Chapter 553: Forbidden to Leave the House

Jun Moxu was shocked and fell to his knees, his voice trembling.

"Your son... Your son does not know what crime he has committed."

"I don't know what crime you've committed?" The emperor laughed in anger and threw the evidence in his hand heavily in front of him. "Look for yourself, what are these!"

Jun Moxu picked up the evidence with trembling hands and flipped through the pages one by one. His face became paler with every page he turned.

"Father, this is a false accusation. I have already ascended to the position of Crown Prince. There is no need for me to do things that would anger you. Father, someone must have set up a conspiracy to deliberately target me. Moreover, for so many years, I have been diligently helping you and alleviating your worries. Father, you know I am not that kind of person."

Prime Minister Yun spoke at the right time.

"Yes, Your Highness, you are already the crown prince. Why are you still amassing wealth? Why are you constantly trying to win over the ministers? Moreover, the evidence is not only powerful to Your Highness, but also to the Hua family behind you."

After Prime Minister Yun asked two questions in a row, Emperor Tianyuan's expression changed even more when he looked at Jun Moxu. Thinking about how the power of the prince and the Hua family had grown over the years, his expression became even gloomier. Could it be that the prince couldn't wait any longer?

The third prince stepped forward hastily.

"Father, the Crown Prince must have been framed. For so many years, the Crown Prince has respected Father and Mother, and has shown great concern for us, his younger brothers. It is impossible for the Crown Prince to do such a thing. Just as Prime Minister Yun said, there is no need for the Crown Prince to do this."

Duke Hua, who had been thinking about how to protect the prince, hurriedly stepped out when he heard that the Hua family was involved in the evidence.

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid there's some misunderstanding here. The Hua family has always been loyal to Your Majesty and the court. How could they engage in such a treasonous act as buying and selling official positions with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"

He then hurriedly picked up the evidence on the ground and looked at it. The more he looked at it, the colder he felt. These account books and letters were extremely confidential, so why did they appear in front of the emperor?

The emperor looked at the third prince who was eager to defend himself but failed to make any sense, and felt disappointed. This third prince was still so stupid.

The sale and purchase of official positions was all handled personally by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the Hua and Qian families. The Qian family? Duke Hua felt a pang in his heart. The Qian family had already disappeared from the Imperial City.

I'm afraid the Qian family has rebelled.

Duke Hua knelt down hurriedly.

"Your Majesty, this evidence must be false. Someone must have framed His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Hua family. Your Majesty, the Hua family is already high enough in status. I, an old minister, only want to relieve Your Majesty's worries and would never have any improper thoughts. I beg Your Majesty to investigate this matter. Even if the Hua family is guilty of this conspiracy, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is your eldest son! He cannot be wrongly accused for this."

Jun Moxu spoke even more anxiously.

"Father, I have been following your teachings for all these years, and every step I take has been in accordance with the demeanor of a crown prince. I would never knowingly commit a crime and provoke your anger."

Upon hearing this, Lord Zhou bowed.

"Your Majesty, I have personally handled this case, and this evidence has been investigated many times."

After all, Duke Hua had served in the court for many years. Looking at the Second Prince and Lord Zhou, he thought of the evidence that was suddenly presented today.

"Your Majesty, you and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince have enjoyed a deep father-son relationship for so many years. Your Majesty trusts His Royal Highness, and His Royal Highness has always respected and loved Your Majesty. The entire court, both civil and military, has always been happy for Your Majesty and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. After all, when the royal family is at peace, the whole world is at peace. However, not everyone feels this way. When imperial power is at hand, there are always those who are tempted. I'm afraid some cannot bear to see Your Majesty's favor and trust in His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and therefore, they are gathering and fabricating some trumped-up evidence to sow discord between Your Majesty and His Royal Highness."

As expected, the old ones are still the wisest. Look at how Duke Hua is twisting these irrefutable evidences into two pieces. It is certain that someone is trying to sow discord between the Emperor and the Crown Prince. The villain behind this is clearly seeking power by any means necessary, even at the cost of fratricide.

Jun Moyong spoke.

"Duke Hua, there's no need to be so indirect. As the Crown Prince's younger brother, I'm deeply saddened by his actions. However, this case was investigated by Lord Zhou and ordered by my father. Duke Hua, you may suspect me of selfish motives, but the Dali Temple is the most fair and just place in history, and it's directly under my father's jurisdiction. Could it be that Duke Hua also suspects the disloyalty of those employed by my father?"

Lord Zhou also spoke in a cold voice.

"The Dali Temple has always handled cases based on evidence, not people. Duke Hua, I have handled countless cases, both large and small, over the years. If I had selfish motives, I would not be able to hold my position securely, and I would not have the Emperor's trust in my position as the Chief Justice of the Dali Temple."

Upon hearing this, the emperor frowned, his gaze scanning the court, as if searching for clues that might resolve his doubts. While Duke Hua's words sounded reasonable, the irrefutable evidence hammered at the emperor's heart, making it impossible for him to believe this was merely a simple false accusation.

A minister who is on good terms with China's public transportation came out.

"Your Majesty, I believe this matter concerns the stability of our Tianyuan Dynasty. As Duke Hua said, royal harmony is the cornerstone of peace in the world. I suggest that you first order a thorough investigation into the source and authenticity of this evidence. At the same time, we must also guard against anyone taking advantage of this opportunity to stir up trouble and disrupt the government."

Someone took the lead and spoke up for the prince and the Hua family.

Naturally, some people continued to agree.

"Yes, Your Majesty, what you hear is not necessarily true. Some evidence, like letters, is not impossible to forge. Your Majesty, I am afraid that these evidences need to be further investigated to test their authenticity."

"Yes, Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has been diligent and hardworking for many years..."

The entire Taiji Hall was filled with voices begging for mercy.

Emperor Tianyuan only felt his ears buzzing and had a headache from the noise, and spoke majestically.

"Shut up, the court is not the place for quarrels."

The noisy people finally fell silent.

Emperor Tianyuan looked at Duke Hua.

"While what you say is not without reason, the evidence is here. How can we ignore it so easily?"

The emperor's voice was deep and powerful, revealing unquestionable majesty.

"Besides, I am not someone who only listens to one side of the story. These evidences are already ironclad. If we investigate the Hua family's actions over the years, I think the Hua family knows the outcome better than I do."

Emperor Tianyuan looked at Jun Moxu kneeling on the ground, feeling both angry and helpless. In the end, he still felt a little bit reluctant towards his son.

"Prince, as the crown prince, you have failed to make progress and instead have committed acts that undermine the government. This is truly disrespectful! I originally wanted to punish you severely, but considering your mother's feelings, I will confine you to the Crown Prince's residence from today onwards. Without my permission, you are not allowed to take a single step out!"

Jun Moxu looked up, his eyes full of unwillingness and despair.

"Father, I have been wronged. Please believe me."

Despite overwhelming evidence, he still refused to admit his fault. Looking at the prince whom he had trained for many years, and thinking that he was involved in an assassination case and had a heart disease, Emperor Tianyuan felt extremely disappointed.

"Minister of the Dali Temple."

Lord Zhou bowed hurriedly.

"I am here."

Emperor Tianyuan spoke slowly.

"Take the Crown Prince to the Crown Prince's Mansion and place him under house arrest. Hua Guogong will be sent to the Dali Temple for trial later. No one from the Crown Prince's Mansion is allowed to leave. The same applies to the Hua family."