"Are you all willing to come with me to confront the Emperor?" the Third Prince asked.
Shan Lao and Gao Tan seemed to have anticipated that Third Master would say this, so they said, "Your Highness, if we really confront the Emperor, I'm afraid Prince Heshuo will say that we framed him. He will not admit it at all."
Third Master nodded and said, "That's right, he'll definitely deny it. Do you have any evidence to prove that what you just said is true?"
Shan Lao and Gao Tan exchanged a glance. Shan Lao said, "The things we left behind for our rituals at Prince Heshuo's estate have probably been completely wiped out long ago."
“If this is all the evidence you have, I’m afraid you won’t be able to convict him! He can completely deny knowing you and even falsely accuse me of framing him,” said the Third Master.
“Your Highness, the Gu worm that Prince Heshuo planted on the Crown Prince was a type from the Miao region. He must still have the materials used to plant the Gu worm on the Crown Prince in his home. And his people must know about it. If we capture them and force them to reveal it, it's not impossible,” said the old man.
"You make it sound so easy. These days, Father Emperor sends the Fourth Prince to investigate. Do you have to discuss it with him?" the Third Prince said. But deep down, he didn't want to tell the Fourth Prince, which meant he didn't want to share the credit with him.
"Your Highness, I think you should first report this to the Emperor. Then the Emperor will definitely have the Fourth Prince investigate whether what I said is true." As he spoke, Old Man Shan also expressed his helplessness at the Third Prince's lack of intelligence.
"Sanhuan, take them downstairs to wash up, change their clothes, and then arrange for them to stay. I need to think this over carefully. You all go and rest first," said the Third Prince.
"Thank you for taking me in, Your Highness." The two bowed to the Third Master and withdrew.
Sitting in his study, the Third Prince pondered the words of the two men, becoming increasingly unsure of what to do. Just as they had suggested, if he rashly went to his father, the Emperor, to accuse Prince Heshuo of using witchcraft to harm the Crown Prince, wouldn't he be falsely accused of framing him?
But if he didn't go and apologize, Third Master felt he was letting Prince Heshuo off too easily. Such a good opportunity shouldn't be wasted. His conflict with Prince Heshuo had started in their childhood.
After settling Gao Tan and Shan Lao in, San Huan went to Third Master's study to report.
"Third son, tell me, how should I deal with those two?" the Third Prince asked.
“Your Highness, the long-awaited opportunity has finally arrived. Why are you hesitating again?” Sanhuan asked.
"I'm afraid that if the two of them can't prove Yinti's guilt, he might turn around and accuse me of framing him," the Third Prince said.
“Your Highness, nothing is ever entirely without its advantages and disadvantages. If you fail to seize this opportunity, it will be a pipe dream to try and bring down Prince Heshuo in the future. Now that you have stood up to report him, you have not only brought down Prince Heshuo, but also earned yourself a good reputation before the Emperor.” Sanhuan expressed his helplessness at the Third Prince’s hesitation, but he could not stand idly by, otherwise the prince would continue to hesitate.
"Sanhuan, do you also think that I should go?" Prince Yi asked.
Sanhuan nodded and said, "Your Highness, it is true that Prince Heshuo is using witchcraft to harm the Crown Prince. This is not a false accusation. I think you should go and speak to the Emperor now. Otherwise, if you miss this opportunity, you may never have another chance to get closer to the Crown Prince."
The Third Prince fell into deep thought, and like the Prince of Heshuo, he couldn't sleep that night. They were both thinking about their own future. One was afraid that if he reported the matter, he would not only gain nothing but also cause trouble; the other was worried that he would be suddenly summoned to the palace by Kangxi, and then there would be endless waiting.
That night, Third Master, unusually, did not go to the inner quarters but rested in the front yard. He knew that this step he had taken was crucial. Whether he could dispel the fog of confusion and the treacherous conspiracies would determine his future.
The next day, the Third Master seemed to have made up his mind. He instructed Sanhuan to dress the two men in clean clothes and then let them follow him into the palace.
This was Gao Tan's first time entering the palace. Seeing the Forbidden City's red walls and golden tiles, so majestic and exuding imperial grandeur, he was immediately captivated by its charm. Little did he know what fate awaited him.
Prince Yi led the two to Qixiang Palace, where Consort Rong resided, and after exchanging a few words with her, he left.
After the Third Prince finished attending the morning court session, he went alone to the Qianqing Palace to report to Emperor Kangxi.
"What did you say?" Emperor Kangxi exclaimed upon hearing the news.
"Your Majesty, everything I have said is true. I have already instructed those two people to wait at Qixiang Palace."
"You mean it was Prince Heshuo who cast this witchcraft on the Crown Prince?" Kangxi felt a chill run down his spine. He had always been reluctant to touch Prince Heshuo, but the prince was becoming increasingly outrageous. If he didn't intervene soon, it might lead to irreversible consequences.
"Yes, that's what those two men told me. I don't think they dare to speak recklessly in front of the Emperor. They hope I can spare their lives. Prince Heshuo has been sending men to kill them," the Third Prince said.
"Summon them! Let them come before me and say it again!" Kangxi said, his anger barely contained. His eyes, like a raging storm, grew increasingly cold and menacing, making him unapproachable.
When Third Prince saw that Kangxi wanted to see the two witnesses, he felt that Kangxi had accepted what he had just said.
When Gao Tan and Shan Lao were brought before Kangxi, they both knelt down with a thud.
"Who sits here?" Kangxi asked coldly, sitting behind his desk.
"I am Gao Tan, and that is my master. My master has been running a fever, and he has been exhausted from all this running around these past few days. I beg Your Majesty to show some compassion and allow my master to sit down." Gao Tan showed no discomfort whatsoever upon seeing Kangxi.
"Alright, Liang Jiugong, find a seat for that old man," Kangxi instructed.
Shan Lao immediately bowed to Kangxi in gratitude. Gao Tan then recounted to Kangxi everything that had happened between him and Yinti, starting with fortune-telling. Kangxi listened, his expression constantly shifting. He had also discerned Yinti's feelings for the Crown Prince, but he hadn't expected that all this trouble was caused by him.
"Father, I believe that Prince Heshuo's intentions toward the Crown Prince are extremely malicious. I implore you to immediately send someone to thoroughly investigate Prince Heshuo." The Third Prince lifted his robe and knelt down on both knees.
"Liang Jiugong, go and summon the Fourth Prince. I have entrusted him with the full authority to handle this matter," Kangxi instructed.
As the Third Prince watched as Kangxi gradually came to believe what he had said, he grew increasingly pleased.
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