For once, the eunuch, whom the Crown Prince considered extremely stupid, had guessed correctly.
Upon hearing his subordinate’s report, the Vice Minister of Justice’s voice changed, “The arrested person claims to be the Crown Prince?”
The subordinate nodded vigorously, “This official has confirmed that the other person is indeed a castrated eunuch.”
The Vice Minister’s first instinct was to flee, but considering the stampede casualties at the Treasure Pavilion, if the arrested person truly was the Crown Prince, it would eventually come to light. Evading responsibility would lead to later accountability. So, he abandoned the idea of fleeing and anxiously tugged at his beard.
“Sir, what should we do?”
“Well, let’s report this to the Minister first.”
The Minister of Justice was slightly more composed than his Vice Minister. He steeled himself to take a look, but his scalp immediately prickled.
It was the Crown Prince!
The Crown Prince spotted the Minister of Justice and called out, “Minister Gao, release me at once!”
The Minister of Justice didn’t even know how he managed to walk up to the Crown Prince. “This humble servant greets Your Highness.”
The Crown Prince breathed a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, the Minister of Justice recognized him!
“No need for formalities. Quickly, have these people release me. I’m already late returning to the palace today.”
The Minister of Justice, slightly hunched, replied, “Your Highness has been wronged. This servant will escort you out immediately.”
The Crown Prince’s heart finally settled.
Recently, he had been returning to the Imperial City from the Ministry of Revenue around this time. If he went back now, it would be as if nothing had happened.
The Crown Prince left the Ministry of Justice and headed straight for the Ministry of Revenue. He then hurriedly escaped back to the Imperial Palace with the secret guards he had left at the Ministry of Revenue.
What the Crown Prince didn’t know was that as soon as he left the Ministry of Justice, the Minister immediately went to see Emperor Jingming.
With matters having escalated to this point, the Minister of Justice was powerless to cover for the Crown Prince. Reporting to the Emperor promptly was the wisest course of action.
Emperor Jingming had just inquired about the Crown Prince’s recent performance. He naturally didn’t believe a word of the officials’ praise for the Crown Prince, but the fact that the Crown Prince could dutifully attend the ministries to observe governance was satisfying enough.
There was no help for it. His only legitimate son was just this mediocre. It wasn’t as if he could stuff him back and give birth again.
Theoretically, the Crown Prince’s education had never been neglected. He had been taught and guided by the greatest scholars of the age. How had he still turned out this way?
Emperor Jingming was deeply perplexed, wondering if perhaps his expectations were too high.
Never mind. If the Crown Prince could just behave himself and be a decent person, he should be able to manage as a ruler who maintains the status quo.
Just as he had consoled himself, Emperor Jingming’s eyelid began to twitch.
His previously calm expression suddenly changed, with only one thought in his mind: Oh no, another mishap. What could it be this time?