Quick Transmigration: What to Do When the Male Supporting Character You Saved Becomes Obsessed with

Chapter 160 The Ruthless and Disabled Crown Prince (64)

Lu Liruan bowed in greeting but remained silent.

Ji Shumin didn't speak either. He sat in his wheelchair with his head down, looking sickly.

"Your Highness, why don't you speak?" The Emperor looked at Ji Shumin, but Lu Liruan couldn't hear a trace of a father's concern for his child in his tone.

On the day of the Crown Prince's wedding, the Emperor was incredibly loving and kind, and Lu Liruan felt that the Emperor actually cared about the Crown Prince.

But these days, the change of heart is swift.

"Your subject does not know." Ji Shumin shook his head, barely supporting his body and straightening his back: "Your subject is not feeling well today. The imperial physician examined me, and I have been resting in my room. When I woke up, the Second Prince was already in my courtyard."

He said in a low voice, "I told the Crown Princess that if she doesn't allow me to search, she and her family will suffer."

"I didn't..." Upon hearing that his father had arrived, the second prince hurriedly came from the still partially open secret chamber door. He was about to tell the emperor about his discovery when he heard Ji Shumin complain.

"Father." The second prince bowed.

"Oh? Why did you search the Crown Prince's courtyard? Did I give you permission? You don't know what's important!" The Emperor reprimanded the Second Prince first, but it was indifferent. He didn't even look angry. He just gave a light reprimand.

The second prince was clearly not afraid. He had already found a handle on the crown prince: building a secret room and robbing government silver. These two things would make it impossible for him to recover!

It would be even better if it were in front of the Emperor; now he wouldn't even have a chance to defend himself!

"Your Majesty, after receiving the news, your son and the Dali Temple resorted to this drastic measure in order to avoid alerting the enemy..."

"You have ordered me to investigate the robbery of the official silver. No matter who is instigated, you must pursue the matter at all costs. I will obey!" The Second Prince straightened his back and became more and more determined as he spoke.

"The robbery of government silver? What does this have to do with the Crown Prince?" The Emperor's face darkened, and he asked sternly.

“Your Majesty! Your son and the Dali Temple have discovered that the mastermind behind this matter… is the Crown Prince!” he said.

"Nonsense!" the Emperor roared in fury.

The second prince suddenly knelt down: "Father, I know you are kind, but if I were not confident, I would never dare to frame the Crown Prince!"

With a resolute and upright demeanor, he raised his voice and said, "Please, Father, make the judgment!"

The emperor's expression changed from anger to confusion.

“Crown Prince…” He turned his gaze to Ji Shumin.

"Your subject has not done such a thing. I wonder where Your Majesty is investigating? Why would I commit such a crime?" Ji Shumin was not agitated, but simply asked calmly.

The Second Prince had always disliked Ji Shumin's arrogant and condescending demeanor, as if nothing could break his aloofness and disdain for all living beings.

I will drag you down from that esteemed position, to trample you, to scorn you! I will make you a sinner, to be abused by me!

Because he felt he had the upper hand, the emotions that had been building up in his heart for so many years reached their worst point. The Second Prince wished he could read Ji Shu's works and feel that life was worse than death!

“Of course you are dissatisfied. Seeing that I am doing things for the Emperor, you want me to be unable to report back!” the Second Prince said through gritted teeth.

"I have never had such a thought." Ji Shumin shook his head, calm and indifferent, as if he were just watching him put on a show.

"you!"

"Do you have any evidence?" The Emperor looked intently at the Second Prince, demanding that he provide a reason.

He didn't even ask Ji Shumin another question before demanding evidence, as if he were just as eager to convict Ji Shumin.

A chill seemed to sweep through Lu Liruan's heart; she felt the cold seep into her very bones...

The Emperor seems to be constantly looking for opportunities to make things difficult for Ji Shumin. He has absolutely no fatherly affection for his son and is hypocritical to the extreme.

Ji Shumin blinked wearily, no longer defending himself, and sat there resignedly without saying a word. His gaze seemed not to have paid much attention to the Second Prince, who was unable to contain his excitement, and the sanctimonious Emperor, but instead gently looked at Lu Liruan.

Those eyes seemed to be asking her: Aren't you coming to my side?

Lu Liruan pondered for a moment, then remained standing in place.

"Your Majesty, I have found a secret room behind the wall of the study. It is very well hidden and must contain something important. If we search it, we will surely find something!" The Second Prince said confidently, seeing that the Emperor believed him.

Summer is inherently hot and humid. A gloomy, hot wind swept through, causing beads of sweat to fall from his forehead and his nostrils to flare excitedly, making him look as ugly as a vicious dog scavenging for carrion.

