The person who spoke was from the Third Prince's faction.
Everyone else tried their best to curry favor with Sheng Mingyu, but the third prince was the only one who stubbornly went against him.
Sheng Mingyu glanced at them and didn't take them seriously.
"This prince is not one to act first and report later. I originally wrote a letter to His Majesty and will only implement the plan after receiving a reply. The people of Jiangnan are very accustomed to it, so there is no need for you gentlemen to worry."
He responded neither softly nor harshly, thinking that the matter could be resolved with just a few words. After all, it had been discussed in the court for many days, and it would not cause any more trouble.
But these people just kept talking and wouldn't stop.
"I work for the imperial court, so how could I not consider the people? You can't just listen to what His Royal Highness says. I have a letter in my hand, which happens to be a petition from the people. Why don't you take a look at it first, His Royal Highness?"
He had a smirk on his face.
Sheng Mingyu frowned, having a bad feeling.
The third prince looked determined to win and was waiting to see the joke.
"Oh? My dear, you said you have a petition from the people. Why not present it to me? I remember that petitions from the people should be delivered to the outside of the palace. How did it end up in your hands?"
Even a fool could see that today's incident was aimed at Sheng Mingyu. The emperor did not stand idly by and immediately came to his rescue.
Minister of Works Li Liang stood there in a daze, his smile frozen on his lips.
He never thought that this matter could attract the attention of His Majesty.
He looked at the Third Prince, who nodded silently before he continued.
"Yes! Although I have overstepped my bounds, they have indeed delivered them to me. Your Majesty, please take a look at the records here. Your Highness the Crown Prince not only oppressed the people in Jiangnan, but also forcibly abducted women. Your Majesty, please act on behalf of the people!"
Li Liang was not afraid at all. He delivered the petition from the people and knelt on the ground and kowtowed heavily.
Now that things have come to this, he can't back down and can only go ahead with it.
The emperor's expression suddenly became extremely ugly. He looked at Sheng Mingyu, then at Li Liang who was kneeling on the ground, and forced himself not to curse.
"Well, since you have said so, I will certainly take a look. But you must also promise not to deceive the emperor. If I find any falsehood, you will pay the prince with your life."
The emperor's personal eunuch walked down the stairs, followed by threatening words.
If Li Liang took back the petition at this time, he could still let bygones be bygones.
"Why? Father, are you willing to disregard the safety of the people just to protect the Crown Prince? Although I've been traveling for two years, my impression of you hasn't changed. You should put the people first."
Hearing this, the third prince was furious. He couldn't help but run out to question.
He really didn't understand, was he his father's son or was Sheng Mingyu?
Such a big thing, yet my father still wants to suppress it. What is he thinking?
"Third brother, look at this place. Who allowed you to question me? Have I been too lenient with you, causing you to lose your dignity? You don't even know how to control your temper anymore."
The emperor was already angry, so when the third prince bumped into him, he naturally didn't respond politely.
How could he be protecting Sheng Mingyu? He was clearly protecting the Third Prince!
With Sheng Mingyu's methods, it would be extremely easy to kill the third prince quietly!
"Father!"
"Shut up!"
The third prince wanted to quibble, but was scared back by the emperor's roar.
He was left with a look of dissatisfaction on his face, glaring at Sheng Mingyu fiercely.
Sheng Mingyu looked at him and rolled his eyes silently.
No matter how many years have passed, the Third Prince remains just as stupid.
"Your Majesty, I'm actually quite curious as to where Lord Li got this petition from. I was quite popular among the people in Jiangnan at the time. If you were to investigate, you would surely know my reputation there."
Sheng Mingyu didn't just stand there quietly. The anger was directed at him. Even if he didn't care, he should express his opinion.
Hearing Sheng Mingyu's words, Li Liang shuddered inexplicably, and then encouraged himself.
He had solid evidence, and even if Sheng Mingyu had great abilities, he would not be able to escape punishment.
"Okay, then I'll take a look at it first and have someone deliver it to you later."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
When treating Sheng Mingyu, the emperor was obviously much gentler, which made the third prince so angry that his eyes turned red.
He was inexplicably scolded when he spoke just now. Why did Sheng Mingyu speak but his father said nothing and even agreed with him!
"Bang!"
It took a long time before the emperor understood the petition in his hand. In a fit of anger, he glanced at Li Liang.
"Are you crazy? How dare you bring such a rubbish to my eyes? What about the petition from the people? Ask them if what they say is true. Everyone in the world knows that the Crown Prince doesn't like women other than his wife to get close to him!"
He was so angry that his face turned blue. The minister he had raised for so long turned out to be so stupid!
"Your Majesty! You can't blindly side with the Crown Prince. Yes, His Royal Highness usually doesn't like to get close to women, and there are rumors that His Royal Highness is unlucky with wives. No matter how many wives he marries, they will eventually die for no reason. But this doesn't mean that His Royal Highness is not interested in women!"
Li Liang had a determined look on his face and challenged the emperor.
He used to think Sheng Mingyu was a good person, but now he just thinks he is a hypocrite.
"Your Majesty, you must remain calm in all matters. Why are you so anxious? Let me see what is written here first. Perhaps I can explain it to you."
Sheng Mingyu's tone remained calm, and the emperor was appeased.
"Alright, take it and have a look, but don't take it seriously. Someone must be jealous and set up such a vicious trap. Don't worry, I will find out who is behind this."
"Um."
The calm conversation between the two made the second prince standing beside them look unhappy.
In all these years, he had never seen his father be so good-tempered!
"Master Li, you mean to say that these were all given to you by the people? But it says that this prince forcibly abducted a woman from the people, but it doesn't say whose daughter it was. It also says that this prince seized good farmland, but why would this prince use so much farmland in Jiangnan? My roots are in Kyoto."
Sheng Mingyu retorted calmly, a gentle smile on her lips.
Even Li Liang was puzzled. He had said such harsh words. Isn't Sheng Mingyu anxious?
"The other thing is oppressing the people... This prince doesn't have the leisure to oppress the people. This requires an on-site investigation. How about Your Majesty picking a trustworthy minister to go to Jiangnan to take a look? Do you think it's feasible?"
Sheng Mingyu couldn't help laughing as he read the evidence one by one.
Even if you want to throw dirty water on yourself, you should use your brain. These are all false.
"Your Highness, your highness, is so frank that I doubt you've hidden all the evidence. I don't believe you didn't do anything. Those people are crying miserably, so they certainly wouldn't lie to me!"
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