Chapter 832 - 835: Crown Prince

Chapter 832: Chapter 835: Crown Prince

"Your Highness," Mr. Le, a strategist, stepped forward and said, "As everyone knows, Mrs. Gu has the golden touch. Her shops are scattered all over the country. These people are taking advantage of this moment to strike because they are after her immense wealth. We cannot afford to be careless about this. You must understand that if such a massive fortune falls into the hands of others, it will pose a tremendous threat to us."

Though Mr. Le didn’t explicitly state it, Hua Zhang knew exactly what he was implying.

Aside from his own full brother, the other princes had been secretly scheming against one another for years. They were merely maintaining a facade of peace.

Ever since he was appointed as the Crown Prince, the imperial court had suddenly become completely tranquil, but this unnatural silence only made him more uneasy.

Putting himself in their shoes, if his imperial father had named someone else as the Crown Prince, he wouldn’t have accepted it lying down either.

However, being the Crown Prince had its downsides, bringing with it many constraints. "It’s just that there are too many eyes on me right now. I fear that certain people are just waiting for me to make a move," Hua Zhang said.

"Your Highness, your subordinate has already sent men to keep watch," Lü Wei interjected. "The investigation revealed that a few merchants are making a move, but the situation is far too unusual. Even if these merchants possess some capability, they simply don’t have that kind of nerve. I found it strange and dispatched more people to investigate elsewhere. To my surprise, besides Marquis Bai, the Xu Family has also meddled in this affair."

At this point, Lü Wei raised his head and looked at the Crown Prince’s other aides. He had handled this matter quite beautifully, managing to uncover even these hidden details.

Had Le San been present, he would have been utterly speechless. If the Holy Emperor hadn’t secretly pulled some strings from the shadows, did they really think the Xu Family were pushovers?

Lü Wei, naturally unaware of these underlying currents, was eager to claim credit. "Your Highness, the Xu Family is backed by the Fifth Prince. If they actually manage to pull this off, it will become a massive disaster for us."

"We still need to gather clearer intelligence on this matter. We must not act rashly," Mr. Le said. "I actually think Your Highness has a point. I fear this might be a trap."

Lü Wei stubbornly insisted, "If they truly succeed in their plot, are we supposed to just watch helplessly as that massive fortune falls into their pockets?"

"I have never interacted with this Gu Wenheng," Mr. Le said, turning to look at the Crown Prince. "But anyone who can rise from a mere scholar to his current position is by no means a simple man.

"Your Highness, the things Gu Wenheng has accomplished over the years and the immense love he has earned from the commoners during his tenure are enough to prove that he does not lack strategy or ruthless methods. These people dare to scheme against the couple at this time because they are betting that the Holy Emperor, who governs the world with filial piety, will not recall him from his mourning period.

"There are too many variables during a three-year mourning period. No matter how many countermeasures Gu Wenheng has prepared, he is bound to suffer some losses.

"Your Highness, this is also a golden opportunity for you. If you can lend him a helping hand right now, in the future, Your Highness... will gain another capable minister."

Hua Zhang stroked his Jade Ring. "Are you suggesting that I send him a warning, sir?"

Mr. Le shook his head. "No. These people are all gambling. Why shouldn’t Your Highness take a gamble as well?"

Hua Zhang fell silent.

***

In the Upper Study Room, Hua Shunming’s brow smoothed out when he heard Le San report that the Crown Prince was requesting an audience.

He summoned him into the study. Before he could even speak, the Crown Prince had already performed the grand ceremonial bow of a subject to his sovereign.

"Crown Prince, what is the meaning of this?"

Outside of the imperial court, it was very rare for the Crown Prince to perform such a formal greeting.

Hua Zhang drew a memorial from his robes and respectfully offered it with both hands.

Le San bowed slightly, carefully took the memorial, and presented it to Hua Shunming.

Hua Shunming flipped it open and looked at Hua Zhang with a hint of surprise. "Your sources are quite well-informed, Crown Prince. To think you would pay attention to such trivial matters."

"Imperial Father, one of my subordinate Imperial Secretaries stumbled upon this by accident," Hua Zhang replied. "I dared not conceal it, so I beseech Imperial Father to provide clear guidance."

