At the same time, Prince Yi's Estate had also finished investigations.

　　Dou Quan hurried forward to Jing Yi and reported, "Your Highness, the investigation shows that Peng Yuanhai, head of the Ministry of Personnel, had no contact with Prince Rong at all. Thus, the ministry's memorials were not instructed by Prince Rong. However, Yuanhai does work for Qiao Zheng, who was privately in contact with Your Highness. This subordinate is worried that the Emperor would think that it is Your Highness who deliberately instigated the Ministry of Personnel to submit the pet.i.tion complaining about Prince Rong."

　　"This is exactly what this prince is worried about." Jing Yi pondered the issue and said, "Since all the pet.i.tions must be screened by the Office of Transmission before submission, there is no way that Lord Qu, head of the Office of Transmission, would hand over the pet.i.tion censuring a prince. What Qu did is only reasonable when he had taken office at this prince's recommendation three years ago. All the evidence points towards this prince colluding secretly with the Ministry of Personnel and the Office of Transmission to impeach Jing Rong and exterminate him."

　　"Then what shall we do now, Your Highness?"

　　"At this time, Imperial Father must have received the investigation findings as we speak. My next move is...a bit difficult." He replied lowly with his brow furrowed.

　　Dou Quan asked, "If Prince Rong has nothing to do with this matter, then who could it be?"

　　Jing Yi shook his head in response. For now, neither officials in the Imperial Court nor remaining confederates of the former Crown Prince had the ability to command the Ministry of Personnel and the Office of Transmission.

　　Even a prince like him, couldn't control these two departments.

　　The manipulator behind the ministry and the office knew how to kill two birds with one stone. Who could it be?

　　Jing Yi sank his voice, "We must prepare our next plan as soon as possible."

　　In case of the change of the Crown Prince, or rather, the change of the throne.

　　……

　　Five days later, Zuo Yao, magistrate of Yufu county, had arrived at the Yufu county gate with his subordinates well in advance.

　　The yamen staff had been waiting here with trepidation under the scorching sun for most of the day. They were sweating like pigs, exhausted both physically and mentally.

　　Zuo Yao was so anxious and restless that he walked back and forth in the same place, rubbing his hands together nervously. He searched for Prince Rong's carriage with his eyes as he sighed and muttered, "It's already so late. Why hasn't he arrived yet?"

　　Finally, Constable Zhou couldn't stand the heat anymore. He wiped the pearl-sized sweat on his forehead and went forward to ask Zuo Yao, "Your Magistrate, shall we go back? It's torturous to wait like this." No more waiting. I wouldn't wait anymore no matter what you say.

　　Zuo Yao glared at him, "Go back? What if Prince Rong arrives and sees that we are not here to welcome him? Prince Rong was ordered by the Emperor to investigate the missing disaster relief funds in our county; and that Teacher Ji, who was sent by the Supreme Court to investigate the Ye'er case from a few years ago. Both of them are important figures and must not be slighted, otherwise even our lives would not be sufficient as compensation."

　　"How about waiting in a cooler place? Look at how strong the sun is. If we continue standing under it, we will definitely faint."

　　"You sure have a lot of nonsense."

　　"Your Magistrate..."

　　"Shut up." Zuo Yao reprimanded.