Chapter 373: Chapter 279: How Bold the Xiaoxiao Camp Repair Department! (2)
"Big brother is different now than he was before; there’s no need for us to worry about this matter. Let’s send it over first."
"..."
The two discussed briefly and then allowed Chu Ming and Zhuge Rui to re-enter the hall.
"You’ve done well," the Seventh Prince took out a new file, "this..."
Before he finished speaking.
"The Crown Prince requests Your Fifth and Seventh Highnesses to proceed to the Eastern Palace." The voice of the eunuch resonated outside the hall.
The two princes’ expressions subtly changed.
"Big brother must have already heard about this."
"Might as well make a trip."
The Fifth and Seventh Princes walked out of the palace side by side, with a eunuch holding a duster at the front of the hall.
"Your Highnesses, Chu Ming and Zhuge Rui need to accompany you." The eunuch looked at the two people standing aside.
"Very well, you will come with me."
"..."
...
The Imperial City, Eastern Palace, Xuanren Hall.
The Crown Prince, donned in a golden robe, sat high above, with the Fifth and Seventh Princes to the left and right below.
In the center of the hall stood Chu Ming and Zhuge Rui.
Inside the hall, apart from the sound of pages turning, there was no other sound.
The Crown Prince looked through account books and letters, showing little expression on his face.
After a moment.
The Crown Prince seemed to have finished reviewing all the evidence and looked up below.
"Where did this evidence come from?" The Crown Prince’s voice was calm, even a bit cold.
"Jiping Cloth Shop," Chu Ming replied.
"Is there anyone to testify?" The Crown Prince asked again.
"Lord Xiao Jieshi Xiao, and Supervisor Zhong Yang from the Regent’s Mansion."
"..."
Xiao Wen?
Zhong Yang?
The Fifth and Seventh Princes were both shocked when they heard this.
Just a few days ago, he had warned Chu Ming not to have too much contact with the Xiao Family, especially with the matter of the files, and yet, in the end, it was still connected to Xiao Wen of the Xiao Family?
As for Inspector Zhong Yang from the Regent’s Mansion, though not from a noble family, he was overseeing all affairs at the Regent’s Mansion. If Zhong Yang saw the evidence, then this matter must have been reported upwards.
The Regent’s Mansion is managed by several important ministers, some of whom are at odds with the Tang Family. This matter, I’m afraid, cannot be left unhandled.
Compared to the Fifth and Seventh Princes, the Crown Prince’s face remained relatively emotionless, as if he already knew that Xiao Wen from the Xiao Family and Zhong Yang from the Regent’s Mansion had seen the evidence.
The reality was indeed that way, otherwise, the Lord of the Eastern Palace would not have called the two princes and Chu Ming.
"Hmm, you’ve done a good job."
The Crown Prince closed the account book and unexpectedly praised, which neither the Fifth nor Seventh Princes anticipated.
Good? Where is it good?
The two princes were unaware.
Their big brother had undergone a monumental change since being falsely accused years ago.
In their view, this place called ’Xuanren Hall’ should have a different name.
"Thank you, Your Highness," Chu Ming and Zhuge Rui bowed in salute.
Especially Zhuge Rui, upon hearing that the task was completed, he could finally let go of his suspended heart.
The first task was completed; now nine remain. Once he completes the nine, he will obtain the antidote and then leave this seemingly prosperous Qin Capital with his younger brother Zhuge Chen!
"Hmm." The Crown Prince gently raised his hand, and a young palace maid came forward with something to present to Zhuge Rui.
Upon closer inspection, it was a piece of yellow armor, very thin, appearing to be quite remarkable.
"Take it."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Zhuge Rui was pleasantly surprised.
"You may withdraw for now."
The Crown Prince dismissed Zhuge Rui, leaving the Fifth Prince, the Seventh Prince, and Chu Ming in the hall.
"Fifth brother, Seventh brother," the Crown Prince looked at the two princes, a warm smile appearing on his face, "You both have worked hard."
"What are you talking about, big brother," they replied with a smile.
"What do you think, should we investigate further into this case?" The Crown Prince picked up a letter again.
The Fifth and Seventh Princes exchanged glances but remained silent.
With the Reward Martial Immortal Alliance’s gift of yellow armor to Zhuge Rui, leaving a First-Grade Cold Family Chu Ming, is there really a need to ask if it should be investigated?
The two of them knew that although it seemed like an inquiry, their big brother already had an answer in his heart.
"You two..." The Crown Prince shook his head, his face still wearing a smile.
Putting down the letter, the Lord of the Eastern Palace turned his gaze to the white-clad youth in the hall.
"Fifth brother, Seventh brother, what should Chu Ming be rewarded for this contribution?"
"Chu Ming has only recently arrived in the Qin Capital yet was able to expose the Ministry of Industry’s Camp Repair Department’s Cui Ye, who dared to act recklessly at the Celestial Longevity Platform. Big brother, why not assist Chu Ming in securing a position within the Imperial City from our father?" The Seventh Prince spoke first.
"Big brother, Chu Ming is merely a scholar; a significant portion of this case’s evidence must have been due to Zhuge Rui’s efforts. I think further observation is needed," the Fifth Prince appeared to favor Zhuge Rui more.
"Fifth brother, Zhuge Rui is a bandit who managed to enter the Martial Immortal Alliance and received the yellow armor reward. You’ve already been generous to him." The Seventh Prince continued to advocate for Chu Ming.
"..."
The two quarreled for a few exchanges, while the Crown Prince calmly fixed his gaze on the white-clad youth in the hall.
Those eyes were inscrutable, as calm as a clear mirror, yet they sent chills down the spine.
"Chu Ming, what do you want?"
"I..." Chu Ming feigned fear.
The Crown Prince, seeing Chu Ming’s demeanor, let a smile spread across his lips. "I heard you love reading, and you have quite a talent for Ancient Armor Script..."
Having said that, the Crown Prince turned towards the Fifth and Seventh Princes again, "Perhaps we should let Chu Ming enter the Wenlin Garden. What do you think, Fifth brother, Seventh brother?"
Wenlin Garden?!
The Seventh Prince was taken aback internally, while the Fifth Prince’s eyes flickered, a half-smile gracing his features.
It seemed that the Wenlin Garden was not simple.
Wenlin Garden is a place in the Imperial City dedicated to researching ancient documents, ancient scripts, ancient artifacts, or foreign texts and languages, for instance, Ancient Armor Script is studied there.
While the place appeared important, in reality, it held no actual power.
The Seventh Prince initially intended to request an antidote for Chu Ming, as well as ask the Crown Prince to allow Chu Ming to meet Fang Xiao, who was confined in the Xiang Mansion.
Later, after Chu Ming thoroughly investigated several cases, he would let Chu Ming access the "Mountain and Sea Great Wilderness Scripture·Sea Scripture" fragments, giving Chu Ming the opportunity to showcase his talent.
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