Chapter 118 Disappointment
Cheng Maoming, commander of the Jinlin Guard, had a headache, a very big headache.
I was originally having a headache trying to track down the origins of the street performing boy Xiao Feng, but now that I have finally found out, I am even more troubled.
Xiaofeng's sister was actually killed by the prince. Later, Xiaofeng's father went to report to the police, and the cause of death was also strange.
Xiao Feng went to the prince at the risk of her life, just to seek revenge.
If he reported what he had found out to the emperor, it would be equivalent to exposing the prince's incompetence. Doing such a thing would probably make him unpopular both inside and outside.
After hesitating for a while, Cheng Maoming finally went into the palace.
Emperor Tai'an was drinking tea in the warm room.
It has been snowing heavily recently, and there is nothing more comfortable than curling up in the warm room and drinking tea.
"Your Majesty, Commander Cheng requests an audience."
Emperor Tai'an put down the teacup and said calmly, "Let him in."
Soon, Cheng Maoming appeared before Emperor Tai'an and bowed, "Your humble servant greets His Majesty."
Emperor Tai'an glanced at him and asked, "Are there any progress in investigating the traitor who assassinated the crown prince?"
Compared to turning a blind eye in front of the prince, this emperor is always sharp in front of his subjects.
Cheng Maoming lowered his eyes: "Yes..."
"Who is that traitor, and why did he assassinate the Crown Prince?"
Cheng Maoming hesitated for a moment.
Emperor Tai'an frowned: "What?"
Could it be that the traitor is related to Emperor Pingle? This suspicion has long been churning in Emperor Tai'an's mind.
The disappearance of Emperor Pingle has always been a source of worry for Emperor Tai'an, and the correspondence between Qin Yunchuan, the Crown Prince's Junior Tutor, and the former Imperial Tutor Mingxin Zhenren further confirmed that his worries were not groundless.
Emperor Pingle is still alive and plotting to take back the throne.
It’s a pity that we still haven’t found out where Master Mingxin is hiding!
Faced with Emperor Tai'an's urging, Cheng Maoming did not dare to hesitate any longer and spoke up.
"Xiao Feng lives in Wanfufang. His father is a doctor in the Ministry of Industry. He has an older sister. On Chinese Valentine's Day eight years ago..."
After listening to Cheng Maoming's story, Emperor Tai'an's face turned pale.
"Is the investigation correct?" He asked this question almost through gritting his teeth.
Feeling the emperor's wrath, Cheng Maoming didn't dare to look up and said cautiously: "According to the clues we have investigated so far, it is like this..."
If he wasn't the prince, how could a child endure humiliation for eight years and risk his life to assassinate him?
Emperor Tai'an pressed his lips into a line, revealing the emperor's ruthlessness: "Now that we have investigated the matter, the case is closed. As for those who know about it, tell them to stop talking nonsense."
Rather than the truth, he would rather it be related to Emperor Pingle.
Although he did not obtain the throne in a legitimate way, he worked diligently in government affairs over the years. The people of Qi, who had been pressing him step by step, became much more obedient and even recovered some of their lost territory.
It can be said that in being the emperor, he was worthy of the Great Zhou. Unlike his elder brother, he was tough with his younger brothers, but a coward when facing the people of Qi, and he wanted to give the entire Great Zhou kingdom to the alien race.
He was confident that most of his subjects would side with him when they heard that the Crown Prince had been assassinated by Emperor Pingle's men. However, if people knew that Xiao Feng assassinated the Crown Prince because he had ruined his sister's innocence, they would definitely think he deserved it.
Whether for the sake of the crown prince's reputation or the stability of the country, the truth cannot be leaked.
Emperor Tai'an raised his hand and rubbed his brow, then said slowly, "The whereabouts of Master Mingxin have not been found yet, right?"
Cheng Maoming's heart skipped a beat, and he knelt down to apologize: "Your humble servant is incompetent, and I still have no news about Master Mingxin."
