Chapter 691

She didn't inquire much about matters of the imperial court.

The Empress clicked her tongue.

However, Yun Wan helped her sort out her thoughts, which was somewhat helpful.

At least, she's much more useful than her mother.

The Empress ordered an investigation, and then softened her expression towards Yun Wan, even appearing somewhat kind.

After the Second Prince's wife recovered, she was relieved to see that the Empress's attitude was gentle.

However, she still felt a little uneasy.

Why did the Empress seem particularly dissatisfied with her just now?

Is she being too sensitive?

The Second Prince's wife looked at the Empress and, seeing that she was still the same as always, breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems she was overthinking it.

——

Although the Empress knew why the Second Prince had displeased the Emperor, there was nothing she could do about it.

After all, as long as the emperor is still alive, she has no right to interfere in state affairs.

Whether the Second Prince can be reinstated depends on the Empress's position, so for the time being, the Empress can only watch helplessly and wait for a better opportunity.

Unexpectedly, when the opportunity finally arrived, it wasn't a good one.

The people the emperor sent to Lingnan to investigate have returned, completely confirming the crimes of the Su family and Yun Changliang. As for the Crown Prince, he has been close to Yun Changliang in recent years and recently made such a big reaction for the Su family, so he is highly suspicious.

The emperor ordered a thorough investigation of the second prince's residence.

The collusion with the Yun family wasn't uncovered, but many unexpected surprises were found.

When the second prince was finally able to meet the emperor, he himself did not want to go.

Over the years, he has come to know exactly what he has done.

Being in a high position, accepting bribes is inevitable. In addition, all sorts of shady businesses were exposed during this thorough search.

But since things had come to this point, the second prince had no choice but to go.

As he stepped into the main hall of the Imperial Study, he keenly sensed that the atmosphere inside was extraordinary.

The emperor sat upright behind his dragon throne, his eyes seemingly devoid of emotion.

The second prince had no choice but to step forward and bow as before, following the established rules.

From a etiquette standpoint, everything seems to be the same as before.

But the second prince knew that this was only the calm before the storm.

Sure enough, after he finished his greetings, the emperor did not tell him to get up, but instead sighed heavily: "I had no idea that my own son had as much wealth as half of the national treasury."

Upon hearing this, the Second Prince's heart sank.

As expected, the emperor knew everything.

He suddenly bowed his head to the ground: "Father, I have my reasons! Over the years, I have seemed to be living a life of endless glory, but I have been constantly harassed by both open and covert threats, and I have to make deals at every turn. I am sure you know this better than anyone else!"

"Clear?" The emperor chuckled enigmatically. "I truly don't know. Do you think I'm as incompetent and tyrannical as the late emperor?"

The late emperor cruelly harmed his sons, and the crown prince was even more tyrannical and wicked, forcing the emperor to participate in the struggle for the throne.

However, after so many years, the emperor believed that he had governed the court quite well.

Besides, when he was vying for the throne, the Crown Prince's private assets were nowhere near comparable to those of his second son.

The second prince's body stiffened, his forehead pressed to the ground. For a moment, anything he said would be wrong, so he could only remain silent.