Official Yu really only had "last words" left to speak of.
Over the past few days, Han Yunxi had long gotten information from him about the amount of grain that the imperial court had sent to the three disaster regions, as well as the actual amount that had reached them. As luck would have it, the difference was about the same as the grain they'd bought from the imperial uncle's estate.
Han Yunxi didn't ask Official Yu who'd embezzled the grain, either. All she needed to do was give Official Yu's signed testimony to Emperor Tianhui, then report the imperial uncle's relationship with the Lin Clan's grain store. Everything would be up to the imperial uncle to explain himself. Perhaps he'd even come up with some interesting and preposterous explanations.
Of course, Long Fei Ye wasn't stupid enough to hand over the memorial himself.
If Long Feiye handed over the memorial directly, then only Emperor Tianhui would be able to see all the evidence. The imperial uncle was a man of great power and influence, after all, so Emperor Tianhui might not punish him. But if he borrowed someone else's hands, then things would be different.
Han Yunxi had always assumed that Long Fei Ye would borrow the crown prince's hand. Long Fei Ye was well aware of the crown prince's personality and grudge against the imperial uncle's estate. But Long Fei Ye only said, "Chu Xifeng, organize all the evidence and give it to General Mu."
General Mu!
Han Yunxi was stunned. She never thought that General Mu could be used as well.
General Mu wasn't marrying off his daughter for the sake of betrothal gifts, but so that she'd have a good home to return to.
Although he was despicable, General Mu had no choice but to do so. Pity the hearts of all parents in the world.
If General Mu was given a chance to topple the imperial uncle's estate and cut off all ties between the crown prince and his estate, then the crown prince's name would be clean and the Mu Clan wouldn't be cursed by anyone.
This was giving General Mu a chance, as well as a huge favor from His Highness Duke of Qin!
Even if General Mu's estate was truly loyal to the crown prince, they wouldn't dare to openly oppose the Duke of Qin's estate.
"Your Highness, the spies have reported that Mu Qingwu has been very close to the Crown Prince recently." Chu Xifeng replied in a low voice. Although they were far away from the capital, none of their movements could escape His Highness Duke of Qin's eyes.
"Long Tianmo was trained by Tianhui after all. How stupid could he be?" It was hard to tell whether Long Fei Ye's words were praise or mockery.
Even if Long Tianmo could convince the general to lobby Emperor Tianhui, he'd still need proof.
Strictly speaking, the Duke of Qin had helped Long Tianmo a lot. If he didn't cut ties with the imperial uncle's estate, Long Tianmo wouldn't be able to go far!
Han Yunxi remained silent as she listened. She couldn't help but recall the first time Mu Qingwu had come to the Duke of Qin's manor to thank her for saving his life.
He'd been such an upright and upright man of iron with thick eyebrows and large eyes. His eyes were bright and full of expression, and his every movement was standard military posture. He was methodical and full of vigor.
The imperial uncle's estate was about to fall from power, so this man had escaped the fate of wallowing in the mire. But in the end, he'd chosen to stand on the crown prince's side.
Mu Qingwu, was it worth it for you to choose the crown prince and give up on the Duke of Qin for the sake of a good-for-nothing little sister's marriage?
Many years later, Han Yunxi would find out that Mu Qingwu hadn't chosen the crown prince or the Duke of Qin, but her.
There were some things that even the smartest person couldn't see through. That was because some things could be done with the heart, not the brain.
It was hard to guess the human heart!
Chu Xifeng organized the evidence and personally escorted Official Yu back to the capital with Nanguo Mingde, who was on his last breath.
Everything was packed into a large wooden chest and transported to the courtyard of the general's estate.
"General Mu, this is His Highness Duke of Qin's gift for you from the disaster areas. Please kindly accept it," Chu Xifeng said respectfully.
"I don't dare accept, I don't dare accept!" General Mu quickly bowed with hands clasped in front. Even a great general like Tiger had to admit defeat before the Duke of Qin's might.
The political situation was changing and public opinion was turning the skies upside down. General Mu had lived in seclusion ever since Mu Liuyue's wedding, but he still kept an eye on the situation.
He never guessed that the Duke of Qin would send him a gift, but he could guess what it was.
"This soldier thanks Your Highness for the gift. Please pass it on for me, Guard Chu."
"I will. Take care of the things. This one will take his leave, "Chu Xifeng said before leaving.
A few days later, Long Fei Ye and Han Yunxi received a messenger pigeon in the distant disaster areas. The situation in the capital had changed drastically!
Emperor Tianhui was still recuperating from his illness, so General Mu brought Young General Mu Qingwu and a dozen or so court officials to kneel before the palace gates and plead for mercy on behalf of the disaster victims. They accused the imperial uncle, Li Shirong, of bribing Official Yu of the Ministry of Revenue and bribing officials, as well as colluding with the powers of the black market to embezzle the disaster relief supplies.
In the end, Emperor Tianhui received an audience despite his illness. He ordered the crown prince to be the judge and the Ministry of Justice to cooperate fully to investigate the case!
Apparently, because Emperor Tianhui put the crown prince in charge of the case, the empress dowager had caused a ruckus at Yangxin Palace for three days and three nights. Emperor Tianhui had no choice but to hide.
Now that things had gotten to this point, what else could Emperor Tianhui do? He could only borrow the momentum to push the crown prince forward and make him look like a man who placed righteousness above family.
