Prince Cheng was not often in the palace, but was always jumping around outside, which made his brothers dislike him. He did not even look at his own background, but also dreamed of the throne. It was not in vain, as some court officials did place their tiny hopes on him.
It is understandable that the most promising ones have no shortage of supporters around them. Ordinary court officials may not be interested in getting close to them. However, once they succeed in following the emperor, they will be rich and powerful. Who wouldn't want it if they have a little ambition? So these people naturally choose the more marginal princes as their assistants. In order to win people over, Prince Cheng promised a lot of benefits without any evidence.
Although they are all middle and lower level officials, it is inevitable that people will feel uncomfortable when there are so many of them. Moreover, there may be some talented people hidden among them who do some shady things behind the scenes from time to time, which may cause big trouble. Although the probability of this is very low, no one can guarantee that it will not happen.
Now, because of Ming Zhixin, Prince Cheng has been demoted to the lowest point and forced to go back to study with the young prince. He has lost all his face and reputation. Those who depended on Prince Cheng have become leaderless and scattered, and are no longer to be feared.
But it was still a bit regrettable that he couldn't be crushed to death so that he couldn't get up again. This thought was probably just a thought. After all, there was no evidence to prove that Prince Cheng knew what Princess Cheng had done. Even if he knew, as long as he didn't get involved, as a prince, he didn't commit regicide and usurp the throne, so he wouldn't be so miserable.
However, some people vaguely cast their eyes on Prince Heng. Even though the Ming family had fallen, they still refused to give up. Ming Zhixin, an abandoned child, was being used. What about Prince Heng, the person they had poured countless efforts into
Could it be that there are actually more people left for King Heng? King Heng now seems to be more low-key than when he was first suppressed. Perhaps he is secretly planning something and brewing a big conspiracy
Prince Heng has always been one of the smarter ones, but he was blind before. His mother had the highest rank, his in-laws were the most powerful, he had countless ministers who defected to him, and there was also a Kou family who made money for him. Therefore, he was in high spirits and was the best in everything. However, when the big house collapsed, those ministers who depended on him were afraid of being implicated, so they dispersed instantly. In addition, Prince Duan regained his sight, which made the situation even worse. Prince Heng knew very well that if he still wanted that position, he had to lie low.
After experiencing many ups and downs, my mentality has become more stable.
However, even so, he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. He could naturally imagine what others suspected, but this time he was really wronged. Under the circumstances at that time, how could the Ming family dare to give him the secret manpower? Even if they gave it to him, he didn't dare to accept it. After all, if Emperor Xuanren found out about such a thing at that time, the Ming family might not only search and confiscate the property, but also execute the people directly. He might even be stripped of his title and demoted to a commoner, and his mother might also be sent to the cold palace directly.
You're not a fool, how could you do such a thing
Prince Heng carefully looked at Emperor Xuanren, and suddenly his eyes met Emperor Xuanren's. Prince Heng was so frightened that he almost knelt down to apologize. Those who knew that he was afraid, afraid that Emperor Xuanren would suspect him, and those who didn't know thought that he was guilty.
However, although they knew they should behave frankly at this time, they were always in awe of their father, who was obviously not a harsh and cold father to them. Every time they saw him, they were not restrained, but they could not feel relaxed. It was okay if nothing happened, but once something went wrong, their skin would uncontrollably tense up.
Emperor Xuanren simply looked at him for two or three breaths and then looked away, with no intention of pulling him out and whipping him.
King Heng breathed a sigh of relief, then realized belatedly that his back was wet.
Emperor Xuanren did not mention Prince Heng, and the court officials did not dare to say much at this moment. If they wanted to step on him at this time, they might be directly punished by Emperor Xuanren, which would be not worth the loss, so they could only regret that this opportunity was lost.
This matter was temporarily exposed in the court. Although Ming Zhixin's actions were appalling, they could not dominate the mainstream of the court.
Wei Tingyu personally led the Kaiping Guards to Prince Cheng's palace and surrounded it, not allowing anyone to enter or leave.
Such a big commotion would naturally attract attention, and the Prince Cheng's Mansion was surrounded by basically all royal relatives and nobles.
Because there had been no news before, the matter came too suddenly for the Cheng Palace, and they were extremely panicked. However, facing the ferocious Kaiping Guards, everyone behaved themselves and did not dare to act rashly.
The main target was Ming Zhixin, but the other people in the palace had to be interrogated one by one, including Prince Cheng's other concubines, who were all temporarily put under guard, and each courtyard gate was guarded by at least two Kaiping guards.
No matter how fiercely these women usually fought in the backyard, they became even more fragile at this moment. They only calmed down a little when they saw that he was just guarding the door and didn't arrest anyone. They couldn't help but wonder what had happened.
Wei Tingyu asked someone to lead the way and led a team directly to the main courtyard.
When Ming Zhixin first received the news, she couldn't help but knock over the teacup in her hand, but she quickly calmed down. She was crazy, mad, and cruel, but she was mentally sound and clear-headed. She knew what would be the outcome of her actions after they were exposed, but she didn't expect it to come so soon and so unexpectedly.
When Wei Tingyu came in, she stood up calmly, stared at him, and then raised the corner of her mouth, "I underestimated the Prince Consort. I thought it would be the same as last time, but it turned out that it was just to confuse me."