The two of them didn't dare to breathe loudly. They never expected that their father knew even this. They had kept all the information a secret. What exactly happened?
"Father, who told you that?"
Both of them looked rather grim; they dared not tell a lie.
"Is this a question for you to ask me?"
The two started pretending to be quails.
It was the Crown Prince who spoke first, "Father, I just need to investigate the authenticity of that treasure map."
The same reason can be used twice; the prince is quite clever, huh?
"Yes, yes, Father, that's what I think too." The eldest prince also used this reason.
The emperor was speechless looking at these two fools. How did they have anything to do with him?
"Have you investigated? Have you found the treasure?"
What do you plan to do with that treasure after you find it?
The two: "..."
"To be turned over to the national treasury"
"To my father."
Haha, the emperor didn't believe a single word.
"Alright, get out of here now. I'm in a good mood and don't want to see you."
Those two are truly useless.
Both of them were confined to their quarters, one for three days and the other for an unknown period. The eldest prince was still quite satisfied, and when he returned, he didn't forget to tell him, "Your Highness, do you know why I knew about your situation? It's because someone close to you told me."
They gave me a letter, an address, and a picture, and only then could I tell my father, "Guess who that person is?"
The crown prince's expression changed drastically.
He had just guessed that someone must have betrayed him, otherwise how could his elder brother know so much?
He gets angry just thinking about those possibilities, and he'll definitely find out who it is when he gets back.
"You seem quite angry. How about I tell you the answer? It's your most valued strategist."
The eldest prince burst into laughter at his exasperated expression and even produced the letter.
"Look, this is the letter he wrote to me, and there are some keepsakes inside."
Your Highness, it's truly a pity that you have no one of value by your side. Even your strategist has betrayed you. Isn't that pathetic?
And your new concubine, I heard she's getting very close to some of our younger brothers.
She's a fence-sitter, always switching sides; you'd better watch out.
The eldest prince, always eager for a good show, was easily swayed by the others' provocations; whether he believed them or not was irrelevant.
He believes it's fine, but he doesn't lose anything if he doesn't.
The crown prince naturally didn't believe it, but he still accepted the letter.
On the way back, he unconsciously opened the letter. The handwriting was indeed the strategist's, and the token also belonged to the strategist. The crown prince slammed his fist on the small table in anger.
Those outside heard the commotion and quickly asked the Crown Prince what was wrong.
"Your Highness, may I ask what has happened?"
"It's nothing, it has nothing to do with you! Go back now."
Upon returning to the Crown Prince's residence, guards were immediately deployed outside.
Everyone in the mansion was puzzled. The Crown Prince sent someone to bring the strategist to the front yard.
"Your Highness, what's wrong?"
The strategist's concern remained unchanged, but to the crown prince, it was particularly irritating.
Regardless of whether he is a strategist or not, the fact that that letter appeared means that the strategist is problematic.
"Strategist, take a look at this."
The crown prince handed him the letter and successfully saw the strategist's expression change. His face changed repeatedly, just like a colorful painting.
"Your Highness, this is definitely not my handwriting!"
The strategist quickly began to explain, knowing that if he didn't explain today, or if he couldn't explain clearly, things would get complicated.
"We've been together for so many years, do you think I'm a fool?"
How dare you say these words, this token, aren't yours?
Every single word on this is in his handwriting.
"Strategist, I trusted you so much, I felt I could entrust my back to you without reservation, and this is how you earned my trust?"
The strategist's hands were trembling. He knew very well that this was fake, a setup, but the handwriting... how could it be so similar?
"Strategist, why don't you tell me honestly why you betrayed me along with the First Prince?"
The strategist's eyes widened. The eldest prince? Are you kidding me?
When did he have any relationship with the First Prince?! This is slander, this is slander!
"Your Highness, I am innocent! This really has nothing to do with me."
"Your Highness, I am only thinking of you."
The Crown Prince didn't want to look at him, his gaze was cold. "Instead of saying these things, strategist, you should talk about your relationship with the First Prince."
The strategist then realized that the crown prince no longer trusted him, and he felt somewhat disappointed.
He had followed the Crown Prince for so long, always offering him advice and never harboring any disloyalty. But now, just because of a letter, things had come to this. A bitter smile appeared on his lips. "Your Highness, I really have no relation to the Crown Prince."
The sincerity of my subordinates is evident.
"Your Highness, after all these years together, isn't it enough for you to trust your subordinates?" This is the most chilling part.
The crown prince simply didn't believe it.
"It's because I trust you that I let you leak such an important secret."
Those who know about this are certainly aware of it, and those who know the complete blueprints are even more so.
"Strategist, you said it wasn't you. Who was it?!"
"Hasn't Your Highness considered that this is a scheme by the First Prince to sow discord?"
Was this a deliberate setup on his part?
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