The Third Prince fell into the water, with a little eunuch by his side; even without looking into it closely, one could almost picture the scene at that time.

The first thing that came to everyone’s mind was that the Third Prince’s fall into the water was deliberate, and the motive went without saying.

"Where is Zheng Huai’an?" The Emperor’s voice was low, carrying boundless authority and pressure. Chief Chang immediately had Zheng Huai’an dragged in. The Emperor asked, "Do you remember what that little eunuch looked like?"

"This servant remembers. He was wearing the West Five Houses’ clothes, dark-skinned with thick eyebrows. As long as this servant sees him again, I will definitely recognize him." Zheng Huai’an spoke with absolute certainty. The Emperor nodded slightly and said, "Old Chang, take him to look for the person."

Chief Chang answered and left with Zheng Huai’an.

On this side, the Imperial Physician finished inserting the needles and fed the Third Prince some medicine. He still did not wake up, but his complexion was a little better than just now.

"Emperor, this servant will have to serve His Highness medicine again after two hours. If he develops a fever tonight, then it will be no major issue." Which meant he had not yet escaped danger.

The Emperor’s face was dark as he remained silent.

Consort Wen got up and threw herself over the Third Prince, clutching his hand and crying in a low voice.

Le Xiu also came over to weep with her. Princess Consort Ying stood beside the Emperor, holding a handkerchief to wipe her tears, and softly comforted Consort Wen: "Elder Sister, the Third Prince is greatly blessed; he will surely turn misfortune into safety."

Chief Chang was gone for a long time before he returned with Zheng Huai’an, anxiously reporting, "Emperor, we did not find that little eunuch."

He was actually missing. Was it that Zheng Huai’an, in his panic, had made it up at random, or was it truly as he said? Then where had this little eunuch gone? Could it be that someone, afraid their deeds would be exposed, had silenced him? Min cast a thoughtful glance at Zheng Huai’an.

Zheng Huai’an was trembling. He had seen very clearly that the little eunuch was wearing the West Five Houses’ clothing, and if he was not mistaken, he seemed to be a little eunuch who swept in the Eldest Prince’s courtyard. How had he disappeared in the blink of an eye?

If they could not find that person, and the Third Prince did not wake up, then he would have to take the blame for this!

Sure enough, the Emperor’s gaze fell on Zheng Huai’an. Feeling as if he were sitting on needles, Zheng Huai’an replied hastily, "I beg the Emperor to grant this servant a little more time. This servant will definitely find that little eunuch." A living person could not just vanish into thin air.

Before the Emperor could respond, outside the door Shi Shengjie replied through the door, "Emperor, we found that little eunuch outside Desheng Gate." He paused, then added, "But when we found him, he had already drowned in a well. Judging from the body, he seems to have died not long ago. There was a bundle placed by the well, with two silver notes of one thousand taels each and some clothes inside. It looks as if he accidentally fell into the well while trying to flee."

Everyone froze. The Emperor narrowed his eyes and said, "Dead?" His breathing grew slightly heavy. "Have you found out his name, who recommended him into the palace, and where he was serving?"

How could it be such a coincidence? Did he truly fall into the well while walking?

Shi Shengjie’s voice carried some hesitation. After a moment, he replied, "This person was called Ma Er, and upon entering the palace he changed his name to Ma Zhong. He was recommended by Chief Lu of the Ritual Department, and is now... doing sweeping duty in the Eldest Prince’s hall at the West Five Houses."

All sound vanished almost instantly. Everyone inside and outside the courtyard held their breath.

After going in a circle, he turned out to be someone serving at the Eldest Prince’s side. Could it be that the Third Prince’s fall into the water was the Eldest Prince’s doing... No one dared think further; all wished they could disappear from this place immediately and hear nothing.

Le Xiu’s sobbing stopped, and her expression instantly grew solemn. She did not look at Min, but instead turned her gaze to the Emperor, only to see that the Emperor’s expression showed no change as he said, "Zheng Huai’an, go with Lord Shi and identify the body."

