Chapter 148 You really don't know?
The ambush incident outside Beijing had a significant impact.
Not only was martial law declared in the capital, but Emperor Xiao Jing also specially transferred a portion of the capital's garrison to be stationed outside the capital.
At the same time, Emperor Xiao Jing immediately sent people to bring the Seventh Prince and the Duke of Dingguo's family back from the outskirts.
Until the murderer is caught, nowhere is safe except Kyoto.
The matter of the Jiangning Imperial Textile Bureau and the Ministry of Justice swapping death row inmates, which everyone had discussed before, is no longer being discussed much.
Everyone is now afraid, terrified that some unknown assassin will strike them like that.
Emperor Xiao Jing also stopped allowing the Crown Prince to investigate the matter, and instead sent his own people to investigate it.
Judging from their posture, it seemed like they were determined to find the murderer even if they had to dig three feet into the ground.
Empress Xu in the palace cried to Emperor Xiao Jing more than once, begging him to find the murderer and avenge her nephew.
In the Crown Prince's residence, the Crown Prince's concubine fell ill and never recovered after hearing that her brother had also perished.
The Crown Princess was also enduring her grief while taking care of the child.
The Crown Prince sat alone in his study for a long time, and it wasn't until the day after the incident that he went to the Prime Minister's residence.
When the Crown Prince saw Prime Minister Xu lying on the bed, his face gaunt and haggard, his eyes also reddened.
"Grandfather, I really don't know..." the Crown Prince said, bowing his head.
The previously vacant look in Prime Minister Xu's eyes slowly turned to the Crown Prince.
After a long while, he waved his hand and said.
"It's all fate, just a coincidence. Your Highness, there's no need to blame yourself."
The Crown Prince only needs to focus on his own duties.
Upon hearing what Prime Minister Xu said, the Crown Prince suddenly didn't know what to say.
"Grandpa, please get well soon. Father has already sent people to investigate this matter, and there will definitely be an explanation."
After a long while, the Crown Prince finally managed to utter these few words.
Prime Minister Xu glanced at the Crown Prince and smiled.
"Yes! With His Majesty taking action, it's basically a done deal."
"Your Highness, I ask you, have those people cleaned up their mess?"
The crown prince nodded.
"There's no trace of it, they won't be able to find out."
Prime Minister Xu smiled, then looked at the canopy above the bed.
"Yes! They're all dead, so there's no trace left!"
The Crown Prince is becoming increasingly adept at handling affairs, and he is giving me more and more peace of mind.
Upon hearing what Prime Minister Xu said, the Crown Prince's heart sank.
"Grandpa, if you put it that way..."
"Your Highness, I have no other intention than to feel a little gratified."
The person who occupies that position is inherently a lonely individual.
His Majesty is just like that.
Back then, when Consort Xian suddenly passed away, wasn't that orchestrated by the Zheng family?
But for the sake of the stability of the court, even if His Majesty knew that it was the Zheng family who did it, didn't he just let it go?
He used to dote on Consort Xian; you should learn from your father.
Romantic ties with your children are stumbling blocks to your rise to power.
"Those who sit in that position are all lonely people..." Prime Minister Xu said, word by word.
The crown prince did not speak, but simply looked at Prime Minister Xu.
After sitting for a while longer, Prime Minister Xu remained silent, only staring at the top of the curtain.
The crown prince also found it boring and got up to take his leave.
"Grandpa, I will come to see you again tomorrow. Please take good care of yourself. You are the head of all officials; the court cannot be without you..."
Prime Minister Xu nodded and waved to the Crown Prince.
Just as the Crown Prince turned to leave, Prime Minister Xu suddenly spoke again.
"Your Highness! You really didn't know that the heir of the Duke of Qi was also in the escort team?"
The prince trembled and immediately turned around.
"Grandpa, I really didn't know! If I had known, I would definitely have saved my cousin's life."
"My cousin has been with me since I was a child," the prince said, his voice trembling.
Prime Minister Xu nodded, then turned and went inside the bed.
After leaving the Prime Minister's residence, the Crown Prince sat in his carriage, his face showing a cold expression.
Actually, when my subordinates reported two days ago, they mentioned that the escort team had encountered my cousin's team in Lu.
He didn't take it to heart at the time.
It wasn't until that night, when the order was given to the suicide squad, that the leader asked, "Should we kill them all?"
He hesitated for a moment.
Kill them all? Does that include my cousin?
Should we seriously injure or knock out my cousin?
Wouldn't that be too obvious? Didn't the Prime Minister say it had to be true?
If one's own brother, the concubine's own brother, can be sacrificed, then why can't one's cousin be sacrificed?
Didn't the Prime Minister say we should consider the bigger picture? Are all people worth sacrificing?
Okay, here I have sacrificed my childhood playmate, the concubine's own brother.
Should the Prime Minister also make a sacrifice here?
Besides, it wasn't like I forced my cousin to join the escort team; he clearly wanted to go with me.
Haha, is the Prime Minister already unable to handle it?
That day, when I was telling myself to consider the bigger picture, it wasn't like this at all...
The crown prince felt as if a breath had been released from his chest.
I have always treated my maternal grandfather's family with great courtesy, so why do they keep pushing their luck?
The servants around him were arranged by his maternal grandfather's family, as were the maids who served him.
Alright, you've married your cousin according to your mother and grandfather's wishes, aren't you satisfied yet?
He only married a concubine he liked, and he became a thorn in their side?
He would constantly remind himself to stay grounded, and the Prime Minister especially warned him against becoming infatuated with beautiful women...
Why say everything is for your own good?
Isn't it all for their own wealth and status?
Only by seizing power can they maintain their wealth and status, and become the most powerful figures in the court...
As for myself, I may face the same situation as my father after I ascend to the throne.
Faced with the tyranny of his maternal relatives, he couldn't even protect the woman he loved...
Upon realizing this, the crown prince's expression suddenly turned sinister.
I will never allow such a thing to happen.
But we can't afford to break off relations yet. My mother is right; my grandfather can command all the officials, which is a great help to us.
Once I ascend the throne, the first thing I'll deal with is my maternal relatives...
Imperial power can only belong to the royal family; relatives of the empress cannot seize power...
Meanwhile, Duke Anguo's face was also ashen.
In just one night, the situation had completely turned against them.
"Speak! Did you do it?" Duke Anguo asked Marquis Wuding and Earl Ping'an, who were kneeling before him.
"Lord Duke, how could that be? We have always remembered what you said, to remain inactive." Marquis Wuding hurriedly stated.
Uncle Ping An also assured that it was definitely not his people who did it.
Duke Anguo looked at the two men without saying a word for a long time.
He didn't let the two of them stand up until their knees went numb from kneeling.
"We cannot afford to make a single mistake from now on."
Uncle Ping An, go back and have someone tell your two sons that they've kept their mouth shut.
"Just get through tonight and everything will be alright."
"Lord Duke, have we not been defeated yet?" Earl Ping'an asked hopefully.
"If you do as I say, you won't lose! Go and make the arrangements quickly," Duke Anguo urged.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