"Is Second Brother so certain?" Ji Shumin sighed, as if he had given up trying.

"If there's nothing inside, then let me search around. What are you so guilty about?" The Second Prince thought Ji Shumin was begging for mercy and making excuses.

To his surprise, Ji Shumin's eyes were deep and unfathomable, and something he couldn't understand flashed within them. Even at this moment, the Second Prince could still sense that disdain and mockery from him.

Why?! At a time like this, why?! The Second Prince wished he could gouge out those emotionless eyes of his!

“There’s something in there, of course.”

Ji Shumin actually admitted it.

Lu Liruan cast a puzzled look at her; she didn't know there was a secret room there, let alone what was inside.

Regarding Ji Shumin, Lu Liruan felt that she both understood and did not understand him at this moment.

"Not understanding" means that she couldn't tell whether Ji Shumin was truly indifferent to the search of the secret room, or just... putting on a brave face?

"Understanding" means that if there really was something detrimental to Ji Shumin, Lu Liruan also felt that his calm and composed demeanor was normal.

He was probably the kind of person who, even in death, would stand tall and refuse to die in any way that would make him look ugly.

"Father!" The second prince awaited the emperor's command.

"Search it then." The Emperor waved his hand, allowing the guards to wreak havoc on Songjing Garden.

Lu Liruan stepped into the house, which was in a mess and almost completely destroyed.

Lu Liruan bent down and picked up a piece of broken pen. It was a pen holder that Ji Shumin had made himself. Lu Liruan thought it was pretty and took it for her own use, but now it was completely broken.

"Don't pick it up anymore, it's broken, it's broken." Ji Shumin was finally pushed to her side by Xiao Xizi.

He tentatively took the fragment from Lu Liruan's hand, and then, taking advantage of the situation, touched Lu Liruan's fingertips.

“Yes, it’s broken.” Lu Liruan pulled her hand back, her eyes fixed on the guard who had broken the door to the secret chamber.

Ji Shumin pursed his lips, keenly sensing that what Lu Liruan was talking about might not be just the pen holder.

"Li Ruan, don't be afraid." He murmured softly, gently rubbing his cheek against Lu Li Ruan's hanging hand like a cat trying to please her.

"What am I afraid of? I'm just a fool, what's there to be afraid of?" Lu Liruan moved her hand and patted his cheek twice, but there was no warmth in her gesture, only cold mockery.

The door to the secret room was opened, revealing a short, narrow corridor, and a small room a few steps away.

The second prince took the lit oil lamp, preparing to be the first to enter and personally obtain the evidence to bring down Ji Shumin!

The Emperor stood to one side and asked Ji Shumin in a stern tone, "How do you explain this?"

"Your subject has not done anything to harm the court." Ji Shumin only said this, without showing any fear or pleading.

"Second brother, go and see for yourself what you're looking for."

The second prince rushed in as soon as he heard him speak, then stopped in his tracks.

In the very center of the cramped room was a military defense map, built up with sand, stones, and clay, clearly showing the boundaries of the territory.

A sheet of paper lay out beside them, covered with dense markings.

How did this thing end up here...?

The second prince vaguely sensed that something was wrong, but he could not retreat at this moment!

On the bookshelf beside him were notebooks. He rushed forward, took one down, and opened it.

When he could see what was inside by the light of the oil lamp, his expression suddenly turned grim!

The emperor, who entered shortly after, became serious upon seeing the defense map: "Crown Prince, why did you set this up?"

“Your subject was once in charge of border defense matters, and these are what were left over from that time,” Ji Shumin replied.

A few years ago, when the Western Rong launched a major invasion, the border defense was indeed mostly handled by the Crown Prince. This was because the Emperor was impatient with the various demands placed on military generals and thus dumped these troublesome matters on the Crown Prince.

With the Zhuang family stationed at the border, the Emperor felt at ease. Although he was quite wary of the Zhuang family's military power, he was still confident in their abilities.

Those military generals, taking advantage of this turmoil, seized the opportunity to cause trouble and oppose me!

Since his ascension to the throne, the Emperor has placed greater emphasis on civil affairs and less on military matters than his predecessor. He relies more on civil officials in government affairs and usually delegates disputes with military generals to the Crown Prince.

"What are those things?" The Emperor stared at Ji Shumin, as if trying to read something from his face.

Before Ji Shumin could do anything, the oil lamp in the Second Prince's hand fell to the ground.

"Second brother, what's wrong? Why aren't you watching?" Ji Shumin turned his head, his tone gentle and with a hint of a smile. His pale face flickered in the dim, dancing light, like a ghost haunting the living.

