Hearing Gu Yifeng's words, Gu Ran was somewhat surprised, but she did not show any weakness on her face.
"Hehe, Your Majesty is joking. Cases from ten years ago are considered closed. Compared to that, Your Majesty, don't you want to know about Qin Shan's case?"
Gu Ran spoke calmly, but his wariness of Gu Yifeng suddenly increased, and his perception of this useless crown prince changed.
After several unexpected incidents, he had clearly noticed that the Crown Prince was different from before. He probably couldn't judge him based on his previous impressions. If he was careless, all the arrangements he had made over the years might be in vain.
This was the first time the two had faced each other in a long time. They both tried to provoke each other by exploiting each other's weaknesses, hoping to find an opening and deliver the final blow.
"I will naturally investigate the matter of Qin Shan. If it is true, he deserves to die. If it is false, and someone deliberately framed him, I will make that person wish he were dead. I called my second brother here to discuss this old case."
"Do you still remember the fireworks and poison case ten years ago? I remember that His Majesty entrusted it to you, my second brother. How did it end up being given to Chi Liancheng? And those fireworks arrangements, how could they all be set up right next to the generals of the Imperial Guard in the city?"
Gu Yifeng narrowed his eyes slightly and asked slowly.
Just before Gu Ran arrived, he had received information from Fang Xuan about the fireworks and poison case. He had noticed many suspicious points, and everyone knew the truth.
Chi Liancheng was just a scapegoat, but the late emperor had passed away, and the old emperor wanted to deal with these former officials. Who would dare to speak up for Chi Liancheng?
“Your Majesty is joking. This case happened ten years ago, and I don’t remember it anymore. The doubts you mentioned should be handed over to the Court of Judicial Review or the Kaifeng Prefecture for investigation.”
Gu Ran remained expressionless upon hearing this, and simply spoke calmly.
Little did he know, he was secretly sneering. In the court today, who didn't know that the current Minister of the Court of Judicial Review and the Prefect of Kaifeng were both trusted confidants personally promoted by the Second Prince?
The old emperor always turned a blind eye to this matter, as long as he focused on ensuring national peace and prosperity, he almost let his second son run rampant.
"No need. Since it's an old case, we shouldn't waste the manpower of the Dali Temple and Kaifeng Prefecture. I plan to transfer this case to the Right Chancellor for investigation. We can retrieve the original case file from the Dali Temple soon. What do you think, Second Brother?"
Seeing that Gu Ran remained unmoved, Gu Yifeng dropped a bombshell, bringing the matter into the open.
“Fang Xuan? Cough cough! Since Your Majesty has made up your mind, why bother discussing it with me? Everyone in the court praises Lord Fang’s shrewdness. With him investigating this case again, he will surely be able to clear General Chi Liancheng’s name.”
"It is getting late, and I have important matters to attend to at my residence, so I will not linger in the prison any longer. Since Your Majesty is interested in politics, it is best not to remain in the prison any longer. I have said my piece, and I will take my leave now."
Under Gu Yifeng's pressure, Gu Ran's expression finally changed. Although it was only for a moment, it was still noticed by the other party. He immediately took his leave and left in a hurry.
"Ridiculous. I don't need to worry about Fang Xuan. As the Right Chancellor, he's not so easily manipulated by you. I'd like to see what other arms you have."
Gu Yifeng sneered and let Gu Ran leave.
When he saw Qin Shan's miserable state, he was initially furious, but he quickly calmed down. He knew he couldn't afford to reveal the slightest weakness when dealing with Gu Ran.
So they decided to play along and confront the cunning second prince face to face. If they could just let some rumors out, once some things were exposed, the situation would be beyond what the second prince could cover up.
Thinking of this, Gu Yifeng looked at the unconscious Qin Shan again and could only move him to his own cell. Then he closed his eyes again and began to circulate his spiritual power to catalyze the fire seed.
...
The next morning, Gu Yifeng woke up early, and Qin Shan's condition had also improved considerably. With the help of healing pills, at least the external wounds had begun to scab over and fall off.
As for him, because his spiritual power was dispersed and he was nailed into the spirit-suppressing pestle, he will need at least one day to recover before he can wake up.
Gu Yifeng did not hesitate and immediately activated the system to start a new day of check-ins.
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully signing in. You have obtained one copy of the Time Sword Technique and ten Phoenix Flame Pearls."
He sensed the system's voice, and then a jade bottle appeared in his arms, while information about a sword technique appeared in his mind.
"The Sword Technique of Time can be unleashed by comprehending the power of time. When cultivated to its peak, a single sword strike can represent ten thousand years, capable of turning the living into decay and even turning withered bones into real beings."
Upon seeing the first line of information about the sword technique, Gu Yifeng couldn't help but exclaim in amazement. Such an incredible sword technique, once unleashed, would almost certainly be a killing move, capable of deciding the outcome of a battle with a single strike.
"System, don't leave! At least tell us what's going on with the Phoenix Flame Pearl!"
After briefly glancing at the Time Sword Technique, Gu Yifeng called out to the system again.
"What I'm saying is, can we take things out of context? Phoenix Flame Pearl, literally, is a fire-type treasure. If you swallow it, there's a chance you'll obtain Phoenix Flame. Do you understand?"
The system's cursing voice echoed in Gu Yifeng's mind again, and the sudden shout made his head buzz.
"Damn it, can't you just use a different system voice?!"
Gu Yifeng was slightly deafened by the system's shouting. After picking his ear, he said helplessly.
However, he was soon overjoyed. With the Phoenix Flame Pearl, whether he could obtain the Phoenix Fire was another matter, but it was more than enough to catalyze the Crimson Flame Fire.
With this Crimson Flame, we can cure Chi Liancheng of the fire poison, release him from the Heavenly Prison to secretly protect Fang Xuan, and sweep away Gu Ran's secret forces. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
Just as Gu Yifeng was happily contemplating the future of Chi Liancheng, a shout interrupted him.
"Your Highness, Your Highness."
The newcomer was Fang Xuan. Seeing Gu Yifeng laughing at the sky, he was a little scared and didn't dare to speak loudly.
"Ah, Lord Fang, you've arrived. Did my words cause you any trouble?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Yifeng immediately came to his senses. Looking at Fang Xuan's eyes, he immediately realized his lapse in composure and pretended to be nonchalant as he asked.
"It's alright. I suppose Your Highness has provoked the Second Prince. Indeed, quite a few unexpected things have happened in my residence recently, and warnings are being issued from all sides. However, I am not someone to be trifled with."
"I had already made preparations after investigating the suspicious points of the old case. Today, the three swordsmen I invited from Jiangnan have entered the manor. They are all young talents in the mid-stage of the Opening Mansion Realm, which is more than enough to deal with those villains."
Upon hearing this, Fang Xuan immediately became serious, revealing a shrewd smile, and said to Gu Yifeng.
"Lord Fang, what brings you here today...?"
Gu Yifeng asked with some doubt, unsure of his thoughts.
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