Lin Taichu did not linger to listen. He quickened his pace and returned to the Prince's Mansion. The Prince was waiting for him in the study and hurriedly asked when he saw him enter, "Did you find anything? Who is pulling strings behind this?"
Lin Taichu repeated everything the City Lord had said. "Minister Li impeached you in court. The Third Prince has been secretly courting officials, and Liu Zhong also went to see the Third Prince. He is probably going to help speak against you before His Majesty."
"The Second Prince, on the other hand, has made no moves. He even deliberately distanced himself from me."
The Prince gave a cold laugh. "Just as I expected, it is those people. The Third Prince was so eager to jump out because he is truly afraid the Second Prince and I will join forces and cut off his path."
"Minister Li is nothing but a fence-sitter. He sides with whoever has the upper hand. This time, he merely wants to use the Third Prince's power to get his revenge."
"What do we do now?" Lin Taichu asked. "If Liu Zhong really speaks ill of you before His Majesty, will His Majesty misunderstand you?"
"He will not." The Prince sounded certain. "If Liu Zhong dares to talk nonsense, I have plenty of ways to deal with him. Back then, he embezzled a palace antique, and I was the one who helped him cover it up. If he dares to harm me, I will expose the matter."
He rose to his feet and paced back and forth twice. "But we cannot simply let the Third Prince and Minister Li off. Taichu, I need another favor from you."
Lin Taichu promptly said, "Just give the order. I will do exactly as you say."
"Keep