Before the house was raided, the maidservant of the Prime Minister's residence absconded with t

At this moment, in the Peace Conference Hall of the Imperial Palace.

The fifty-year-old Emperor Wenchang was in a fit of rage, and he grabbed a blue and white porcelain cup and smashed it directly at Prince Cheng, Xie Jingxing.

"waste!

"King Cheng, how did you handle this?"

Xie Jingxing, dressed in a brocade robe, knelt below, not daring to raise his head, and replied, "Father, your son is incompetent and has failed to do the things you instructed me to do well."

I don't know what happened. Why would bandits from Jingmeng Mountain appear outside the Prime Minister's residence?

Upon hearing that the palace was on fire, I was worried about the safety of the princess and the others, so I hurried back on horseback.

However, I left a considerable number of soldiers to guard the Prime Minister's residence, and as a result…”

"idiot!

This is clearly a ploy to lure the tiger away from the mountain!

Was Prime Minister Xiao rescued?

Emperor Wenchang's face was filled with anger, and although he was old, his eyes still held a sharp and scrutinizing quality.

This old man is clearly lying. He doesn't care about Princess Cheng at all; he probably cares about the treasures in his storeroom!

"Father is right. Your son is foolish and didn't have time to think about these things at the time."

"But Father, please rest assured, Prime Minister Xiao is still safely guarding the mourning hall in the Prime Minister's residence; he has not fled."

Xie Jingxing replied cautiously and timidly.

In his heart, he cursed angrily: "Old man, once I sit in that position, I'll send you to the royal temple to wait for your death!"

"Oh, he didn't run away. That's just like him."

Have you seen him negotiating or meeting with other people?

Emperor Wenchang glanced at Eunuch Li, who was waiting to the side, and said, "Li Defu, go and get a chair for Prince Cheng so he can sit down."

The punishments are almost done; I can't let the third brother hold a grudge against me.

Li Defu quickly brought over a pear wood chair, his manner respectful yet somewhat distant. "Your Highness, please have a seat!"

"Thank you, Father Emperor, for granting me a seat."

Xie Jingxing lifted his outer robe and sat down.

He then replied, "Father, I asked him personally, but Prime Minister Xiao said he had not seen anyone!"

Your son does not believe it.

"This is what I think: since the bandits from Jingmeng Mountain are helping to provide cover, I suspect that he may have been colluding with those bandits long ago, and perhaps he is cultivating power for my elder brother, the Crown Prince."

Xie Jingxing wanted to complain to the emperor every moment and wanted to bring down the crown prince.

They were born on the same day, but the crown prince was born a quarter of an hour earlier.

The crown prince became an enviable and noble crown prince, while he was just a Prince Cheng.

Back then, the Crown Prince's mother was Consort Shu, and his mother was Consort De; the two of them were the most favored.

The emperor decreed that whoever gave birth to a prince first would become the empress, and that prince would become the crown prince.

He almost missed out on becoming the crown prince.

He was indignant; it wasn't fair. He was clearly no less capable than the Crown Prince in any way.

If Xiao Wen hadn't defended the Crown Prince in court last time, the Crown Prince would probably have been imprisoned long ago, and is now only under house arrest in the Crown Prince's residence.

Therefore, his first priority was to get rid of Xiao Wen, that stubborn old man.

I originally planned to catch them all tonight, but...

"You scoundrel, how can you say such things?"

Even if those people were real bandits from Jingmeng Mountain, it's impossible for Prime Minister Xiao to collude with them.

It's obvious they're framing you. Can't you even see that?

The advisors you keep in your household are all good-for-nothings.

If that's really the case, it's better to disband sooner rather than later to avoid wasting food.

"Father, please calm your anger!"

Your son is just guessing. After all, the timing of those bandits' appearance was too coincidental, which inevitably aroused your son's suspicion!

Your humble servant was too foolish to see it at first glance and almost fell into the trap of the villain!

"It happened so suddenly, I haven't had time to discuss it with anyone else."

Xie Jingxing was sweating profusely. He thought to himself that it was good that he had come forward to explain what had happened. If he had waited until the next day, his father's anger would probably have been even greater.

Emperor Wenchang, who had suddenly stood up, snorted coldly and sat back down on the dragon throne. His fingers tapped the armrest lightly, each tap seeming to strike Xie Jingxing's heart.

"Third Prince, do you know why I specifically ordered you to search the Prime Minister's residence and keep an eye on Xiao Wen?"

Xie Jingxing's heart skipped a beat, and he cautiously replied, "Father trusts me and wants to give me some experience."

Emperor Wenchang suddenly laughed, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "Good to know!"

I am giving you a chance.

Although the Crown Prince has made a mistake and is under house arrest, his crime does not warrant death. Don't have any wicked thoughts. After all, he is your own brother.

Do you understand what I mean?

Xie Jingxing replied respectfully, "Your subject understands!"

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince, is my own elder brother. I would never do anything to betray brotherly affection."

He knew the old emperor was giving him a warning; it seemed his father still had some fatherly affection for his elder brother, the crown prince.

Otherwise, it wouldn't have been just confinement, since it was a crime of treason!

It seems I need to get my mother to whisper sweet nothings in my ear.

If the empress could die at the hands of her mother back then, today her son must also die at his own hands.

Seeing that the third son's attitude was acceptable, Emperor Wenchang nodded in satisfaction and continued, "Hmm, good that you understand!"

Xiao Wen is a veteran of two dynasties, with disciples and former officials all over the country. To touch him would be to send a message to others.

I sent you there to see your abilities, and more importantly...

Just how many fish and shrimp are lurking beneath this pool?

This third brother is capable, but he is too eager for quick success and too ruthless.

The crown prince was too kind, which made him unsuitable to be an emperor.

Back then, the Empress and the Imperial Noble Consort gave birth to a son at the same time, and he made the Crown Prince's mother the Empress.

In the past two years, he has seen the Crown Prince become more and more opinionated, out of his control, and somewhat sentimental, just like the Empress back then.

The third brother pulled this stunt, but he's not so old that his eyesight is failing him; he can see right through it.

But with the evidence there and Prime Minister Xiao involved, he simply went along with it.

He had no choice but to eliminate the Xiao family!

Emperor Wenchang paused, his gaze sweeping across Xie Jingxing's face like a knife: "But what about you?"

Even with the mansion guarded by soldiers, someone could still sneak into the Prime Minister's residence unnoticed and distract you with a feigned fire.

What have you shown me?

I can see your impatience and your narrow-mindedness!

And your stupidity!

With your level of shrewdness and ability to handle situations, how can I entrust you with heavier responsibilities?

These words were extremely harsh, and Xie Jingxing's back was instantly soaked with cold sweat. He hurriedly stood up and tried to kneel down again: "Father is right, I know I was wrong, I..."

Emperor Wenchang impatiently interrupted him, "What's the use of knowing you're wrong now?"

I ask you, did Xiao Wen truly not leave the mourning hall even for a single moment?

Is there absolutely nothing unusual inside or outside the Prime Minister's residence?

Xie Jingxing forced himself to calm down and carefully recalled: "Your Majesty, when I rushed back to the Prime Minister's residence, Prime Minister Xiao was indeed still in the mourning hall, wearing mourning clothes, calmly reciting scriptures and chanting Buddhist prayers for Old Madam Xiao."

Your subject personally questioned him about whether he was colluding with bandits, and he remained neither humble nor arrogant, coldly denying it!

"But..." He hesitated for a moment.

"Just what?"

The emperor snorted coldly.

I don't know if she disliked her son or was just in a bad mood, but her expression wasn't good!