The furious clash in court gradually subsided under Emperor Yongming’s increasingly dark expression.
The Crown Prince and the Third Prince glared at each other, their factions momentarily quiet, though the air grew heavier with hostility.
All eyes returned to the throne, awaiting the Emperor’s judgment.
At that suffocating moment, Baili Jun knew the time had come. She lifted her skirt and knelt, startling the ministers. “Father, though your daughter should not meddle in state affairs, military grain and supplies concern the safety of the frontier. This is not the work of one or two men. The numbers in this ledger are but the tip of the iceberg.”
She raised her head, meeting Emperor Yongming’s gaze with a steady voice. “More troubling still is the leak of the northern defense map. Today, Sun Yun’guang was ordered to frame the loyal by handing over frontier secrets to Ji Huai’an. And tomorrow? If others, for selfish gain, to strike rivals—or to seize the highest throne— would they not also leak our defenses to the northern tribes? If wolves learn the truth of our borders, their iron hooves will march south, mountains and rivers shattered, the people plunged into misery. Who will bear such catastrophe?”
Her words struck directly at the heart, elevating corruption and conspiracy into a matter of national survival.
She bowed again, forehead to the cold tiles. “I beg Father to decree a full investigation into military grain embezzlement, into the framing of the loyal, into the leaking of defenses— to comfort the soldiers at the frontier, and to secure the realm forever.”
For the first time, Emperor Yongming’s gaze shifted from his sons to his kneeling daughter. In his eyes flickered complex emotions—scrutiny, curiosity, and perhaps, a trace of admiration.
But then—
“Minister Yao,” the Emperor turned to the Grand Chancellor, who had sat with eyes closed, seemingly detached. “What do you think?”
Yao Yuanfu slowly opened his eyes. He stepped forward, voice aged yet steady. “Your Majesty, I believe Princess Zhaohua speaks to the very heart of the matter. This case appears threefold, yet all are linked as one.”
His gaze fell upon the collapsed Sun Yun’guang. “The urgent task is to pry open the key witness. Deputy Sun is entangled in all three cases. His testimony is the key to unraveling them. If he speaks truth, the mastermind, the chain of embezzlement, the conspiracy—all can be traced and exposed.”
Sun Yun’guang trembled uncontrollably, his eyes darting toward the Crown Prince before quickly averting.
The Crown Prince’s face was iron-blue, his fist clenched tight.
Emperor Yongming’s gaze swept the hall once more, finally settling on the quivering Sun Yun’guang.
“Draft the decree.” His voice was not loud, but it froze every breath in the chamber.
“First: Deputy General Sun Yun’guang is to be immediately imprisoned in the Imperial Prison. The Northern Guard Bureau will interrogate him personally. He must name all accomplices and instigators. I want the truth.”
At the words *Imperial Prison*, even the Crown Prince shuddered. That place was a purgatory few survived.
“Second: Send an urgent edict by fast courier to the northern army. Deputy General Zheng Bin is to be seized and escorted to the capital for trial. Frontier affairs will temporarily be managed by Deputy Zhou Zizhong.”
The Emperor paused ever so slightly at Zhou Zizhong’s name.
“Third: The Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censorate will form a joint commission to audit all northern grain and payroll records of the past six years.”
His gaze swept the Crown Prince’s tense face. His fingers struck the throne’s armrest. “Furthermore, Prefect Su Mingyuan of Quanzhou is stripped of office and brought to the capital for trial. All Quanzhou ledgers are to be sealed and examined by imperial censors. All officials in the Ministries of Revenue and War who handled northern grain are to be imprisoned. Any suspicion, no matter who is involved, will be investigated to the end.”
“Fourth: The Privy Council, together with General Xiao Yan, will immediately reassess northern defenses, change all codes and signals, and prevent further leaks. Any negligence will be punished by immediate execution.”
Four decrees thundered through the hall like bolts of lightning.
Emperor Yongming had adopted Princess Zhaohua’s proposal and Chancellor Yao’s strategy in the most direct way possible.
At the same time, both the Crown Prince and the Third Prince were excluded from the core investigation, while the seemingly neutral Zhou Zizhong was thrust into the spotlight.
As the imperial guards dragged away the limp Sun Yun’guang, he suddenly struggled and cried out: “Your Highness! You promised—”
His words were cut short as the guards gagged him and hauled him from the hall.
That unfinished accusation hung in the air like an invisible blade at the Crown Prince’s throat. Veins bulged at his neck, his lowered eyes flashing with murderous intent.
From the Dragon Throne, Emperor Yongming’s gaze swept once more across the ministers, finally resting on the Crown Prince’s strained face. His voice was weary and cold: “From this day forth, the Crown Prince is confined to his residence. Until the case is resolved, he may not leave without imperial summons.”
The Crown Prince’s head jerked up, trembling as if to speak—but at the sight of his father’s eyes, he bowed his head in defeat. He knew that gaze held not only anger, but something far worse. Disappointment—the one thing he had feared most for over twenty years.
“Your son accepts the decree.” His voice was barely audible, tinged with bitterness.
Baili Jun watched silently as the Crown Prince was escorted away. As they passed, he suddenly turned, eyes brimming with undisguised malice.
Yet his lips twisted into a cold smile. “Well played, little sister.”
Baili Jun’s expression did not change. Beneath her wide sleeve, her fingers flicked lightly, revealing for an instant a black command token.
The golden character *Zhang* gleamed upon it, stabbing into the Crown Prince’s pupils. It was the very token he had given Ji Huai’an two years ago to replace the imperial guards of the capital. With it, one could mobilize the hidden agents among the twelve palace guards.
A chill shot up the Crown Prince’s spine, his ears ringing. That useless Ji Huai’an—how could he have let such a vital token fall into Zhaohua’s hands?
“Take care, Brother.” Baili Jun’s voice was so soft that only the two of them could hear.
The Crown Prince’s throat bobbed violently. To tamper with the capital’s guards was a crime punishable by extermination of nine clans. If this were exposed…
In an instant, countless thoughts raced through his mind.
Launch a coup immediately? Too risky.
Send assassins after Zhaohua? Too late.
Blame Ji Huai’an? Dead men prove nothing.
Cold sweat soaked his underclothes, clinging to his back.
“Your Highness?” a guard prompted in confusion.
The Crown Prince snapped back to himself, nails digging into his palms. What did the appearance of this token mean? A threat? Or was she preparing to present it to the Emperor? No—it was only a token. It proved nothing.
He had to return to his residence quickly and consult his advisors.
“Let’s go.” Forcing composure, he straightened his robes. Before leaving, he cast Baili Jun a long, heavy look.