Jingyi left the bedside, quietly departing. As he emerged, the corners of his mouth carried the smile of a victor.

He commanded the court officials: “His Majesty’s oral decree—pardon Prince Rong and release him immediately.”

Upon hearing this, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review quickly responded: “This subject obeys the decree!”

He breathed a sigh of relief.

Jingrong was originally like a Buddha statue—transferred from the inner palace prison to his Court of Judicial Review prison, he was like a hot potato.

But fortunately, Vice Minister Yu of the Court of Judicial Review had taken over the matter.

However, now that His Majesty had personally ordered Jingrong’s release, for him as Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, this was truly a tremendously joyous occasion.

Release him quickly, release him quickly—if he kept Jingrong confined for one more day, his heart and liver would tremble.

After the decree was issued, Jingyi left Fuyang Hall and encountered Ji Li.

“Greetings to Prince Yi.”

“The Eastern Palace has rebelled. Has Commander Ji handled matters properly?” he asked.

Ji Li replied: “Everyone in the Eastern Palace, from top to bottom—those who should be killed have been killed, and those who should be detained are all confined in the Eastern Palace.”

So it turned out that the people who carried out last night’s massacre in the Eastern Palace were Ji Li’s men!

That made sense—as the Commander of the Capital Patrol of Great Lin, this matter was indeed related to him.

The safety of the imperial city was half within his jurisdiction!

Jingyi was clearly very satisfied with his answer.

“Commander Ji handles affairs with clean efficiency. This Prince truly admires you.”

“I dare not accept such praise. That Prince Yi was able to successfully rescue His Majesty fills this lowly general with admiration. Rather, this lowly general should be accepting punishment—the Eastern Palace’s rebellion occurred within the imperial city without being detected. I truly deserve death.”

“The Ji family, from top to bottom, are all loyal subjects of our Great Lin. Moreover, Commander Ji has already fulfilled his responsibilities.”

Jingyi said this with his mouth, but in his heart he was thinking: You do deserve death, but who dares to kill you?

Aren’t they afraid you’ll rebel!

The two men exchanged polite words back and forth. At this moment, a guard rushed over.

He whispered a few words in Jingyi’s ear. His brow furrowed, but then immediately relaxed again, fearing that Ji Li might see his reaction.

Afterward, he smiled: “This Prince will not disturb Commander Ji further.”

Ji Li said nothing, only cupping his hands in farewell.

But after Jingyi had walked a few steps, he turned back and said in a peculiar tone: “Commander Ji’s younger sister, Miss Ji, is truly a beauty of talent and grace.”

Ji Li was still pondering the meaning of his words when he had already walked away.

He seemed to understand the meaning, yet also seemed not to fully understand.

These past days, ever since Ji Muqing had returned from the imperial palace to the General’s Manor, many red rashes had appeared on her body and face. She had been keeping herself locked in her room, not allowing anyone to enter. Even Ji Li had not been able to enter, let alone ask her any questions.

Ji Muqing’s inability to participate in the Crown Princess selection had clearly become a thorn in the Ji family’s side.

However, thinking of the Crown Prince’s current predicament, it was clearly a stroke of great fortune!

Without thinking further, Ji Li entered Fuyang Hall.

Jingyi went to the Eastern Palace, but he also brought someone with him—Pan Chong.

The Crown Prince had been collapsed on the ground all night. The moment he saw the main door open, his eyes filled with hope.

And the person who entered was Pan Chong.

“Master!”

He shouted excitedly.

He quickly rose from the ground and rushed toward Pan Chong, grasping his hand: “Master, you must save me! Father Emperor has demoted me and stripped away my Crown Prince title. Master, what am I to do?”

Tears glimmered in his eyes!

Contrary to usual, Pan Chong appeared extremely indifferent, walking to the table and sitting down.

“Crown Prince, do not be anxious.”

His tone was very flat.

And he still addressed him as Crown Prince, which was giving him face.

Don’t be anxious?

