After returning, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review devoted himself to gathering evidence of the secret dealings between the Eighth Prince and Hongshi. He not only arrested all the servants who knew about the matter but also obtained the kites they had previously used to communicate. The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review presented the evidence to the Eighth Prince, who remained silent, claiming that it was all fabricated to frame him.
Even after seeing Hongshi and the Duke of Yingguo's confessions, he only slightly changed his expression and then remained silent. The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review could not torture the Eighth Prince, and no amount of pleading or persuasion could change his mind; the Eighth Prince refused to confess.
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, having no other option, had to go to the palace again to report to the Fourth Prince. Upon hearing this, the Fourth Prince leaned back in his chair and sighed softly, "He's just being stubborn..."
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review nodded with a forced smile, saying, "Eighth Prince keeps denying it, so there's no way to close this case. Your Majesty, perhaps..."
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review tentatively inquired, hoping the Fourth Prince would offer a suggestion. However, the Fourth Prince pondered for a moment and said, "Since he's willing to drag this out, let him reflect on his actions at the Court of Judicial Review!"
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review was startled and looked at the Fourth Prince with some uncertainty. The Fourth Prince's expression was not good, so the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review did not dare to say anything more.
The Fourth Prince said, "Does he think that by denying everything, this matter will have nothing to do with him? Although I do not want to be an emperor criticized by future generations, I am by no means a mediocre ruler who can be easily deceived!"
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review was taken aback, holding his breath as he felt a tingling sensation on the top of his head. Fearing the Fourth Prince's wrath, he could only flatter him, saying, "His Majesty is wise and mighty, how could he be an incompetent ruler? It's just that the Eighth Prince is too ungrateful and didn't cherish the opportunity His Majesty gave him..."
The Fourth Prince glanced at the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review without showing any emotion, and said calmly, "You may leave. This is how we'll handle the Eighth Prince's matter. He will remain imprisoned until he admits his mistake!"
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing that the Duke of Yingguo had been exiled and Hongshi had been demoted to commoner status, while the Eighth Prince remained imprisoned in the Dali Temple, the Eighth Prince's wife was extremely anxious. With the tree fallen, the monkeys scattered; those who had previously supported the Eighth Prince's faction all hid and refused to show their faces. The Eighth Prince's wife had gone to invite them more than once, but no one dared to step into the Eighth Prince's residence.
Having no other option, the Eighth Prince's wife had to personally go to the Dali Temple every few days to inquire. Even the guards at the Dali Temple recognized her maidservants. One day, as usual, the Eighth Prince's wife sat in her carriage and sent her maidservant to the gate to inquire about the situation. Upon seeing that she was the Eighth Prince's wife's person, the guard kindly pulled the maidservant aside and advised, "Miss, you should go back. The Eighth Prince's case is not yet closed; he won't be coming out..."
The maidservant clung tightly to the guard's clothes, her eyes brimming with tears, pleading, "Brother, I beg you, our lady wants to see our prince, can you please do me a favor?"
The guard shrank back in fright, glancing left and right before whispering, "Miss, the Eighth Prince has offended His Majesty this time. His Majesty has ordered that no one is allowed to visit him. I am just a lowly soldier; I can't help you with anything..."
The maid suddenly knelt down and wouldn't get up, clinging to the guard's leg. The two of them pulled and tugged, making a noise that alerted the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review who came out from the Court of Judicial Review.
"What are you doing? What kind of behavior is this?" The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review was furious, his eyes bulging. The guards quickly shook off the maids and returned to their posts. The Eighth Prince's wife saw the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review from afar and hurriedly got off the carriage and ran towards him. When the maids saw the Eighth Prince's wife arrive, they silently retreated behind her.
"Eighth Prince's Consort..." The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review bowed slightly. The Eighth Prince's Consort hurriedly asked, "When will our Prince be released?" The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review had no choice but to answer truthfully, "Princess Consort, you should go back. His Majesty has already ordered the Eighth Prince to reflect on his actions at the Court of Judicial Review. Whether the Eighth Prince can be released depends on when he confesses his crimes..."
The Eighth Prince's wife was devastated and stood blankly at the door. The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review shook his head and left silently.
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