Zheng Huai’an answered.

Le Xiu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Consort Wen stopped crying and looked toward Min, a weighing, scrutinizing look in her eyes. Could it really be that the Eldest Prince had ordered someone to push Hong’er into the lake? Impossible, impossible. He had always gotten along well with Hong’er. Besides, he had long known that Hong’er had no interest in court affairs and posed no threat to him at all. He had no need to go to such lengths to do this.

Moreover, even if he wanted to, he would not use such a clumsy method—using someone from his own palace to harm Hong’er. Once the matter was exposed, he would be the first to fall under suspicion.

If it was not instigated by the Eldest Prince, then who could it be? How could someone serving in his hall be under another’s command?

In an instant, Consort Wen’s thoughts turned over several times, weighing all advantages and disadvantages. Then her gaze fell again on the Third Prince’s face, and her resolve firmed.

She had no choice; she could only trust the Eldest Prince!

On the other side, Princess Consort Ying and the Second Prince both lowered their heads without reaction; only Min stood with his hands at his sides, his expression utterly open and upright.

The result was just as Zheng Huai’an and Shi Shengjie had said: the dead eunuch was indeed the little eunuch sweeping in Min’s hall; his identity was confirmed beyond doubt.

Shi Shengjie cast a slightly worried look at Min. He had not expected that, in the end, the trail would circle back to the Eldest Prince.

The Emperor looked toward Min, his expression unfathomable.

"Father Emperor." The Second Prince glanced at Min, then stepped in front of him and spoke up: "There are many people serving in the hall; Eldest Brother cannot possibly know each and every one of them. This matter must have nothing to do with Eldest Brother. I beg Father Emperor to see clearly!" With that, he was the first to kneel before the Emperor to plead for Min.

Yet though it looked like pleading, it deftly pushed Min into the open.

Consort Wen lay crying over the Third Prince, but her ears were pricked up high.

Princess Consort Ying looked thoughtfully at the Second Prince.

Le Xiu’s face darkened as she glanced at the Second Prince. Seeing that Min had no intention of speaking in his own defense, she was just about to open her mouth when the Emperor had already waved his hand and said, "Get up." The Second Prince rose. The Emperor turned to Min and instead asked, "What do you think?" His tone was mild, yet still carried a trace of probing.

The situation was now very unfavorable for Min. Le Xiu grew nervous, afraid he might say the wrong thing and arouse the Emperor’s suspicion.

Min showed no panic. He calmly cupped his fists and replied, "In answer to Father Emperor, now the dead cannot testify, and Third Younger Brother has not yet woken up. The exact circumstances at that time are full of doubts as well; your son does not dare to make a rash conclusion." He paused, then added, "However, Lord Shi can be instructed to investigate along three lines. First, investigate the origin of the silver notes in Ma Zhong’s bundle. Since they are of large amount, there must be a trace. Second, though there may have been no eyewitnesses, we cannot rule out that someone, for fear of implication, dared not report. As long as it is made clear that there will be no joint liability, I believe something will be gained. Third..." He looked at the Emperor, his eyes clear. "Have all those who had contact with Ma Zhong arrested and interrogated." He knelt with steady resolve. "Your son is willing to cooperate with Lord Shi in the investigation of this matter."

His words were clear and orderly, both analyzing the situation and pointing out the key points for verification. In the end, he did not try to forcibly exonerate himself, but expressed his willingness to cooperate with the investigation.

The Second Prince was taken aback and looked toward Min, a shadowy gloom flashing in his eyes.

A look of satisfaction appeared in the Emperor’s gaze. He nodded slightly, then turned his head to Chief Chang and said, "Go. Do as he said." He also pointed at the Second Prince. "Lock up the people in the Second Prince’s and Third Prince’s residences as well, and question them one by one." He did not favor one over another, but treated them all the same.