Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 490 - 326: Hitting Back

Then suddenly thinking of the silver sent by the Eldest Prince a few days ago, his expression dimmed; that silver was truly hard to handle.

The Second Prince came today not only to discuss this matter but also to plead for his two brothers. Both Princes fell out of favor, leaving him unscathed. Outsiders would inevitably have bad speculations, so now was the moment for him to demonstrate brotherly love and respect.

"Father!" The Second Prince hesitated slightly as he saw the Emperor’s face suddenly darken.

Thinking it over, if he didn’t mention it today and waited until the Emperor forgave the two, it wouldn’t involve him. Besides, with his elder brother kneeling at the door and saying nothing, the Emperor would inevitably find him cold-hearted.

"Elder Brother has been kneeling for two days. Father, why not summon him in and ask what happened, allowing him to atone for his mistakes. Besides, the Third Prince has been confined in the residence for several days. Since there was no fraudulent case, could you spare the Third Brother?"

The situation with the Eldest Prince was unclear, and the Second Prince also wanted to explore the truth.

The Emperor deeply glanced at the Second Prince; although he had his own thoughts, he still valued brotherly affection.

"Hmph! It’s for your sake that I am temporarily giving him a chance to clarify the facts. De’an, go and call the Eldest Prince in."

De’an received the order and quickly ran out of the Imperial Study Room, knowing the truth in his heart. The Emperor was swayed not because of the Second Prince but because the Eldest Prince had been kneeling for two days, softening his heart.

As he left, he glanced at Xiao Quanzi standing outside the Imperial Study Room and scolded: "Follow me."

The Eldest Prince had been kneeling for so long; how could he lift him alone?

Xiao Quanzi hurriedly strengthened his resolve and ran to keep up.

"Your Highness, the Eldest Prince, the Emperor asks the old servant to invite you in!" De’an said as he stepped forward to assist the Eldest Prince.

Xiao Quanzi also stepped in to help. The Eldest Prince had been kneeling, losing all feeling in his legs. Once lifted, his knees ached painfully, preventing him from walking.

The Eldest Prince was helped into the study by De’an and Xiao Quanzi, struggling to pay respects by falling to the ground.

"Father, this child has made mistakes; Father, please punish your son. Please do not harm your health, or even a thousand deaths by your son will be hard to justify." The Eldest Prince, full of self-reproach, looked into the Emperor’s eyes filled with tears, displaying his regret extensively.

De’an stood beside the desk, lowering his head, with a sense of admiration for the Eldest Prince’s skill. The Emperor had already softened toward him, and now with this move, how could the Emperor not forgive his beloved eldest son?

The Emperor saw that the Eldest Prince seemed sincerely repentant, looking at him with eyes full of longing, not unwittingly recalling his childhood. At that time, he made mistakes, looking at him in fear of punishment.

The Eldest Prince’s ultimate goal in doing these things was also for him, although the process was somewhat unscrupulous. The filial piety remained. If not for wanting to alleviate his father’s troubles with silver worries, he wouldn’t have done such absurd things.

However, harming the two older ministers in the court later was wrong. Wan Xue Nian was so loyal to him, yet now wouldn’t have a good end. How could the Wan Family be content?

Now Wan Xue Nian’s coffin remained in Wan Mansion’s mourning hall. Without an explanation for the Wan Family, it wouldn’t just chill the old ministers’ hearts but also be criticized by the people.

"Now I am giving you a chance to detail this matter."

The Second Prince, granted a seat, sat in a nearby armchair, looking at the Eldest Prince kneeling below. He thought to himself that the Emperor had likely already softened. His arrival was just in time to let the Emperor save face.

The Eldest Prince pondered for a moment, glancing at the Second Prince, knowing his father wouldn’t like him speaking the truth. What was the Second Prince’s purpose for being here? Wasn’t it to use his mouth to spread this so-called truth?

"This child truly does not know the origin of those silvers. It was Guo Shi’s message, saying Lord Wan and Mr. Song were corrupt. Having had grievances with them, this child thought of asking Guo Shi to investigate. As for who instructed Guo Shi, I do not know. Later, in the confessions, Guo Shi claimed to have a relation with me, blaming these things on me."

The Eldest Prince had already thought of excuses, speaking with justified confidence, seemingly true.

The Emperor’s face slightly tensed. The eldest son’s mind seemed quite substantial. He glanced at the seated Second Prince, whose honest appearance registered surprise, seemingly unaware that the truth would be like this.

The Second Prince internally stirred, surprised that the eldest brother had already devised a strategy, completely turning the situation.

It seemed this time the Eldest Prince wouldn’t face severe punishment. The Second Prince felt Wan Xue Nian was truly unjustly dead, fearing even posthumously he’d be crowned with numerous accusations, not even Song Shuqing could be exempted. Those two hundred thousand taels of silver that entered both residences became their Death Sentences.

The Emperor’s thoughts shifted, for the Imperial Family’s dignity, the eldest son’s suggestion was the best proposal. If the world knew the Eldest Prince framed senior ministers in court, acted recklessly, and considering those silvers...

A Prince with such moral deficits couldn’t become a successor to Da Yan’s territory.

The Emperor closed his eyes, moved by Wan Xue Nian’s death serving as a martyrdom. But since the situation was already erroneous, they could only continue the mistake.

People are often helpless; everyone has their own limitations. Even as the Emperor, he couldn’t act freely.

"According to what you say, is there someone else behind Guo Shi?" The Emperor seemed quite surprised, his eyes like arrows making the Eldest Prince tremble.

"The child does not know; Guo Shi was examined by Mr. Hu and handed to Dali Temple. The child only guessed, otherwise couldn’t explain why Guo Shi did so."

The Eldest Prince felt no panic lying before the Second Prince, but when facing his father, his heart felt somewhat guilty.

His father wouldn’t believe his rhetoric, but to restore his reputation, even with abandoning the old loyal ministers, the Eldest Prince didn’t think this was solely for him; that silver played a significant role.

"Hmph! Already two days have passed, and Kuang Zhao Ying hadn’t progressed, even now no enlightenment." The Emperor felt discontent thinking of Guo Shi still held at Dali Temple.

Guo Shi couldn’t be kept!

The Second Prince timely spoke, "Father, that Guo Shi is truly despicable, shouldn’t be anyone’s puppet. Eldest Brother was truly wronged."

The Second Prince left the palace door, turning to view the majestic Imperial Palace, his honest expression instantly darkening, sneering.

He could already guess the outcome of this matter; Guo Shi would likely die in the cell within two days.

Wan Xue Nian and Song Shuqing ultimately wouldn’t clear their grievances, without the examination fraud charge, there could be other accusations!

Like extracting civilian profits, accepting bribes, and opening convenient doors for merchants looking to exploit loopholes.