Chapter 130: Don’t Dare to Discuss the Crown Prince

Ye Qi recounted the causes and consequences of the investigation, and concluded at the end: "Xiang'er should want to go back to the prime minister's residence to ask for help."

"It's really a disgrace to the royal family!" Emperor Zhaocheng's face was as dark as water, and he was furious. "Immediately summon Prince Yu to the palace!"

"Yes!" Ye Qi left.

Emperor Zhaocheng stared coldly at the memorials piled up like a mountain in front of him, pulled out a few of them, and read them with a gloomy face.

Either impeaching the prime minister for forming a clique for personal gain, or reporting that the prime minister's residence accepted bribes, embezzled and perverted the law, and even mixed in the memorials were a few secret letters.

The secret letters revealed that Prime Minister Gu had been very close to important officials in the court in recent days.

In the middle of the night, officials often sneaked in from the back door of the prime minister's residence and had secret talks with the prime minister in the study for half a night.

As for the content of the secret talks, you can guess it with your toes.

"Xiao Changhai." The emperor's voice was heavy and suppressed.

Xiao Changhai bowed tremblingly: "Your servant is here."

"How has the prince behaved recently?"

Xiao Changhai bowed his head and said: "The prince has not been able to leave the palace these days and has been staying in the East Palace reading books."

"Reading books?" Emperor Zhaocheng was immediately furious, "How old is he, and he still reads books all day? Is this crown prince put on display for people to watch?"

"Your servant deserves death!" Xiao Changhai knelt down in fear, "Your Majesty, calm down."

The fact is that Mu Xiuhan's position as the crown prince is really put on display for people to watch.

Although the crown prince has come of age, the emperor is diligent and has never delegated power to the crown prince.

Mu Xiuhan's ability is not outstanding, and he does not guess the emperor's mind thoroughly enough. He has not shown the courage and responsibility that a crown prince should have in front of the emperor.

On the contrary, he avoided everywhere, fearing that he would be suspected by his father.

Otherwise, he would not have caused dissatisfaction with the emperor because of the cancellation of the engagement.

During this period, because of the abolition of the empress, Mu Xiuhan's status as the crown prince plummeted. He was ordered by the emperor not to leave the palace, and suddenly he was like a frightened bird.

Recently, the crown prince not only did not leave the palace, but also did not dare to take a step out of the East Palace, for fear that he would not do well and the emperor would directly order the abolition of the crown prince.

So he could only stay in the East Palace to read books to show that he was reflecting and cultivating his character.

Emperor Zhaocheng threw the memorial aside and raised his hand to rub his eyebrows: "Xiao Changhai."

"Your servant is here."

"Do you think the crown prince is incompetent?"

Xiao Changhai shivered with fear and kowtowed quickly: "I dare not! I dare not have such an idea, please ask the emperor to understand!"

Is it possible for him to say that the crown prince is incompetent?

"I also think the prince is incompetent." Emperor Zhaocheng said in a cold tone, obviously not caring about Xiao Changhai's panic, "If I abolish the prince, who do you think is qualified to sit on the throne?"

Xiao Changhai's face turned pale: "I dare not discuss the matter of the prince."

Emperor Zhaocheng seemed not to hear him, and said directly: "Is the fourth one suitable?"

Xiao Changhai was sweating: "Your Majesty, your servant--"

"I don't think he is suitable." Emperor Zhaocheng tapped the armrest of the dragon chair with his fingers, and his tone suddenly became cold, "He has played a lot of tricks these days, right? It's a pity that none of his tricks are up to standard!"

The prince has lost power, but he can't even strike while the iron is hot, and he only hopes to win over people who can't be won over at all.

He even let the eldest son of the Gu family come forward to find Yan Li's handle.

How can such a despicable person be qualified to take on a big responsibility?

Emperor Zhaocheng's heart was covered with a layer of haze, and he was extremely disappointed with the prince and Mu Xiuyu.

