The commander of the Imperial Guard unfolded the paper and read, "Luo Lingzhang, I have heard that you are secretly communicating with the enemy and intending treason. I now order the Imperial Guard to thoroughly investigate this matter. If the evidence is conclusive, you will be punished according to national law! I decree this!"
Luo Lingzhang was startled, but remained calm. He said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, I am loyal to the court and have no intention of betraying it. May I ask, Commander-in-Chief, do you have any evidence to prove that I have colluded with the enemy and committed treason?"
The Jinyiwei commander sneered, put away the imperial edict, and said, "Whether there is evidence or not, we will know after we finish searching. Now, no one is allowed to leave this place!"
He waved his hand, signaling the Jinyiwei behind him to take action.
A group of Jinyiwei quickly rushed into the study of the general's mansion and began to search through all the drawers and cabinets.
Everyone in the General's Mansion sat at the dinner table with gloomy faces, watching all this with cold eyes. They knew that this incident was no accident, but a deliberate frame-up. And this person must be Crown Prince Chu Chengli...
Not long after, a Jinyiwei came out quickly with several letters in his hands and handed them to the commander.
The commander took the letter and quickly opened it to examine it. His face instantly darkened and he shouted, "Come here! Bring everyone in the general's residence back to the imperial prison!"
Hearing this, the Sixth Princess Chu Qingrui turned pale as paper. She asked anxiously, "Commander-in-Chief, what on earth has happened to the General's Mansion?"
The commander looked serious as he handed the letter to Chu Qingrui and said in a heavy voice, "Sixth Princess, please take a look. These are irrefutable proof of Luo Lingzhang's treason!"
The Sixth Princess saw that the letter was actually from Yuewu Kingdom! She widened her eyes and said in disbelief, "Impossible! How is this possible? My husband is definitely not that kind of person! Someone must have framed him!" Her voice was filled with anger and grievance.
The commander looked at her expressionlessly and said coldly, "The evidence is irrefutable! This is indeed Luo Lingzhang's handwriting! We've verified it. I can't believe that General Luo Jing is defending his country on the front lines, while his son is collaborating with the enemy and selling out his country! Sixth Princess, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince specifically instructed that you not be taken to prison. You should return to the palace and accompany the Concubine Xian!"
Chu Qingrui's expression became extremely solemn. She said firmly, "Since I've married Luo Lingzhang, I'm a member of the Luo family! No matter what happens, I will face it with him. I will accompany my husband to the Imperial Prison and wait until the day when his injustice is redressed!"
The commander sighed helplessly, "Sixth Princess, why are you so persistent? This matter is irreversible."
Chu Qingrui shook her head, a determined light flashing in her eyes: "No! I believe in my husband! He would never do such a thing!"
The commander was silent for a moment, then he sighed and said, "Well, since the Sixth Princess has made up her mind, then I am sorry to offend you! Come on! Take all the people in the general's mansion back to the imperial prison!" As his order was given, a group of soldiers rushed into the room and took Luo Lingzhang, Chu Qingrui and others away.
Chu Qingrui's eyes widened as she stared at what was happening in front of her in disbelief. She suddenly shouted, "Commander! Please let my two nephews go! They are still young! They don't know anything!"
The commander's face was gloomy. He said in a deep voice, "I'm sorry, Your Highness, this is an imperial decree. I cannot release him!"
However, no matter how Chu Qingrui pleaded, the commander remained unmoved and eventually took the two children away.
At the same time, other people in the general's mansion were arrested one by one, and the entire mansion fell into chaos.
The news quickly spread throughout the capital, causing an uproar.
Officials discussed the matter, all of them shocked and confused. After all, the Luo family had always been loyal subjects, and Luo Lingzhang was the emperor's son-in-law. No one could imagine that he would actually collaborate with the enemy and betray his country.
More importantly, the Luo family and the Yuewu Kingdom have a generations-long feud. When the Yuewu Kingdom invaded, the Luo family army once joined King Wu'an in the battle, fighting bloody battles with the Yuewu army.
At that time, the Luo family army suffered heavy casualties, but they still held their ground and did not retreat. Such a family background made it difficult for people to believe that Luo Lingzhang would betray his country.
In this sudden incident, people are eager to know the truth and hope that the mystery can be solved as soon as possible. At the same time, some people are worried about whether there is a bigger conspiracy behind it. For a time, the situation in the capital is tense and people are in panic.
When the Minister of Personnel Chen Yihan learned that his eldest daughter and two lovely grandsons were imprisoned in the imperial prison, he ran to find the Prime Minister Li Mingfu in a panic.
His face was full of anxiety and worry, because he loved his family deeply. However, when he arrived at the Prime Minister's Mansion, he was met with a cold and ruthless reception.
The housekeeper of the Prime Minister's Mansion said to Chen Yihan with a fake smile, "Master Chen, my master is not at home right now. He has gone to the East Palace to play chess with the Crown Prince. If you are in a hurry, you can choose to wait here until dark, or go directly to the East Palace to find my master."
The housekeeper's words made Chen Yihan feel helpless and angry, but he couldn't vent his anger and could only suppress his anger and leave the Prime Minister's Mansion.
Chen Yihan decided to go to the palace in person, hoping to meet the prince and plead with him. Along the way, he felt heavy-hearted, filled with anxiety and fear.
He didn't know how this incident would develop, nor did he know if he could protect his eldest daughter.
He finally arrived at the palace gates and requested an audience with the Crown Prince. However, the guards told him that the Crown Prince was busy attending to government affairs and could not see anyone. Chen Yihan was despairing, not knowing what to do to save his daughter and grandson.
Just as he was getting overwhelmed, the guards arrived and brought him to the Eastern Palace. Chen Yihan anxiously said to the Crown Prince, "Your Highness, the Luo family has been wronged! Please investigate this matter thoroughly and redress the injustice for the Luo family!"
The Crown Prince showed a helpless expression on his face and shook his head, saying, "Master Chen, this is an order from our father himself. I cannot interfere. Moreover, this matter involves too many people. Master Chen, please stop interfering in the affairs of the General's Mansion, so as not to implicate the Jing'an Marquis' Mansion."
After hearing this, Chen Yihan was so angry that he almost smoked. He knew in his heart that the general's mansion was falsely accused of treason and the prince must be behind it.
At this time, Li Mingfu walked out of the hall, a disdainful smile on his face. He looked at Chen Yihan coldly and said, "Chen Yihan, there's irrefutable evidence that Luo Lingzhang is collaborating with the enemy and betraying the country! And everyone in the General's Mansion seems to be shielding him. Now you come to plead for them, but are you also keeping this secret?"
Chen Yihan was so angry that her whole body was shaking, and her lips trembled as she responded, "You...you should stop talking nonsense!"
The prince saw this and his face darkened. He ordered coldly, "Send the guests away!"
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