"General Shen, how are you?"

Although his tone was polite, his eyes were icy cold.

Shen Chengye shuddered, suppressed his fear, and replied respectfully: "Your Highness, please forgive me. I failed your majesty's high expectations and ended up like this."

The prince did not respond, but just looked at him with interest, with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

After a long while, he finally spoke, his tone grim.

"General Shen, do you admit your guilt?"

Shen Chengye was shocked and was about to explain, but the prince gave him a look that stopped him.

Chu Ze watched it clearly from the side and became suspicious. He could not help but take a few steps forward and asked respectfully, "Your Highness, what is going on? General Shen is a loyal and good man, why did he fall to this point?"

The prince sneered when he heard this. He turned around leisurely and walked in front of Chu Ze, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

"Chu Qing, don't you know? Shen Chengye is the culprit of treason."

These words were like thunder, and Chu Ze's face changed immediately. He subconsciously looked at Shen Chengye, but saw that the old man was pale and trembling all over, obviously frightened by this accusation.

The county magistrate trembled and kowtowed repeatedly.

"Your Highness is absolutely right! Shen Chengye colluded with the Tatars and plotted a rebellion. His crime is unforgivable! I have detained him for a long time and am waiting for your decision!"

The prince nodded, a hint of sneer on his face.

"Well done. It seems that Shen Chengye's guilt is set in stone."

As he spoke, he looked at Chu Ze again, his eyes gleaming.

"What do you think, Chu Qing?"

Chu Ze hesitated again and again, and finally clasped his fists and said: "Your Highness is wise. If Shen Chengye really colluded with foreign enemies, he should be severely punished for the sake of the country and the people. But..."

He paused, his eyes burning.

"This matter is of great importance. Please think twice, Your Highness. If there is any mistake, it will cause a stir in the court and the country."

The prince heard this and laughed instead of getting angry. He leaned closer to Chu Ze and whispered in his ear:

"Don't worry, I know what to do. I have all the evidence, and the proof is irrefutable. When the time comes... hehe..."

He smiled meaningfully and his eyes fell on Shen Qingwu's carriage in the distance.

Chu Ze's heart skipped a beat and he vaguely understood something.

No wonder the prince wanted to interrogate Shen Chengye at this time, it turned out that he wanted to completely bind the Shen family!

A cold voice sounded in Chu Ze's mind: "The emperor's plan cannot be explained. You and I are in our positions and have no choice but to do it."

Zhao Guoshi's instructions were still ringing in his ears. Chu Ze's eyes darkened and he said no more. He nodded slightly to the prince, indicating that he understood.

The prince smiled with satisfaction and patted Chu Ze on the shoulder.

"I know Chu Qing is the most sensible. With your help, this matter will surely come to fruition."

After saying that, the prince strode out of the hall, leaving everyone looking at each other in bewilderment.

A heavy atmosphere enveloped the lobby, and everyone's heart was in their throat.

Chu Ze took a deep breath and ordered his men to take Shen Chengye back to the prison and keep him under strict surveillance. Then, he quickly left to chase after the prince.

The horses galloped along the way, the sound of horses' hooves was urgent. The prince did not look back, but rode forward without saying a word. Behind him, Chu Ze followed closely, secretly pondering what happened today.

The capital city is just around the corner, but the road ahead is becoming more and more confusing.

Chu Ze looked up at the sky, only to find it gloomy and chilly. He pulled his cloak closer, feeling an ominous premonition.

The prince's plot, Shen Qingwu's sudden appearance, Shen Chengye's unexpected misfortune... There must be a hidden story behind all these coincidences. And how should I deal with it?

While he was thinking, the city gate was clearly visible. The vermilion city wall towered into the sky. The imperial guards were patrolling on the top of the city.

For some reason, Chu Ze felt that the city wall was like a barrier separating him from the capital.

He sighed deeply, knowing that everything would be solved after entering the city.

Chu Ze spurred his horse and felt as if he was rushing towards a bottomless vortex.

The city gate was wide open, and the sound of horse hooves could be heard. The prince was the first to rush into the city gate, followed closely by Chu Ze.

The two of them, one in front and one behind, rushed all the way to the palace under the protection of the imperial guards. The streets of the capital were bustling with activity.

When the common people heard that the great general had returned in triumph, they all came to watch. For a time, the crowds were so huge that no one could get through.

"It's General Chu! General Chu is back!"

"General Chu is wise and brave, and will create more glories!"

"With General Chu in charge, the Ming Dynasty will be peaceful and prosperous, and there will be no more foreign threats!"

The people all spoke highly of Chu Ze.

Chu Ze sat upright on his horse, smiling, and waved to the people on both sides from time to time.

The cavalry marched through the wide streets of the imperial city. On both sides of the road, the imperial palace was heavily guarded, with an extraordinary momentum.

All the officials, both civil and military, were waiting in front of the palace gate. When they saw Chu Ze coming, they all bowed and saluted.

"Meet General Chu!"

"Congratulations to the general on his triumphant return! May he achieve more success!"

Chu Ze looked calm, and just nodded slightly as a return gesture. The prince was right beside him, so he couldn't say much.

Zhu Di was waiting in front of the Golden Palace early, and was very pleased to see Chu Ze.

"My dear!"

The emperor's call was as deafening as the roar of a mountain or the sea.

Chu Ze hurriedly dismounted, walked quickly forward, and knelt on the ground.

"Your humble servant Chu Ze pays respect to Your Majesty."

"Stand up." Zhu Di said with a smile, and personally helped Chu Ze up. "Thank you for your hard work, fighting for me in the east and west without complaint."

Chu Ze said respectfully: "It is my humble servant's honor to share your majesty's worries and serve the country with loyalty."

"Hahaha, well said!"

Zhu Di laughed up to the sky, turned around and told his attendants: "I will hold a banquet in the Golden Palace to reward the three armies. Minister Chu will have an additional reward, which will be announced later!"

Before he finished speaking, the whole court cheered and praised him in unison.

"Your Majesty is wise! General Chu is loyal and brave!"

"The Ming Dynasty has produced many heroes and created a new era of prosperity!"

Chu Ze knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face. After all the hard work along the way, he finally got to this glorious moment today.

But for some reason, he felt a little uneasy.

Looking up at the lofty Golden Throne Hall, that magnificent palace actually exudes an eerie chill.

It was as if there was a pair of eyes in the dark, staring at him coldly.

Chu Ze shuddered and involuntarily tightened the sword at his waist.

A voice suddenly sounded in his mind:
"Chu Qing, have you noticed any clues along the way?"

Is the prince.

Chu Ze turned his head and met the prince's playful gaze.

How can the emperor allow his subjects to interfere in his plans? Chu Ze knew it very well and immediately bowed and said:

"I know what your Highness is worried about. But the court is dangerous and we cannot afford to be careless."

The prince's lips curled up slightly when he heard this. He leaned close to Chu Ze's ear and whispered:

"Don't worry, if you and I join forces, we will be able to overcome all obstacles and clear the government and the country. The road ahead will be smooth and promising in the near future!"

The tone is firm and determined to win.

Chu Ze understood and nodded heavily.

The two looked at each other, with tacit understanding in their eyes.

Zhu Di had no idea what the two were thinking, and thought the prince was just caring about his beloved ministers. He laughed and put his arm around Chu Ze's shoulders. (End of this chapter)

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