Chapter 70

The Second Prince, Shen Yuanbai, was still sitting in yesterday’s teahouse waiting for news from Sheng Mingcheng.

At this moment, Zhu Feng, sweating profusely and looking flustered, rushed in.

Seeing this, the Second Prince’s expression darkened, and he said coldly, “Zhu Feng, I’ve told you before, never let your emotions show on your face.”

Zhu Feng was anxious, unable to wait to control his expression, and said hurriedly, “Your Highness, it’s bad, Sheng Mingcheng has been found!”

Shen Yuanbai’s brow furrowed, “What? Has he been caught by the Jinwu Guards?”

Zhu Feng shook his head, his expression grim, “He’s gone mad. He went to ring the Dengwen Drum and… said many things detrimental to Your Highness!”

Shen Yuanbai stood up slowly, his tone cold, “What did he say exactly, tell me truthfully!”

Zhu Feng dared not conceal anything and quickly recounted Sheng Mingcheng’s words, as well as the boiling public sentiment.

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuanbai’s face was instantly covered in frost.

“This idiot, even after being deceived, he still doesn’t realize it and actually tries to drag me down with him!”

“No wonder the Jinwu Guards couldn’t find him. Even the secret guards couldn’t trace him. It turns out there was another group of people plotting to protect him and make him bite me back!”

The male lead was still the male lead after all. Just by hearing a few words from Zhu Feng, he guessed the truth of the matter.

“The Crown Prince’s methods have become so meticulous. He usually looks like a respectful brother, but in secret, he’s plotting to deal me a fatal blow!”

“But how did he know about Sheng Qishan’s cheating in the Spring Examination, how did he know to save Tan Hanchi in advance, and how did he know about the existence of that list?”

Shen Yuanbai was puzzled, suddenly slamming his fist on the table, knocking over the tea.

These pieces of information were only reluctantly discovered by him with the help of the manpower left by his mother for several years.

How did the Crown Prince manage to do it!

Zhu Feng was filled with fear. At this moment, he couldn’t help but show a look of dread.

“Your Highness, the most urgent matter now is to deal with Sheng Mingcheng. With three people spreading rumors, especially since Sheng Mingcheng spoke so convincingly, when it reaches the Emperor… what… what will you do?”

Shen Yuanbai sneered, with no trace of fear on his face.

“Sheng Mingcheng has no evidence. Based on this alone, the Crown Prince can’t bring me down! Let’s go back to the palace!”

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When Qiao Zhongguo arrived at the Dengwen Drum Court, things were already in chaos.

Huang Gonggong was waiting anxiously at the palace gate. When he saw Qiao Zhongguo, he seemed to see a savior.

“Oh, Lord Qiao, you’ve come! Please help calm the situation. These people are about to overturn the Dengwen Drum Court!”

“The Emperor, sigh, the Emperor is furious and in a terrible mood.”

Huang Gonggong lowered his voice when he said the latter, urging Qiao Zhongguo to act quickly.

Qiao Zhongguo remained composed. He looked over and saw the indignant faces of the people in front of the Dengwen Drum Court. From their words, it seemed to involve the confrontation between the Great Yong Dynasty and the Northern Kingdom.

Qiao Zhongguo knew in his heart that his eldest son must have had a hand in this.

That brat had no idea where he got his ideas from. Compared to him, his own father really paled in comparison.

“Huang Gonggong, don’t worry.”

Qiao Zhongguo said lightly, then stepped towards the Dengwen Drum Court.

Huang Gonggong looked at Qiao Zhongguo’s tall and straight figure and finally understood a phrase that the Emperor often said: “Qiao Zhongguo is the anchor of the Great Yong Dynasty. Sometimes, when he stands in front of the people, he is even more majestic than me.”

Sometimes Huang Gonggong couldn’t figure out whether the Emperor’s words were out of fear or admiration, but today, upon seeing him, this “anchor of stability” was indeed as reputed!

As soon as Qiao Zhongguo appeared, the people gathered around, shouting General Qiao’s name.

Qiao Zhongguo waved his hand to everyone, saying only a few words about how the Emperor would handle things justly and not let the people down. The crowd voluntarily made way for him.

Huang Gonggong saw Qiao Zhongguo beckoning to him and was slightly stunned. He hurriedly led the eight Imperial Guards behind him and brought out Sheng Mingcheng, who was already tied up.

“Disperse! Are you all done with today’s business? Your wives and children at home are still waiting for you to feed them!”

Qiao Zhongguo raised his voice with a rough but inexplicably affable tone, which brought laughter from the crowd, effortlessly defusing the public anger.

Huang Gonggong was secretly amazed by this. He truly admired Qiao Zhongguo from the bottom of his heart.

“Lord Qiao, let’s go. The Emperor is waiting.”

Huang Gonggong politely urged.

Qiao Zhongguo waved his hand to the crowd, then followed Huang Gonggong, entering the study room.

In the study room, the Emperor sat behind the desk, with the Crown Prince accompanying him.

Qiao Zhongguo respectfully bowed and Sheng Mingcheng was already held down by the Imperial Guards.

The Emperor’s face was grim, indicating a bad mood.

“Has the Second Prince arrived?”

Upon hearing this, Huang Gonggong hurried out to check the situation. As soon as he stepped out of the study room, he saw the Second Prince coming this way.

“Your Majesty, Your Highness.” The Second Prince knelt in the hall, his posture and expression calm.

At the moment when Sheng Mingcheng saw the Second Prince, he immediately began to wail excitedly. The hatred in his bloodshot eyes was chilling to behold.

With a glance from the Yong Emperor, Huang Gonggong immediately approached and removed the handkerchief from Sheng Mingcheng’s mouth. A voice filled with extreme resentment echoed in the study room.

“Shen Yuanbai, you’ve ruined my family’s honor! A scoundrel like you actually dreams of becoming the Crown Prince of Great Yong! You’re dreaming!”

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Huang Gonggong watched as Sheng Mingcheng finished speaking, then quickly stuffed the handkerchief back into his mouth.

At this moment, the Yong Emperor looked towards the Second Prince in the hall and asked in a deep voice, “Second, do you have anything to say?”

After bowing, the Second Prince calmly said, “To Father, Sheng Mingcheng is slandering me.”

The Yong Emperor raised an eyebrow, “Which part?”

The Second Prince replied calmly, “All of it.”

“Sheng Mingcheng said I knew about the cheating in the Spring Examination but didn’t report it. How could I know such a secret matter? My recent goodwill towards him was for… Miss Sheng.”

“Miss Sheng?” The Yong Emperor looked puzzled.

The Second Prince nodded candidly, “Miss Sheng was in danger half a year ago, and I happened to save her once, so…”

The Second Prince suddenly lowered his head, revealing a slightly red ear.

“Father, my interaction with Sheng Mingcheng was only to inquire about Miss Sheng’s well-being. Apart from that, there was nothing else.”

Qiao Zhongguo stood silently on the side, listening to this, even he couldn’t help but sigh at the Second Prince’s sophistication and scheming.

Among all of Sheng Mingcheng’s accusations, only the meeting between the Second Prince and him had evidence, and yet the Second Prince came up with such an impeccable reason.

A young admirer, just inquiring about news, was that not acceptable?

The Second Prince continued, “As for Sheng Mingcheng’s accusation that I stole the list, I swear on my life, that list is definitely not in my possession.”

“And… the accusation of conspiring to seize the position of Crown Prince, this is even more outrageous!”