Chapter 498: Zhao Shu is captured
Dali Temple.
A craftsman who claimed to have participated in the construction of Qi'an Terrace came to report the case, saying that he knew the real reason for the collapse of Qi'an Terrace and handed over a stack of evidence.
When Gu Huainian saw the evidence, his face changed immediately.
He knew the seriousness of the matter.
After confirming that the evidence was true, he took the evidence to the palace and asked to see His Majesty.
Emperor Zhou looked at the evidence, turning the pages one by one. His expression seemed to remain unchanged, but his hand holding the paper was getting closer and closer, leaving wrinkles.
He really didn't expect that the third brother would be so bold.
That’s Qi’an Terrace!
In this place of blessing, he dares to embezzle this money!
Emperor Zhou's head was aching and he was emitting a strong anger.
The entire hall was filled with an oppressive atmosphere that made people feel breathless.
Deshun lowered his head and even breathed carefully.
After a long while, Emperor Zhou finally spoke: "Investigate! Investigate for me!"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Gu Huainian responded calmly and retreated.
After Gu Huainian left, Emperor Zhou picked up the teacup beside him and smashed it hard on the ground, making a loud noise.
Prince Rui's Palace.
In the courtyard.
As soon as Zhao Shu entered the room, Jinse came up to him and took off his outer robe for him.
Zhao Shu was in a good mood.
Now that the tide of public opinion has turned, news has also come from his mother that his father may choose a date to hold the enthronement ceremony again.
The collapse of Qi'an Terrace is over.
Zhao Shu was in a particularly good mood and looked at Jinse with particular favor. He hugged her in his arms and was very affectionate with her.
Just then, a servant came hurriedly.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, something bad has happened!"
Zhao Shu let the man go, opened the door, and looked at the servant outside.
"What's going on?"
"Your Highness, the people from the Dali Temple are here and they want to see you."
Zhao Shu frowned. Someone from the Dali Temple?
Why did the people from Dali Temple want him?
Moreover, it might not be a bad thing for people from the Dali Temple to come looking for him.
Zhao Shu felt that this servant was very unlucky, so he kicked him away and walked towards the front yard.
When Zhao Shu walked to the front hall, he saw Gu Huainian sitting there waiting.
"Sir Gu, what brings you here this time?" Zhao Shu asked with a gentle smile.
"Prince Rui, you were suspected of corruption and bribery when you were in charge of the construction of Qi'an Terrace. The collapse of Qi'an Terrace may be related to you. Please ask Prince Rui and this humble official to go there." Gu Huainian said coldly.
Zhao Shu's expression suddenly changed.
"Lord Gu, I have never done such a thing. Please be careful with your words!" There was anger in Zhao Shu's voice.
"Your Highness, I am just doing my job impartially and have reported this to Your Majesty. Please cooperate with me." Gu Huainian's face was calm. Despite his anger, his attitude remained the same and did not change.
"Are you threatening me?" Zhao Shu gritted his teeth.
"I will do my job impartially." Gu Huainian repeated.
Zhao Shu took a deep breath, suppressing his anger and the confusion in his heart.
"Okay, I'll go with you."
Zhao Shu turned his head to look at Jinse, then walked out.
Jinse looked at his back with a frown on her face.
She felt a chill in her heart.
How could this happen?
Was the collapse of Qi'an Terrace really related to Zhao Shu, or was it because he was greedy for money?
What did Zhao Shu do with the money?
Why is he so confused? !
Jinse took a deep breath, put on her cloak, went out and went to Wang's house.
She had to tell the Wang family about this as soon as possible. Now the person most likely to save Zhao Shu was Concubine Wang.
…
Dali Temple.
Zhao Shu was a prince, so it was naturally impossible for him to be imprisoned directly.
So, Gu Huainian took him into a room.
Zhao Shu felt uneasy, but he remained calm and maintained his usual gentle demeanor.
Gu Huainian asked a question and he answered it.
He would also take the initiative to ask, trying to get Gu Huainian to talk and see how much he knew.
As a result, when Zhao Shu saw the evidence presented by Gu Huainian, he could no longer remain calm.
Gu Huainian has the account book in his hand!
