Xiao Cunyu knew nothing about Guo Xiaomei's affairs. When he returned home, the Spring Examination had already ended and the results were announced.
As expected, the third brother lived up to everyone's expectations and got the first place in the exam. However, the palace examination has not started yet, so he has not yet obtained the title of top scholar. But unless the old emperor does not want a good reputation, the title will definitely belong to the third brother.
The third brother was cautious in his actions. After the results came out, he did not get proud. Countless people came to him to offer him benefits. The second branch simply announced that they would not accept any gifts from anyone except their own relatives. This was also to avoid being accidentally involved in factional disputes.
The emperor also paid close attention to the situation of these students.
He was the Son of Heaven, so naturally he didn't want his disciples to get too close to the princes while he was still in power.
"The Wu family did not send any gifts to the students this time. Instead, the Qin Wang's maternal family, Young Master Yuan Yi, has been in contact with many tribute scholars. Since the list came out, he has been hosting banquets in the restaurant almost every day, and many guests have attended the banquets." The secret guard told the emperor what he had found out.
After hearing this, the emperor was indeed not very happy.
"Since the title of Duke of Wei was taken back, the fourth brother has become bolder. A few days ago, he tried to squeeze the third brother but was reprimanded by me, but he still doesn't repent. Now he dares to let the Yuan family buy people's hearts. He is so bold!" The emperor was gloomy, wondering whether he should distance himself from Concubine Rou recently.
Once the mother and son gained power, they became even more ungrateful.
"The third brother really did nothing?" The emperor was a little unconvinced.
"We didn't bribe the tribute scholars." The secret guard answered honestly.
"Did he go to see Lao Wu?" the emperor asked again.
The dark spots on Prince Lu's face were a bad omen to begin with, and after they finally healed, it was revealed that he was colluding with the royal merchants of the Duan family. After Prince Qin filed a complaint, the emperor favored Prince Rui and scolded Prince Qin. But he felt uncomfortable afterwards, and when he thought of Prince Lu taking a woman from the Duan family as a concubine, he could not bear it, so he directly issued an order to place him under house arrest in the palace and not allow him to go anywhere.
It has been so long that people outside are almost forgetting King Lu.
"No." said the secret guard.
The emperor frowned and felt disgusted again.
He didn't even go to see his brothers, who were born to the same mother. What did this mean? He even ignored his brothers for the throne? If he could ignore his brothers today, would he still have him as his father in his heart in the future?
"Old Fifth has been reflecting on this for a long time. It's time..." The emperor was halfway through his sentence when he suddenly thought of something. "Where's the Crown Prince?"
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has been staying in the Crown Prince's Mansion and has not been anywhere else."
"Has the secret room been cracked?" asked the emperor.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me, I haven't yet..." Anwei quickly apologized.
The emperor's face darkened. "Okay, then I'll go see these two good sons and see what I, the crown prince, do every day!"
There's even a hidden secret room.
Could it be that it leads to some strange place, hiding weapons or even dragon robes?!
The emperor had already begun to imagine a scenario in which his son wanted to usurp the throne.
He immediately asked the eunuchs to make preparations. He didn't want to make a big fuss, so he quietly left the palace in plain clothes and arrived at the Prince's Mansion at noon.
There have been only a few princes who were driven to live outside the palace since ancient times, and this prince's mansion does not look majestic enough, not even as good as the residences of Prince Rui and Prince Qin. After the emperor came, he did not think it was inappropriate.
After telling the servant to shut up, he walked straight in.
The emperor did not inform anyone along the way. After knowing that the prince was in the study, he snorted coldly and rushed in with his men!
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