When He Zhu came out, he saw Ling Pu kneeling at the door.
"Eunuch He, does His Highness the Crown Prince wish to see me?" Ling Pu asked immediately upon seeing He Zhu emerge.
"Lord Lingpu, His Highness the Crown Prince has instructed me to attend to some business! Please wait a moment!" If He Zhu weren't mindful of his status, he would have wanted to beat Lingpu up. What an ingrate, ignoring how kind His Highness the Crown Prince has been to them.
Ling Pu felt uneasy after hearing He Zhu's words, but he could only continue kneeling.
"Second Brother, Lingpu's matter is probably not accidental. Ninth Brother and I have analyzed that it may be deliberately targeting you!" Fourth Prince said to the Crown Prince.
"Yes, Second Brother, you must be careful!" Ninth Prince said.
"Don't worry! This isn't the first time I've been told this!" The Crown Prince ordered, "Let Lingpu in!"
When Lingpu heard that the Crown Prince wanted to see him, he quickly went inside and respectfully kowtowed.
"This servant greets Your Highness the Crown Prince!"
The Crown Prince did not let Lingpu get up. He looked at Lingpu kneeling in front of him, feeling a mix of emotions. He had trusted Lingpu too much and overlooked the greed and dissatisfaction of human nature. It was his indulgence that led Lingpu to become what he is now.
"Lingpu, you have truly disappointed me! How dare you be so audacious as to hoard tribute! What about my reputation? How can I face my father's trust?" The Crown Prince said to Lingpu with a pained expression.
"This servant knows his mistake! This servant has failed His Highness the Crown Prince's trust!" Lingpu said, weeping bitterly.
"Lingpu, is there anything else you haven't told me?" The Crown Prince felt that Lingpu must have done more than just this one thing.
"No! This servant has always followed your teachings! I was blinded by greed this time, which is why I did this!" Lingpu quickly assured him.
"That would be for the best. If I find out you've done anything else, I certainly won't let you off the hook!"
"This servant wouldn't dare!" Lingpu said guiltily, his eyes darting around.
"How many tributes did you secretly keep? Where are those tributes now?" the crown prince questioned.
"This servant only kept a small portion, which is currently in this servant's residence!" Lingpu said, trembling.
Upon hearing Lingpu's words, the Crown Prince's eyes were filled with disappointment. It seemed that even the wet nurse knew about this matter. He had given them too much power, which had blinded them.
"Ninth Brother, take my token and search Lingpu Mansion. Don't miss any place! Find everything belonging to the Aisin Gioro family!" the Crown Prince said to the Ninth Prince.
"Yes, Second Brother!" The Ninth Prince took the Crown Prince's token and led his men to search Ling Pu's house.
Lingpu knew it was all over. Now it was just a matter of time. The Crown Prince didn't know what he had done, but the Crown Prince would definitely find out and wouldn't let him off the hook.
The Crown Prince ordered Lingpu to be taken away first. Until the matter is investigated, Lingpu can only stay in Yuqing Palace.
Seeing the Crown Prince's somewhat dejected appearance, the Fourth Prince sighed inwardly, "Second Brother, you don't deserve to be angry over that servant Lingpu. It's not your fault, so don't take the blame for his mistakes!"
Just like Xue said, don't punish yourself for other people's mistakes!
The Crown Prince's expression softened only when He Xue was mentioned.
"I understand, but I'm a little disappointed in them!" the Crown Prince sighed.
"Fourth brother, you should also send someone to investigate the Imperial Household Department! Lingpu's matter is probably not that simple!"
Since this matter is directed at me, they must know what Lingpu did. Rather than waiting for them to bring it up, we should take the initiative to admit it ourselves!
"Tell Father about this during the morning court session tomorrow! I will also write a memorial to Father to apologize!" the Crown Prince said to the Fourth Prince.
"Alright, Second Brother, I'll get on it right away!" After leaving Yuqing Palace, the Fourth Prince immediately arranged for someone to check the accounts of the Imperial Household Department, determined to find out the truth before the morning court session tomorrow.
He Zhu's investigation into Ling Pu's matter was simple. When He Zhu went to the Imperial Household Department to inquire about Ling Pu, many people dared not speak. In the end, He Zhu said that the Crown Prince wanted to thoroughly investigate Ling Pu. If they knew but did not speak, it would be considered protecting Ling Pu, and they would not be able to escape responsibility.
Only then did someone reveal Lingpu's crimes. Once someone started, things became much easier. Lingpu's crimes were simply too numerous to list.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