After a night had passed, Jinghua’s face was covered with stubble, his entire person appearing extremely haggard, even his eyeballs seeming about to pop out.

His voice hoarse, he said: “How can I not be anxious? Master, you were the one who said that besieging the palace would definitely succeed, and how could this matter have been leaked? It was clearly foolproof.”

“The Crown Prince wishes to know?”

He nodded.

Pan Chong’s face, full of wrinkles, twisted together as he said unhurriedly: “As they say, a wise bird chooses its tree to roost, and a golden sparrow stops at a stream to drink. Crown Prince, although you are a great mountain to lean on, this mountain is not suitable for me.”

“What does Master mean?”

“Crown Prince, as your master, I can be considered to have watched you grow up. Whether you are rotten wood or not, I know better than others. Crown Prince, you spend your days only knowing how to flatter His Majesty, only knowing how to play and make merry. You understand nothing of the affairs of state and nation—how could you possibly sit upon the throne?”

Completely unvarnished!

Upon hearing this, Jinghua finally understood completely.

Unable to believe it, he retreated several steps backward, eyes wide as he stared at him.

He said: “It was you? You were the one who told Jingyi? You wanted to put this Crown Prince to death?”

Fool!

You’ve finally figured it out.

Your intelligence has finally risen.

Pan Chong no longer planned to hide or conceal it. Rising from his chair, his expression remaining flat throughout, he said: “Prince Yi is different from you, Crown Prince. He is a great mountain to lean on. If one can attach oneself to him, it is indeed an excellent choice. Rather than following by the side of a Crown Prince who will sooner or later be deposed, it is better to make a decision early and seek a new master.”

Jinghua’s lips trembled as he pointed at him excitedly: “You… why? You are my master! You watched me grow up from childhood. Why would even you betray me?”

“It is precisely because I watched you grow up that I know you will never amount to anything. You are fundamentally not material for an heir apparent.”

Ah!

Jinghua was completely in despair. Unable to grasp even his last lifeline, it seemed he was truly going to fall into a ten-thousand-foot abyss.

The main door was also pushed open again at this moment, and Jingyi walked in with his back straight.

An air of proud superiority looking down from above.

Pan Chong, too, when Jingyi entered, like a servile slave, cupped his hands and greeted him.

“Greetings to Prince Yi.”

Jingyi waved his hand dismissively, glanced at the weakened Jinghua, and only then said to Pan Chong: “Master Pan need not be overly polite. This time, I must give much credit to you, Master. If not for you, this Prince could not have caught the turtle in the jar and captured the Crown Prince.”

“It was Prince Yi who saw through it first. And if not for your grand plan, this matter could not have succeeded.”

Jingyi accepted these words.

“This Prince wishes to speak alone with Imperial Elder Brother.”

Pan Chong understood the meaning. He bowed slightly and went out, closing the door behind him.

Jingyi looked at the utterly disheveled Jinghua before him, the smile at the corners of his mouth growing even more pronounced.

“That Imperial Elder Brother has fallen to this state today is also your own doing. If Imperial Elder Brother had not been too hasty in your heart and fond of wild speculation, you would not have fallen into my trap.”

One “Imperial Elder Brother” after another.

Far more satisfying than calling him “Crown Prince.”

Jinghua glared at him viciously, grinding his teeth: “I want to see Father Emperor and expose all your crimes. It was you who framed me—everything was done by you.”

“Expose them?” Jingyi was unconcerned, casually placing both hands behind his back. “Does Imperial Elder Brother know that the poison you used to commit regicide was stone spotted poison? This poison is only possessed by Yan Weiyi. You indeed do not know Yan Weiyi, nor was it he who instigated your rebellion, but he is merely a chess piece. And Yan Weiyi… is already dead. With the dead, there is no proof. As for the great fire at Chengqing Hall, with Minister Zhang’s accusation, you cannot escape. You need not hope that Minister Zhang will speak the truth and clear your name, because if he speaks the truth, his entire family, old and young, will have no life left to live.”