Wen Yuanting felt a bit helpless; he became the scapegoat for the investigation results of the three departments.

But this thought only flashed briefly; he still presented the findings objectively without bias.

Of course, he didn’t mention some uncertain clues; without concrete evidence, speaking up would only bring trouble upon himself.

However, even the solid evidence was enough to leave the ministers before him utterly shocked. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Amid the shock, they were baffled as well—why wasn’t the Crown Prince satisfied, now that he had already achieved that position? What was he afraid of?

Previously, targeting Prince Li’s son and Prince Lu’s son made sense, as he was not yet the Crown Prince and wanted to frame Prince Liang.

But now that he was Crown Prince? After getting his wish, he turns his focus on dealing with Prince Cheng’s Heir.

Everyone knew Prince Cheng posed the least threat, yet he was the hardest to provoke. The princes all tacitly acknowledged their fierce internal conflicts, but none would involve Prince Cheng.

But now, the Crown Prince went ahead and killed Prince Cheng’s Heir.

Was he trying to provoke heaven’s wrath and plunge the Capital City into chaos?

What was his intention amid the chaos?

Some with wild imaginations quietly glanced at the Emperor.

Thinking their thoughts were hidden well, those glances were still caught by the Emperor, whose face turned livid.

These ideas cannot have escaped the Emperor’s own deliberations.

Unfulfilled as Crown Prince—what position would satisfy him then? Above the Crown Prince, there’s only one possible position.

Seizing chaos to seize what? That position, of course.

If earlier the Emperor harbored some thoughts about the Crown Prince, now those thoughts were completely gone.

Indeed he’s a traitorous son, this beast!

After hearing Wen Yuanting’s account, even the conciliatory Jiang Xin fell silent; his son’s death was not without reason—it was self-imposed misfortune, attempting to assassinate the innocent Huangfu Jingchen?

For a Crown Prince to use the daughter of an enemy tribe seeking revenge, against his own nephew in such a scheme, and then cry foul—was this the action expected of a Crown Prince?

Initially, they felt the Crown Prince’s actions against Prince Liang were excessive but understandable given his pursuit of the throne. But now, bringing everything together, they felt how can the previous actions not be excessive?

A minister, with designs on the throne, harbors a rebellious heart.

No matter how good the disguise, it may succeed temporarily, but eventually, the fox’s tail reveals itself.

The Emperor said with a stern face, "All of you, leave now!" He was amidst a headache but, having made up his mind, no longer wished to hear these disputes.

Despite the present silence.

The ministers silently withdrew, understanding well that the Crown Prince was probably finished, surely the Emperor would severely punish him!

Though the extent of the punishment remained uncertain!

Soon the imperial decree would come, and now the Emperor just wished for peace—the ministers, knowing better, aimed to avoid inciting the Emperor’s frustration and ire, thus hastily withdrew!

Outside the Imperial Palace, Prince Kang’s Heir Huangfu Rong was waiting for King Kang.

Father and son boarded the carriage, Huangfu Rong said, "Father, it seems this matter has been decided."

King Kang lightly shook his head, sighed, and suddenly looked at him, asking, "Do you believe Prince Cheng’s Heir is truly dead?"

Huangfu Rong also sighed, "Most likely he’s not survived!"

Such an assassination, so many corpses, the near river-like stream of blood, was shocking. Especially knowing Huangfu Jingchen was escorting Huangfu Jinxuan back home, encountering the attack on the return to Cheng Prince Mansion weighed heavily on their hearts.

King Kang said, "Not necessarily, if the goal was obliterating evidence, why was the fire only half ablaze?"

Huangfu Rong replied, "But if Prince Cheng’s Heir was unharmed, why hasn’t there been any news despite the passage of days?"

King Kang silently, his face grave, said, "If someone intentionally transmitted the news of Prince Cheng’s Heir’s death to Yunzhou first, what would result?"

Huangfu Rong, being young and knowing little of events from over twenty years ago, said, "Prince Cheng’s report must have reached the Capital, requesting permission to return!"

King Kang shook his head, "No, Prince Cheng might be nearing the Capital already."

Huangfu Rong was astonished, Yunzhou was thousands of miles from the Capital City, if traveling normally by carriage, it would take two months, with stops and stays, adding haste by horse, possibly twenty days. If riding exceptional horses, maybe ten days? Thus far, only five or six days had passed. He murmured, "Surely not so fast? Even as pigeons would take two days to relay a message."

King Kang asked, "For an urgent military report from Yunzhou, how many days does it take if sent eight hundred li?"

Huangfu Rong calculated, "Seven to eight days!" Reports sent by military always use the best station horses, and a continuous change of horses, unimpeded.

King Kang slowly remarked, "At most three days more, Prince Cheng will reach the Capital!"

Huangfu Rong did not delve into this topic; Prince Cheng departed when he was very young, later on, Prince Cheng’s deeds became rarely mentioned in the Capital—he had no impressions of Prince Cheng.

He felt saddened for Huangfu Jingchen, so young.

"Has Jinxuan been informed?"

Huangfu Rong snapped back to reality, nodded, "He knows! But has been warned against rash action. Those matters are beyond his involvement!"

King Kang nodded, knowing his son well—his understanding that Prince Cheng was nearing the Capital would equally reach the Emperor, thus the decision concerning the Crown Prince’s punishment would unfold within the next couple of days.

In Prince Liang Mansion’s study room, Prince Liang spoke excitedly, "Xuan’er, how did your father perform today? Do you think your Grandfather will restore my Crown Prince position?"

Huangfu Yuxuan stood before the bookshelf, tall and elegant, yet exuding coldness, his eyes swept over Prince Liang indifferently, speaking mildly, "Just wait! Meanwhile, carry out a task for me first!"

He understood clearly, what he achieved thus far was merely to drag Huangfu Hanyu from the Crown Prince position.

This muddle-headed fool seemed in Ningzhou, foolish deeds brought people’s grievance—though this past year under his stringent demands and oversight, this father hadn’t left the mansion for foolishness—but returning to the Crown Prince position? Dream on!

His words served to lure this timid and muddled person to appear on the court pleading innocence, which merely unfolded his own plan.

But as long as he could bring down Huangfu Hanyu from the Crown Prince position, enduring two times of a deposed Crown Prince, the Grandfather would surely not establish another Crown Prince immediately. With no crown holder temporarily in the court, that’s his opportunity.

After all, without a Crown Prince, all princes could become the potential Crown Prince, and the Imperial Grandson might become the next Imperial Grandson!