I play the role of Jiajing in Zongwu: What crime have I committed?

With three thousand Imperial Guards and you, a Grandmaster, you couldn't even capture that old scoundrel?

Qinglong said calmly, "The Gu family seems to have been prepared for this; there are likely people waiting for them at the post stations and checkpoints along the way."

"what?"

Yuwen Jian's heart sank.

"Are you saying that Gu Siling has long harbored thoughts of rebellion?"

Just then, Yan Donglou rushed in, his face ashen.

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! Rumors are suddenly circulating throughout the capital..."

"What's being circulated?" Yuwen Jian asked, puzzled.

Yan Donglou suddenly knelt down on the ground.

"Rumors of the Crown Prince's affair with Consort Hua have spread far and wide."

"what?"

Yuwen Jian's vision went black, and Qinglong quickly got up to support him.

"Investigate for me, find out who is spreading these rumors."

Before he could finish speaking, Yuwen Jian suddenly coughed violently, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the ground.

He gripped Qinglong's arm, trembling, "My dear minister... what should I do?"

Qinglong and Yan Donglou exchanged a subtle glance.

The latter said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, the most urgent task is to guard against Gu Siling resorting to desperate measures."

"I suggest that the entire Gu household be placed under immediate control."

"At the same time, immediately mobilize the troops stationed in the capital region, and simultaneously issue an edict ordering the vassal kings of various regions to come to the aid of the emperor."

"it is good!"

Yuwen Jian's eyes revealed a murderous intent.

"Issue the imperial decree: imprison the entire Gu family. Also, mobilize all three guards of the Crane Control Guard. Grand Chancellor, you were formerly the Minister of War; you will oversee this matter, with Qinglong assisting you."

"Furthermore, Crown Prince Yuwen Quan has colluded with Gu Siling in a rebellion; effective immediately, he is to be demoted to a commoner."

"Yes!"

As Qinglong bowed his head to receive the order, a barely perceptible smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

Chapter 141 The Cowardly Crown Prince

The scandalous affair in the Southern Chu palace quickly spread throughout the city, and everyone in the capital knew that the emperor had been cuckolded by the crown prince.

Have you heard?

"The Crown Prince and Consort Hua were caught in the act by His Majesty while having a secret rendezvous in their palace."

"You know it too?"

"Nonsense, the whole world knows that."

"Shh, keep your voice down, the Imperial Guards are arresting people!"

Those who make unwarranted comments about the palace shall be punished as treasoners.

Soon the Imperial Guards began arresting people everywhere, and arrested a large number of gossiping civilians in the streets.

However, with Yan Donglou's secret instigation, the rumors not only failed to subside but intensified.

At the same time, an imperial edict was issued throughout the land.

Crown Prince Yuwen Quan, in collusion with the traitor Gu, plotted a rebellion and was immediately stripped of his title and reduced to commoner status.

The imperial edict caused an uproar throughout the land.

If the rumors are false, then why was the crown prince deposed?

This is clearly a case of trying to hide something obvious.

This only makes people more certain that the Crown Prince's alleged debauchery in the harem is probably true.

Everyone has a gossipy nature, and the more the Imperial Guards suppressed the situation, the deeper their suspicions became.

At this time, Yan Donglou also used the pretext of "eliminating rumors" to arrest Gu family members and even take the opportunity to eliminate dissidents.

Meanwhile, the Crown Princess, who was still under house arrest in the Eastern Palace, fell ill and could not recover due to her worry for the Crown Prince.

"Your Majesty, it's time to administer the medicine."

A palace maid humbly served the medicine.

The Crown Princess, without suspecting anything, took the medicine bowl and looked at it, her expression immediately changed drastically.

This isn't medicine at all; it's clearly a bowl of brown, foamy paste.

"What's this?"

The palace maid laughed and said, "Your Highness, this is sugar water mixed with a pound of arsenic. Goodness gracious, it's even thicker than sesame paste."

"I guarantee Your Majesty will be cured by this medicine."

Before she could finish speaking, the Crown Princess suddenly smashed the medicine bowl in her hand to pieces.

"What do you want to do?"

Peng!

Suddenly, the palace door was kicked open, and two burly guards from the Eastern Palace stepped across the threshold.

What are you going to do?

The two guards remained silent. One of them grabbed the Crown Princess's wrists and twisted them behind her back, while the other used his iron-like fingers to pinch her chin.

"Ugh... let... go..." The Crown Princess shook her head and struggled desperately.

