The new year begins.
The city was covered with snow, and red firecracker paper was scattered all over the ground, creating a festive and peaceful atmosphere.
The news of the signing of a peace agreement with Wazhen has spread, and the people in the capital are relieved.
If the war in the northern border can really be temporarily stopped, it will undoubtedly be a great thing.
Perhaps influenced by the good news, the city was celebrating for several days in a row.
However, there are also people who don't care about these.
Because what happened has really happened, it also means... many matters that were previously put on hold will be put on the agenda again.
…
Imperial study.
Emperor Mu Wu sat behind the imperial desk with a pile of unopened memorials in front of him. His face was gloomy and it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry.
The cabinet and important ministers were all standing below, on the left and right, arguing fiercely.
"The Second Prince has committed many crimes and should be severely punished! He has been delayed for a long time because of the arrival of the Wazhen delegation. Now it's time to deal with it properly!"
"Sir He, we understand what you said, but the Second Prince is your Majesty's blood after all, and there are some things that have not been thoroughly investigated. I'm afraid it's not appropriate to hastily close the case..."
"Why is it inappropriate? The emperor is guilty of the same crime as the common people! Moreover, his guilt is obvious! What is there to hesitate about? Moreover, His Majesty has already ordered Xiao Chengxuan to be exiled to Yizhou! Now that everything is settled, he should be escorted to Yizhou immediately!"
"How did it get decided? Princess Yuhe is also involved! If we send him away now, what will Princess Yuhe do with him?"
"this--"
The fierce argument suddenly paused and everyone looked embarrassed.
Previously, many people had heard that the eldest princess summoned Xiao Chengxuan and Xiao Lanxi for interrogation, and that the two had a falling out and accused each other in the palace.
The matter was suppressed only because of the need to deal with the Wazhen delegation.
Now that Ugle and the others have left, they finally have some time to settle the accounts.
Chen Songshi had not said much since he came in. Only now did he take a step forward and bow:
"Your Majesty, please make the decision."
The air in the hall seemed to freeze, and everyone belatedly looked towards Emperor Mu Wu.
Originally, Xiao Chengxuan's case had been concluded, but the confrontation between Xiao Lanxi and him made things even more complicated.
Who knows what Xiao Lanxi has done over the years?
Emperor Mu Wu was silent for a long time, then he let out a long sigh in his heart, and couldn't help feeling a bit helpless, ridiculous and sad.
The son he once valued so much, the daughter he once didn't care about at all... in the end, they both had their own thoughts and were calculating against each other.
It's really ridiculous.
"His Majesty?"
Tang Zhongli spoke up and hesitated for a moment, "Should we ask the princess to come and discuss this together?"
Emperor Mu Wu pulled himself away from his thoughts, and when he raised his eyes again, he became the unpredictable emperor again.
"No need."
He pondered for a moment and asked Chen Songshi:
"Immediately send someone to Qingzhou to investigate and see if there are any other clues."
Chen Songshi was stunned for a moment, but soon understood what Emperor Mu Wu meant.
——Xiao Chengxuan and Xiao Lanxi accused each other and put all the charges on each other. The most serious and fatal one was whether they had colluded with the Nanhu swordsman and committed treason.
The Dali Temple had already investigated everything that could be investigated, and the matter was set in stone. But when Xiao Lanxi showed up, they began to doubt again.
If no new clues are found, the case will probably be delayed for a long time.
The only place where a breakthrough could be found right now was Qingzhou - because the assassin who was sent by Xiao Chengxuan to kill Ye Zheng had later appeared in Qingzhou and tried to attack Ye Chutang.
Although it failed, it meant that Xiao Chengxuan's power might have already infiltrated Qingzhou long ago.
The passing of geese leaves traces behind, and who knows, maybe we can find something there.
Putting the cause and effect together, Chen Songshi understood what he meant and immediately responded, "Yes."
Emperor Mu Wu leaned back in his chair and said, "Until the matter is fully investigated, the two of them will be detained in the capital and are not allowed to leave."
Everyone knew who those two people were referring to.
Can--
"Your Majesty! Think twice! The imperial decree has already been issued, but it was delayed again and again because of your majesty's illness. But now your majesty is well again, how, how..."
"Yes, Your Majesty! Even if there are doubts about Xiao Chengxuan's collusion with the enemy, it is an indisputable fact that he harmed the Fourth Prince and caused him to be disabled for life! How can you raise him so high and then let him go so easily? Doing so will really damage the reputation of the royal family!"
"If Your Majesty still has doubts, you can send someone to investigate secretly. If you make such a big fuss about it and it gets out, it will alert the enemy..."
Emperor Mu Wu closed his eyes, a look of fatigue appeared between his brows, and there was also a hint of impatience.
"I have made up my mind."
A deep sentence interrupted the noisy argument.
Everyone fell silent and looked at the figure. They knew that he had already made a decision and would not change it, and they all felt sad.
Emperor Mu Wu waved his hand.
"Everyone, please leave."
"……yes."
Everyone bowed their heads and saluted, then filed out of the imperial study.
Chen Songshi was the last one to withdraw.
Looking back at the closed door, although everyone still had many things to say, they swallowed them back, turned around and left one after another.
After walking for a distance, low voices of discussion were heard.
"Your Majesty really loves the Second Prince the most!"
"Isn't it? The emperor was furious before and said he would exile Xiao Chengxuan, but he fell ill and after the New Year, he was allowed to stay in Beijing..."
"But then again, his treason is indeed full of doubts. I heard that he had a very fierce argument with Princess Yuhe that day, and all the evidence pointed to him being framed by Princess Yuhe. Perhaps... there is really something behind this?"
"Humph, I don't know whether it's true or not. I only know that our former Prince Qi is indeed ambitious, good at scheming, and will do anything to achieve his goals! Who knows if this is another trap he set up?"
"It's hard to say. And Princess Yuhe, she seemed timid and introverted before, who would have thought that she has such means?"
"Mr. Chen, what do you think?"
Chen Songshi was deep in thought. He looked up when he heard the words, glanced at the people who were talking, and then slowly spoke:
"Your Majesty has issued the decree. If you have any objections, you may return and speak to His Majesty."
Several people choked and shut their mouths in embarrassment.
That being said, who would dare to do something disobedient?
Finally there was peace and quiet. Chen Songshi shook his sleeves and walked forward alone.
At this moment, a tall and slender figure came into everyone's sight.
Chen Songshi was stunned.
"Prince?"
Why did he suddenly come to the palace at this time? (End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
