Chapter 85 hints that Pei Yuan guessed Shen Chu's thoughts.

Having made up his mind, Shen Chu picked up his pen and began writing a memorial to the throne.

Zhao Dewen peeked out and laughed, "That's more like it. It's good for young people to have courage, but sometimes they also need to be discerning and know who can decide their life or death."

Shen Chu paused for a moment, then said, "As the Left Censor-in-Chief, you not only fail to re-examine wrongful convictions, but you also personally fabricate them. Aren't you afraid that wronged spirits will haunt your dreams at night?"

Zhao Dewen curled his lip. "Does the truth matter? The truth is always determined by the victor. If you want to talk to me about justice, wait until you're in my position."

Shen Chu pursed her lips and said nothing more.

Zhao Dewen picked up the tea on the table, took a sip, and a smug look flashed in his eyes.

So what if he's the new top scholar? So what if His Majesty favors him?

The Inspectorate does not tolerate troublemakers, nor does it allow anyone who does not obey its orders to live.

"My lord, the memorial has been written."

Zhao Dewen carefully read through the memorial, making sure that Shen Chu hadn't tried anything funny, and was very satisfied.

"Let's go. Come with me to the palace immediately to impeach the Sixth Prince. If His Majesty asks for evidence, you should suggest that His Majesty investigate the accounts of the Five Cities Garrison."

"Your humble servant understands."

As he was leaving, Shen Chu suddenly said, "Please allow me to return to my duty room to change into my official robes, sir."

"My official robe is dirty; it is inappropriate for me to wear it when meeting the Emperor."

Zhao Dewen glanced at it and saw that there was indeed a large ink stain on his sleeve.

"You'd better not try anything funny. I'm waiting for you outside the duty room. Hurry up."

"yes."

Shen Chu turned and went back to his room. He quickly changed into a new official robe and instructed Qian Liang, who was passing by, "Please trouble Lord Qian to put away the official robe I took off."

Qian Liang smiled and said, "Alright, is Master Shen going out?"

"Yes, I'll go to the palace with Lord Zhao."

Zhao Dewen impatiently interrupted their small talk, "Let's go."

Shen Chu cupped his hands in greeting, "Please, sir."

Zhao Dewen sized him up and down, gave a light snort, and stepped out of the doorway first.

Upon meeting the Longqing Emperor, Zhao Dewen spoke first: "Your Majesty ordered Shen Chu to inspect the various ministries and discovered some problems. I have come here to request Your Majesty's decree."

Emperor Longqing frowned. "Didn't I already say that if a problem is discovered, there's no need to report to me. Just send the Flying Eagle Guards to arrest the person?"

Zhao Dewen hesitated, "What if this matter is related to the Sixth Prince? How dare the Flying Eagle Guard arrest their own commander?"

The Longqing Emperor sat up straight, his sharp gaze falling on Shen Chu. "You investigated the Flying Eagle Guard?"

Shen Chu shook his head. "No, it is the Five Cities Garrison Command, which is also under the jurisdiction of the Sixth Prince. I have written down the details in the memorial. Please take a look, Your Majesty."

She took out the memorial and presented it to him.

Zhao Dewen continued, "This matter concerns the Sixth Prince, and we dare not make decisions on our own. We can only report back to Your Majesty."

Emperor Longqing silently read the memorial and then ordered, "Summon the Sixth Prince to the palace."

Pei Yuan arrived very quickly.

The Longqing Emperor tossed the memorial to him, his expression displeased. "Tell me yourself, are the accusations made against you by Shen Chu true?"

Pei Yuan glanced at her, then raised an eyebrow at Chen Chu. "This prince has abused his power, embezzled and accepted bribes? Where's the evidence?"

Shen Chu's eyes flickered slightly, and she dared not look him in the eye.

Zhao Dewen secretly winked at Shen Chu, signaling Shen Chu to suggest that His Majesty investigate the military and troop records of the five cities.

Shen Chu lowered her eyes, "If Your Highness has a clear conscience, would you dare to have someone investigate all the account books of the Five Cities Garrison?"

Zhao Dewen agreed, “What Shen Chu said makes some sense. Your Majesty can send someone to check the accounts of the Five Cities Military Command. It will be clear in a short time.”

