Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 353: Running Out of Luck

Thus, Mr. Lin wandered around the Prince Zhan Mansion, stopping and starting.

At one time, he had people move stones, and at another, had them move away the cedars.

For two consecutive hours, he kept searching back and forth in the courtyard.

Everyone held their breath, unaware of the reason.

It was not until he reached a large South Sea coral stone in the middle of the front hall that Mr. Lin nodded and said.

"This is the eye of the trap, remove this coral stone, and the water in Consort Wei’s courtyard pond will naturally dry up, and the Earth Dragon Qi will disperse, restoring everything to its original state."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xingzhi and the others were greatly excited.

Dozens of guards set to work, prying and smashing, shattering the imposing South Sea coral stone into pieces.

A booming sound of collapse echoed, causing Consort Wei to lose her footing.

A sudden fear crept up from the soles of her feet.

When Lin Xingzhi left with Mr. Lin, she was already somewhat nervous.

And now this nervousness intensified even more!

The teacup in her hand fell to the ground with a sound, sending water splashing everywhere.

Then, from the rock garden pond not far behind, there seemed to be a collapse.

Quickly, the water that had been full to the brim drained through the ground, leaving the thousands of golden carps, which had previously swum freely, flopping desperately.

But how could they survive without water?

Soon, each one died.

Thus, the secret that the Prince Zhan Mansion had altered the situation to trap and nurture the Earth Dragon Qi was finally uncovered.

Compared to killing one’s own son or oppressing the common people, this act of challenging royal authority and intercepting Earth Dragon Qi truly provoked the royal power.

This act was no lesser than those conspirators who privately manufactured troops and horses.

Thus, Consort Wei felt the greatest despair after seeing the pond dry up.

Thinking that the Prince Zhan Mansion would be confiscated in the future, and their decades of accumulation would be thoroughly investigated.

Consort Wei contemplated death.

Rather than face dismemberment by slicing, dying by striking her head against a pillar seemed more straightforward.

She resolved to dash her head against the stone steps beside her.

However, a guard nearby quickly restrained her, dislocating her jaw in the process.

Thus, even biting her tongue to commit suicide was not possible.

Consort Wei lived her entire life in glory and had never endured such suffering.

But now, even if she cried all her tears, it was useless.

Everything was set in stone.

From dawn until dark, the investigation continued.

Lin Xingzhi and the others, holding torches, dug ten feet deep under the courtyard of the Princess Consort.

Indeed, as Mr. Lin predicted.

About two feet below the ground was a secret passage.

The passage led to a hidden chamber, and when Lin Xingzhi and the others descended into the chamber, they were speechless with shock at the scene before them.

There were countless camphor wood boxes neatly arranged, each box opened to reveal a hoard of gold and jewels.

The luxurious courtyard of Consort Wei, which once seemed extravagant, was nothing in comparison.

"Most of the wealth of the world must have ended up here, I suppose?"

The Imperial Family, with its Golden Dragon Qi, still consumed resources.

Yet, Prince Zhan Mansion, with its Earth Dragon Qi, continuously amassed wealth.

When the Fourth Prince and Prime Minister Lin saw these treasures, one sighed in relief while the other remained expressionless.

"Convey my order to immediately dispatch five thousand Imperial Armor Army, one thousand to guard, and the rest to move!"

A few days ago, they were troubled over the military pay for the Northwest Army.

Now, they had literally unearthed a mountain of gold!

With these treasures, providing a year’s military pay for the Northwest Army was easily manageable, let alone ten years.

Therefore, once the Imperial Armor Army arrived, the entire Shengjing City was placed under lockdown.

Everyone was confined to their homes due to the curfew, unaware of what was happening outside their windows.

Those living near the Prince Zhan Mansion could only hear the sound of horses dragging and carriage wheels rolling over the cobblestone, echoing throughout the night.

By the next morning court session, all of the private assets within the Prince Zhan Mansion had been transported away.

Thus, the once majestic gate of the Prince Zhan Mansion now inexplicably exuded a sense of desolation.

It was like the calm before a storm, teetering on the brink of downfall.

The biting cold wind blew, bringing another heavy snowfall.

All the court officials spent the entire night sleepless after the previous night.

Only the Minister of Revenue beamed with a wide grin.

Wealth certainly brings a different aura.

Previously, he avoided those colleagues in court who always demanded money.

Today, he wished he could write "National Treasury Overflowing" and "I’ve Got Money" on his forehead.

He greeted everyone warmly.

Yesterday, those who spoke for Prince Zhan in court were conspicuously absent today.

Whether they feigned illness or were already arrested on the Emperor’s order.

No one knew.

Thus, all the civil and military officials had mournful expressions, except for the jubilant Minister of Revenue standing a little straighter!

Meanwhile, in the side hall, Prince Zhan and Princess Consort Zhan, who were resting, were summoned to the court again.

Unlike the worsening injuries of Prince Zhan, Princess Consort Zhan exuded an air of resilience, as strong as bulrush fiber.

Perhaps it was because her son’s great revenge remained unsettled, or she hadn’t yet personally witnessed Prince Zhan’s tragic demise, so she was unwilling to give up.

Her frail body stood straight and tall.

As if heaven was on her side.

At this moment, Prince Zhan was unaware that his household had already been confiscated, and his beloved Consort Wei and all his descendants had been thrown into prison.

Everyone connected with him was apprehended.

Throughout Shengjing City, fear reigned, and no one dared to plead for Prince Zhan.

The Emperor deliberately wore his black Dragon Robe embroidered with golden dragons today, amplifying his majesty.

Sitting on the Dragon Chair, he asked emotionlessly.

"Prince Zhan, do you admit your guilt?"

"Your servant is innocent, truly innocent! I beg the Emperor for clarity!"

"Innocent? How can someone innocent conceal private assets of nine hundred million taels in their residence?"

Nine hundred million taels!

The Emperor’s words caused an uproar among the ministers.

It was known that Da Wei’s annual treasury income was only forty million taels; these nine hundred million taels equaled more than twenty years of national revenue!

In other words, the wealth of Prince Zhan Mansion accumulated in merely a few decades required skinning the people each year!

With this realization, the Emperor’s eyes grew deeper and darker!

Such a national parasite was truly unheard of!

Upon hearing that his private assets were completely raided, Prince Zhan sat there dumbfounded.

The pain he felt in his body suddenly seemed trivial as he looked at the Emperor, somewhat incredulously.

"You found someone to move the Earth Dragon Qi?"

"Hmph, you’ve confessed without being pressed! Yes! I indeed had someone release the Earth Dragon Qi, Prince Zhan Mansion truly audacious!"