Protect Our Chief

...

For a moment, Emperor Longchang’s mood was exceedingly complex; he felt unprecedented disappointment and anger because Prince Kang was involved in the smuggling and treason case, and simultaneously felt his old face slightly burning from "wronging" Wang Shouzhe and underestimating his wisdom.

"Your Majesty, are you alright?" Old Yao asked in a low voice, showing concern.

"It’s nothing." After being an emperor for thousands of years, Emperor Longchang quickly adjusted and said solemnly, "Summon Chen Jinglong and Chen Jingtiger."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Little Jizi, one of the Inner Guard commanders, immediately left to execute the order.

In a short while, the brothers Chen Jinglong and Chen Jingtiger brought the somewhat disheveled Zhao Zhikun into Zhuozheng Pavilion.

As representatives of the younger generation of the Chen Family, both of them exuded impressive demeanor and grace. Not to mention Chen Jinglong, the Great Celestial Pride, even Chen Jingtiger was dignified and extraordinary in character.

Upon seeing Emperor Longchang, the two remained composed, bowed while escorting Zhao Zhikun.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

The imposing gaze of Emperor Longchang swept over the Chen brothers and finally rested on Zhao Zhikun, whose face was ashen. He coldly stated, "Jinglong, report the situation."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Chen Jinglong reported, "Because my younger brother Chen Jingtiger believed there were still discrepancies in the case and some suspicious parts, he planned to re-interrogate Zhao Zhikun. Unexpectedly, he discovered that Zhao Zhikun and his wife of the Jiang Family had disguised themselves and escaped from house arrest, leaving behind decoys to mislead."

"As the Director of the Criminal Law Department, if the criminal successfully escapes, he bears undeniable responsibility. Terrified of Your Majesty’s punishment, he immediately sought my assistance to apprehend the fugitive to remedy the mistake. Unexpectedly, just as the two of us began to act, Zhao Zhikun and his wife repented and voluntarily surrendered, expressing willingness to expose the true mastermind behind the smuggling and treason case."

After Chen Jinglong’s brief narration, he produced a dossier and the signed confession of Zhao Zhikun, presenting them.

Old Yao reached out to receive them and handed them to Emperor Longchang.

Emperor Longchang’s expression was somber as he browsed through them; the last shred of wishful thinking in his heart swiftly extinguished.

The muscles on his old face gradually twisted as an unstoppable anger surged up, "Well done! Truly well done! As an offspring whom I highly value, a Quasi-crown prince with the potential to ascend to the throne, yet he is the mastermind behind the smuggling and treason; haha~ haha~"

A series of suppressed angry laughter echoed within Zhuozheng Pavilion.

Zhao Zhikun’s confession was extremely clear, detail-rich, and logically flawless.

The profits from smuggling were laundered through the Immortal Dynasty and then transferred to Prince Kang’s Mansion. On Prince Kang’s end, the coordination was mainly handled by an Immortal Dynasty individual named Jiang Zhuyi.

Currently, Jiang Zhuyi is still the chief advisor at Prince Kang’s Mansion.

Coupled with Meng Yuanbai’s "unintentional" discovery of the financial issues within Prince Kang’s Mansion, the evidence is irrefutable! Even if Prince Kang vehemently denies, he can still be convicted.

How terrifying is the wrath of the Emperor?

Instantly, Zhuozheng Pavilion was filled with an invisible energy, an oppressive feeling permeated the air, causing everyone to involuntarily lower their heads.

Disappointment!

Since entering his later years, knowing his days are numbered, Emperor Longchang has devoted significant efforts to every outstanding child, including Prince Kang.

It can even be said that his efforts far exceeded those for Prince Anjun. After all, before Prince Anjun rose, most people believed Prince Kang was the most outstanding Quasi-crown prince.

Even Emperor Longchang privately felt that barring any unforeseen events, the future emperor would undoubtedly be Prince Kang.

Unexpectedly, the outwardly glamorous, incomparable Prince Kang was rotten to such an extent beneath the surface!

Smuggling and treason, how dare he?!

"Please calm down, Your Majesty," Old Yao gently advised, "Perhaps it would be better to summon Prince Kang and inquire about the situation. There might be some misunderstanding within."

"Misunderstanding?" Emperor Longchang sneered, striking the dossier on the table forcefully, "With such ironclad evidence, what misunderstanding could there be?"

"Meng Yuanbai, Chen Jingtiger, since you’ve been handling the smuggling and treason case all along, continue with it. Chen Jinglong, I order you to immediately mobilize the Imperial Guard to seal off Prince Kang’s Mansion. All personnel involved, seize them on the spot, let none escape."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Meng Yuanbai and the other three simultaneously accepted the orders.

"Go."

Emperor Longchang impatiently waved his hand.

"We take our leave."

The three immediately withdrew.

Once the three escorted Zhao Zhikun away, Emperor Longchang’s momentum faltered, as though the wrinkles on his face deepened significantly, and his gaze dimmed.

Even though he anticipated the internal affairs of the Imperial Family wouldn’t be clean, the serious level of decay within the royal family, and Prince Kang being the mastermind behind the smuggling and treason case; these occurrences caused him considerable distress.

"Old Yao~" Emperor Longchang sighed deeply, "I suddenly feel very defeated. Shouzhe, that rascal, previously privately commented that I am ’fond of grand achievements’; I dismissed it, thinking to reprimand that indiscreet brat harshly."