Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 751: Chapter 367 Crown Prince Under House Arrest

Just as Zhao Yao expected, the Emperor did not depose the Crown Prince but instead deposed Duke Zhen and confined him to the Duke Zhen Country Mansion.

Although the Crown Prince was not deposed, he was also placed under house arrest in the Eastern Palace, and no one was allowed to visit him. Furthermore, all his positions were stripped. In addition, many ministers who supported the Crown Prince were punished, some demoted, some dismissed, some exiled, and some even executed.

The Crown Prince’s faction in the court was weakened substantially as a result of this incident.

The ones most delighted by the fall of the Crown Prince’s faction were naturally those aligned with Prince Dai.

In the Prince Dai Mansion, Prince Dai was drinking and celebrating with the Marquis Xuanping and his son.

"Uncle, I have never felt this satisfied before," Prince Dai said, feeling a deep sense of relief, "It’s a pity Father didn’t depose him."

Marquis Xuanping was also in high spirits. He laughed and said, "Although the Crown Prince wasn’t deposed, he’s now just a nominal figure." The current Crown Prince only has the title without the powers of a heir.

"Now we just wait for the fourth brother to return," Prince Dai eagerly anticipated Prince Chu’s return to the capital like never before, "As long as the fourth brother comes back with evidence that Zhao Xuan stole the copper, Zhao Xuan will be completely finished." Almost everyone believed Prince Chu would be able to bring back the evidence. The ministers who supported Prince Chu were also eagerly waiting for his return. Although there were rumors of an assassination attempt where Prince Chu might have drowned and his whereabouts were unknown, most believed Prince Chu was not dead since his body had not been found.

"I wonder when Prince Chu will return?" The Marquis Xuanping slightly frowned, his expression somewhat solemn, "I fear Prince Chu may not find it easy to return, and I am concerned that Prince Chu has already fallen into the hands of the Crown Prince and his allies."

When Prince Dai heard this, his drinking motion halted. He quickly put down the jug, his face changing drastically: "Uncle, why do you say that?"

"Earlier in the court, when the Crown Prince was placed under house arrest and Duke Zhen was deposed, did you see any sign of panic on their faces?" At the time, Marquis Xuanping made a point to observe the expressions of the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen, "They seemed to have anticipated this day would come."

Prince Dai carefully recalled the situation at the time; indeed, both the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen appeared excessively calm.

"Uncle, do you mean that the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen are entirely unconcerned about being punished by Father?"

"Exactly. They had already anticipated this outcome," Marquis Xuanping said, his expression growing grimmer, "The Crown Prince and Duke Zhen don’t regard this punishment as significant, which means Prince Chu has either fallen into their hands, been killed by them, or hasn’t found the whereabouts of the stolen copper."

Upon hearing this, Prince Dai furrowed his brows, and his face became heavy: "The fourth brother can’t be that incompetent, caught by Zhao Xuan and the others, right?"

"If Prince Chu hasn’t fallen into the hands of the Crown Prince and his faction, then there’s only one possibility: Prince Chu didn’t find the whereabouts of the stolen copper," Marquis Xuanping said thoughtfully, "The copper stolen from Peng City concerns the fate of the Crown Prince and the Duke Mansion; they would definitely hide it in a very secret place, making it difficult for anyone to find. No matter how capable Prince Chu is, it would be hard to locate."

He continued: "As long as the stolen copper isn’t found, the Crown Prince won’t be deposed. Although the Crown Prince is currently under house arrest in the Eastern Palace, the Emperor cannot keep him confined forever. After a few months, the Emperor will lift the house arrest, and by then, the Crown Prince will still remain the Crown Prince. This is the confidence of the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen."

Originally in high spirits, Prince Dai’s joy vanished entirely after hearing the Marquis Xuanping’s words. His face fell, his tone full of unwillingness: "Just one step away."

"Let’s hope that Prince Chu can discover the whereabouts of the stolen copper," Marquis Xuanping said aloud, but he held little hope in his heart.

"That fourth guy is extremely cunning; he might have already found the whereabouts of the stolen copper," Prince Dai said loudly, as if trying to bluster.

"All we can do now is wait for Prince Chu to return." If Prince Chu indeed hasn’t found the whereabouts of the stolen copper, then they can’t depose the Crown Prince this time. If this opportunity is missed, who knows when another chance will arise to dethrone the Crown Prince...

In his heart, Prince Dai prayed: Fourth brother, don’t disappoint me. You must come back with the truth and location of the stolen copper, so I can treat you to a drink then.

Marquis Xuanping guessed correctly; the reason the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen weren’t anxious was that they believed Prince Chu hadn’t reached Wuhua Mountain.