How can you rule the world if I'm just a substitute for you?

The sky was just beginning to brighten.

Emperor Qian, accompanied by his court officials and his third son Lin Fu, arrived at the Eastern Palace.

Upon seeing the Emperor's arrival, the guards of the Eastern Palace immediately knelt down in unison.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Qian glanced around the courtyard but did not see Lin Xuan.

He turned to look at the commander of the Imperial Guards and spoke in a cold voice.

"Where is the Crown Prince?"

Commander Zhang Wu of the Imperial Guards hurriedly bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince is still resting in his palace."

"The traitor!"

Emperor Qian immediately cursed angrily.

"What time is it?! How dare you sleep in!"

He then pressed for more information.

"Was anything unusual at the Eastern Palace last night?"

Zhang Wu raised his head and cupped his hands, his tone resolute.

"Your Majesty, there was nothing unusual. I swear on my life that no one left the Eastern Palace last night."

The Third Prince, Lin Fu, standing to the side, had a slight glint in his eyes.

He had already dispatched his trusted confidants last night to secretly monitor the Eastern Palace's sleeping quarters throughout the entire process.

Everything Zhang Wu said was true.

Last night, no one went out in the entire Eastern Palace.

Lin Fu became even more certain.

The prince's double has definitely not left!

The real prince must be hiding in the palace!

Emperor Qian looked at Zhang Wu again.

"Are you sure there's absolutely nothing wrong?"

"Your Majesty, I swear on my life that there is absolutely nothing amiss!"

Zhang Wu spoke with a strong and forceful voice, and after finishing, he unconsciously raised his hand to rub his eyes, his face full of fatigue.

Emperor Qian looked closely.

Not only Zhang Wu, but all the guards on duty were exhausted and listless.

He immediately spoke in an annoyed tone.

"It seems that my imperial guards are still too lax in their training."

"After guarding the palace gates all night, you've all ended up like this?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wu panicked instantly and immediately knelt down.

"Your Majesty, please forgive us! This matter has nothing to do with us!"

"It's just that His Highness the Crown Prince was too much of a handful last night."

Emperor Qian raised an eyebrow.

"Make trouble? What do you mean? Explain yourself!"

Zhang Wu looked embarrassed and stammered in reply.

"All night long, His Highness the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess made constant noise in their palace without stopping for a moment."

"We waited outside on duty, listening to that noise, and we suffered all night."

These words were spoken.

The Third Prince, Lin Fu, standing to the side, suddenly flashed a cold glint in his eyes, his face filled with disbelief.

How could it possibly take all night?

This physique is even stronger than his own, who has practiced martial arts for many years!

How could such a strange thing happen in the world!

Lin Fu couldn't help but question, "Commander Zhang, are you joking?"

Zhang Wu said earnestly, "Third Prince, I have uttered not a single falsehood! If you do not believe me, ask all the soldiers on duty; every one of them can testify!"

After hearing this, Emperor Qian nodded inwardly.

He truly is worthy of being my son.

It has the same style as I did back then!

He coughed lightly twice, collected his thoughts, and his expression became serious again.

"Someone come here."

"Wake the Crown Prince!"

Two eunuchs immediately stepped forward, walked to the door of the sleeping quarters, and quietly announced the news.

"Your Highness, His Majesty has arrived at the Eastern Palace and summons you to come out of the palace immediately to greet him!"

Inside the sleeping quarters.

Lin Xuan and Shen Qingyi are still asleep.

Shen Qingyi was the first to be awakened by the shouts outside the door.

Last night, she followed Lin Xuan's instructions and shook the bed and shouted every half hour to make noise.

After tossing and turning all night, I was so exhausted that I fell asleep without realizing it.

She didn't even know when Lin Xuan came back from the dungeon and went to bed with her.

Shen Qingyi was extremely anxious and quickly reached out to shake Lin Xuan beside her.

"Get up quickly! Father is here!"

Lin Xuan slowly opened his eyes and mumbled something.

"Why are you here so early?"

Shen Qingyi's face turned pale, and she asked urgently in a low voice.

"You've hidden the prince's body well? Without leaving any trace?"