"Shen Chu is young and eager to make a name for himself; there's a chance he might make a mistake. Checking the account books will clear the Sixth Prince's name."

The Five Cities Garrison had men under Prince Heng, and he had informed them before taking action.

By this time, arrangements should have already been made over there, including placing the relevant physical evidence and the prepared fake account books into the Sixth Prince's duty room.

If he could verify that the Sixth Prince had problems, he would be able to make a great contribution to Prince Heng and advance further from the position of Left Censor-in-Chief.

As for Shen Chu, he impeached two princes in one day, and each impeachment was successful. His Majesty will also feel resentful towards Shen Chu and will no longer give him important positions.

If not....

Zhao Dewen looked at Shen Chu with a sinister glint in his eyes. "Then let Shen Chu take the blame for framing the prince."

Let's see how he can act arrogantly then.

Shen Chu noticed Zhao Dewen's gaze and deliberately blurted out, "The ledger is the best place to find problems."

Not only the Sixth Prince's accounts need to be checked, but also the daily income and expenditure of his deputy envoys.

They're all from the same hole; who knows which one might be corrupted from the start by His Highness's orders?

Zhao Dewen would never frame a prince with just a few pages of paper; the account books have probably been tampered with.

What if Pei Yuan really falls for my trap without any warning...?

She felt inexplicably sad.

Pei Yuan narrowed his peach blossom eyes, a thoughtful look flashing across his face.

A radish in the same hole?

It's a very familiar phrase. Is Shen Chu implying something to him?

He looked at Shen Chu suspiciously, only to see Shen Chu smiling at Zhao Dewen. "My lord, am I right?"

His eyes flickered slightly as his gaze fell on Zhao Dewen.

Tsk, it seems that the unlucky guy that the little fox has been scheming against this time is Zhao Dewen, right?

Pei Yuan's lips curled up; interesting.

He loved watching the little fox secretly plotting against people, his eyes gleaming with cunning.

When Shen Chu saw him smile, she felt uneasy.

Did this guy even understand her implication at all, given how abruptly she said that?

Pei Yuan stepped forward. “Father, what Lord Zhao said makes sense. Your son is willing to hand over the tokens of the Flying Eagle Guard and the Five Cities Garrison first, and then make a decision after the accounts are checked.”

The Longqing Emperor gazed at him intently for a long while before softly humming in agreement, "Very well, your father naturally trusts you, and the investigation of the accounts will prove your innocence."

After saying this, he instructed the chief eunuch Cai Chong, "Go and check the accounts of the Five City Garrison Command immediately."

Pei Yuan called Sun Yan in, took out two tokens from his pocket and handed them to him, saying, "You personally lead Eunuch Cai to the Five Cities Garrison and instruct everyone to follow Eunuch Cai's instructions."

"yes!"

Upon seeing this, a smug glint flashed in Zhao Dewen's eyes.

The hall was completely silent, with only the dull dripping of the water clock.

The wait for Cai Chong to return was very long.

Emperor Longqing's gaze fell on Shen Chu. "Shen Chu, do you know what crime one should be punished for framing a prince?"

Shen Chu felt a chill run down his spine. "Your subject knows that the lightest punishment is fifty strokes of the cane, while the heaviest is dismissal and exile."

The Longqing Emperor smiled and said, "It's good that you know."

Upon hearing this, a smug smile flashed in Zhao Dewen's eyes.

Chen Chu silently calculated the time in her mind, feeling somewhat anxious.

Finally, Cai Chong returned with his men, bringing in a man who was bound hand and foot.

"Your Majesty, this servant and the Vice Minister of Revenue have examined the accounts of the Five Cities Garrison, and there are indeed problems with the accounts; many amounts of money do not match up."

Emperor Longqing's expression suddenly changed.

Shen Chu's heart sank. Had Pei Yuan not understood his hint?

Or was it simply a matter of too little time to prepare a response?

She turned to look at Pei Yuan, only to see that Pei Yuan had also turned to look at her.

Their eyes met, and he slightly curved his captivating peach blossom eyes, revealing an incredibly charming smile.

Chen Chu's heart skipped a beat.