The whole family died tragically? The eldest daughter is the most powerful in the capital after her

The emperor snorted coldly, obviously extremely angry: "Such a serious case is really appalling. This case must not be let off lightly, and must be thoroughly investigated. Send an order to the Dali Temple, and let the Shaoqing take full charge of this case. It must be handled strictly according to the rules and regulations. I will not tolerate it."

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall became more solemn. All the ministers lowered their heads and no one dared to speak.

After the morning court session, the third prince hurried out of the hall.

Zhao Cezhi was someone he secretly cultivated. Now that the Zhao family was in trouble, he knew very well that Gu Nanyuan's actions were definitely not accidental.

The third prince went straight to the Jingzhao Yin Mansion to learn about the case in person.

In the Jingzhao Yin Mansion, bailiffs were busy and detectives were coming in and out, sorting out new evidence in their hands.

As soon as the third prince arrived, Lord Jingzhao Yin immediately greeted him, but there was some trepidation between his brows.

The third prince said coldly: "What is the situation of the Zhao family's case? Show me the case file."

Lord Jingzhao Yin knew that the Third Prince would intervene, but due to the Emperor's order, he had to obey orders.

He hesitated for a moment, then signaled his subordinates to bring the case file and whispered, "Third Prince, the case file has been sorted out and the evidence is conclusive. Please take a look."

The third prince took the thick case file, frowned, and flipped through it at a rapid speed.

As he read page by page, anger and anxiety gradually flashed in his eyes.

Gu Nanyuan was obviously well prepared, and all the evidence was very detailed - the illegal acts of the Zhao and Wu families over the years were recorded clearly, and the crimes were shocking.

The third prince's eyes became increasingly gloomy, and he sneered in his heart: Gu Nanyuan is indeed not a simple character.

There was hardly any clue related to him in this case file. All the crimes were concentrated on Zhao Cezhi and the Wu family, with no trace of the third prince involved.

He secretly clenched his fists. Gu Nanyuan's move was clean and neat. It was obvious that he had ambushed and planned it for a long time.

After reading the files, the Third Prince went to the prison to see Zhao Cezhi, wanting to ask him how he had offended Gu Nanyuan to make him so determined.

Inside the prison, the dark and damp air carried a pungent smell of mold, and the faint light from the torches reflected on the bluestone walls, making it seem particularly gloomy and cold.

The third prince walked to the cell where Zhao Cezhi was imprisoned and glanced around with a cold gaze.

Zhao Cezhi was lying on a tattered straw mat, looking extremely disheveled.

His wound was only hastily bandaged, the gauze was already stained with blood and was still oozing blood, and his painful expression made him look extremely weak.

Hearing the footsteps, Zhao Cezhi raised his head and a glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes. When he saw clearly that it was the third prince, he barely propped himself up, gritted his teeth and sat against the wall.

"Third Prince..." Zhao Cezhi's voice was hoarse, and there was a hint of anxiety and pleading in his tone.

The third prince stood outside the cell, staring at him coldly, with no mercy on his face.

He spoke slowly, his tone cold: "How did you offend Gu Nanyuan? He was so cruel this time that he beat you and the Wu family to death without leaving any chance of survival."

Zhao Cezhi's expression changed slightly, and a trace of pain flashed in his eyes. He knew that Gu Nanyuan would never give him any more chances.

Pursing his cracked lips, he whispered, "I...I shouldn't have angered him...Gu Nanyuan has wanted to deal with me for a long time, and today he just waited for the right opportunity."

The Third Prince sneered, "Yes, Gu Nanyuan is very smart. I am not implicated in the case file at all. It is you and the Wu family. Neither of you can escape. I have read the case file. The lightest punishment for your Zhao family is exile. Do you think there is still room for maneuver?"

Zhao Cezhi's face was pale and cold sweat broke out on his forehead. When he heard the word "exile", a deep despair suddenly rose in his heart.

Exile means that he will lose his power and status forever, and may even never be able to return to the capital in his lifetime.

How could he get Lin Ruoxuan like this? How could he accept such a fate?

He suddenly fell to his knees, clenched his teeth, and pleaded in his eyes: "Third Prince, save me! I can help you, help you ascend the throne! As long as you save me, I am willing to do anything for you!"

The Third Prince narrowed his eyes and stared coldly at Zhao Cezhi: "Help me ascend to the throne? You can't even protect yourself now, and you still want to help me?"

Zhao Cezhi knew that if he didn't offer actual value this time, the Third Prince would never rescue him easily.

He hardened his heart and whispered, "I know the secret of the King of Ren! He has been using you and secretly plotting for power. His ambition is not only to assist you, he wants to control you, and even... to usurp the throne!"

The third prince's brows suddenly frowned and his heart suddenly tightened.

King Ren usually has a close relationship with him, and now Zhao Cezhi is so frank, there must be a reason for him to do so.

He narrowed his eyes and said in a cold tone: "You said Uncle Wang is using me? Where is the evidence?"

Zhao Cezhi had a painful look on his face, but there was a cold light in his eyes, and he told King Ren all his plans.

The Third Prince's face darkened a little, and he was touched by Zhao Cezhi's words, but he remained calm: "How can I believe what you said?"

Zhao Cezhi smiled bitterly: "I know I am in danger, but if the Third Prince saves me, I can give you all the details and plans of the King of Ren. I am the only one who knows best what he has done behind your back over the years."

The third prince narrowed his eyes and was silent for a moment, with a hint of deep thought in his eyes.

He had a vague feeling in his heart that Zhao Cezhi really had something powerful in his hand this time.

After a moment, the Third Prince sneered, "Very good. Someone will come to rescue you in three days. But before that, I want you to do one more thing for me."

Zhao Cezhi's eyes flashed with anticipation, and he quickly asked, "What does the Third Prince want me to do?"

The Third Prince came close to the iron bars and spoke in a low voice with a hint of coldness: "I want the Crown Prince to lose power. You have to find a way to completely disrupt the Crown Prince's position, and it would be best if you could overthrow him completely. What's your plan?"

A hint of cunning flashed in Zhao Cezhi's eyes, and his gaze was sharp: "This time, we can use the art of witchcraft to frame the prince."

The Third Prince raised his eyebrows, obviously quite interested in this: "Witchcraft?"

Zhao Cezhi nodded and lowered his voice very low: "We can bury your Majesty's birth date in the prince's mansion. When someone finds it, we can use it to accuse the prince of intending to curse your Majesty and attempt to usurp the throne. Such a crime is fatal enough, and the emperor will definitely be furious."

A sneer flashed in the eyes of the Third Prince, but he was still cautious: "Once the witchcraft matter is exposed, the Crown Prince will indeed lose power, but what if the matter involves me?"

Zhao Cezhi smiled coldly, having made preparations: "In order to prevent the matter from being exposed, we can lay out clues in advance and direct the spearhead towards Prince Ren. We can create evidence to imply that it was Prince Ren who set up this trap to frame the prince. Once the matter is exposed, all the evidence will point to Prince Ren and have nothing to do with you."

The third prince pondered for a moment, and the cold light in his eyes became more and more intense.

He said coldly: "Okay, very good. I will send someone to rescue you in three days."

Zhao Cezhi's eyes were filled with gratitude, and he said respectfully: "Thank you, Third Prince. I will definitely serve you at my utmost!"

The third prince nodded, turned and left, with a meaningful smile on his face.