Please call me Your Majesty!

Chapter 221 Go to the Zongrenfu Archives
In the letter, Old Madam Su recounted in detail the grievances between the Su family and the prince's party of the previous dynasty, as well as the secrets known by the ancestors of the Su family.

It turned out that the ancestor of the Su family was once the prince's tutor of the previous dynasty, and knew some of the Chu family's unspeakable secrets.

In order to protect the Su family, the ancestors of the Su family hid the evidence in a secret room in the Su Mansion.

After reading the letter, Chu Shizhao suddenly felt enlightened.

He finally understood that the men in black attacked the Su Mansion and the old lady was poisoned, all in search of this secret.

"Wan'er, thank you."

Chu Shizhao looked at Su Wan'er gratefully, "You took such a big risk to tell me this, I..."

Su Wan'er looked at Chu Shizhao a little embarrassedly: "Don't say that, the reason why His Highness was confined was all because of me. I should do all this."

"Cough cough!"

Suddenly, there was a cough outside the door.

Chu Shizhao and Su Wan'er turned their heads at the same time.

I saw a white-haired old man standing at the door. It was Fu Bo, the old butler of the Su Mansion.

"Miss, the old lady has woken up and she wants to see you."

Uncle Fu said, with a hint of anxiety in his tone.

Su Wan'er's face changed, "Grandma is awake? I'll go right away!"

She glanced at Chu Shizhao and said, "Shizhao, wait for me to come back."

After saying that, Su Wan'er hurriedly left with Uncle Fu.

Chu Shizhao looked at Su Wan'er's departing back, and his heart became more and more annoyed.

He knew very well that as long as the secret of the Su family was not figured out, Su Wan'er and her family would never live in peace.

Therefore, if he wants to break the impasse, he must find the secret as soon as possible.

He glanced at the letter in his hand and immediately had an idea.

Previously, when he was talking to his elder brother, the Crown Prince, although the other party did not say it explicitly, this news was revealed between the lines.

The key to solving the Su family’s problem lies in the dusty files of the court back then.

He must find a way to enter the clan house and check the relevant records from that year.

However, the management of files in the Zongrenfu was extremely strict, and outsiders could not access them without the emperor's special permission.

How can he enter the clan house?

Just when he was thinking hard.

Suddenly, a bold idea emerged in his mind...

Since I can’t get in through the main door, I can only go through the “side door”.

He remembered a young eunuch he had met in the palace before, named Xiao Dezi.

This kid is smart and happens to be working in the clan house.

Perhaps, we can find a breakthrough from Xiao Dezi.

Thinking of this, Chu Shizhao immediately picked up his pen and wrote a letter, explaining in detail the importance of the matter, and attached a valuable jade pendant as a reward.

He handed the letter and the jade pendant to the palace's secret guard, and ordered him to make sure to deliver the letter to Xiao Dezi.

He knew that this move was extremely risky and that if it was exposed, the consequences would be disastrous.

But in order to find out the truth, he had no choice.

Outside the window, the night is getting darker.

Just when Chu Shizhao was about to lose his patience, the secret guard finally came back with a small piece of letter in his hand.

Chu Shizhao couldn't wait to take the letter and unfold it. Xiao Dezi agreed to help him, but the condition was that after the success, he would help him leave the palace and live a free life.

Chu Shizhao agreed without hesitation.

The freedom of a little eunuch is insignificant compared to the Su family and Wan'er's life.

Following Xiao Dezi's instructions, Chu Shizhao changed into night clothes and sneaked into the clan residence under the cover of night.

Under the guidance of Xiao Dezi, he avoided the patrolling guards and successfully arrived at the warehouse where the files were stored.

The warehouse was filled with various files and the air was filled with a musty smell.

Chu Shizhao began to look through the relevant files according to the clues provided in Madam Su's letter.

Time is running out and he must find what he wants before dawn.

One hour passed, two hours passed...

Beads of sweat appeared on Chu Shizhao's forehead, but he still didn't give up.

Finally, under a pile of rotting files, he found a locked wooden box.

He didn't know why, but he had a very strong feeling in his heart at this moment.

What he is looking for is in this wooden box.

He tried to open the wooden box with force, but found that the lock of the wooden box was unusually strong.

He looked around anxiously, hoping to find some tool.

Suddenly, his eyes fell on a rusty iron rod in the corner.

He hurried over, picked up the iron rod, and pried open the lock of the wooden box.

The moment the wooden box was opened, a pungent musty smell hit me in the face.

Chu Shizhao covered his nose.

He couldn't wait to open the cloth bag, only to see a stack of yellowed papers inside, covered with densely written words.

Chu Shizhao read the words carefully in the dim light.

As he read further, his expression became uglier and uglier.

These written records actually contained the detailed plan of the previous dynasty’s crown prince’s rebellion, as well as a list of ministers involved in the rebellion!

Among them, the name of the prime minister of the current dynasty appeared!

