I support the army through farming and business.

Chapter 233: Their Own Plans
Inside the Changxin Garden of the Crown Prince's residence, the Crown Prince, who was lying on Tang Ming's lap with his eyes closed, suddenly opened his eyes and sat up. "We've fallen for their trap!"

Tang Ming wanted to ask the Crown Prince what kind of scheme he had fallen for, and whose scheme it was, but he was too frightened to speak by the Crown Prince's gloomy face. He could only stand up and silently watch the Crown Prince stride away.

"Go and bring Xu Liang to me!"

"Yes!"

Inside the study, the prince stood by the window. Outside, the leaves of the tall sycamore trees had turned yellow, and a gentle breeze blew, scattering a few leaves.

The eunuch in charge of sweeping hurriedly grabbed his tools and went to sweep, only to see the guards bringing a person bound hand and foot into the courtyard.

The young eunuch dared not delay, immediately cleaned up, and ran out of the courtyard.

The Crown Prince walked up to Xu Liang, who was kneeling on the ground, and said, "Mr. Xu, I trusted you so much, yet you framed me. Tell me, how should I punish you?"

Xu Liang said calmly, "Kill me or torture me, it's up to you."

The crown prince's face was cold and sinister. "Why did you betray me?"

"I never served anyone, so how can you call it betrayal?" Xu Liang said calmly.

"Who ordered you to do this?"

"The Crown Prince knows perfectly well what's going on, so why ask again?"

"Fine, fine King Wei, fine Mu family!" The Crown Prince was furious. He walked to the wall, pulled out the sword hanging on the wall, and stabbed it into Xu Liang's thigh. He pulled it out and stabbed him again.

Xu Liang's forehead veins bulged with pain, and cold sweat streamed down his face, but he remained silent.

"As expected of my most valued advisor," the Crown Prince drew his sword. "Guards, lock him in the dungeon and find out exactly how much information he leaked. Remember, don't let him die!"

"Yes!" The guards carried Xu Liang away.

The eunuch outside immediately entered the room, quickly cleaned up the bloodstains on the floor, and then retreated.

"We can't wait any longer," the Crown Prince paced back and forth in his study. He knew his father well; if his father found out that he had been in contact with the Turks, his position as Crown Prince would certainly be in jeopardy!

It's hateful that he trusted Xu Liang so easily, allowing him and the Mu family to extract secrets from him!
In that case, let’s just go all out!
"Supervisor Li!"

An old eunuch with gray hair entered, saying, "This servant is here."

The prince took out a pink pearl from a hidden compartment in his study. "Send this to the usual place."

"Yes!" Li Dajian took the pearl and put it into his pocket, then left with light steps.

The following morning at court, the Minister of Justice reported in detail the entire process of the search for 1.5 million taels of silver, and Emperor Sheng'an praised the officials in charge. However, he showed no joy on his face.

An imperial censor stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, a nursery rhyme has been circulating in the capital recently, claiming that the Ministry of War’s deficit was the trigger for the fall of Wuwei City, and that the deficit was caused by someone colluding with the enemy. I believe this should be thoroughly investigated!”

"Didn't you hear what the Minister of Justice just said? The 1.5 million taels of silver have already been found at the estate under Cao Yang's name."

"I heard that, but..."

“Now that the lost silver has been found, it is clear that its whereabouts have nothing to do with foreign tribes; it was purely due to Cao Yang’s embezzlement,” Emperor Sheng’an rebuked. “The censor has the right to submit memorials, but unfounded rumors should not be readily believed.”

The reprimanded censor blushed and, filled with shame and indignation, wanted to kill himself by banging his head against the wall.

Emperor Sheng'an said, "Speaking of this nursery rhyme, Prefect of Luoyang, although the people have freedom of speech, such remarks that disturb the people's peace of mind should still be banned."

Yin Wei stepped forward to admit his guilt, "Your subject obeys the decree." In the Mu residence, Grand Secretary Mu, who claimed to be ill and did not attend court, was still tending to the flowers and plants. Prince An, who had just finished court, rushed over and relayed Emperor Sheng An's words from the morning court session to Grand Secretary Mu.

