Chapter 490: Chapter 326: Hitting Back
Then suddenly thinking of the silver sent by the Eldest Prince a few days ago, his expression dimmed; that silver was truly hard to handle.
The Second Prince came today not only to discuss this matter but also to plead for his two brothers. Both Princes fell out of favor, leaving him unscathed. Outsiders would inevitably have bad speculations, so now was the moment for him to demonstrate brotherly love and respect.
"Father!" The Second Prince hesitated slightly as he saw the Emperorās face suddenly darken.
Thinking it over, if he didnāt mention it today and waited until the Emperor forgave the two, it wouldnāt involve him. Besides, with his elder brother kneeling at the door and saying nothing, the Emperor would inevitably find him cold-hearted.
"Elder Brother has been kneeling for two days. Father, why not summon him in and ask what happened, allowing him to atone for his mistakes. Besides, the Third Prince has been confined in the residence for several days. Since there was no fraudulent case, could you spare the Third Brother?"
The situation with the Eldest Prince was unclear, and the Second Prince also wanted to explore the truth.
The Emperor deeply glanced at the Second Prince; although he had his own thoughts, he still valued brotherly affection.
"Hmph! Itās for your sake that I am temporarily giving him a chance to clarify the facts. Deāan, go and call the Eldest Prince in."
Deāan received the order and quickly ran out of the Imperial Study Room, knowing the truth in his heart. The Emperor was swayed not because of the Second Prince but because the Eldest Prince had been kneeling for two days, softening his heart.
As he left, he glanced at Xiao Quanzi standing outside the Imperial Study Room and scolded: "Follow me."
The Eldest Prince had been kneeling for so long; how could he lift him alone?
Xiao Quanzi hurriedly strengthened his resolve and ran to keep up.
"Your Highness, the Eldest Prince, the Emperor asks the old servant to invite you in!" Deāan said as he stepped forward to assist the Eldest Prince.
Xiao Quanzi also stepped in to help. The Eldest Prince had been kneeling, losing all feeling in his legs. Once lifted, his knees ached painfully, preventing him from walking.
The Eldest Prince was helped into the study by Deāan and Xiao Quanzi, struggling to pay respects by falling to the ground.
"Father, this child has made mistakes; Father, please punish your son. Please do not harm your health, or even a thousand deaths by your son will be hard to justify." The Eldest Prince, full of self-reproach, looked into the Emperorās eyes filled with tears, displaying his regret extensively.
Deāan stood beside the desk, lowering his head, with a sense of admiration for the Eldest Princeās skill. The Emperor had already softened toward him, and now with this move, how could the Emperor not forgive his beloved eldest son?
The Emperor saw that the Eldest Prince seemed sincerely repentant, looking at him with eyes full of longing, not unwittingly recalling his childhood. At that time, he made mistakes, looking at him in fear of punishment.
The Eldest Princeās ultimate goal in doing these things was also for him, although the process was somewhat unscrupulous. The filial piety remained. If not for wanting to alleviate his fatherās troubles with silver worries, he wouldnāt have done such absurd things.
However, harming the two older ministers in the court later was wrong. Wan Xue Nian was so loyal to him, yet now wouldnāt have a good end. How could the Wan Family be content?
Now Wan Xue Nianās coffin remained in Wan Mansionās mourning hall. Without an explanation for the Wan Family, it wouldnāt just chill the old ministersā hearts but also be criticized by the people.
"Now I am giving you a chance to detail this matter."
The Second Prince, granted a seat, sat in a nearby armchair, looking at the Eldest Prince kneeling below. He thought to himself that the Emperor had likely already softened. His arrival was just in time to let the Emperor save face.
The Eldest Prince pondered for a moment, glancing at the Second Prince, knowing his father wouldnāt like him speaking the truth. What was the Second Princeās purpose for being here? Wasnāt it to use his mouth to spread this so-called truth?
"This child truly does not know the origin of those silvers. It was Guo Shiās message, saying Lord Wan and Mr. Song were corrupt. Having had grievances with them, this child thought of asking Guo Shi to investigate. As for who instructed Guo Shi, I do not know. Later, in the confessions, Guo Shi claimed to have a relation with me, blaming these things on me."
The Eldest Prince had already thought of excuses, speaking with justified confidence, seemingly true.
The Emperorās face slightly tensed. The eldest sonās mind seemed quite substantial. He glanced at the seated Second Prince, whose honest appearance registered surprise, seemingly unaware that the truth would be like this.
The Second Prince internally stirred, surprised that the eldest brother had already devised a strategy, completely turning the situation.
It seemed this time the Eldest Prince wouldnāt face severe punishment. The Second Prince felt Wan Xue Nian was truly unjustly dead, fearing even posthumously heād be crowned with numerous accusations, not even Song Shuqing could be exempted. Those two hundred thousand taels of silver that entered both residences became their Death Sentences.
The Emperorās thoughts shifted, for the Imperial Familyās dignity, the eldest sonās suggestion was the best proposal. If the world knew the Eldest Prince framed senior ministers in court, acted recklessly, and considering those silvers...
A Prince with such moral deficits couldnāt become a successor to Da Yanās territory.
The Emperor closed his eyes, moved by Wan Xue Nianās death serving as a martyrdom. But since the situation was already erroneous, they could only continue the mistake.
People are often helpless; everyone has their own limitations. Even as the Emperor, he couldnāt act freely.
"According to what you say, is there someone else behind Guo Shi?" The Emperor seemed quite surprised, his eyes like arrows making the Eldest Prince tremble.
"The child does not know; Guo Shi was examined by Mr. Hu and handed to Dali Temple. The child only guessed, otherwise couldnāt explain why Guo Shi did so."
The Eldest Prince felt no panic lying before the Second Prince, but when facing his father, his heart felt somewhat guilty.
His father wouldnāt believe his rhetoric, but to restore his reputation, even with abandoning the old loyal ministers, the Eldest Prince didnāt think this was solely for him; that silver played a significant role.
"Hmph! Already two days have passed, and Kuang Zhao Ying hadnāt progressed, even now no enlightenment." The Emperor felt discontent thinking of Guo Shi still held at Dali Temple.
Guo Shi couldnāt be kept!
The Second Prince timely spoke, "Father, that Guo Shi is truly despicable, shouldnāt be anyoneās puppet. Eldest Brother was truly wronged."
The Second Prince left the palace door, turning to view the majestic Imperial Palace, his honest expression instantly darkening, sneering.
He could already guess the outcome of this matter; Guo Shi would likely die in the cell within two days.
Wan Xue Nian and Song Shuqing ultimately wouldnāt clear their grievances, without the examination fraud charge, there could be other accusations!
Like extracting civilian profits, accepting bribes, and opening convenient doors for merchants looking to exploit loopholes.