When the emperor saw the imperial guards rushing in, he scolded them, "What exactly happened?"
"The news about the former Crown Prince has spread!"
The Emperor felt a sudden darkness before his eyes, and his tall body staggered a few steps. It was only thanks to the quick reflexes of Eunuch De that he was caught: "What did you say?"
"It's already spreading in the capital that the former crown prince has betrayed the country and fled to Xishu to cooperate with them in order to attack us."
"Ouyang Zhen!"
The Emperor said through gritted teeth, each word distinct, "Not many people know about this matter; Your Majesty has already issued a gag order."
It's obvious that Ouyang Zhen was the one who spread this news.
He thought Ouyang Zhen was just throwing a tantrum and would be fine once he calmed down in a few days. He never imagined he would be so ruthless!
Was he trying to save Ouyang Fu from death? No, he was forcing himself to execute that bastard Ouyang Fu!
You should know that treason is a serious crime. If it were an ordinary person, they would have been executed along with their entire family long ago.
It was impossible to execute Ouyang Fu's entire family here, but it would be inappropriate to spare his life. The Emperor knew that if he insisted on doing so, it would certainly incite public wrath.
"Go out and investigate, and lock up all those who spread rumors and cause trouble!"
The emperor was furious and wanted to handle the matter as he had always done.
"Your Majesty, perhaps this is somewhat inappropriate?" The imperial guard frowned. He knew that saying this might displease the Emperor, but...
They had heard about what the former crown prince had done, and they were all stunned when they heard this. They never imagined that the crown prince would do such a thing!
Treason? What is that? An ordinary person wouldn't do it, yet the Crown Prince dared to do it. I really don't know where he got the nerve.
Besides, you've already committed treason, so be it. Since you've already done it, stick to it to the end. If that's the case, people will have more respect for you.
But when the time came, this guy tried to fool the emperor by pretending he didn't know how he got there, and the emperor actually believed him.
As ordinary people, they couldn't do anything about the Crown Prince. Everyone had been sulking for a while, but when they suddenly heard this rumor circulating in the capital, they were all delighted.
They should have come to report this much earlier, but why?
Everyone knew that, remembering the Emperor's fondness for the former Crown Prince, there was no way he could do anything to him.
For a heinous crime of treason, the Emperor merely imprisoned him as a form of confinement. And in his own residence no less! What kind of confinement is that?!
It just means we can't go out.
What the emperor didn't know was that the people outside were causing a great disturbance.
Many people gathered outside the former crown prince's residence, loudly demanding that the former crown prince come out and give everyone an explanation.
The former crown prince, being in his residence, naturally knew this, so how could he dare to come out?
"What's inappropriate about it? How can we allow rumors to spread about matters of national importance?"
The Emperor spoke righteously, and Jin Wei's lips twitched violently. He wanted to ask the Emperor, "Are you sure this is a rumor?"
This is simply the truth, isn't it? Besides, the people have the right to know. Your former crown prince dared to commit such a heinous act as treason, so why can't the people even speak out?
However, seeing the emperor's angry expression, he dared not say anything.
Prince Ouyang Zhen is much better; when he was angry, he simply ran away and quit.
A few days ago, the ministers began to protest, but unfortunately, Ouyang Zhen did not return. The emperor also sent people to invite him, but he would not listen.
The ministers in the capital don't even know where the Crown Prince is!
They couldn't find anyone at the Prince Zhen's Mansion, so they went to the old general's mansion to look for them.
Moreover, the ministers still held some influence. The old general's wife personally received them, and upon hearing their purpose, she sighed helplessly, "Since this child returned, he hasn't come to see me. To be honest, I don't know where he went."
When the old ministers who came did not believe it, the old lady had no choice.
The ministers found it unbelievable; in their minds, Prince Zhen was not such an ignorant person.
Oh, right, it's not the Prince Zhen now, it should be the Crown Prince.
Just then, news arrived from outside that the Crown Prince was abusing the former Crown Prince and condoning those around him to commit violence against the Crown Prince.
The person who said this was a maid from the Crown Prince's residence. She spoke with great confidence and even said that the former Crown Prince was covered in injuries.
As for why the crown prince did this, the maid didn't explain it clearly.
When the ministers heard this news, they all just listened and didn't take it seriously. However, those who were previously close to the former crown prince summoned the imperial physician to examine the crown prince.
Unfortunately, the Crown Prince was confined to his residence, which was guarded by imperial guards, and even the imperial physicians could not enter.
Those ministers even went to the Emperor's study to argue with him, but the Emperor refused. Thus, the rumor simply faded away.
But many people outside still say that the current crown prince cannot tolerate the former crown prince.
This idea is quite normal, as when the emperor appointed a new crown prince, he didn't say the former crown prince had committed any wrongdoing. It was simply because he had been missing for a long time.
Now that he's back, the Crown Prince's current status is somewhat awkward.
Unfortunately, Ouyang Zhen was not in the capital at this time, and when he returned, he could not be found. This only fueled the suspicions in the capital.
The emperor didn't come out to refute the rumors, and the matter escalated. But who could have imagined that at this moment, new information would emerge?
They claimed that the former crown prince had betrayed the country and was involved with the crown prince of Xishu Kingdom, intending to catch them off guard.
Many people don't believe it, but even more are good at finding evidence.
For example, their Crown Prince went to the border of the Western Shu Kingdom this time. The former Crown Prince had never been there, so how did he end up being brought back by the Crown Prince?
Moreover, he was brought back along with the crown prince of Xishu Kingdom.
Furthermore, if the former crown prince had not committed any wrongdoing, why did the emperor imprison him?
With so many imperial guards stationed there, who would believe that no mistakes were made?
There was a lot of discussion outside, and most people felt that the rumor might not be false.
But if it were true, everyone would be even angrier!
What mistake did Ouyang Fu commit? Treason. If this were an ordinary person, they would have been beheaded long ago, and their entire family would not have been spared.
Who is Ouyang Fu? He's no longer the crown prince; he's just an ordinary prince. Why should a prince get away with treason?
No wonder Crown Prince Ouyang Zhen disappeared as soon as he returned! They would be just as angry if they were in his shoes!
Some people also managed to find out bits and pieces about what was happening in the Western Kingdom.
While they were gathering troops over there, Ouyang Fu secretly led his men back, intending to launch a coordinated attack from within.
It wasn't just a desire; it was a genuine desire. In the dead of night, they opened the city gates and let the people of Xishu Kingdom in.
Fortunately, Ouyang Zhen had the foresight to plan ahead. Otherwise, who knows what might have happened.
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