, I am willing to personally lead troops to join Prince An in rescuing His Highness Prince Chen!"

Prince Jing's eyes narrowed, his heart filled with resentment, and his hands involuntarily clenched into fists.

Damn old bastard!

They really couldn't hold back any longer!

If it weren't for the secret guards he sent out risking their lives to escape and report back, he wouldn't have known that General Xiao Fan was actually one of his men!

Whether it was the bandits Jiang Xue bribed or the secret guards he sent, they all died at the hands of General Xiao Fan, while General Xiao Fan returned to the Xishan military camp unharmed.

They might even have evidence against bandits and secret guards!

If we send Prince An and the Minister of War, wouldn't that be handing the evidence over to Cui Xiang?

That old scoundrel! What a deep scheme!

He actually managed to get General Fan to feign surrender to him!

Thinking of this, Prince Jing glanced coldly at Prince Fan. General Fan's cousin, General Xiao Fan, was recommended by Jiang Xue and approved by Prince Fan…

Are Jiang Xue and Fan Wang's words truly credible?

Prince Jing then thought that although Young Master Li was dead, Old Master Li had not turned against Jiang Lingtian and the Jin family because of this, nor did he intend to serve him.

The Brahma King, seated in the position of Grand Preceptor, frowned slightly.

This trip marks Jiang Jiaojiao's death. Prince Chen, on the other hand, still has a year left. If he truly falls into the hands of Prince Jing or Prince An, he will likely perish even if he doesn't die.

Prince Jing's move was indeed a bit too hasty.

With Jiang Jiaojiao dead, there is no cure for the poison in Prince Chen's body, and he can only live for a year at most.

"Brahma—"

Lost in thought, Brahma suddenly heard his name. He looked up and found everyone staring at him. The emperor's face was grim. "You are not willing to go?"

Um?

King Brahma was slightly taken aback, but immediately realized what was happening. "I have calculated that although Prince Chen is facing a calamity, he still has a glimmer of hope. I am willing to go."

"Very well! I grant you a thousand Imperial Guards, with Prince An and Jiang Chengtian as your deputies. You must bring the Seventh Prince and the others back to me unharmed!"

The emperor's tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed, and a rare look of joy appeared on his face.

Cui Xiang's words planted a seed of doubt in the emperor's heart.

Prince Jing lowered his head, his face becoming increasingly gentle and respectful, but his heart was already filled with anger.

He wished he could immediately tear that despicable Prime Minister Cui to pieces to vent his hatred.

Isn't Prime Minister Cui relying on Prince An?

Without Prince An, he was just a stray dog, left to be bullied and slaughtered at will!

Suddenly, like lightning flashing across the night sky, an extremely crazy and audacious idea popped into Prince Jing's mind!

If Prince An were to be ordered to rescue Prince Chen, and instead of succeeding, he were to fall victim to the ruthless bandits and perish...

Once this thought appeared, it spread rapidly like wildfire, causing Prince Jing to tremble.