Chapter 149 Have all these years of planning gone to waste?

"Second Brother Chu, I... I understand."

Chu Yun glanced at Chu Cilin, then bit her lip in a wronged manner.

She looked exactly like someone who had been bullied by him.

Chu Ciyuan couldn't stand it and scolded him, "Alright, Yun'er is just concerned about Yan'er. She's injured herself, but she's still thinking about Yan'er. If you can't speak properly, then don't speak."

Chu Cilin kept silent, but he didn't expect Chu Yan to suddenly speak up for him.

Chu Yan then scolded Chu Ciyuan, "Second brother didn't say anything excessive, he was just asking, why is eldest brother so angry?"

Since you care so much about Yoona, then you stay here and keep her company. My second brother and I will go out for a stroll.

"Yan'er, what's wrong with you...?"

Chu Ciyuan never expected Chu Yan to speak to him like that. He was stunned and about to say something when he saw Chu Yan pulling Chu Cilin out of the house.

Chu Cilin, who was being pulled away by Chu Yan, also looked bewildered. Once outside, Chu Yan led him to a secluded spot before slowly speaking.

"Second brother, there's something I want to ask you."

Chu Yan didn't sleep a wink last night, thinking for a long time, and still harbored a slight suspicion about Prince Xiao.

"What is it?"

Seeing the melancholy on his younger sister's brow, Chu Cilin knew that something was on her mind, and immediately asked her with concern.

"Second brother, I want you to help me find out where the tiger in the Second Princess's manor came from, and also... why Prince Xiao suddenly appeared at the princess's estate that day."

"Little sister, what's wrong with you?---"

"Yes, Second Brother, just keep it to yourself. Don't tell anyone, not even Eldest Brother."

Chu Ci had a very good relationship with Chu Yun and trusted Chu Yun and the others very much. He had no doubts about Chu Yun and King Xiao.

Therefore, Chu Yan dared not ask her elder brother for help.

Only the second brother, Chu Ci, was aloof and seemingly silent, but in reality, he was extremely meticulous.

Chu Yan naturally thought of him.

After understanding his sister's worries, Chu Cilin was also very surprised, and he subconsciously had some bad premonitions.

If that's the case, he must find a way to protect his sister.

"Don't worry, your second brother will definitely help you. If you have any grievances or problems in the future, you can come to your second brother."

Chu Ci patted Chu Yan's shoulder to comfort her.

When Chu Yan returned to the house, she saw Chu Yun chatting and laughing with his mother and older brother.

The atmosphere was harmonious, just like that of a family.

She suddenly remembered that if it weren't for her father and elder brother's opposition, Chu Yun would probably have been included in their Chu family genealogy long ago.

*

The Crown Prince's Residence.

Since returning from the Second Princess's estate, Su Liluo has been busy with her own pharmacy and inspecting her other shops every day.

She also sent people to inquire about Chu Yan.

Knowing that the Xiao Prince's Mansion was not making any moves for the time being, she did not disturb Chu Yan, thinking of giving her some time to think things through.

Xiao Ye has been extremely busy these past few days, leaving early and returning late every day, sometimes even in the middle of the night.

That day, Su Liluo was drinking tea in the courtyard when she saw Xiao Ye walk back from outside, suppressing the excitement on his face.

"Luo'er, this time we've made a great haul!"

Xiao Ye walked up to Su Liluo and said happily.

Su Lilu dismissed the servants, closed the door, and asked, "What is it?"

"I've found the King of Chu's private army! I've been sending people to observe the city's movements these past few days, and sure enough, a few days ago I discovered someone transporting a huge sum of money out of the city."

So I pretended to let them out, but secretly sent men to follow them. I eventually discovered that the King of Chu had actually kept his private army in a county town located just below the imperial city!

"That's great. So how are you dealing with those people now? Have you obtained any solid evidence? Have those people confessed?"

Su Liluo asked in surprise.

If irrefutable evidence is found that the King of Chu is keeping a private army, and it is presented to the Emperor, even if he doesn't die, the King of Chu's title of prince will likely be lost.

Moreover, this private army was kept not far from the capital, so one can imagine what their intentions were.

"I have now had my men take control of all those private armies. Two of the generals denied it to the death, so I found their families, and now they have all confessed."

I am currently planning to report this news to my father during tomorrow's morning court session.

"That's wonderful!"

Su Liluo excitedly hugged Xiao Ye.

She hadn't expected it to go so smoothly. As long as they could defeat the King of Chu, the biggest threat around them would be gone.

However, Su Liluo still felt uneasy. Although the evidence was overwhelming this time, she still felt that the King of Chu was not so easy to defeat.

But she couldn't figure out the reason, so she could only wait until the next day to see the result.

The next day.

With ample evidence, Xiao Ye reported the King of Chu's alleged private army in court, enraging Emperor Wenjian.

He immediately ordered the King of Chu to be imprisoned.

In the court, members of the King of Chu's faction knelt down to plead for mercy, saying that the King of Chu might have been misunderstood and framed. Some courtiers even speculated that the Crown Prince had framed the King of Chu in order to eliminate his rivals.

However, with irrefutable evidence before him, Emperor Wenjian was already furious and simply did not believe the ministers' words.

Did the King of Chu raise a private army, or was it right under the city walls?

If the King of Chu is allowed to continue developing this situation, won't he eventually have to force the king to abdicate?

Emperor Wenjian berated some court officials who spoke up for the Prince of Chu, then angrily adjourned the court and ordered the Dali Temple to thoroughly investigate the Prince of Chu.

Consort Liu, who was confined to her quarters, had many informants in the palace. Even though she was being punished, she quickly learned of the trouble that had befallen the Prince of Chu.

"how so?"

Consort Liu nearly fainted; she could hardly believe the news.

If someone is found to be keeping a private army, even if they don't die, they will still be demoted.

Wouldn't all of the Liu family's years of planning have been in vain?

"No, I want to see the Emperor! Someone, go and tell the Emperor that I want to see him!"

Consort Liu went mad and shouted in the palace, so the palace maids had to go to Emperor Wenjian's palace to report it.

Emperor Wenjian was naturally unwilling to see Consort Liu. After waiting for two days, Consort Liu received news that Emperor Wenjian intended to demote the Prince of Chu to a remote place.

Consort Liu realized that there was little chance of a turnaround, so she had no choice but to make a tough decision.

She said to her personal maid, "Take this hairpin to the Emperor and tell him that if he doesn't come, I might do something terrible in my madness!"

The palace maid took the hairpin given to her by Consort Liu to Emperor Wenjian. At that time, Emperor Wenjian was in the imperial study, preparing to write an imperial edict to strip the Prince of Chu of his title.

Suddenly, he heard that a noble lady was carrying something and wanted to see him, so he summoned her in.

His pupils contracted when he saw the hairpin in the palace maid's hand.

His tone suddenly turned cold and harsh, "Is this the Imperial Concubine's intention?"

The palace maid trembled with fear and stammered, "Yes, it's the Imperial Concubine... Her Highness wishes to see the Emperor."

A sinister glint flashed across Emperor Wenjian's face as he angrily rose from his throne.

With a flick of his sleeve, he commanded, "Guards, prepare the carriage for the Imperial Concubine's palace!"