"It seems His Majesty will once again raise his hand high and then fall softly. Uncle, this move has been lost."

"I don't see it that way," Elder Mu said, carefully weighing the amount of water to be poured. "Our Emperor is calmer on the surface the angrier he is. If he really wanted to let it go easily, he should have been furious at the morning court today, implicating and intimidating all the imperial relatives. But His Majesty was not angry. On the contrary, his attitude was casual and gentle. It can be seen that His Majesty is very angry and wants to investigate thoroughly."

In the Phoenix Palace, the Empress was also discussing with the Crown Prince, "Your father is furious, what should we do?"

The Crown Prince sat opposite the Empress. "Mother, now that things have come to this, there is only one path left to take!"

"You mean," the Queen looked around in horror.

"Mother, don't be afraid. I have sent all the palace servants away. Now only you and I are left in this hall," the Crown Prince comforted her. "I didn't want to take this path either, but I hate that the Prince of Wei, the Prince of An, and the Mu family have forced me to take such a risky move."

Seeing that the Empress was still hesitant, the Crown Prince reasoned with her, "I am the eldest son of the legitimate wife, and I have also performed sacrifices at the ancestral temple. I am destined to be the next emperor. I am merely receiving the throne that rightfully belongs to me sooner. What is wrong with that?"

"If Mother does not help me, I will not only lose the throne, but my life and yours will also be in danger."

Upon hearing this, the Empress immediately made up her mind, "Mother, I'll listen to you. When shall we make our move?"

"Grandmother's birthday is coming soon," the Crown Prince said, looking out the window at the sky. "Your Majesty and I will present Grandmother with a grand gift."

Meanwhile, the Mu residence was also hosting distinguished guests.

Duke Tang Zheng of Wei looked at Grand Secretary Mu and King Wei opposite him and asked, "Grand Secretary Mu, what brings you here, my lord?"

"Your Excellency is a man of great importance, and unless it is of utmost importance, neither the old man nor the prince would dare to disturb you," said Grand Secretary Mu. "Time is of the essence, so I will get straight to the point. Does Your Excellency know where the embezzled funds of the Ministry of War have gone?"

Tang Zheng asked in confusion, "Hasn't the embezzled silver already been found?"

"Does Your Excellency truly believe that the silver recovered by the Ministry of Justice is the same silver that was lost years ago?" Grand Secretary Mu asked. "That was the Crown Prince's private treasury!"

Tang Zheng was taken aback. "Is what you say true, Grand Secretary?"

“Absolutely true. Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence that the silver that had been missing was found just as the nursery rhyme spread throughout the city? It’s clear that the Crown Prince is guilty,” Grand Secretary Mu said, his eyes gleaming. “Duke, think about it, where did the embezzled silver go? Who is the person in the nursery rhyme who is colluding with the enemy?”

Tang Zheng clenched his fist. "Please speak frankly, Your Excellency."

"Your Highness!" Elder Mu said, "My men have clearly informed me that Your Highness had dealings with the Turks when you were still a prince. The fall of Wuwei and the deaths of the Song family were also the result of collusion between someone and the Turks, with the aim of preventing Prince Xuan's power from becoming too great!"

Tang Zheng gritted his teeth, making a grinding sound.

"General Song is the Duke's mentor and father-in-law. Doesn't the Duke want to avenge the Song family?"

Tang Zheng was breathing rapidly.

Grand Secretary Mu glanced at Prince Wei, who said, "As long as the Duke is willing to help me ascend the throne, I will not only make Consort Tang my Empress, but also grant the Duke the title of a prince of a different surname, to be hereditary!"

Tang Zheng suddenly looked up at the Prince of Wei, "Is Your Highness truly telling the truth?"

The King of Wei handed him a letter bearing his personal seal, saying, "A ruler's word is law."

Tang Zheng opened it and, after a long pause, knelt down and bowed, saying, "Your subject will certainly not fail in your trust!"

Please vote for me! (><)