The second prince Shen Yuanbai was still sitting in the teahouse yesterday waiting for news from Sheng Mingcheng.
At this time, Zhufeng ran in, sweating profusely and looking panicked.
The second prince's face darkened when he saw this, and he said in a cold voice:
"Zhu Feng, I've told you before, never show your thoughts on your face at any time."
Zhu Feng was so anxious that he could not wait to calm down and said quickly, "Your Highness, this is bad. Sheng Mingcheng has been found!"
Shen Yuanbai frowned when he heard this, "What? Was he captured by the Jinwu Guards?"
Zhu Feng shook his head and said with an unpleasant expression: "He is crazy. He went to beat the drum for reporting the incident and...he also said many things that were unfavorable to Your Highness!"
Shen Yuanbai slowly stood up and said coldly: "Tell me what he said!"
Zhufeng did not dare to hide anything and hurriedly repeated Sheng Mingcheng's words and informed him of the boiling public opinion.
When Shen Yuanbai heard this, his brows were instantly filled with frost.
"This idiot, he didn't even realize he was being tricked, and he even dragged me into this!"
"No wonder the Jinwu Guards couldn't find him. Even the secret guards couldn't find any trace of him. It turns out that another group of people had devised a plan to keep him alive, just to let him bite me back!"
The male protagonist is still the male protagonist after all. He just guessed the truth of the matter after listening to Zhufeng's retelling of a few words.
"The prince's methods are so meticulous. He usually looks like a friendly and respectful brother, but it turns out that he is secretly planning to give me a fatal blow!"
"But how did he know about Sheng Qishan's cheating in the Spring Examination? How did he know to save Tan Hanchi in advance? And how did he know about the existence of the list?"
Shen Yuanbai was puzzled and suddenly punched the table, spilling the tea.
He had obtained this information with the help of the people his mother had left behind, who had been planted in various mansions and courts for several years, and was only able to find some clues.
How did the prince do it?
Zhufeng was so frightened that he couldn't help showing fear on his face.
"Your Highness, the most urgent task now is to deal with Sheng Mingcheng. Three people can make a tiger, not to mention that Sheng Mingcheng is so confident. If this comes before His Majesty... what... what can you do?"
Shen Yuanbai sneered, without showing much fear on his face.
"Sheng Mingcheng has nothing to prove with his words. The prince can't overthrow me based on this! Go back to the palace!"
————
When Qiao Zhongguo arrived at Dengwen Drum Court, the place was already in chaos.
Eunuch Huang was waiting at the palace gate with an anxious look on his face. The moment he saw Qiao Zhongguo, he felt like he had seen a savior.
"Hey, Master Qiao, you're here! Please help! These people are going to destroy Dengwen Drum Hall!"
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty is furious and has a very bad temper."
Eunuch Huang lowered his voice quietly when he said the last sentence, intending to urge Qiao Zhongguo to make a quick decision.
Qiao Zhongguo's expression remained unchanged. He turned his head and saw that the people in front of Dengwen Drum Court were filled with indignation. From what they said, it turned out that they were talking about the confrontation between the Great Yong Dynasty and the Northern Kingdom.
Qiao Zhongguo knew clearly that his eldest son was behind this.
No one knows where that brat got the idea from. Compared to his father, he is better than him.
"Don't worry, Eunuch Huang."
Qiao Zhongguo said this lightly, and then walked towards Dengwen Drum Court.
Eunuch Huang looked at Qiao Zhongguo's tall and strong back, and only then did he vaguely understand the words that the emperor often said:
"Qiao Zhongguo is the pillar of the Yong Dynasty. Sometimes when he stands in front of the people, he is more majestic than me."
Eunuch Huang sometimes couldn't guess whether the emperor said such words out of fear or admiration, but after seeing it today, he realized that this "Dinghai Shenzhen" was indeed worthy of its reputation!
As soon as Qiao Zhongguo appeared, the people gathered around him, shouting "General Qiao".
Qiao Zhongguo waved his hands at everyone and said a few words, "The emperor will handle this impartially and will not disappoint the people of the world," and everyone consciously made way.
When Eunuch Huang saw Qiao Zhongguo waving at him, he was slightly stunned, and hurriedly walked forward with the eight imperial guards behind him, and actually brought out Sheng Mingcheng who was already tied up.
"Go away! Aren't you going to do your work today? Your wife and children at home are still waiting for a bite to eat!"
Qiao Zhongguo smiled and raised his voice. His rough words carried an indescribable affinity that made everyone laugh. He actually resolved the public anger so easily.
Eunuch Huang was secretly shocked when he saw this, and he truly admired Qiao Zhongguo from the bottom of his heart.
"Master Qiao, let's go, the emperor is waiting."
Eunuch Huang urged politely.
Qiao Zhongguo waved to the people, turned around and followed Eunuch Huang into the imperial study.
In the imperial study, the emperor sat behind the desk, with the crown prince beside him.
Qiao Zhongguo saluted respectfully, and Sheng Mingcheng had already been taken to the ground by the Imperial Guards.
The emperor had a gloomy face and seemed to be in a bad mood.
"Has the Second Prince arrived?"
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Huang hurried out to see what was going on. As soon as he stepped out of the imperial study, he saw the second prince coming towards him.
"Your son pays homage to the Emperor, and to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
The second prince knelt in the hall, his back straight and his face calm.
The moment he saw the second prince, Sheng Mingcheng instantly cried out in excitement, and the hatred in his bloodshot eyes was frightening to see.
At a glance from Emperor Yong, Eunuch Huang immediately stepped forward and took the handkerchief from Sheng Mingcheng's mouth, and a voice full of extreme resentment resounded throughout the imperial study.
"Shen Yuanbai, you have caused great harm to my Duke Qing's Mansion! A thief like you actually dreamed of becoming the crown prince of my Great Yong Dynasty! You are dreaming!"
......
Seeing that Sheng Mingcheng had almost finished speaking, Eunuch Huang immediately stuffed the handkerchief back into his mouth.
At this time, Emperor Yong lowered his eyes to look at the Second Prince in the palace and asked in a deep voice: "Second Prince, what do you want to say?"
The second prince bowed and said slowly, "Father, Sheng Mingcheng is slandering me."
Emperor Yong raised his eyebrows, "Which sentence?"
The second prince replied calmly: "All."
"Sheng Mingcheng said that I knew about the cheating in the Spring Examination and concealed it. How could I know such a private matter? The reason I showed my good will to him was for... Miss Sheng."
"Miss Sheng?" Emperor Yong looked puzzled.
The second prince nodded frankly, "Half a year ago, Miss Sheng was in danger, and I happened to save her once, so..."
The second prince suddenly lowered his head, revealing his slightly red ears just right.
"Father, I am in contact with Sheng Mingcheng only to learn about Miss Sheng's recent situation. I have no other intention."
Qiao Zhongguo stood quietly by the side. Hearing this, even he couldn't help but sigh at the Second Prince's cunning and scheming.
Among all of Sheng Mingcheng's accusations, only the fact that the Second Prince met with him to show goodwill had evidence, and yet the Second Prince came up with such an impeccable reason.
The young man Mu Ai was just asking for information and didn't do anything out of the ordinary, so why is that not okay?
The second prince continued, "As for Sheng Mingcheng saying that I stole the list, I swear on my life that the list is definitely not in my hands."
"And... plotting to seize the position of crown prince, this statement is even more murderous!"