Hua Shunming’s expression grew complex. He glanced at the top of his son’s head; the Crown Prince’s Crown was just as dazzling as it had been when he wore it himself back in the day.

"Crown Prince, do you know that the contents written here point directly at the Fifth Prince?"

Hua Zhang’s posture became even more respectful. "I am aware. I trust my fifth royal brother, but I do not trust the Xu Family."

Hua Shunming chuckled softly. "You certainly have a silver tongue, Crown Prince, but being an Emperor requires more than just a sharp mouth.

"The Xu Family and the Fifth Prince are tied to the same lineage. If we truly get to the bottom of this, he won’t be able to absolve himself of the blame.

"Go on, tell me what you think."

"Imperial Father, the Xu Family’s unprovoked targeting of Mr. Gu this time is truly chilling.

"If no one had noticed, considering Mr. Gu is currently away from the imperial court, their machinations would have left him with absolutely nowhere to turn for help.

"Mr. Gu has always been fiercely loyal over the years, serving the country and its people. I simply do not wish to see a generation of loyal subjects disheartened.

"Imperial Father, since this matter has yet to culminate in a catastrophic mistake, I beg you to step in and protect him."

"Why don’t you step forward yourself?" Hua Shunming asked coldly. "You are the Crown Prince I personally appointed, the future Emperor. Can you not even make a decision on such a small matter?"

"Imperial Father." Hua Zhang instantly straightened his back, meeting Hua Shunming’s gaze head-on. "It is true that I am the Crown Prince, but this empire currently belongs to you. I am merely the Crown Prince."

"Are you saying that I lack the magnanimity to tolerate others?" Hua Shunming retorted.

"I wouldn’t dare." Hua Zhang bowed and prostrated himself once more. "I humbly ask Imperial Father to take charge of this matter."

"You are still too young, Crown Prince," Hua Shunming said. "How do you know this isn’t a case of one willing to strike and the other willing to suffer?"

"Does Imperial Father mean to say they are putting on a two-man act?" Hua Zhang could no longer control his expression, revealing his sheer astonishment.

Hua Shunming couldn’t even remember how long it had been since he had seen any other emotion on the Crown Prince’s face. Unfortunately, the expression was fleeting. His usual serious demeanor was truly quite dull.

Unable to comprehend the disappointment in his imperial father’s eyes, Hua Zhang pondered in his heart. Was Gu Wenheng using this opportunity to go with the flow and transfer his wealth into the Fifth Prince’s hands? Was he secretly in the Fifth Prince’s camp all along?

But that didn’t make sense. Where did things go wrong?

He still trusted Zhou Shixiong’s judgment of character. No matter how clever Gu Wenheng was, it was impossible for him to hide his true colors so flawlessly for so many years.

"Take a look at this, Crown Prince." Hua Shunming stood by the bookcase behind him and pulled out a memorial from a hidden compartment.

Seeing that the Crown Prince was still kneeling, he added, "You may rise! Eunuch Le is getting older now, so let’s not trouble him with every little thing."

Le San put on a smiling face. "Holy Emperor, this old servant’s bones are still strong and sturdy. If you feel sorry for the Crown Prince, you should just say so directly. There’s no need to use this old servant as an excuse! Those who don’t know any better might think this old servant is taking advantage of your favor to slack off."

Hua Shunming pointed at him affectionately. "You’ve been with me for many years. It’s only right that I spoil you a bit. Wouldn’t you agree, Crown Prince?"

"Eunuch Le has served Imperial Father for many years. This is well deserved," Hua Zhang said with a smile toward Le San, implicitly giving him a promise for the future.

"Read this first before we say anything more." Receiving a grateful look from Le San, Hua Shunming paid it no mind. Le San had served him his whole life, and he only wanted to ensure the eunuch had a good retirement.

Upon finishing the memorial, Hua Zhang’s mouth fell open in shock. The Crown Prince’s fluctuating emotions today successfully amused Hua Shunming.

"Do you find it very strange?" Hua Shunming asked with a smile, glancing at the memorial in his hand.

"The Xu Family will definitely cough up blood from sheer anger this time," Hua Zhang remarked first, before voicing his confusion. "So... Mr. Gu and his people had already anticipated this?"