After returning to the General's Mansion, Nan Wusi went to find Nan Wuyu to inquire about the outcome of his audience with the Emperor that day.
"Second brother, what did the Emperor say?"
"The Emperor was furious and ordered a thorough investigation into the matter, suspending all officials who had received disaster relief funds from their duties. This included Minister of Revenue, Lord Tang."
"What about the Crown Prince?" Nan Wusi asked hurriedly, knowing that Xiao Mu was the mastermind behind all of this.
"The evidence is still insufficient, but His Majesty has placed him under house arrest in the Eastern Palace." Nan Wuyu said with some helplessness. He was not an official specializing in investigating cases, and this time the Emperor had entrusted the case to the Court of Judicial Review; he was merely assisting.
Nan Wuyu cannot guarantee that he will be able to find out about Xiao Mu this time.
Moreover, after this incident, their general's mansion is now on the opposite side of the crown prince, and they may face his full-scale suppression in the future.
However, he didn't tell Nan Wusi any of this in detail, afraid that she would worry. Besides, he didn't want his sister to get involved in these conspiracies and intrigues; he just wanted her to happily run her own little shop.
Then Nan Wusi told Nan Wuyu everything he had seen and heard that day, so that he would have a better understanding of the situation.
"Second brother, we need to find something to hold against Xiao Mu as soon as possible regarding this smuggled salt matter, so that he will be more cautious when dealing with us."
"Okay, I understand." Nan Wuyu didn't expect his little sister to have such a great harvest from her trip out in the afternoon. He still needs to investigate this matter further.
"Second Brother, what are your plans for the future? Should our General's Mansion choose a prince to support?" Nan Wusi felt that they had no way out now, so they might as well choose a prince to support so that Xiao Mu would truly be wary.
"For now, we'll hold back. Besides, the only one who can resist the Crown Prince's power is the Third Prince, but he's not the best candidate to ascend the throne." Nan Wuyu frowned.
Their general's mansion has remained silent for many years. On the one hand, it is indeed because their status is sensitive and it is inconvenient to express their opinion. On the other hand, it is because there are too few outstanding princes among them, or they have not yet grown up.
"Besides the Crown Prince and the Third Prince, what about the Seventh Prince?" Nan Wusi knew that although the Seventh Prince also failed in the original story, these two princes were the only ones who were of suitable age at present.
Moreover, the Seventh Prince had been patient for so long, and his sudden outburst caught even the Crown Prince and the Third Prince off guard, so he must be a formidable person.
However, after recalling his interactions with the royal family since arriving here, Nan Wusi realized that he had almost no impression of the Seventh Prince; he was simply too insignificant.
"The Seventh Prince?" Nan Wuyu considered it carefully. "He was born to the Emperor and a palace maid, and that palace maid died not long after being promoted to the rank of Consort. So the Seventh Prince was raised by Consort Shu from a young age."
Nan Wuyu took a sip of tea and continued, "This Consort Shu is also someone who doesn't compete or fight for anything. Although she is incredibly beautiful, she has a very calm and indifferent personality, which is why she is quite favored."
"But this seventh prince was not so lucky. He was not outstanding in any aspect from a young age, and although he was fostered under the name of Consort Shu, his birth mother was of low status, which made him the least favored among all the princes and princesses."
"Although the Seventh Prince is still of a suitable age, it is not a good choice to train him," Nan Wuyu finally concluded.
"Second Brother, is this all based on hearsay or your own judgment?" Nan Wusi hadn't expected her second brother to have such a low opinion of the Seventh Prince. She couldn't believe that someone powerless, incompetent, and weak could actually launch a rebellion, let alone almost succeed.
In the original text, the seventh prince led a large force to directly force the emperor to abdicate. Although he was outmaneuvered and ultimately failed, he was not entirely without merit.
“Some of it is hearsay, and some is my own judgment. Do you think Second Brother is wrong?” Nan Wuyu looked at Nan Wusi, wondering why she asked this question.
“I believe the Seventh Prince is not as simple as he appears on the surface. Second Brother, you should observe him for a while before making a judgment.” Nan Wusi paused and continued, “It is not easy for a prince to appear to everyone as if he is useless and harmless, but upon closer inspection, he has no blemishes.”
After hearing Nan Wusi's analysis, Nan Wuyu felt it made a lot of sense. He suddenly realized that his little sister seemed to have a very sharp eye and her own insights. If she were a man, she would definitely be able to achieve something in her career.
“Since you think the Seventh Prince is capable, I will observe him for a while longer,” Nan Wuyu said. “It’s getting late, so you should rest early, little sister.”
"Alright, I'll go back to my room first. Second Brother, you should rest early too." Nan Wusi knew that many things couldn't be concluded yet, so he could only wait patiently.
Back in her room, she hugged her soft blanket, feeling incredibly relaxed—a feeling she hadn't experienced in a long time.
After lying down on the bed, Namo Si quickly fell asleep.
Just after Nan Wusi fell asleep, a dark figure appeared in her room and stood by her bed for a long time.
As if sensing something, Nan Wusi pulled out a dagger from under his pillow and stabbed it at the dark figure.
The dark figure grabbed Nan Wusi's hand and said, "It's me."
"It's you. Why are you here again?" Nan Wusi withdrew her hand, lit the candle in the room, and then saw Xiao Yi's appearance clearly.
Hearing Nan Wusi's unfriendly tone, Xiao Yi withdrew his hand with a wry smile, "I missed you, so naturally I came."
"Your Highness Prince Yi, do you know how perverted you are to frequently barge into women's boudoirs?" Nan Wusi rolled his eyes and complained.
"What does 'pervert' mean?" Xiao Yi found it amusing to hear the new term from Nan Wusi.
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