This exclamation attracted everyone’s attention, even the Emperor looked over.

Realizing he had lost his composure, the Crown Prince suppressed the storm in his heart and apologized to the Emperor: "Father, when Prince Liang was providing disaster relief, he forcibly conscripted civilian women, and this Yang Kuan was one of the people around Prince Liang. It is said that when Prince Liang returned to the Capital City, he had all his people executed. I didn’t expect Yang Kuan to still be alive, and I was momentarily astonished, which is why I lost my composure!"

The Emperor did not comment, flipping open the memorial handed over by Eunuch Feng.

Wen Yuanting sneaked a glance at the Emperor, whose expression remained calm, completely devoid of any discernible emotion.

The Crown Prince felt uneasy and confused. Since Huangfu Qidai was demoted from the Crown Prince position to Prince Liang and confined to the Prince Liang Mansion, he had been searching for this Yang Kuan.

But after more than a year, he hadn’t heard any news.

Upon learning that the Crown Prince had executed all the people around him, he thought Yang Kuan was among them.

But unexpectedly, he now heard this name again; Yang Kuan is not dead? 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

And now, Yang Kuan has been arrested by the Capital Governor?

Could this lead to trouble?

There shouldn’t be any trouble. If he were taken by Prince Liang, he would worry more, but since he was arrested by the Capital Governor, there likely won’t be any trouble.

However, he suddenly thought of something else and his expression changed once more.

Yang Kuan was his man, so he had always kept a watch on Yang Kuan’s family. It’s not that he didn’t want to imprison Yang Kuan’s family or move them elsewhere, but he couldn’t do so.

Yang Kuan was sent to Huangfu Qidai, who was the Crown Prince at the time; he had a clear family background, and checks were done on three generations of his ancestors, where his family was and who they were was crystal clear. Once his family disappeared or moved elsewhere, it would draw attention.

Afterward, when the incident of the Crown Prince forcibly conscripting civilian women was exposed, he couldn’t touch Yang Kuan’s family anymore, as it would arouse suspicion. But he did increase surveillance on them.

But unexpectedly, amid his tight surveillance setup, Yang Kuan’s family mysteriously disappeared one night.

He used all his resources but couldn’t trace where Yang Kuan’s family went, which became a knot in his heart. As time passed, a year went by without incident, and he gradually relaxed.

Moreover, since Mr. Gongyang observed celestial signs and Yang Kuan was a man destined by heaven, minor incidents wouldn’t alter fate. Thus, he convinced himself that perhaps Yang Kuan’s family fled in fear upon believing Yang Kuan to be dead.

But now, upon hearing Yang Kuan’s name, his heart sank. What if Yang Kuan’s family hadn’t fled, but were taken away by someone...

He dared not continue imagining!

After the Emperor finished reading the memorial, his previously calm expression changed. He said sternly: "Dismiss court! Officials of Third Rank and above, proceed to Longyu Hall for discussions!"

At the grand court meeting, the Emperor unexpectedly decided to dismiss the assembly early and hold a smaller meeting at Longyu Hall?

This is a prelude to a storm!

Those below Third Rank sensed the unusual atmosphere and quickly prostrated before withdrawing from Jinluan Hall.

Those above Third Rank couldn’t help but wonder, they actually didn’t want to participate!

A group of officials headed to Longyu Hall.

Once everyone was in place, the Emperor’s cold, directed gaze fell on the Crown Prince. His voice carried a cold, oppressive force: "Crown Prince, did you arrange for Yang Kuan to be beside Prince Liang to entice him into misbehaving, to entice him into forcibly conscripting civilian women?"

The courtiers who had just taken their positions were stunned.

No wonder the grand court meeting was dismissed, leaving only officials of Third Rank and above.

A year ago, the scandal of Prince Liang providing disaster relief and forcibly conscripting women was a disgrace to the entire Nanxia Royal Family, a disgrace to all of Nanxia. With such a Crown Prince, the Imperial Family lost face, and so did the populace.

Demoted to Prince Liang and confined to his mansion, the court then established a new Crown Prince.

Later, political changes ensued, as the new Crown Prince and Prince Li competed for influence, causing courtiers to contemplate which side to support. Now, this past incident is stirred up, and is it the design of the new Crown Prince?

If it’s true, wouldn’t this be yet another scandal?

They seemed to have heard of something quite serious.

Fortunately, even though the grand court meeting was dismissed, there remained quite a few officials of Third Rank and above. With so many civil and military officials listening, they probably wouldn’t lose their heads, right?

Wen Yuanting and his two companions felt bitter; they were the ones who revealed the matter, so if the Emperor was infuriated and wanted to transfer his anger, they would be the first to bear it.

High status and power come with visible honor, but also invisible danger!

In response to the Emperor’s reproach, the three were instead the calmest. Isn’t it normal under these circumstances?

Because last night, they had already been shocked, shocked to the point of sleeplessness. Seeing the Emperor had scrutinized their submitted memorial, if he hadn’t questioned it, that would truly be abnormal.

The Crown Prince was greatly alarmed, hurriedly stepped forward and knelt down, blurting out: "Father, Father wronged me. I have never done such a thing, Prince Liang is my elder brother, he was the Crown Prince at the time, I was far away in Qingzhou in my fief, the mountains are high, the roads are long, and totally unrelated!"

The Emperor spoke indifferently: "But Yang Kuan’s confession states he was driven by you!"

The Crown Prince continued to defend himself: "Father, Yang Kuan was one of Prince Liang’s retinue. At the time, Prince Liang was the Crown Prince, and the people around him were carefully selected. Even if I were in the Capital City, it would have been absolutely impossible to win over someone from Prince Liang’s side to serve me! Kindly discern the truth, Father, I truly didn’t do such a thing!"

Prince Liang was secretly nudged in the waist by Huangfu Yuxuan behind him, which felt like a knife stabbing him, causing tears to well up. He sobbed and pleaded: "Father, please do justice for your son, Yang Kuan was placed beside your son by the third son, your son was confused, but not to the extent of such foolishness. It was all a scheme by a vile person, deceived and led astray!"

Huangfu Yuxuan said solemnly: "Grandfather, my father’s actions are usually modest, without showy accomplishments but generally prudent. If this matter is true, may Grandfather uphold justice!"

The Emperor ignored Huangfu Yuxuan.

He then cast a somber glance at Wen Yuanting and his companions: "The three departments’ investigation results, evidence is conclusive. Crown Prince, why did you send someone to assassinate Prince Cheng’s Heir, leading to Prince Cheng’s Heir’s tragic death in the streets, his body and bones completely lost?"

The Crown Prince was utterly shocked, kneeling there not daring to rise: "Father, there must be a mistake in this matter, I haven’t done such a thing!"

"Is it truly not you?"

The Crown Prince replied: "Father, I am the uncle, Prince Cheng’s Heir is the junior; I have no grievance or enmity with Prince Cheng’s Heir, why would I lay hands on him?"

Wen Yuanting and his companions listened expressionlessly to the Crown Prince’s sophistry, heads lowered. Although these clues arose out of nowhere, the events uncovered from these clues were all true.

Even if they were used as tools, the direction they indicated was nonetheless correct.

But if the Crown Prince steadfastly refused to admit it, would the Emperor trust them?