Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Chapter 530 Uneasy

"Third Prince,"

Lu Zheng's voice was upright and clear, "I have already verified Gu Wancheng's handwriting and questioned the servants in his villa. These letters were personally delivered to him by people sent by the Third Prince. The bank seal on the account book is also the 'Yufeng Bank' commonly used by the Third Prince's residence. I can bring my servants to confront him."

Shen Yuxi looked at Shen Yanlin, his eyes as cold as ice: "Now what do you have to say?"

Shen Yanlin slumped to the ground, his lips pale: "Father, I didn't... it was Gu Wancheng who framed me! He colluded with my elder brother, the Crown Prince, to turn around and harm me!"

"enough."

Shen Yuxi's voice rose a few decibels, "Do you think I don't know about your petty tricks over the years? Winning over court officials, secretly raising assassins, and now you even dare to dabble in disaster relief funds. Do you still have any respect for me as your father?"

Shen Yanlin prostrated himself on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly: "Father, spare me! Your son knows he was wrong! I beg you, Father, to give your son another chance!"

Shen Yuxi didn't look at him anymore, but turned to Shen Yanzhou: "Get up."

Shen Yanzhou stood up, his knees were already numb, but he still straightened his back: "Thank you, Father Emperor."

"What do you think about what happened in Jiangnan?" Shen Yuxi asked.

"Reporting to Father Emperor,"

Shen Yanzhou composed himself. “Gu Wancheng’s hoarding of grain has harmed the people and must be severely punished. As for the shortfall in disaster relief funds, I suggest that another 200,000 taels be allocated from the national treasury, and at the same time, grain from Huguang should be transported to Jiangnan to alleviate the famine. Local officials who have neglected their duties should also be held accountable to give the people an explanation.”

Shen Yuxi nodded, his eyes showing more approval: "You are right. I have decided to send you to Jiangnan to oversee this matter. Depart immediately."

Shen Yanzhou was stunned: "Father, your son..."

He wanted to say that he had just been cleared of suspicion and was worried about Lu Shuyan's safety, but when he saw Shen Yuxi's eyes, he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

"What? You don't want to?" Shen Yuxi asked.

"I don't dare."

Shen Yanzhou bowed, "Your subject obeys the decree."

Shen Yuxi then looked at Lu Zheng: "Take the Third Prince away and confine him in the mansion. Without my decree, he is not allowed to step out of the mansion even once."

"Zhao Hu colluded with the princes and framed the crown prince. He shall be executed immediately."

"Yes!" Lu Zheng accepted the order and led his men to drag the limp Shen Yanlin and the pale-faced Zhao Hu out.

Only Shen Yuxi, Shen Yanzhou, and Yu Heng remained in the hall.

Shen Yuxi looked at Shen Yanzhou and suddenly sighed: "Zhou'er, do you really think I doubt you?"

Shen Yanzhou looked up, his eyes full of confusion.

“When Wen Yanbo submitted his memorial, I knew it was a trap.”

Shen Yuxi said, "I have seen your achievements in Jiangnan over the years. You are not the kind of person who would embezzle disaster relief funds."

"I placed you under house arrest and sent Shen Yanlin to search the palace, all to lure him out of his predicament."

"Then why did Father Emperor send me to Jiangnan?" Shen Yanzhou asked.

"The capital is not at peace."

Shen Yuxi's eyes darkened. "Shen Yanlin has people supporting him. If you stay in the capital, you will only become their target."

"Going to Jiangnan will allow you to avoid the limelight, do a good job with disaster relief, and win over the hearts of the people. It will only benefit you."

Shen Yanzhou felt a warmth in his heart; it turned out that his father had always been protecting him.

He was about to say something more when he heard Yu Heng cough softly and glance out of the hall.

Shen Yanzhou understood, knowing that his father had more to say but it was not convenient for outsiders to hear. He bowed and said, "Your subject understands Your Majesty's good intentions and will certainly not fail in your mission."

"But... Your Majesty, I would like to ask you to let Mother return to Kunning Palace."

When Lu Shuyan was mentioned, Shen Yuxi's eyes softened: "Don't worry, the Imperial Concubine wouldn't dare to do anything to her."

