Prince Kang looked up at the old emperor with a calm expression.
"Father, do you really think I can do such a thing?"
"Of course I believe you can't do those things! But the evidence is conclusive, and I have to believe it.
The people in Wenrouxiang and your village have already admitted that it was you who asked them to kidnap children from inside and outside the capital and hide them in the village!
Also, a few months before Bolefang opened, the people you sent out forcibly drove out the people living in those houses in order to gain control of Bolefang’s territory!
Even recently, in order to expand the scope of Bolefang, you once again ordered people to drive out the surrounding residents and forcibly seize their houses and land!
But I heard that the people have already found the gate of your Prince Kang’s mansion!
If there wasn't solid evidence, why would the people come to you to settle the score?
San'er, you really disappoint me!"
The old emperor made a furious rebuke with a dark face and explained the matter clearly.
Prince Kang's expression remained unchanged upon hearing this. He had long known from his daughter's thoughts and the investigation of the secret guards that all the things were being blamed on him.
"Father, since some people say that I am colluding with Fu Sen, the owner of Bolefang, why not bring Fu Sen here to confront him? What do you think?"
"Yes, come, go to Bolefang and bring Fu Sen into the palace."
The old emperor gave the order immediately without hesitation.
King Kang continued, "Father, the manor where the child was found was given to my wife by King Ning more than ten years ago.
Over the past decade, the manor has been managed by King Ning's men, and I, your son, have never known of its existence.
Now Zhuangzi is inexplicably hiding those abducted children, and I feel very wronged!
I have reason to suspect that it was Prince Ning who ordered his men to do this. I beg you to order someone to bring Prince Ning to confront me!
Furthermore, I, your son, also want to report something about Prince Ning to your father!"
Upon hearing this, the old emperor's heart skipped a beat. The direction of this matter now... seemed to be entirely under the control of Prince Kang.
When did King Kang have this ability?
"Come here, bring Prince Ning here. San'er, since you want to confront me, I will satisfy you. Please don't let me down."
The old emperor stroked the small porcelain bottle in his hand and spoke meaningfully.
Soon, Prince Ning and Fu Sen both arrived at the imperial study.
Prince Ning stood beside Prince Kang and saluted the old emperor. "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. I wonder what your Majesty wants me to do?"
"Xiaoyi, your third brother said he wants to confront you, so you two should confront each other."
The old emperor said this and then held his chin in his hand without saying anything.
Prince Ning's eyes flickered as he turned to look at Prince Kang, his eyes full of confusion. "Third brother, you want to confront me? What for?"
Third brother, what you did has almost spread throughout the capital. Are you trying to say that it wasn't you who did it, but I did it?"
Prince Kang's expression remained calm, and Prince Ren Ning could not discern any emotion from him no matter how hard he looked.
"Brother Prince Ning misunderstood, I didn't say that.
What I want to say is, Brother Ning Wang, do you admit that you gave that manor to my wife more than ten years ago, and that it has been the people you sent to look after it for more than ten years?"
Prince Ning pursed his lips and said, "Admit it, although not many people know about this, it is the fact.
But third brother, if I remember correctly, you have replaced the servants guarding the manor with a new group of people not long ago.
In other words, everyone in Zhuangzi is yours now."
King Kang nodded and said, "Yes, they are indeed my people, but unfortunately, everyone in that village has been bribed by your people, King Ning. My people have become your people, King Ning.
If Prince Ning has any doubts, he can call someone over to confront him.
Let's see if your people, Brother Ning Wang, are involved in the human trafficking in Bolefang."
King Ning thought about it and made sure that he didn't have any evidence.
Why does King Kang look so calm?
Prince Ning's eyelids twitched a few times, and he had a vague bad feeling in his heart.
"Okay, I'm also curious about what this matter is all about."
The old emperor was watching and cooperated by having the servants from the farm brought over.
Prince Ning gave everyone a subtle warning look, but it was immediately exposed by Prince Kang.
"What's with that look, Prince Ning? Are you warning them not to talk nonsense?"
King Kang's expression, which had remained calm for a long time, finally changed.
The corners of his lips curled up into a sneer, and he looked at the five servants from the farm kneeling beside him.
"You can take this opportunity to say everything you want to say. If you miss this chance, there may not be another chance."
After King Kang reminded them, the five servants all started talking.
"Your Majesty! Although Zhuangzi is nominally owned by Prince Kang, it has actually always been used by Prince Ning!
Prince Kang did replace a group of people in the manor a while ago, but in fact, the replacements were also Prince Ning's people!"
"Your Majesty! Prince Ning sent someone to order us to guard the children hidden in the manor!
Prince Ning knows about this!"
"Your Majesty..."
The five people spoke one after another and told all the secrets that King Ning had hidden in the manor.
Prince Ning finally began to panic in his heart, but he remained calm on the surface.
"Your Majesty, I am not aware of this matter! These people were definitely instructed by someone else! Please investigate!"
Prince Kang curled his lips and glanced at Prince Ning with disdain.
"Brother Prince Ning, the facts are before us. If you admit it, perhaps the punishment from our father will be lighter.
But don't worry, it's not over yet.
Next, let’s talk about why the people flocked to the gate of my Prince Kang’s Mansion this morning, saying that I had occupied their houses and land.
Perhaps Master Fu can explain this matter."
Prince Kang said this and looked at Fu Sen meaningfully.
Fu Sen's eyes flashed and he knelt on the ground.
"Your Majesty, I plead guilty. In fact, the person who has been cooperating with me all this time is Prince Ning!
I just came to the capital a few months ago and have no foundation or connections.
I only have experience running Bolefang in Ancheng.
King Ning suddenly found me and told me that he would become the new emperor sooner or later. If I could cooperate with him to overthrow King Kang, his biggest enemy, he would support me when he became the new emperor and let me become the largest imperial merchant in Fufeng State!
I believed it and started to make plans with Prince Ning. Ever since he opened Bolefang in the capital, Prince Ning has been plotting against Prince Kang..."
"Shut up! What nonsense are you talking about! How dare you slander the king like this!"
Prince Ning interrupted Fu Sen's unfinished words with a harsh voice, and stood up as if to walk towards Fu Sen.
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