As Luo Ziqian spoke, he raised the jade pendant.
Upon seeing this, Dexi immediately took the jade pendant and respectfully presented it to Emperor Rongcheng.
As Luo Ziqian presented the jade pendant, he couldn't help but cry again, thinking of his own ordeal.
Tears streamed down his swollen, bruised face, making him look like a child whose candy had been taken away.
He lacked the maturity and composure of a typical strategist.
Upon seeing this, Emperor Rongcheng frowned slightly.
He looked at Luo Ziqian and really doubted whether such a person, who was more trouble than he was worth, was really someone close to Shen Hechuan.
With his attitude of only coming over to cry after losing his wife, what can he possibly do to help Shen Hechuan?
Perhaps the most useful thing he did was design and invent that big firecracker!
As for the other matters, they were probably fabricated and spread by Shen Hechuan to elevate Luo Ziqian's status.
After all, such things were commonplace in the imperial court, and Emperor Rongcheng simply turned a blind eye to them, never questioning them.
As Emperor Rongcheng thought this, he unconsciously lowered his guard against Luo Ziqian. Only then did he look down at the jade pendant.
Upon closer inspection, it seemed somewhat familiar.
Consort Hui thought the same thing and looked at the jade pendant, then exclaimed in surprise.
"This jade pendant..."
She stopped abruptly as she spoke, then glanced at Emperor Rongcheng.
Seeing her hesitant expression, Emperor Rongcheng quickly asked, "What's wrong with this jade pendant?"
Facing Emperor Rongcheng's imposing gaze, Consort Hui hesitated for a moment before continuing:
"Your Majesty, I find this jade pendant familiar. I vaguely remember that His Highness the Crown Prince used to carry it with him."
"However, I was far away at the time and couldn't see clearly, so I might have been mistaken."
"After all, His Highness the Crown Prince is the heir apparent of the country, so how could he do something as absurd as defying the imperial decree and snatching a bride?"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Rongcheng's face turned pale.
His lips were pressed tightly together, and his gaze was fixed on Luo Ziqian.
But when she looked directly at Luo Ziqian's face, she couldn't bear to look directly at him, so she turned her head away and continued:
"Are you sure this was left behind by those people who kidnapped the bride?"
Luo Ziqian nodded.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Rongcheng's face immediately turned somewhat ugly.
With a cold face, he immediately ordered, "Someone, go and find out where the Crown Prince is, and tell him to come see me immediately."
Upon hearing this, Consort Hui immediately said:
"Your Majesty, please reconsider. I was just speaking casually. Whether it belongs to His Highness the Crown Prince is still unknown."
"You've gone to such great lengths to bring the Crown Prince back; if I've made a mistake, then I'll be a noble lady for all time."
Consort Hui's words, seemingly speaking in support of Shen Hechuan, were actually an implication to Emperor Rongcheng that her actions might give the Crown Prince time to prepare and hide the person in advance.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Rongcheng immediately changed his tune.
"Guards, immediately go and bring the Crown Prince back to me."
"Be discreet in your actions, and don't let the Crown Prince detect our intentions beforehand."
Dexi nodded upon hearing this and then went to make the arrangements.
Half an hour later, the leader who went to capture the prince returned ahead of schedule.
He knelt before Emperor Rongcheng and recounted what had just happened on the streets of Tiandu.
Emperor Rongcheng was surprised for a moment, and his expression showed some hesitation.
She couldn't help but wonder if she had misunderstood Shen Hechuan.
However, Consort Hui, who was standing to the side, exclaimed in surprise.
"Oh my, I never imagined that our Crown Prince would have such high prestige in the capital. The scene of such a large following is something that only happened when Your Majesty ascended the throne."
As soon as he finished speaking, Emperor Rongcheng's face immediately changed color.
Upon hearing this, Luo Ziqian, who had been kneeling on the ground sobbing uncontrollably, felt a sudden alarm bell ring in his mind and immediately spoke up:
"Your Majesty's words are quite strange."
"Your Majesty ascended the throne because it was the time for a new king to be crowned, and the people adored and supported him."
"Now Your Highness is supported by the people. Although the people are speaking out for Your Highness, it is ultimately because the Crown Prince is under the Emperor's protection that they support him."
It's the same thing, so why does it sound so different coming from you?
Upon hearing this, Consort Hui immediately snorted coldly.
"It is said that Lord Luo is the Crown Prince's right-hand man. When I first heard the news, I did not quite believe it. But now, after hearing Lord Luo's words, I realize that you are quite eloquent. You have managed to subtly change the subject and exonerate the Crown Prince with just a few words."
"In the end, His Majesty is trying to find you a fiancée, but judging from your words, it seems that you only have our Crown Prince in your heart, and not our Emperor, right?"
Upon hearing this, Luo Ziqian immediately frowned and made a face as if he was about to cry.
"Your Majesty, I was merely expressing my doubts. How could you accuse me of such a thing?"
Fortunately, His Majesty is still present; otherwise, even with eight mouths, I wouldn't be able to explain myself later.
Upon hearing this, Consort Hui stopped arguing and instead shouted sternly.
"Shut up!"
"Know your place!"
"I am a Noble Consort!"
Luo Ziqian paused, then lowered his head respectfully and said nothing more.
Seeing this, Consort Hui then looked at Emperor Rongcheng.
She didn't expect Emperor Rongcheng to completely believe what she said today.
All she said was to point out that the Crown Prince had now reached a point where he could command a huge following among the people and was powerful enough to threaten Emperor Rongcheng's position.
This is a good thing for the Crown Prince, but for Emperor Rongcheng, it is a serious threat.
Power has been a goal pursued by people throughout history.
Emperor Rongcheng spent his entire life trying to finally sit on this throne.
He was naturally suspicious, and now he felt he was still young, and even if he was the crown prince, he didn't want him to threaten his position.
Therefore, at this moment, Shen Hechuan appears to be explaining his grievances to Emperor Rongcheng.
In reality, a seed of doubt was planted in Emperor Rongcheng's heart.
However, Consort Hui underestimated Shen Hechuan's standing among the people.
Surprisingly, her elaborate schemes had no effect on him.
However, that doesn't matter anymore. After all, making Emperor Rongcheng suspicious of him wasn't entirely without gain.
Consort Hui felt relieved after thinking this through.
Just then, Shen Hechuan was led slowly into the main hall.
******
Meanwhile, on the other side...
After Shen Hechuan left, Gu Jingchun looked around and began to examine the place.
Clearly, this is just an ordinary two-courtyard house.
There's absolutely nothing special about it.
It was obvious that Shen Hechuan had deliberately chosen this place, keeping it discreet and unassuming. It would probably take some effort for others to investigate.
She looked around but found nothing. She took a few more steps forward, opened the door, and went out.
As soon as I went outside, I saw two maids standing respectfully outside.
When they saw Gu Jingchun come out, they immediately bowed respectfully.
Gu Jingchun nodded and casually said a few words to them.
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