"After you leave, I will let her return to Kunning Palace."

"Thank you, Father Emperor." Shen Yanzhou breathed a sigh of relief.

"Go and get ready. We'll leave first thing tomorrow morning," Shen Yuxi waved his hand.

Shen Yanzhou bowed and left the Hall of Mental Cultivation. As soon as he reached the corridor, he saw Lin Chuying hiding behind a pillar with red eyes.

"Ying'er, what are you doing here?" Shen Yanzhou walked over.

"Your Highness!"

Lin Chuying quickly stepped forward, her voice extremely low, "The Empress Dowager is doing well in Yong'an Palace, but the Imperial Concubine has sent people to watch over her and prevent her from leaving the palace."

"Just now, this servant overheard the Imperial Concubine's people saying that they plan to ambush you on your way to Jiangnan, intending to... to harm you!"

Shen Yanzhou's heart sank.

It turns out that the person behind Shen Yanlin really dared to target him! He was just about to ask Lin Chuying to tell his mother the news when he saw a eunuch from the Consort's palace walking this way in the distance. He hurriedly said to Suxin, "Go back first and tell your mother that I will be careful and that she shouldn't worry."

Lin Chuying nodded and left in a hurry. Shen Yanzhou stood on the corridor, watching the late spring rain fall and wet the stone steps below.

He knew that the road to Jiangnan would be anything but peaceful.

Meanwhile, in Yong'an Palace, Lu Shuyan was sitting by the window, clutching the little clothes Shen Yanzhou wore when he was a child, her eyes red-rimmed.

Lin Chuying quietly came in and told her the news that Shen Yanzhou was going to Jiangnan and that someone was going to ambush him.

Lu Shuyan's hands clenched tightly, crumpling the fabric of the little clothes: "No, we can't let Zhou'er take such a risk!"

She got up and tried to leave, but was stopped by the palace maid guarding the door: "Your Majesty, His Majesty has ordered that you may not leave the palace."

Lu Shuyan looked at the palace maid, her eyes filled with anxiety: "Make way! I want to see His Majesty!"

"Your Highness, please don't make things difficult for me." The palace maid lowered her head but refused to move aside.

Just then, Consort Liu walked in, holding a round fan in her hand, and said slowly, "Sister, His Majesty has just dealt with the Third Prince and is in a bad mood. You shouldn't go and make things worse."

"Liu!"

Lu Shuyan looked at her and asked, "Are you going to send someone to harm Zhou'er?"

Liu smiled, the peonies on the fan making one dizzy: "Sister, how could I possibly harm His Highness the Crown Prince? However, some people want to avenge the Third Prince, and that's another story."

She walked up to Lu Shuyan and lowered her voice: "Sister, you'd better behave yourself. Whether the Crown Prince can come back after going to Jiangnan depends on his fate."

“If he doesn’t come back, you won’t be able to sit on the throne for much longer.”

Lu Shuyan was so angry that he trembled all over. He raised his hand to hit Liu Shi, but Liu Shi grabbed his wrist.

Liu's eyes turned cold: "Sister, don't push your luck. It's easy to get into Yong'an Palace, but it's hard to get out."

After saying that, Madam Liu shook off Lu Shuyan's hand, turned around and walked out. When she reached the door, she turned back and said, "Oh, right, I forgot to tell you, sister. His Majesty has issued an edict that the Crown Prince will leave first thing tomorrow morning. If you want to see him one last time, I'm afraid you won't have the chance."

The door closed, and Lu Shuyan slumped into a chair, finally unable to hold back her tears.

Looking at the rain outside the window, she had only one thought in her mind: she had to find a way to tell Zhou'er to be careful!

But she was locked up in Yong'an Palace and couldn't even leave the palace. How could she possibly send a message out?

Meanwhile, at Jinghe Palace, Shen Yanzhou was discussing the route to Jiangnan with Qin Feng: "We won't take the official roads, we'll take the waterways, we'll go through the Grand Canal, and avoid those places where there might be an ambush."

"Your Highness, rest assured, I have made arrangements. I will bring fifty guards with me to ensure your safety," Qin Feng said.