Lu Liruan was puzzled and had no idea what was hidden in the house.

But Lu Liruan knew that Ji Shumin wouldn't lose this round...

"You!" The second prince tried to speak, but it was as if his throat was being choked. He looked at the emperor, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.

It's thundering outside.

The rumbling thunder echoed into the small, enclosed room, muffled and heavy.

"Bring it to me."

The Emperor naturally noticed the change in the Second Prince's expression. As soon as he spoke, the guards respectfully handed over several booklets.

It's an account book.

It wasn't just the ledgers; they also recorded the details of the investigation, its origins and development, the turnover and use of the money, with every entry having a beginning and an end.

The Emperor wasn't looking at the very first one. He examined it for a while, his brows furrowing deeply: "These are all the account books related to the war when the Western Rong invaded!"

"These account books..." The Emperor glanced at a few lines of records and spoke in an unfriendly tone.

“It was your son who investigated on his own, Father Emperor, please forgive me.” Ji Shumin lowered his head.

"Why?"

"The war against the Western Rong has lasted for several years, and the accounts are unclear. Much of the silver and even military funds have disappeared. Your son made every effort to mediate, which allowed the border soldiers to fight hard and keep up with the food supplies, and ultimately prevented a major disaster." Ji Shumin spoke each word clearly.

Back then, Ji Shumin was in charge of the war. He did well but received no credit, and when he did poorly, it was all his fault. Countless eyes in the court were watching him with covetous eyes, while the emperor stood by and did nothing.

Only the Emperor himself knew the reasons behind it. At this moment, he looked away, avoiding Ji Shumin's face, and simply gave a vague "hmm".

The crown prince's abilities were too great, and he became wary of him.

Knowing the Crown Prince's capabilities, he didn't focus on how to handle the matter properly, but instead... looked for the Crown Prince's mistakes.

"But this matter cannot be turned over so easily." Ji Shumin raised his head, his tone resolute: "Those who embezzle for personal gain, disregard the lives of soldiers, and treat the country and its land as nothing, your son will definitely bring them to justice!"

The second prince trembled as he stood beside the shelf.

Back then, everyone could see that the emperor was fighting against the military generals, and Ji Shumin was just pushed forward to take the fall. Memories from the past surfaced...

Back then, he also thought that Ji Shumin would definitely lose power this time and would definitely fall from the position of crown prince!

But he didn't. He firmly held his position, and even settled the issues of military pay and officers one by one. When the soldiers returned to the capital, all they saw was respect for the Crown Prince.

He was filled with hatred at the time, but later... he felt that the matter was over.

He was partly responsible for causing the trouble.

He embezzled military funds and colluded with officials along the way to protect each other, attempting to make Ji Shumin lose control of the situation; he was part of it.

Ji Shumin had actually been investigating all along!

He thought that the past was all there in this room, and Ji Shumin made him personally find the evidence of his own crimes!

The more cunning and impatient he had just displayed, the more it felt like a slap in the face.

But he couldn't care less about anything else at that moment. The Emperor would definitely see this. What should he do?

Lu Liruan finally felt completely relieved, but then felt annoyed again.

Just as the Second Prince thought, Lu Liruan felt that all her anxiety, worries, and obstruction earlier were extremely foolish.

"You're the only one who's smart, Your Highness." Lu Liruan turned her face away, refusing to look at Ji Shumin.

Ji Shumin's investigation had been conducted long ago, but it was of no use at the time. Even if it were presented to the emperor, it would surely have been ignored.

Because the crown prince at that time was brave and resourceful, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and was a flawless prince.

Now, he is just a cripple.

Unable to direct their anger and annoyance at the Crown Prince, those who had been ignored were now doomed.

The Crown Prince no longer poses a threat, and since the Emperor is so suspicious, it's natural to find another target.

Besides Ji Shumin, he also had other strong and powerful princes who were eyeing him covetously.

Just as Ji Shumin had expected, the emperor ordered, "Send all of these to me."

"Father!" the second prince cried out in anguish.

"Where is the evidence you mentioned?" the Emperor asked him, his face displeased. His facade of a benevolent father had completely crumbled at this moment, and he did not believe that Ji Shumin had not noticed.

“It must be hidden here! The Dali Temple and I investigated it together…” He grabbed the Dali Temple official at this moment.

Where is the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review?

No, of course not. How could he let that father and son from the He family steal his credit?

He sent them all to the Marquis of He'an's residence.

Yes! The Marquis of He'an's residence!

A glimmer of hope flashed through the second prince's mind!