The palace maid who had previously poisoned the body now held a freshly ladled bowl of arsenic-laced medicine, and said with a sinister smile, "Your Highness, don't be afraid, it will be over soon."

Then the medicine was forcibly poured into the Crown Princess's throat.

She immediately began coughing violently.

"Ahem...Your Highness...Your Highness..."

Soon her pupils began to dilate, and gradually, her struggles weakened until she finally calmed down.

Upon seeing that the Crown Princess was dead, the three men smiled strangely and quickly withdrew from the hall.

On the same day, news spread from the Eastern Palace that the Crown Princess had died suddenly.

At the same time, a fire broke out in the Ministry of Justice prison.

Of the more than 30 members of the Gu family imprisoned here, not a single one escaped.

When the firefighters arrived, they found the prison cells reduced to ashes, and all the prisoners burned beyond recognition.

For a time, the capital was filled with an atmosphere of panic and fear, and everyone was on edge.

In the Yuezhou camp.

Yuwen Quan slowly awoke from his coma, only to find his head throbbing with pain.

He slowly opened his heavy eyelids, and what came into view was the familiar green gauze tent ceiling.

"Your Highness, you've finally woken up."

Just then, a clear voice rang in my ears.

Yuwen Quan turned his head with difficulty and saw Gu Xichao dressed in military uniform, with a sword at his waist, sitting on the edge of the couch, his handsome face full of joy.

"Xi Chao..." Yuwen Quan said in a hoarse voice, "Where am I?"

"His Highness is currently in Yuezhou."

Gu Xichao quickly poured a glass of warm water and handed it over.

"Your Highness, rest assured, you are alright now. Your father has rescued you from the capital."

"Yuezhou?"

Yuwen Quan was taken aback, as memories flooded back like a tide.

He then struggled to get up.

"Where is my uncle? Is he alright?"

Gu Xichao pressed his shoulder and smiled, "Father is well. He's currently reviewing his troops at the drill ground, preparing to march south."

"Since the emperor is so cruel and wants to kill Your Highness, let us overthrow his throne and let Your Highness ascend to the throne as emperor."

"what?"

Yuwen Quan sat up abruptly, ignoring the pain from his wounds.

"Is my uncle going to rebel?"

"It's not a rebellion, it's a purge of the emperor's inner circle. His Highness is the rightful crown prince, but His Majesty listens to Yan Donglou's slander and is even trying to kill his own son."

Gu Xichao said in a firm and powerful voice.

"Father has assembled the border troops; they await only Your Highness's command!"

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Quan's expression changed drastically, and he grabbed Gu Xichao's wrist.

"No! This action will surely plunge our nation into chaos and suffering!"

"Beyond Yuezhou, there is also the covetous Liang. If war breaks out again, it will inevitably lead to a situation of internal and external troubles."

"When war breaks out and the Liang cavalry seizes the opportunity to invade, wouldn't I, the crown prince, become a sinner for all time?"

"cousin!"

Gu Xichao stood up abruptly, his eyes filled with disappointment.

"Wake up! The emperor won't even give you a chance to defend yourself before executing you. He's clearly not leaving you any way out. If you don't fight back, the only outcome will be death."

"Then I'd rather offer my neck to be slaughtered!"

Yuwen Quan suddenly raised his voice, then slumped down and lowered his head.

"This way, at least innocent people in the world won't be implicated."

Upon hearing this, Gu Xichao angrily retorted, "Coward!"

"You're always like this, stubborn, cowardly, and think you can please everyone, so you choose to passively accept the emperor's suspicions."

"But have you ever truly considered those around you who risk their lives to support you?"

"Sooner or later, you will kill the entire Gu family."

"Xichao... don't force me."

Yuwen Quan curled up on the couch, his hands covering his head, and said in pain.

"Your Highness, you always fantasize that you can protect everything, but you never consider that with your own abilities, you can't protect anyone."

"This applies to Lu Shiyu, to our Gu family, and even more so to our own reputation."

If you continue to be indecisive, you will eventually lose everything.

After saying that, Gu Xichao strode away without looking back.

Yuwen Quan stared blankly in the direction Gu Xichao had left, remaining silent for a long time.

Before long, the tent curtains were suddenly flung open.

Gu Siling strode in, her armor clanging, her brows furrowed with suppressed rage.

Without saying a word, he grabbed Yuwen Quan's wrist and pulled him off the bed.

"Come with me!"

"Uncle, where are you taking me?"

Yuwen Quan staggered a few steps and almost fell.