[Hahaha, this is kind of like a production line! Old Rong makes babies at home, puts them in an alley after they're done, and the night watchman just picks them up and resells them!]

Although it's a sad story, Chuanwen really wanted to laugh.

The prince spat out a mouthful of tea, making a loud noise in the quiet room. Everyone looked at him, and the prince could only weakly explain, "It's...it's too hot..."

The emperor's face was contorted with rage. Where was his greatsword? He couldn't keep this younger brother!

The Empress silently took a sip of tea, composed herself, and said, "Tenth Prince, may you have good fortune!"

Outside the hall, Prince Rong's face was deathly pale. "I...I've had all my sons sold off, and we can't find them anymore. Your Majesty...Your Majesty won't suspect me, will you?"

He looked at the Minister of Works and the Minister of Revenue almost pleadingly.

Honestly, the two were speechless at Prince Rong's behavior, but at the same time, they felt quite sorry for him. The Minister of Works said, "I don't think the Emperor will suspect you, but he will chase after you with a big cleaver."

Prince Rong plopped down on the ground, looked up at the sky, wondering if it would be of any use if he rushed to his elder brother's feet to beg for mercy.

The night watchman discovered a business opportunity in selling children. Using the money from selling the Rong family's son as capital, he rented a shop, hired employees, and formed a human trafficking ring. At first, they picked up abandoned babies and resold them, but later they expanded to theft, abduction, and robbery. Over the years, countless families have been torn apart! And countless children have had their fates altered by this, subjected to beatings, abuse, and mistreatment! Alas~

【Old Rong, aren't you committing a terrible sin?! You're not just throwing away your own child! You've created a human trafficking ring, which means you're throwing away children from countless families!】

As the condemnations from Chuanwen continued, Prince Rong's already pale face grew even paler. It was highly unlikely that he would beg for mercy at his elder brother's feet; the scene of his brother letting him choose his method of death was already vividly clear.

The Minister of Works and the Minister of Revenue had always respected Prince Rong. He never caused trouble and stayed quietly in his own residence. They thought that this prince was at least clear-headed and could see the situation clearly, because the Great Jin Dynasty was prosperous and powerful under the emperor's rule, and its position was already unshakable.

But today, now, they retract their previous views of this prince. Prince Rong is not a person with a clear mind who can see the situation clearly; he is simply a cowardly person who is blinded by greed and clings to life!

If you're afraid of the emperor's suspicion, then control your lust! That way, they'd still respect this prince as a man, but now! No matter how you look at him, this prince is utterly despicable!

Prince Rong was on the verge of tears. He had only abandoned his son; he knew nothing of what happened afterward!

Inside the palace, while waiting for Consort Li and munching on melon seeds, Chuanwen, who was gossiping, suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "That night watchman is actually Shen Mian's brother!"

Heavy cotton?

The emperor and his entourage felt that the name sounded familiar. After thinking about it, they realized that the wealthy man from Qingzhou was the one who wanted to rescue the Third Prince from the Ministry of Justice prison.

After the night watchman's group grew large, he dared not stay in the capital and fled to Qingzhou. Although he still secretly engaged in human trafficking, he gradually began to clean up his act and started a jade business.

[He must have done too many unethical things. That guy built a huge business, but before he could enjoy it for even a few years, he was bedridden. His only son also drowned in the water while playing on a pleasure boat, leaving his enormous fortune to Chen Mian.]

The emperor sneered, saying that it was so easy for him to trace the names of the Shen family!

Outside the palace, just as the Minister of Works and the Minister of Revenue were in surprise, Consort Li was brought in. She looked at the three of them with suspicion. The Minister of Works quickly made an excuse, hurriedly bowed, and left. The Minister of Revenue thought to himself, "You old scoundrel, you have no martial virtue! Wait for me!"

Just as the Minister of Revenue was preparing to find an excuse to leave, [we haven't even finished eating the melon yet, why have the Ministers of Works and Revenue already disappeared?]

The Minister of Works, who was striding away nimbly, almost strained his back, and the Minister of Revenue also felt a jolt in his back.

[Hey! Old Rong's here too! And Consort Li is here too, what a lively day!]

Upon hearing Chuanwen's excited exclamation, Prince Rong, who was climbing out along the wall, paused. Good heavens! Why did he come to deliver a gift today?!

Just then, Huang Qi came out and saw Prince Rong with his buttocks sticking out and a look of regret and pain on his face. He didn't know what had happened outside, but he respected him even though he didn't understand.

"My lords, and also, Prince Rong..." Huang Qi looked at Prince Rong strangely again, "His Majesty has asked you to come in as well."

And so, the Minister of Revenue, Prince Rong, and even the Minister of Works, who had scurried away dozens of meters, were all dragged into the palace.

The emperor's gaze swept over the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Works. "Did you two enjoy listening to this outside?"

The two men knelt down with a thud, their voices trembling, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."

After stammering for a long time, the emperor couldn't come up with anything. He chuckled coldly and decided not to deal with the two of them yet. Instead, he turned his gaze to Prince Rong, who shuddered and knelt down with a thud.

"Your Majesty...Brother...Spare...Spare my life..."

The emperor sneered and told Chuanwen and the little princess to go back first. Chuanwen was completely bewildered. [Wasn't the plan to let the little princess experience hardship? Everyone's here, why are they kicking us out?]

The Minister of Works and the Minister of Revenue exchanged a glance. Sending the little princess to experience the trials was a pretense; their real purpose was to have Chuanwen solve the case. Now that they knew the mastermind and had even uncovered Prince Rong, keeping Chuanwen here any longer would only hinder the Emperor's ability to perform his duties!

The two old foxes exchanged a glance and then silently looked at the floor, trying to minimize their presence. In this chaotic scene, they'd better play the fool.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!