The Emperor frowned and said solemnly, "So what you mean to say is that someone has made a move against Prince Cheng’s Heir?"

The Crown Prince said, "Father, please investigate thoroughly, this matter is absolutely true!"

If he completely overturned what he said before, it would be the crime of deceiving the Emperor. Now he admits half, but refuses to admit the other half, just to pass this hurdle for now.

The Emperor waved his hand and said, "This matter is fraught with suspicion. Now, since there is no conclusive evidence, leave the relevant persons, and the rest can leave!"

The Crown Prince refused to admit, and with Prince Li and Prince Liang’s testimonies, plus the investigation results from the three departments, seemed confusing on the surface. But which of the ministers isn’t an astute person?

At this moment, the Emperor let the ministers retire, which rather relieved them. It’s better not to get involved in such matters. Knowing too much may not be a good thing.

Within one day, the grand court meeting changed to a small meeting, and the small meeting dispersed the ministers halfway, probably the first time in the Emperor’s entire ruling career.

The Emperor had a headache, why did he raise such a troublesome group?

As the relevant persons, Wen Yuanting and others: "..."

King Kang, assuming himself unrelated, quietly tried to leave, but the Emperor beckoned, "Nephew, stay!"

King Kang: "..."

He didn’t want to be involved in such affairs, but since the Emperor spoke, he had to comply: "I obey!"

The Emperor also kept two other royal family members.

This matter is a national affair but can also be said to be a matter of the Huangfu family. From those the Emperor kept behind, it can be seen that he doesn’t want too many people to know the real details. As for the outcome, it depends on the Emperor’s thoughts. However, if all the evidence is indeed complete, the Emperor cannot be too biased.

Prince Li’s eyes were filled with anger: "Elder Brother, I have no grievance with you, why do you want to kill Jinglun? Just because Jinglun is outstanding, you are worried Father might favor him and threaten your position? But at that time, you weren’t even the Crown Prince yet!"

These words are indeed thought-provoking, doesn’t it indirectly prove that Huangfu Hanyu had this thought long ago, so he dealt with Prince Liang, schemed against him, does this confirm it?

The Crown Prince hurriedly said, "Old Nine, you can’t slander me, I said I didn’t make a move against Jinglun. At that time, I was far in Qingzhou, how could I know the affairs in the Capital City?"

"Since you dare make a move against Prince Cheng’s Heir, what’s strange about making a move against Jinglun?"

"That’s different!" The Crown Prince said angrily, with a sadder tone, "Father, I was wrong, I acted rashly in a moment of anger, but the prior events truly have nothing to do with me!"

"Explain how it was a rash act?" The Emperor said bleakly.

Yet, upon hearing this, the Crown Prince found hope within, as long as Father trusts him, it means he still has a chance. He spoke remorsefully, "Because of Prince Cheng and Prince Cheng’s Heir, my dear Jing’er was poisoned and killed. I grieved over Jing’er’s death, thus I acted rashly and did wrong! But I truly did not make a move against Jinglun, Father, please believe me!"

"Foolish!" The Emperor was furious, pointing at him and scolding: "Jing’er’s death was an accident, at that time Prince Cheng’s Heir was also a victim, you lost a beloved child and are sorrowful, but how can you transfer this pain and sorrow onto Prince Cheng?"

He grabbed the inkstone and threw it violently, hitting directly on the Crown Prince’s forehead, causing it to bleed profusely. Ironically, this made him reassured as he cried more earnestly, "Father, I was wrong, I was momentarily confused. I thought, if it weren’t for the past vendetta against Prince Cheng, how could the Dragon Nest Clan Leader’s daughter poison, if Prince Cheng’s Heir was not at the banquet, how could there be that cup of poisoned wine? How could Jing’er drink it by mistake and lose his life? I was confused, at that time I was also hesitant, thus momentarily deluded to send the Antong Three Ghosts, but the Antong Three Ghosts said, even if they hadn’t gone, Prince Cheng’s Heir wouldn’t have survived, at that time he was already severely injured and on the brink of death!"

The Emperor abruptly looked at Wen Yuanting and the other two: "Who were those who ambushed Prince Cheng’s Heir?"

Wen Yuanting and the two: "..."

It was clearly written in the memorials, now the Emperor asks again, does this mean he wants to protect the Crown Prince?

However, regarding Prince Cheng’s Heir being assassinated, their only witness was the Antong Three Ghosts, the Antong Three Ghosts were caught following the clues under the guidance of a mysterious person.

Now the Crown Prince has admitted the Antong Three Ghosts are his men, yet insists when the Antong Three Ghosts went, Prince Cheng’s Heir had already encountered an assassination, this means further implicated figures.

The three didn’t know how to respond and could only hesitantly say: "Now the evidence is slightly lacking, we dare not speak rashly!"

Huangfu Yuxuan suddenly opened his mouth at this moment, his voice calm and clear: "Third Imperial Uncle, you can deny Jinglun cousin’s death, you can say Prince Cheng’s Heir’s death was due to Brother Jing’s resentment. But why did you send Yang Kuan to my father’s side, coaxing him into making mistakes? My father was the Crown Prince then, you’ve schemed with such intent, shouldn’t you give my father an explanation?"

The Crown Prince’s sharp gaze fell upon Huangfu Yuxuan, the Crown Prince may be incompetent, but this son cannot be underestimated, he actually colluded with Old Nine, together they intend to deliver a fatal blow to him!

He said sternly, "Yuxuan, how can you follow the crowd? Your Uncle Wang hasn’t done such things! Your father made wrong choices, it’s not something to blame others for. If those around him were tempting, but that person has no relation to this palace. I know what you’re plotting, but don’t think to pin things this palace hasn’t done on this palace!"

The Emperor’s expression was gloomy, making the atmosphere in Longyu Hall heavy, everyone felt as if a mountain pressed down upon them. He said coldly, "Since there are witnesses, bring them in! Investigate, clear to me!"

Considering nothing else could be retrieved from the Antong Three Ghosts, the Emperor meant investigating Yang Kuan, checking if Prince Liang was indeed schemed against years ago.

The Crown Prince felt the Emperor still favored him, believing he handled everything cleanly, although the Yang Kuan incident slipped out of his control, Yang Kuan wouldn’t dare implicate him if he was smart. Besides, even if Yang Kuan did implicate him, he wouldn’t admit it.

If he refuses to admit, lacking evidence, Father’s suspicions wouldn’t result in anything harsh toward him.

Furthermore, the bigger this matter becomes, in the end lacking evidence, Father would suspect if Old Nine and Prince Liang set up this trap together, leading Father to protect him.

This was advantageous for him.

However, he rejoiced too early.