Less than half a month later, the entire case was revealed with irrefutable evidence. The imperial uncle was stripped of his title of duke and demoted to a commoner. Half of his family's property was confiscated, and he plummeted from his lofty perch into the mud.
If this case hadn't been tried and judged by the Crown Prince, then perhaps the Imperial Uncle wouldn't have ended up in such a miserable state. He would have lost his position as Duke and his family's fortune, but this time, the Imperial Uncle lost the Crown Prince!
The crown prince was the imperial uncle's future, but he'd already lost it! Who else in the court dared to associate with him or form an alliance with him?
Instead, it was the neutral General Mu's estate that replaced the imperial uncle's as the center of power. Mu Liuyue's loss of face at the wedding was finally redeemed this time. It was also at this moment that General Mu became the crown prince's true backer.
Emperor Tianhui stood on the roof of a tall building overlooking the capital city.
"Eunuch Luo, this result can be considered as Tianmo getting a share of the action."
Emperor Tianhui was quite satisfied with the results. At least General Mu and the crown prince had won over the hearts of the people, especially the crown prince. This was the first time he'd risen to prominence after recovering from his illness.
"Your Majesty, your heart still loves His Highness Crown Prince," Eunuch Luo chuckled.
How could Eunuch Luo know the depth of the situation? He was only saying pleasing words.
Emperor Tianhui only smiled without a word.
A son inheriting his father's legacy was the same, even for the throne.
As an emperor, he was very clear that his best choice was the crown prince.
Currently, Long Fei Ye and Han Yunxi had climbed to the top of South Ning Prefecture's tallest mountain and were looking towards the north.
"Your Highness, you're single-handedly cultivating the crown prince into a formidable opponent," Han Yunxi grinned.
"First, your lordship has to cultivate him into a formidable opponent for Tianhui!" Long Fei Ye was very direct.
Compared to Emperor Tianhui, Long Fei Ye's imperial uncle understood Long Tianmo better. Emperor Tianhui must have forgotten how cruel he'd been to Long Tianmo in the past, but Long Fei Ye remembered. Long Tianmo remembered even more.
Emperor Tianhui had never imagined that the crown prince's rise to power today would mark the beginning of the end of his imperial career!
Looking at Long Fei Ye's indifferent profile and silent eyes, Han Yunxi thought of a saying: "Strategizing within the tent can lead to absolute victory thousands of li away!"
The man by her side had the power to take Tianning's throne, but he was so indifferent and indifferent.
He'd only kill people when they provoked him. Aside from that, he preferred things to be in a state of balance.
She knew he didn't just want Tianning, but it was a good thing to take it down first. Why wasn't he making a move?
She couldn't help but feel that he was waiting for something.
Just what was it?
Did it have anything to do with the Perplexing Butterfly Illusion in her hands?
Han Yunxi couldn't help but yawn as the cold wind blew against her face.
Long Fei Ye immediately took off his cloak and covered it with hers before pulling her into his arms. "Stand with your lordship for a while longer."
"Mm," Han Yunxi murmured.
At this moment, Chu Xifeng suddenly descended in a hurry, as if he had something to report. But he held back and said, "Your Highness, it's windy here. It's better to go back."
Han Yunxi was still lost in her thoughts and didn't notice Chu Xifeng's strange behavior.
Long Fei Ye glanced at Chu Xifeng before descending the mountain.
Back at the senior provincial official's estate, Han Yunxi went to get more clothes. It was getting colder and colder!
As soon as she left, Chu Xifeng rushed to report, "Your Highness, that person from the Hidden Pavilion woke up. Something's happened!"
'That person from the Hidden Pavilion' referred to the mysterious person imprisoned there. Last time, she'd been badly frightened by the black-robed men and hit her head. She'd been unconscious until now, but had finally woken up.
Long Feiye looked at him coldly, his gaze clearly questioning.
After the black-robed men discovered the Hidden Pavilion, the mysterious person hadn't stayed put. Tang Li had only been guarding the place as a bait to lure the black-robed man out.
They'd long brought the mysterious person to the disaster areas and locked her up near South Ning Prefecture. Chu Xifeng had sent people to keep an eye on her.
"Your Highness, this subordinate didn't do a thing! That person insisted on leaving and even tried to force the guards to let her go, "Chu Xifeng reported.
She'd been like this when she was imprisoned at the Hidden Pavilion, but things had calmed down later. Perhaps the kidnapping and the change of environment had given her a fright.
Long Fei Ye took out a painting from his sleeve. "Give it to her."
But before Chu Xifeng could take it, he withdrew it again. "Your lordship will go personally."
He was going to have a good chat with her sooner or later, so it was time for him to pay her a visit.
"Your Highness, I don't think that's a good idea. What if esteemed wangfei suspects …" Chu Xifeng grew timid. If esteemed wangfei found out about this, she'd probably turn the heavens upside down.
"Just keep your mouth shut," Long Feiye said coldly.
Chu Xifeng was still very nervous. After all, this wasn't a small matter, nor was it a big deal.
"Your Highness, what if esteemed wangfei asks where you went?" Chu Xifeng asked next.
Long Fei Ye didn't answer, but simply left.
Chu Xifeng hesitated for a long time before following after him. If esteemed wangfei can't find me, then there's no need to lie.
Long Fei Ye arrived at an abandoned courtyard on the outskirts of the city when all the guards appeared.
He gestured for them to withdraw and personally opened the door …
Who could be imprisoned inside?
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