Chapter 164 One sentence from him is worth a hundred sentences from others
"Your subject led people to Mount Funiu and searched for more than an hour before finally finding your uncle."
At this point, Prince An's voice was filled with unusual anger. He continued, "At that time, my uncle was in a very well hidden trap. If I hadn't been familiar with him since childhood, and if I hadn't been quite alert, I wouldn't have been able to hear his cries for help at all."
"Father, you don't know, at that time, my uncle's hair and eyebrows were covered in ice, his face was bluish-purple, and his body was almost cold. Seeing my uncle like that, and later learning that it was my eldest brother who deliberately lured him there, I acted rashly and led men to surround the Kang Prince's residence, captured him, and brought him to the palace."
Prince An clenched his fists tightly, his face filled with anger, as if his rage had not yet subsided.
The emperor glanced at him for a moment, then said, "Your uncle has suffered this time, and it's all thanks to you."
Prince An stood there without speaking, and the emperor asked again, "Do you think Tang Boyang was involved in the embezzlement case?"
“Your subject has not investigated your elder brother and Tang Boyang before. However, Tang Boyang has been your elder brother’s father-in-law for many years. Your subject feels that he could not possibly not know this.”
This time, Prince An decisively expressed his opinion, because Tang Boyang was just a subject, and the emperor also wanted to find a reason for his son to rebel.
However, Prince An felt that even if it was found that Prince Kang's actions were all instigated by Tang Boyang, the emperor would not let Prince Kang off the hook. How could a son with treasonous intentions be let go?
After listening to his words, the emperor pondered for a long time and then said, "You've worked hard too, go back and rest."
"Yes." Prince An bowed and withdrew. At this moment, a young eunuch hurriedly ran over and whispered a few words to Zhao Fuquan. Zhao Fuquan then carefully said, "Your Majesty, Consort Xian... has hanged herself."
Upon hearing this, the emperor sat there in silence for a long time before saying, "Bury him according to the standards for a concubine."
"Yes." Zhao Fuquan went out to make the arrangements, and the emperor slumped back in his chair.
He was once a prince himself, and it took him many years of scheming to ascend the throne. He had thought that one day his son would commit treason in the struggle for the throne, but when it actually happened, he still couldn't accept it.
It's said that royalty is heartless, but he's their own son, so how could they possibly have no feelings for him at all?
"Your Majesty," Zhao Fuquan said as he entered, "It's lunchtime. Please have something to eat first."
The emperor did not respond, and sat there for a long time before finally getting up and saying, "Prepare the meal."
Zhao Fuquan quickly ordered the food to be set out. The emperor walked to the table, sat down, and ate in silence. Zhao Fuquan carefully served him from the side.
The emperor ate a few bites and said, "Jingchen's diet should not be too strict. Send him to the prison according to his taste."
"Yes." Zhao Fuquan went out to give the order, and when he returned, he saw that the emperor had already gotten up and returned to his desk, looking down at the memorials. He sighed inwardly; the emperor really had it tough.
........
As soon as Jiang Yu left the palace, the Marquis of Jinyang walked up to the Duke of Chu, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Duke of Chu, may I ask for a cup of tea at your residence?"
After speaking, his gaze fell upon Jiang Yu, and the Duke of Chu naturally wouldn't refuse. He also knew that Jiang Yu was currying favor with Li Zhengze in order to win over the Marquis of Jinyang's mansion.
"It would be my great honor," said the Duke of Chu with a smile.
"Lord Duke, may I also go and ask for a cup of tea?" Marquis Chengen said as he walked over.
"It is an honor for the Duke of Chu's mansion," the Duke of Chu said with a smile.
The group, some in sedan chairs and some on horseback, headed together to the Duke of Chu's residence. Upon arriving at the Duke of Chu's study, Jiang Yu recounted in detail how she discovered the embezzlement of military supplies and how the investigation was conducted, omitting the involvement of Prince An.
Then he said to Marquis Chengen and Marquis Jinyang, "I hope my two uncles will forgive me for not informing you beforehand. This matter is too important, and if even a little bit of information is leaked, it might cause trouble."
Her humble demeanor not only pleased Marquis Chengen and Marquis Jinyang, but also made them realize once again that Jiang Yu was no ordinary person. A person's ability is not only reflected in their intelligence, but also in their intellect.
A person who remains humble and unperturbed during lows and setbacks, and who is neither arrogant nor ostentatious during times of success, will achieve considerable success even without exceptional talent. Moreover, Jiang Yu possesses extraordinary intelligence and a remarkable mind.
"Of course."
"Of course."
Both of them understood that if this happened to them, they wouldn't tell people they weren't close to.
Now, the Chu State Duke's Mansion, the Chengen Marquis's Mansion, and the Jinyang Marquis's Mansion have reached a preliminary cooperation. Jiang Yu no longer hides anything. She looks at Li Zhengze and says, "Tang Boyang was definitely involved in the embezzlement of military supplies, but he has already cleaned up his mess. It may not be easy to investigate, but we must find out."
The main reason was that the emperor wanted Tang Boyang dead and wanted others to believe that Prince Kang had been misled by Tang Boyang. To put it bluntly, the emperor couldn't let people say that he was bad at raising his son.
Li Zhengze's mind had been preoccupied with eating, drinking, and having fun, and he didn't immediately grasp Jiang Yu's meaning, so a look of confusion crossed his face. The Marquis of Jinyang was disappointed in his son, but now was not the time to lecture him. He smiled and said to Jiang Yu:
"Don't worry, my dear niece, I will find out the truth as soon as possible. Every action leaves a trace."
Jiang Yu wanted to hear those words, so she said, "Then I will wait for your good news, Uncle."
After chatting for a while longer, the Marquis of Chengen and his son, the Marquis of Jinyang, took their leave, and Jiang Yu saw them off at the gate. Back in the Duke of Chu's study, she heard him ask, "Did you say that Prince Rui really did disappear before?"
Jiang Yu sat opposite him, thought for a moment and said, "It's too coincidental. We wiped out the rebels on Niujiao Mountain, and then Prince An surrounded Prince Kang's mansion."
“That’s what I thought too,” the Duke of Chu said meaningfully, “but I didn’t expect Prince Rui to get involved. He has never participated in court affairs.”
Jiang Yu thought for a moment and said, "It is said that the Emperor and Empress Dowager have a better relationship with Prince Rui than with the other princes. Do you think the other princes are jealous?"
Duke of Chu: "Of course I'm jealous."
Jiang Yu: "If he is jealous that his son has ascended the throne, then Prince Rui's life will definitely not be easy."
The Duke of Chu nodded. "Therefore, Prince Rui hopes that Prince An will ascend the throne, since the two grew up together. If that's the case, Prince An's chances are even greater."
Jiang Yu thought so too. Although Prince Rui did not participate in politics and had no power in the court, the emperor and empress dowager favored him, and his words were worth more than a hundred of others' words.
"Hehehe..." The Duke of Chu chuckled twice, "None of the royal family members are simple!"
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