How did those account books fall into Gu Huainian's hands?
It's over now.
Zhao Shu leaned back in his chair, feeling as if all his strength had been drained from him.
This matter absolutely cannot be admitted.
If he admitted it, he would have no chance of becoming the crown prince.
After that, no matter what Gu Huainian asked, Zhao Shu used the excuse that he was not feeling well and kept silent.
Gu Huainian's attitude was also very tough. He let him rest in the Dali Temple, but in fact he was detained.
He will find more evidence and make it impossible for Zhao Shu to refute it.
The news that Zhao Shu was taken away by the Dali Temple quickly spread in the capital.
For a time, rumors spread everywhere.
"Didn't they say that a dragon appeared and that the Third Prince was the chosen candidate for the crown prince? Why was he captured by the Dali Temple?"
"I heard the dragon's appearance was fake. My cousin was there the day Qi'an Terrace collapsed, and there was no dragon at all."
"Yes, I heard about it too. I live near Qi'an Terrace. I heard the sound of a collapse and went out to see, but I didn't see any dragon."
"There's no dragon. The collapse of Qi'an Terrace is still a bad omen."
"Why was the Third Prince arrested by the Dali Temple?"
"Qi'an Terrace was built under the supervision of His Majesty the Third Prince. It is said that the collapse this time was related to him. It seems that he cut corners and embezzled money..."
"What? Isn't this retribution? If he hadn't been greedy, the Qi'an Terrace wouldn't have collapsed, and he would have become the crown prince."
"Shh, keep your voice down..."
These rumors gradually spread.
…
Chuyue Palace.
"It was intentional! Someone must have deliberately harmed Shu'er!" Concubine Wang walked back and forth, her graceful and noble face now twisted with anger, looking a bit hideous.
"Who is it that falsely accuses Shu'er of corruption and spreads such rumors to ruin his reputation?"
"The Liang family? It must have been the Liang family!"
Concubine Wang gnashed her teeth in hatred.
She originally thought that she had already trampled the Liang family under her feet, but she didn't expect that in just a few days, it would turn out like this.
Even though she knew it was the Liang family that was causing trouble, she couldn't do anything about it.
No, she had to save Shu'er first and then think of other ways.
We must never let Shu'er be charged with corruption and bribery!
"I have to go find His Majesty." said Concubine Wang.
Concubine Wang asked about His Majesty's situation in the Imperial Study, and then rushed to the Imperial Study, but was stopped by Deshun.
"Your Majesty, His Majesty is busy..." De Shun said.
In fact, it was the emperor who didn't want to see Concubine Wang.
Just now, the emperor was furious about the Third Prince's matter and was still angry.
"Then I will wait here until Your Majesty is done with his work," said Concubine Wang.
Deshun didn't dare to say anything else and just let Concubine Wang wait.
Concubine Wang stood outside the door for most of the day.
Deshun walked into the imperial study.
Emperor Zhou's mood stabilized a little and he was not as scary as before.
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine is outside asking for an audience." De Shun said.
Emperor Zhou had no expression on his face: "Let her in."
Concubine Wang came in. Deshun left the study and closed the door.
"Your Majesty, Shu'er has definitely been wronged. Please investigate clearly." Concubine Wang knelt down and cried.
"Unjust? The evidence is conclusive, how can it be unjust?" Emperor Zhou said coldly.
He was so disappointed with his son. He didn't expect him to be so short-sighted.
"The evidence is irrefutable..." Concubine Wang panicked. "Your Majesty, you must save Shu'er. He is your son. He was just confused for a moment. He must regret it now. Your Majesty, please."
Concubine Wang begged desperately.
Emperor Zhou had a cold expression and remained indifferent.
Concubine Wang took one look at him and her heart sank to the extreme. She naturally understood His Majesty and knew that his attitude meant that he wanted to give up Shu'er!
She can't give him up. Shu'er is her hope and the hope of their Wang family.
"Your Majesty, please save Shu'er. Considering the Wang family's loyalty and what they did back then..."
As soon as Concubine Wang said this, the whole hall fell cold.
There was a cold murderous look in Emperor Zhou's eyes.
Concubine Wang's words violated Emperor Zhou's taboo!
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