"Now there’s no other way but to grit our teeth and push forward!"
Lian Rong took a step forward, "Is there still time on the Crown Prince’s side?"
Xu Yin glanced at him, "Do you think he’s a vegetarian? Since he generously gave me three days’ time, he must have something prepared.
"Let’s deal with Prince Rong and his son first!"
Fu Zhen explained the whole situation of Pei Zhan and the others entering the palace to Mrs. Ning, advising her to stay home and not go out unless summoned by the palace, and not to meet anyone.
Afterward, she sent Guo Song to bring Tie Ying and Zhe Yu to the Pei Mansion.
Returning to the Pei Mansion, Fu Zhen explained the situation once more to Pei Yu and his wife.
Seeing their shocked expressions, she requested that they invite He Huan to stay at the mansion until Pei Zhan and the others return from the palace.
The He family is currently the biggest force Xu Yin can utilize. Since they decided to enter the palace to make accusations, they naturally had to guard against Xu Yin acting desperately.
The more than a hundred guards of the Xu family are not much of a worry, but if the He family also gets dragged in, chaos will surely break out in the court, so precautionary measures must be taken.
Thus, having Pei Yu take action was most suitable. First, to expose Xu Yin’s true nature to He Huan, only Pei Yu had the standing to make He Huan sit and listen willingly. Second, by bringing He Huan to the Pei family, it prevented Xu Yin from dragging the He family into his schemes.
The carefree Pei Yu couple, though aware that the young couple was rarely home, never questioned what they were busy with. Now, upon learning about such a significant case, there was no reason for not agreeing to help!
Thus, they immediately sent someone to find He Huan, while also going to the Cheng and Du families to invite his two old comrades over, as such a major matter required everyone’s joint effort.
However, the guards sent to the He family returned empty-handed. It turns out the He family was embroiled in internal strife; He Huan’s most favored illegitimate son died, and all evidence pointed to He Qunying as the killer.
He Huan was furious and wanted to kill He Qunying on the spot, but the evidence He Qunying produced pointed to another illegitimate son as the murderer.
The crucial point was that his accusation was indeed correct. Faced with He Huan’s rage, the actual murderer soon knelt and confessed within moments.
Immediately afterward, the birth mothers of the two illegitimate sons jumped out in sorrowful cries, accusing each other which led to countless accusations that they had previously framed He Qunying, the legitimate son.
He Huan was so angry that he spat blood, feeling both ashamed and remorseful toward He Qunying. In anger, he sold both concubines.
By now, two of He Huan’s three illegitimate sons were gone—the remaining one being only five years old. He Qunying firmly secured his position as the young master of the He family.
Pei Yu and the two Great Generals, Cheng and Du, who had just arrived, were stunned upon hearing all this. With the need to guard against Xu Yin being the most pressing, they sped toward the He family!
Fu Zhen, having arranged all these matters, just took two sips of tea when Liang Xuan, with his chubby legs and bouncing gait, rushed in!
"Aunt! Aunt! There’s a spectacle happening! My second uncle and the Du family’s fourth uncle have surrounded Prince Rong’s Mansion with many people!"
Hearing this, Fu Zhen put down her tea and stood up immediately, "Who are these many people? Imperial guards or people from the Liang and Du families?"
"They’re people from both families! But they are acting under the emperor’s order to arrest Prince Rong and his son for trial!"
Fu Zhen was invigorated by this news and quickly headed out, "Let’s go see this!"
At the threshold, she rushed back inside to grab a sword!
Liang Xuan hurried after her, "At least let me tag along since I’ve been your informant! ..."
When Liang Zhi and Du Mingqian left Qianqing Palace, the emperor didn’t have time to assign them imperial guards, but both were experienced veterans. As Prince Rong and his son were subjects for trial, there was the possibility of resistance. Once outside the palace gates, they coordinated, each pulling guards from their own manors, to proceed grandly to Prince Rong’s Mansion and encircle it.
Prince Rong’s Mansion was still conducting mourning rituals, with guests visiting to pay their respects. Suddenly faced with such a situation, chaos broke out!
The guests, scared, scattered to avoid danger, while the people at Prince Rong’s Mansion, unaware of the situation, relied on their status to question Liang and Du’s intentions.
Only when they clearly presented the emperor’s decree did the groups of Royal Mansion Servants panic, some rushing to find Prince Rong, others seeking Yang Zhan, while some worked to calm the guests.