In recent days, the Crown Prince has felt uneasy. The atmosphere in the Capital City, along with the frequent invitations from the Capital City Government Office, Capital Guard, and Ministry of Justice for "assistance," and those who went never returned, leaving the Crown Prince very agitated.

If only the palace banquet plan hadn’t failed so perfectly, he should have been more cautious and avoided further street assassinations. But Mr. Gongyang mentioned that it was his only chance in a month, and his Jing’er had died because of Huangfu Jingchen, so how could he not vent his anger?

The only worry was that he had previously underestimated Huangfu Jingchen, and sent too few experts. The Antong Three Ghosts only knew how to collect heads, not handle the scene.

Hope there are no clues left at the scene.

But after thinking it over, he felt relieved; everyone was dead, what clues could be left?

Yet, what he thought was seamless, he did not realize there was a hidden threat behind.

Actually, by now, the Capital City Government Office had a lead.

But the more they investigated, the more shocking it became. The assassination of the Princely Heir was never going to be a simple matter.

However, they couldn’t stop the investigation.

Strangely enough, as their investigation progressed, it was as if they were divinely aided, always managing to catch suspicious points at just the right moment. These points came too easily, arousing their vigilance.

But as they followed these suspicious points, every lead turned out to be accurate.

It seemed the case could be solved soon, but those involved in the investigation felt heavy-hearted. They were uncertain how the Emperor would react once the results were reported.

Nevertheless, regardless, they had reached a conclusion, and the deadline had arrived. They dared not hide anything, only preparing to submit all the case files and evidence before the Emperor.

However, on the day before submission, the Capital City Government Office caught a peculiar criminal.

This criminal was covered in wounds, his tendons severed, unable to walk, found in front of the Government Office at night.

Who’s capable of delivering a tendonless man in the dead of night, unseen and unheard at the Capital City Government Office’s entrance, even avoiding the nightly patrols of the Capital Guard?

Seeing the person in such a miserable state, the Capital Governor took it seriously, assuming he was a persecuted victim.

Unexpectedly, upon seeing the Capital Governor, that person was overwhelmed with emotion and exposed an earth-shattering secret. The Governor was puzzled as to why this person recognized him, as he was in plain clothes at night.

Additionally, this huge secret involved the Crown Prince.

The person claimed to be named Yang Kuan, a spy sent by the Crown Prince to Prince Liang’s side.

Then he detailed how he won Prince Liang’s trust step by step over the years, how he used two nights’ worth of performances to tempt him into becoming increasingly depraved, how he influenced him during disaster relief to forcibly conscript women, and how he protected the brother of the conscripted woman to bring complaints to the capital... And all of this was under Huangfu Hanyu’s directive.

This was an earth-shaking event; the Capital Governor’s face turned green. Could he pretend not to have heard?

Knowing such secrets about the Imperial Family, knowing too much was not a good thing!

But thinking about how someone managed to sever Yang Kuan’s tendons and leave him at the Government Office entrance, it seemed every aspect was already considered. Yang Kuan would undoubtedly reveal this matter, and there was no way to hide it.

Telling everything truthfully, presenting it to the Emperor, at most resulted in a scolding. But if he hid something, the person behind the scenes wouldn’t let him go and might align him with Huangfu Hanyu’s faction, risking frantic retaliation and possibly losing himself too.

If what Yang Kuan said was true, the Crown Prince might not remain the Crown Prince. Furthermore, whether it be Prince Liang or the new Crown Prince, for them to do so much for the Crown Prince’s position left a chilling feeling!

In thorough questioning, Yang Kuan provided substantial evidence, and upon verification, the findings were genuine.

Just as he was in shock, the Capital Guard Commander visited late at night.

Soon after, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice also arrived.

The Capital Governor’s eyes rolled; since everyone was here, one knowing meant knowing, and with three knowing, perhaps it wasn’t a big deal.

Seeing the case files, hearing Yang Kuan’s testimony, the three exchanged glances, speechless.

The investigation’s findings were of great importance, making them uneasy. It was logical to confer with the Capital City Government Office again to check for any omissions, only to coincidentally and uncoincidentally encounter this matter.

All were veterans of the bureaucratic world, and by now, all was clear.

They were all being played.

Their foe deliberately dropped Yang Kuan tonight, knowing they would certainly doubt the previous investigation results, which were too shocking. Once they came, they would witness Yang Kuan’s account together.

This matter could not be concealed further.

Their minds turned to all the bizarrely convenient clues during their investigation—could these be deliberately arranged by that person?

If so, the person’s mind was truly inscrutable.

What to do now?

The three exchanged glances and realized they could only proceed according to normal procedures. And these so-called normal procedures were likely precisely what the person behind the scenes wanted to see.

The next day was the Grand Court Assembly.

It was also the deadline for the Capital City Government Office, Capital Guard, and Ministry of Justice to solve Prince Cheng’s Heir’s assassination case.

All officials stood divided; the Emperor ascended the court, and after the resounding of "Long live the Emperor," the Capital Governor was ready to present the findings. Yet someone stepped forward first, crying, "Father, your son is wronged!"

The Emperor looked to see it was Prince Liang?

He couldn’t help but frown.

For the past year or so, Prince Liang had been well-behaved. During his house arrest, he had done nothing outrageous, seeming to have turned over a new leaf. What grievance did he have now?

Prince Liang knelt, and alongside him, Huangfu Yuxuan also knelt.

A somewhat bewildered Huangfu Hongyi, seeing both his father and brother kneel, hurriedly came to kneel as well. However, he was puzzled, not knowing what had happened.

As Prince Liang had matters to report first, the Capital City Government Office couldn’t contest. They would present their case once he was finished.

The Emperor, displeased, said, "Prince Liang, why are you crying? Is something unsatisfactory in the Prince Liang Mansion? Who has wronged you?"

Prince Liang raised his tearful eyes, pitifully saying, "Father, though your son lacks ability, I am of a timid nature and usually do not dare act rashly. Having been the Crown Prince for many years, I did make some mistakes, but I certainly would not disregard the court’s rules. A year ago, when your son went to relieve the disaster, I was cautious and diligent, wholeheartedly concerned for the victims, yet was schemed against. I am truly wronged!"

The Capital Governor Wen Yuanting, Capital Guard Commander Pei Yichang, and Minister of the Ministry of Justice Tang Jinlin exchanged glances again, realizing everything led to this moment.

Was this all actually orchestrated by the Crown Prince?