He has six sons.

Originally, the crown prince and Mu Xiuyu were the two most qualified candidates to inherit the throne.

But now he had to think seriously. In addition to their good birth and strong maternal family background, what other advantages do these two have?

Xiao Changhai knelt on the ground and trembled. He had never expected that the emperor would ask about the crown prince today.

Is he really determined to abolish the crown prince?

Emperor Zhaocheng ignored Xiao Changhai's thoughts, held his forehead with one hand, and thought silently.

The eldest brother was devoted to poetry, wine, calligraphy and painting, like a weak scholar. He had no ambitions and no sense of responsibility for the country and the people.

The fifth prince was weak, and he asked for the imperial physician every three or five days. He had to take medicine all year round and could not take the responsibility of the country.

The ninth prince was of humble origin and yearned for the battlefield. He was the best candidate to lead the army. Tianlai Novel Network

If he really made up his mind to abolish the crown prince and did not consider the fourth prince, then who should take over the position of crown prince in the end?

Emperor Zhaocheng thought about it and thought of Prince Jing.

At that moment, he felt that Prince Jing was the most suitable candidate, but...

"Xiao Changhai." Emperor Zhaocheng turned his head and glanced at the personal eunuch kneeling on the ground, "Who do you think will pose a greater threat to the imperial power, the Ninth Prince or the Huguogong Mansion?"

Xiao Changhai was startled, and his body on the ground shook unconsciously: "Your Majesty, your servant... your servant..."

"Just say it."

Xiao Changhai said tremblingly: "The Huguogong Mansion has been loyal for generations, stationed at the border and made great contributions. They should... should not have any rebellious thoughts."

"Well." Emperor Zhaocheng did not comment, "What about the Ninth Prince?"

"The Ninth Prince has been in charge of the army for several years, and he is the god of war of the Mu Kingdom." Xiao Changhai said with fear, "I think the Ninth Prince is even less likely to have a rebellious heart."

"Why?"

"Say... I can't say it." Xiao Changhai lowered his voice a little, "It's just intuition."

Intuition?

Emperor Zhaocheng remained silent. Thinking of Mu Cang's unfriendly personality, he believed that Xiao Changhai's intuition must be correct.

Mu Cang holds a large number of troops. If he really has the intention of being disloyal, he should lower his status and win over the ministers and maintain a good relationship with them.

He can attack when he advances and defend when he retreats.

Instead of being rude to anyone.

Even when the Prime Minister's Mansion took the initiative to propose marriage, he rejected it without hesitation.

Mu Cang is just a little arrogant, but he has never had any thoughts that he shouldn't have.

He should believe him.

Emperor Zhaocheng thought so in his heart, but he couldn't help but think of some intelligence that the shadow guard had recently offered.

Yan Li had a secret meeting with an unidentified man in a teahouse. The eldest son of the Gu family brought people to "encounter" and used this as a condition to try to force Yan Li to "surrender".

Mu Cang personally offered a marriage proposal to the Nanjiao Villa and almost offered all his wealth.

After the fourth prince learned that Gu Heyu was poisoned, he first went to the Prime Minister's Mansion, and then condescended to go to the Jiang family in person to try to ask for the antidote.

But in the end, it was fruitless.

Emperor Zhaocheng had to be suspicious. Yan Li seemed to be a little different recently... What was she doing quietly?

In broad daylight, she went to a teahouse with a strange man. Did Mu Cang know about this?

What is Mu Cang's attitude towards Yan Li?

Marrying a wife and offering all his wealth as a betrothal gift is a unique thing in history.

It is difficult to choose the crown prince. Mu Cang and Yan Li have been in the spotlight recently. King Jing wants to marry the daughter of the Duke of Huguo, and the prime minister has close contacts with the ministers in the court...

With everything in front of him, Emperor Zhaocheng felt a little overwhelmed besides being angry.