These days he almost dug up the entire capital, but he couldn't even find the shadow of Master Mingxin.
He also thought that Master Mingxin must have changed his appearance, but since he had contact with the Prince's Junior Tutor Qin Yunchuan, it was impossible that he did not leave any trace.
From above came the sigh of Emperor Tai'an: "Master Mingxin's methods are unpredictable. I wonder how many traitors he has secretly cultivated to deal with me and the Crown Prince. It's no surprise that you're at a loss for what to do when facing such a person."
"Your humble servant is ashamed." Cheng Maoming understood the deep meaning of Emperor Tai'an's words.
Of course, he was not stupid enough to think that this was the emperor's consideration. The emperor was clearly hinting that he should put the blame of Xiao Feng's assassination of the prince on the head of the former imperial teacher.
"Get up."
Cheng Maoming climbed up and expressed his loyalty: "I will do my best to find the traitor as soon as possible to prevent him from causing trouble again."
Emperor Tai'an nodded in satisfaction: "Fortunately, there is Cheng Qing, who can help me relieve my worries."
As soon as Cheng Maoming left, Emperor Tai'an went to the Eastern Palace.
The entire East Palace was still shrouded in a gloomy atmosphere; even the snow on the glazed tiles seemed colder than elsewhere.
When Emperor Tai'an passed by, Master Mingxin had just finished giving acupuncture to the prince and was about to leave.
"Your Majesty."
Facing Master Mingxin, Emperor Tai'an's expression was warm and gentle: "Mr. Wang, there's no need to be so polite. I've thanked you for your hard work these past few days."
"It is my humble honor to share the emperor's worries."
Emperor Tai'an nodded involuntarily.
Who wouldn’t like someone who is both capable and good at speaking?
Emperor Tai'an asked a few more questions about the prince's situation, and after Master Mingxin left, he turned to the prince.
"Your Majesty..." In the prince's mind, the matter of the Crown Princess had been covered up, but he still felt a little guilty in front of Emperor Tai'an.
"All of you step back." Emperor Tai'an said expressionlessly.
The palace maids all left, leaving only the prince nervous.
Could it be that the emperor noticed something?
"The origin of the person who tried to assassinate you has been found out." After a brief silence, Emperor Tai'an chose to make it clear.
It’s hard to reveal the Crown Princess’ affairs, but if this bastard thinks he can conceal any ridiculous thing he does, he will become even more lawless in the future.
When the prince heard this, he was furious: "Who harmed my son?"
"Where were you on Chinese Valentine's Day eight years ago?"
"Eight years ago?" The prince looked surprised. "Of course it was in the East Palace."
Emperor Tai'an's face darkened: "Think about it again!"
What he said was so obvious, but this bastard still insisted on being stubborn.
The prince smiled bitterly: "Father, that happened eight years ago. How could I possibly remember it?"
"Don't remember?" Emperor Tai'an's voice became even colder.
The prince felt uneasy and his mind was racing.
The Chinese Valentine's Day eight years ago, the Chinese Valentine's Day—he shuddered and remembered.
I can't remember exactly how many years ago it was, but if the assassination attempt was related to a certain Tanabata Festival, it would have been that time...
Upon seeing the Crown Prince's reaction, Emperor Tai'an asked in a deep voice, "Do you remember?"
The prince was filled with both shock and anger, his face showing a hint of embarrassment. "One Chinese Valentine's Day, I went out for a stroll out of curiosity and met a young woman... Father, it was she who first expressed her affection for me. I promised to arrange for her to enter the palace after a while, but she died the next day after returning. Her parents must have forced her to death!"
Of course there was no promise. No one else knew about that night eight years ago, and he could say whatever he wanted.
"Father, the person who assassinated me is——"
"That woman's brother." The prince's explanation failed to calm Emperor Tai'an's rage. "As the crown prince, you acted so absurdly. You greatly disappoint me!"
The prince listened and had only one thought: I was careless and I should cut the weeds completely.
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