Suddenly, He Liufeng stopped, squatted down, threw the thing in his sleeve next to the box, and said seriously, "There's something here."
Upon hearing the news, the others hurried over. "Your Highness, what have you discovered?"
"There's something here that looks like a piece of clothing."
Sure enough, the others noticed a tiny piece of fabric lying on the ground next to the box. The fabric was almost the same color as the ground, and it would be hard to spot unless you looked closely.
One of them picked up the item, glanced at the others, and then looked at He Liufeng. "Your Highness, perhaps this is something the thief accidentally left behind."
The items were quickly delivered to the Imperial Study, along with information about the fabric.
"Your Majesty, these items were found in the national treasury; they must have been left behind by the thief by accident."
Lai Fu, the chief eunuch serving the emperor, presented the emperor with a tray containing cloth.
The Emperor picked up the tiny piece of cloth, examined it closely, then looked at the people opposite him and asked authoritatively, "What have you found out about this cloth?"
The group exchanged glances, but none of them dared to speak.
"Speak!" The Emperor slammed his fist on the table.
Several people knelt down, but He Liufeng remained standing.
"Liufeng, you tell us."
“Your Majesty, after examination, this piece of fabric has been identified as extremely precious Yun brocade. Yun brocade is produced in very small quantities, with only two bolts being presented as tribute each year. Now, as long as we know where these two bolts of Yun brocade are, we can find out who this person is.”
As soon as He Liufeng finished speaking, the Imperial Study fell silent.
Everyone present knew how precious and rare Yun brocade was. Every year, of the two bolts of Yun brocade, one was used to make clothes for the emperor, and the other was bestowed by the emperor upon the crown prince.
The fabric is very new, clearly something that was presented as tribute this year. This year's Yun brocade was also bestowed upon the Crown Prince.
The emperor couldn't possibly steal from the national treasury himself, so the thief's identity is quite obvious.
The Emperor sat there, staring at the small piece of brocade on the tray, remaining silent for a long time before slowly speaking, "Go and summon the Crown Prince."
The Crown Prince was handling official business at his residence when he heard the Emperor summon him to the palace. He assumed that the Emperor had found the culprit who stole from the national treasury, so he quickly tidied his clothes and hurried into the palace.
Upon seeing the somber atmosphere in the imperial study and noticing the strange looks directed at him, the Crown Prince realized something was amiss.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty." The Crown Prince knelt on the ground and bowed to the Emperor, but did not hear the Emperor tell him to rise.
The crown prince looked up at the emperor with a puzzled expression, only to see the emperor staring at him with a look of disappointment.
"Father? What happened? Has the thief who stole from the national treasury been caught?" the Crown Prince asked in confusion.
At this moment, at the Emperor's instruction, Laifu picked up the tray and placed it in front of the Crown Prince.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Without the emperor's order, the crown prince dared not get up and could only kneel there, looking down at the tray on the ground, in which was a very small piece of cloth.
"Eunuch Laifu, what is this?" The Crown Prince turned to look at Laifu beside him.
"Your Highness, this item was found in the national treasury," Laifu reminded the bewildered prince.
The Crown Prince examined the item closely and suddenly noticed that the fabric was actually Yun brocade. Yun brocade was not something that just anyone could have. Apart from his father, he was the only one in the entire Ling Dynasty who possessed it. Moreover, the fabric in front of him was extremely new, clearly something that had been presented as tribute this year.
So, did the emperor think that he had stolen from the national treasury?
Upon realizing this, the Crown Prince's pupils constricted slightly, and he quickly looked up at the Emperor.
"Father, this is not my thing. I haven't even worn this brocade dress made this year. It's currently being kept in the Crown Prince's residence. If you don't believe me, you can send someone to check. I absolutely haven't done such a thing." The Crown Prince was shocked and repeatedly assured him. He knew how precious brocade was. Even his uncle didn't own a single piece of brocade. In the entire Ling Dynasty, apart from his father, he was the only one who luxuriously wore clothes made of brocade.
Unexpectedly, what used to symbolize his status and favor became evidence against him. Looking at the emperor's gloomy face, the crown prince's heart sank.
The people sent to investigate quickly returned with the garment, and upon closer inspection, it was confirmed that a piece was indeed missing from the hem.
The Crown Prince was so frightened that he fell to the ground. He panicked for a moment, but quickly calmed down and turned to look at the Emperor. “Father, this is obviously a frame-up. Everyone knows that only you and I have this brocade. How could I do such a thing?”
Besides, even if I were to steal from the national treasury, I wouldn't wear clothes that would easily reveal my identity. Wouldn't that be blatantly telling everyone that I am the one who steals from the national treasury?
"Your Majesty, you are wise enough to know that I have absolutely no reason to do such a thing. Over the years, Your Majesty has bestowed upon me many rewards, and I believe I have seen plenty of fine things. What benefit would I gain from stealing from the national treasury?"
He Liufeng looked down at the Crown Prince kneeling there, explaining repeatedly. A trace of pity flashed in his eyes. His explanation was indeed very reasonable and well-founded. However, the one who wanted to frame you was none other than your own father, whom you admired so much.
"Go back first, let me think about it carefully." The Emperor simply waved his hand, signaling the Crown Prince to leave.
The Crown Prince was filled with unease. What did his father mean by not confining him to house arrest or saying how he would be punished? Did his father mean he was going to give him a chance?
"Your subject takes his leave." The Crown Prince left quickly, unsure of his father's intentions; he needed to discuss this matter thoroughly with his advisors.
Phoenix Palace.
The Empress was furious when the Fengyi Palace was robbed. Then she heard the news that the national treasury had been robbed, and that the treasury was guarded by the Wang family, her maternal grandparents' family. She also heard that the Emperor had thrown those people into prison. The Empress panicked. She no longer cared about what was missing from her palace. All she wanted to do was beg the Emperor to spare the Wang family.
That was her maternal grandparents' home; how could she just stand by and watch them get into trouble? Her mother also sent word, hoping the Empress would put in a good word for them with the Emperor, as the crime was serious.
The Empress knew the rule that the empress's harem was not allowed to interfere in politics, so she planned to go to the Emperor tonight to plead for mercy. However, it was only noon when she heard news coming from the Imperial Study.
The Emperor summoned the Crown Prince to the palace, and later sent someone to the Crown Prince's residence to retrieve a garment.
The Empress was greatly alarmed. What did this mean? Could it be that this matter was related to the Crown Prince?
Having held the throne for many years, the Empress was no ordinary person. She quickly formed a suspicion, but she wasn't sure. She knew the Crown Prince had no reason to do such a thing.
This was clearly a setup. The Empress calmed herself down and first sent someone to the Crown Prince's residence to inquire about what had happened in the Imperial Study that day.
After the Empress confirmed her suspicions, she collapsed onto the bed, her face ashen. Who was trying to harm the Crown Prince?
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