Emperor Jingming hesitated for a moment and asked Pan Hai, "Did I summon him?"

"The emperor did not summon Commander Han." Pan Hai lowered his head and replied.

Emperor Jingming rubbed his brows and sighed, "Let him in."

He is really a frightened bird now, and even has to think twice before asking Han Ran to meet him.

As the commander of the Jinlin Guard, Han Ran naturally had many opportunities to report matters to him, but these were nothing more than daily government affairs.

Not long after, Han Ran walked in quickly and said, "I have seen the emperor."

Emperor Jingming glanced at him and asked, "Is there anything wrong?"

Han Ran bowed and said, "Today, I, your humble servant, found some unusual situations in Fude Temple, and I have come to report to the emperor."

When Emperor Jingming heard the words "Fude Temple", he immediately thought of Cining Palace.

Today, Nanny Chang from Cining Palace went to Fude Temple, and my mother fainted after hearing the news that Nanny Chang brought back.

"Speak!" Emperor Jingming held the white jade paper and pointed at Han Ran.

Han Ran shuddered with fear and glanced at Pan Hai with dissatisfaction.

It's almost early summer. Can't we put a folding fan on the dragon table for the emperor? Why do we always make him hold a paper weight?

After a breath, Han Ran said, "Two women were talking about the private affairs of the nobles and were overheard by another woman. The woman offered the two women gold ingots as a reward to inquire about the death of Princess Rongyang. This scene happened to be seen by your humble subordinates. Your humble subordinates felt something was wrong and followed the three women. As a result, you found that the woman who gave the gold ingots was actually from the palace--"

Seeing that Emperor Jingming looked unhappy, Han Ran paused.

"Go on." Emperor Jingming had already developed a bad premonition and his face became increasingly gloomy.

Emperor Jingming did not find it strange that Jinlin Guards appeared in Fude Temple.

Royal temples such as Fude Temple were under the surveillance of Jinlin Guard. This kind of surveillance was not airtight. For example, many places where officials and nobles gathered would have one or two such spies. They could only pay general attention and pass the news to Emperor Jingming once something big happened.

Of course, the first person to hear the news was Han Ran, the commander of the Jinlin Guard. As for whether to report it to Emperor Jingming, that was up to him to consider.

It is precisely because of this that all officials and nobles dare not offend Han Ran easily.

If you offend him, he might tell the emperor about trivial matters. After three or two reports, even the most favored ministers will become hateful in the eyes of the emperor.

"After questioning the other two women, it turned out that their husbands had instructed them to tell the palace maid about Princess Rongyang—"

With a bang, Emperor Jingming slammed the white jade paper on the table.

The atmosphere in the room suddenly stagnated.

"What are the identities of those two women?" Emperor Jingming asked with a sullen face.

"One is the wife of Zhao Tiju, the Minister of Personnel, and the other is the wife of Zhang Zhubu, the Minister of the Imperial Academy—"

Before Han Ran finished speaking, Emperor Jingming asked angrily, "Where are they?"

"I have brought Zhao Tiju and Zhang Zhubu back to the government office for questioning..."

"Are there any results?"

Han Ran's eyes flickered slightly, but he didn't answer immediately.

Emperor Jingming laughed in anger: "What is there to be afraid of? He even dares to plot against the Queen Mother. I want to see who this person is!"

"Zhao Tiju said that the person who ordered him to do this was Li Duolai, the Right Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and Zhang Zhubu confessed that the person who instructed him was Chen Shaoqing, the superior." Han Ran quickly glanced at Emperor Jingming and said cautiously, "I thought that this matter concerned the Empress Dowager, and that Assistant Minister Li and Chen Shaoqing were not petty officials like Zhao Tiju and Zhang Zhubu. Even if we interrogate them, it would not take a long time to get results, so I hurried to the palace to report to the emperor."

Minister Li, Shaoqing Chen——

Emperor Jingming silently recited the two names and looked through their interpersonal relationships.

The relationships among the officials and nobles are complicated, and many of them are related to each other. It is not possible to sort out the clues in a short time, but Emperor Jingming has his own ideas.

The other party dared to plot against the Queen Mother, so he must have some ulterior motive.

When the Queen Mother heard that Rongyang had passed away, who would be the unlucky one?

Almost without thinking, two big words emerged in Emperor Jingming's mind: King of Yan.

There was no way to surprise him. Not long ago, he had scolded the seventh brother and decided to keep that kid away from entering the palace and offending the empress dowager in the future.

What does it mean to those ministers if a prince is treated coldly?

From this perspective, this matter is most likely a plot against the Seventh Brother through the Queen Mother.

The seventh prince is a prince, and ordinary ministers have no need to be hostile to a prince. It is not difficult to guess the other party's purpose: it is very likely to succeed the throne.

The ones who are related to the throne are just those few...is it the fourth, fifth, or sixth?

Now that he had a direction, Emperor Jingming would no longer be searching aimlessly for the personal connections between Minister Li and Shaoqing Chen.

Minister Li is the cousin of Princess Qi.

Princess Qi was from the Li clan, and although she concealed her shameful deeds from the world, the Li clan would naturally reveal the truth.

Otherwise, if a princess went out and smelled incense, she would be frightened and need to rest. The Li family would definitely come to see her. Although the royal family is not afraid of the Li family, and the Li family dare not do anything, it would be better if this unnecessary resentment can be reduced.

Just like now, the Li family knew that Princess Qi had done something shameful, and they were too ashamed to dare to say a single word.

Even though the Princess of Qi has been deposed, the Li family will obviously continue to support the fourth son as always.

And Chen Shaoqing——

Emperor Jingming was surprised and asked Han Ran, "Which prince does Shaoqing Chen have the most contact with?"

Han was startled, his eyes flickering.

"Just say whatever comes to your mind!"

"King Qi." Han Ran lowered his head and quickly uttered two words.

Emperor Jingming was stunned for a moment, veins popped out on his forehead, and he stared at Han Ran and asked, "Prince Qi?"

Han Ran silently lit a stick of incense for the Prince of Qi in his heart, and said honestly, "There is an aide in the Prince of Qi's mansion who is in the same class as Chen Shaoqing. It seems that because of this relationship, this aide often drinks with Chen Shaoqing and keeps in touch..."

Han Ran said this and sighed in his heart: The King of Yan really doesn't leave anyone a way to survive. Now the King of Qi is finished.

Emperor Jingming narrowed his eyes, and there was a storm brewing in his dark eyes.

Is it the fourth one?

Minister Li is related to the fourth brother, and Shaoqing Chen is also related to the fourth brother. Who else could it be but the fourth brother?

Emperor Jingming would not do such a shameful thing as calling Minister Zhao and Shaoqing Chen for questioning, but he could call his son.

"Pan Hai, summon Prince Qi to the palace."

In Prince Qi's mansion, Prince Qi had been staying in the study waiting for news. When he heard the news that Yu Jin was called into the palace and later reprimanded, he couldn't help but laugh.

Old Seven has been so proud for so long, but now his arrogance has finally been crushed.

Next, he will make things even worse for him.

He has so many ministers under his control, and it is time for them to speak up for him.

Prince Qi remained in a cheerful mood and ordered the kitchen to prepare some good wine and delicious food. Then he received the news that Emperor Jingming had summoned him, and hurried to the palace.

As soon as Prince Qi walked into Yu's study, a white object flew towards his front.