Lin Xuan said calmly, "Don't worry, it's been handled perfectly, there won't be any problems."

The two dared not delay and quickly got up to straighten their clothes.

A moment later, they pushed open the palace door and walked out of the bedroom one after the other.

Lin Xuan walked at the front, his expression calm.

Shen Qingyi followed closely behind, her steps slow, her body showing a hint of undisguised soreness.

The two stepped forward and bowed in unison.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Your daughter-in-law greets Your Majesty."

Lin Xuan straightened up and said casually.

"Father, you've arrived early!"

The Third Prince, Lin Fu, who was standing to the side, stared intently at Lin Xuan.

The words spoken by the Imperial Guard Commander just now were piercing to the heart.

Without rest all night?

This is nothing like the debauched, physically weak, and utterly useless crown prince!

He immediately stepped forward and sneered coldly.

"Your Highness!"

"Even now, you still indulge in pleasure every night and remain in a deep sleep; it's utterly absurd!"

Lin Xuan picked at his ear, looking completely indifferent, and gave a light snort.

"Hmph, that only proves that I have a clear conscience, I am upright and have nothing to fear, and I can withstand any scrutiny."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qian's heart stirred.

He thought to himself.

If the Crown Prince truly harbored a double and had a guilty conscience, he would surely be filled with fear and unable to sleep or sit still as disaster looms over him today.

How could they possibly still have the mind to indulge in pleasure and toss and turn all night?

In an instant, most of Emperor Qian's doubts about the Crown Prince keeping a body double were dispelled.

Lin Xuan turned his gaze to Lin Fu, whose face was pale, and spoke with a half-smile.

"Third brother, why do you look so pale?"

"Could it be that they're jealous of my fighting prowess?"

"I've heard that you've always been incapable."

"We're all men. If you're really in trouble, beg me, and I can share some of my experience with you."

As soon as these words were spoken, all the officials in the room looked at the Third Prince Lin Fu with strange expressions.

Everyone's eyes were filled with scrutiny, mockery, and inquiry.

Could it be that what the Crown Prince said is true?

The dignified Third Prince is really incapable?

Lin Fu felt hot and both ashamed and angry under the gazes of everyone. His blood was boiling and he shouted loudly on the spot.

"Your Highness! Stop spouting nonsense! Your mouth is full of filth."

He suppressed his raging anger and immediately turned to Emperor Qian, bowing respectfully and presenting a memorial.

"I request that Your Majesty immediately search the Crown Prince's palace!"

Emperor Qian waved his hand slightly and ordered the Imperial Guards in a deep voice: "Search."

Lin Fu gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with malice.

I secretly said:

Crown Prince, you may be arrogant as you please!

Once we find out who the stand-in is, let's see how you keep your stubbornness!

As soon as he finished speaking, a group of imperial guards rushed into the crown prince's palace and searched it thoroughly.

A moment later, Zhang Wu, the commander of the Imperial Guards, rushed out, knelt on one knee, and loudly reported back.

"Your Majesty, we have discovered a hidden entrance to a secret dungeon within the Crown Prince's palace!"

These words caused an immediate uproar!

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingyi's legs went weak and she swayed precariously.

She panicked completely.

dungeon!

Lin Xuan clearly hid the real prince's body in the dungeon!

The dungeon is so small, it can't hide anyone at all. If you search it, you'll be exposed!

At the critical moment, Lin Xuan raised his hand and steadily supported her waist.

At the same time, he lowered his head, whispered in her ear, and spoke with absolute certainty.

"Believe me."

These three short words are calm and powerful.

Shen Qingyi managed to calm her flustered mind with a sliver of composure.

Upon hearing this, Lin Fu on the other side was overjoyed and his spirits lifted instantly.

He strode forward and shouted urgently:

"Father! We've found it!"

"The Crown Prince's double must be hiding in this dungeon! Please, Father, immediately order a search of the dungeon."

Emperor Qian's expression darkened. Things had come to this point, and the case of the real and fake doubles was finally about to be resolved.

He immediately shouted in a deep voice:

"Enter the dungeon and investigate thoroughly!"

The Imperial Guards received the order and immediately pushed open the hidden door, rushing into the dungeon.