The emperor frowned: "But wouldn't doing this cause too much of a commotion?"
The eldest prince was also at the morning court session. He spoke up: "Father, I think that this news is spreading everywhere. There is never anything without a reason. There are always clues to follow. Especially regarding collusion with the enemy, we dare not speak recklessly."
The emperor looked at the eldest prince: "You also support the search for aristocratic families and rising stars."
The eldest prince seemed to have considered the matter carefully before solemnly saying, "If it is true, we should find out the treacherous and disloyal people as soon as possible and bring them to justice to avoid irreversible consequences. If it is just a rumor, we should stop the rumors, restore peace to the capital, and put Father Emperor at ease."
Another minister chimed in, “That’s what I think too. Now that things have come to this, it’s best to get to the bottom of it. Otherwise, it might cause panic. Not to mention the powerful families, even the rising stars of recent years will be suspected and even viewed differently. That’s not a good thing for them.”
The emperor couldn't help but think of Qiao Lian'er. The Qiao family was also a rising star, commanding tens of thousands of elite troops. If someone made wild guesses about the Qiao family and affected Lian'er's mood, would the lychees and durians Lian'er offered him still be sweet?
Will it carry a hint of bitterness?
Thinking this way, the emperor immediately felt that he had to investigate thoroughly.
He said, "Since this has caused such a stir, there is absolutely no reason to let it continue to escalate. If innocent families are also implicated and harmed, that is definitely not the situation I want to see."
The eldest prince immediately volunteered: "Father, I am willing to take on this task, investigate this matter thoroughly, give you an explanation, and bring peace to the capital."
"Your subject guarantees that no one suspected of wrongdoing will be let off the hook."
Seeing the eldest prince's enthusiasm, the emperor's eyes showed a hint of appreciation. Although he had established the Crown Prince according to the rules, he loved the eldest prince more, after all, he was the child born to his favorite concubine.
If it weren't for the ancestral rules, he would have already appointed the eldest prince as a powerful prince. Of course, on his death anniversary, he would remind the crown prince not to mistreat the eldest prince.
"Alright, I'll leave this matter to you. With the assistance of Lord Liu, the Prefect of the Capital, allocate one hundred Imperial Guards and three hundred Inner Army soldiers. Go and make the arrangements yourself."
The eldest prince returned to the mansion and paced in the courtyard.
He naturally wanted Vice General Chen and Pang Da to lead the inner army, so who should lead the imperial guards?
He realized that Master Pei was a Lieutenant General in the Imperial Guards, and that Master Pei's daughter, Pei Qingrong, had married into the Qiao family. If something was found in the Qiao family's residence, then Pei Qingrong would also be implicated. Master Pei must also be up to something, so he immediately subdued the man.
If Second Master Pei is suspected of colluding with the enemy, then what about Prince Pei? The Pei family and the Qiao family are so close. Although it was a private relationship established by the younger generation when they were young, and Father Emperor never took it to heart, once this matter is exposed, all kinds of interactions seem extremely suspicious.
"Then let's go with Second Master Pei," the First Prince said with a low laugh after making his decision.
He killed two birds with one stone. He had long disliked the Pei family. How could a king of a different surname stand still for a hundred years? Didn't his ancestors and father know that a king of a different surname was a potential threat and might rebel one day?
Everything in this world belongs to the Chu family. Moreover, the Pei and Qiao families are close, so they cannot be allowed to stay.
In the afternoon, the First Prince, Second Master Pei, Prefect Liu of the Capital, Deputy General Chen Pang Da, and a group of four hundred Imperial Guards and Inner Army soldiers set off to begin searching the noble families and official households of all sizes.
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