CHAPTER 1135: CHAPTER 1133: THE UNLUCKY TENTH PRINCE

The month of May in Nanyue was bustling with activity, and inside the imperial city, everyone was talking about the assassination attempt on Zhao Mingjun. However, Zhao Mingjun seemed to have gained a fortune from this misfortune. Not only did he use this incident to remove two officials who were not part of his faction, but he also successfully placed his own people in real positions.

But as soon as this person took office, some inappropriate voices emerged in the city. It was speculated that the assassination was orchestrated by Zhao Mingjun himself, a self-directed and self-acted affair, as it was suspicious that he was unharmed and even gained considerable benefits.

In the court, memorials to the throne impeaching Zhao Mingjun for taking advantage of the situation to eliminate dissidents and disturb the order of the court were presented to the emperor.

Within a few days, two more impeachment memorials were submitted to the throne. Governor Song Zhihuai of Jiangsu and Zhejiang was accused of accepting massive bribes and concealing tax revenue. Meanwhile, the government subprefect of Yuhang was found to be trafficking military supplies and was also implicated in abusing young girls. Along with the impeachment memorials, various account books, documents, and physical evidence were provided.

Upon receiving these impeachment memorials, the Emperor of Nanyue was furious and dispatched an imperial envoy to Jiangsu and Zhejiang to arrest the criminals and bring them back to the capital for trial.

This incident left Zhao Mingjun greatly changed in complexion. These were his secret men; how could two of them be eliminated all of a sudden?

He looked towards the front at the Crown Prince, who was still pale and trembling, and then at the Sixth Prince, Zhao Mingkun. Who exactly could have done this?

He recalled the vague rumors spreading in the past few days about Fifth Lady Fan and Zhao Mingkun being entangled in some way. Zhao Mingjun fixated his gaze on Zhao Mingkun.

It was him, it must be, the bastard.

Zhao Mingkun sensed the malicious and venomous gaze of the Tenth Prince, and his expression likewise turned sour. How did the affair between him and Fan Wu get leaked? This revelation was of no benefit to him whatsoever.

His birth mother was humble; how could he compete with Empress Fan and Zhao Mingjun, the legitimate son?

Fan Wu...

Zhao Mingkun lowered his head, looking at his empty hands, revealing a bitter smile.

The court was filled with tumultuous conflicts and chaotic excitement, and the household womenfolk of Changan City were equally lively.

First, there was the scandal of Lady of Good Sounds, Fifth Lady of the Fan Family, with the Sixth Prince. It was widely known that Fan Wu was already the designated imperial concubine of the Tenth Prince. For such a reputation-tainting scandal to suddenly arise was intolerable.

Don’t say this is nonsense, but the rumors were detailed, claiming the two met secretly in the garden during the Hundred Flowers Festival, and even their conversations were spread.

It was said that on that night, Fifth Lady Fan was ready to shave her head, wholeheartedly wanting to serve as a Bodhisattva. Fortunately, her servant discovered it in time, but the Fan Family, unable to dissuade Fan Wu’s resolute attitude, had no choice but to send her to Qing Xin Temple overnight under the guise of practicing with hair, though it was actually to avoid the rumors.

As for the Fan Family, how could they be content with one of their well-reputed daughters having such a scandal spread? They sent out numerous people to trace the source of the rumors, capturing and killing many while also petitioning Her Majesty the Empress for severe punishment of the rumor mongers.

As for the palace, this was undoubtedly a scandal for the imperial family. Although no marriage decree had been issued, two princes competing for one lady was far from a decent matter.

Therefore, the emperor ordered a strict ban on discussing the matter, and Her Majesty the Empress bestowed numerous precious treasures upon Fan Wu to show her trust in her, albeit whether it was genuine trust or not was hard to say.

Several storytellers in teahouses also produced tales of two brothers from a wealthy family fighting over one girl, and everyone knew who the story was implicitly about.

Everyone knew that no matter how this matter was resolved, Fan Wu’s fate was likely down to three outcomes: marrying the Sixth Prince or the Tenth Prince, though marrying the Tenth Prince would undoubtedly lead to ceaseless suspicions in the future.