Chu Shizhao felt a chill running from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.

He never expected that the prime minister of the current dynasty was actually involved in the rebellion of the crown prince of the previous dynasty!

This is a huge secret that shakes the world!
If this secret were to leak out, the entire court would be in turmoil.

He carefully rewrapped the papers and put them back into the wooden box.

Then, he hid the wooden box in his arms and quietly left the clan house with Xiao Dezi.

After returning to the palace, Chu Shizhao immediately sent Xiao Dezi out of the palace.

……

After settling Xiao Dezi down.

Chu Shizhao returned to the mansion and fell into deep thought again.

Next, the main problem he faced was how to deal with this hot potato in his hands.

Hand it over directly to Emperor Yongjin?
This is absolutely not possible!

After the last secret meeting with former Crown Prince Chu Shixu.

Chu Shixu, who is suspicious by nature, has lost trust in him.

If he rashly made this secret public.

It is very likely to be regarded as a false accusation against a loyal and honest person, or even to be charged with "collaborating with the enemy and treason".

Just as he was thinking hard, Su Wan'er came back.

She walked up to Chu Shizhao with an anxious look on her face.

"Shi Zhao, grandma is not doing well. She keeps repeating your name."

Chu Shizhao felt a pain in his heart, and he held Su Wan'er's hand tightly, "Wan'er, don't worry, I will definitely find a way to save grandma."

He gave the wooden box he brought back from the clan house to Su Wan'er.

Su Wan'er took the wooden box and looked at Chu Shizhao with suspicion.

"what is this?"

"Here are the secrets left by the ancestors of the Su family."

Afterwards, Chu Shizhao told Su Wan'er the whole story.

After hearing this, Su Wan'er's expression became serious.

"I didn't expect that it would involve the prime minister of the dynasty!"

Su Wan'er exclaimed, "Shi Zhao, what should we do?"

Chu Shizhao pondered for a moment, "Now is not the time to make this secret public. We must first find solid evidence before we can bring down the Prime Minister."

"But how do we find evidence?" Su Wan'er asked.

Chu Shizhao raised his eyebrows: "Perhaps, we can start with the people around the Prime Minister."

While saying this, Chu Shizhao already had a suitable candidate in mind.

Speaking of the people around the prime minister.

Chu Shizhao actually knows one.

The spoiled and domineering daughter of the Prime Minister whom I had met at the palace banquet before.

Perhaps, we can find a breakthrough from her.

Chu Shizhao put the wooden box back in his arms and walked to the window.

The moonlight was like water, sprinkling on the stone road in the courtyard, casting a cool shadow.

His eyes crossed the courtyard and looked towards the imperial palace in the distance.

"Your Highness, what are you thinking about?"

Su Wan'er asked softly, walking up to him.

Chu Shizhao came back to his senses and turned to look at her, "I was thinking, there might be more clues to this secret."

Su Wan'er blinked, "You mean..."

"That's right!"

Chu Shizhao nodded: "The key to the problem is likely in the court files of that year. We must go to the clan house and check the relevant records of that year."

Su Wan'er's face changed: "But, the files of the Imperial Clan Court are managed very strictly. Without the emperor's special permission, outsiders cannot view them at all!"

"Then I will go to see my father and ask for his approval."

"But……"

Su Wan'er hesitated to speak.

Chu Shizhao understood her concerns.

Ever since the last dispute with Chu Shiren in the court, Emperor Yongjin's attitude towards him has become much colder.

I'm afraid it won't be so smooth if I rashly request to review the confidential files this time.

But he had no choice.

"Wan'er, don't worry, I will definitely convince my father."

……

The next morning, Chu Shizhao got ready and went to the palace.

Emperor Yongjin was reviewing memorials in the imperial study.

Seeing Chu Shizhao coming in, he frowned slightly, "Shizhao, what are you doing here?"

Chu Shizhao bowed and said, "Your son has something important to report."

Emperor Yongjin put down the memorial in his hand and said, "Go ahead."

Chu Shizhao took a deep breath and explained in detail what happened in the Su Mansion and his own speculations.

Finally, he said earnestly: "In order to find out the truth about this matter, I beg your Majesty to allow me to review the files of the Imperial Clan Court."

Emperor Yongjin's brows furrowed more and more.

After a long while, he said, "Shi Zhao, these are all old stories. Why stir them up again? Besides, if it is true as you said, and it involves important officials of the court, once it is leaked, it will definitely cause new turmoil in the court."

Chu Shizhao's heart sank, but he did not give up, "Father, I understand your concerns."

"But if we don't get to the bottom of this, I'm afraid there will be bigger trouble."

"Besides, if there are ministers who are really involved in the rebellion, are we just going to let it go?"

After hearing Chu Shizhao's words, Emperor Yongjin fell silent.

Seeing this, Chu Shizhao continued, "Father, I promise that I will never leak this matter. I just want to find out the truth and seek justice for the Su family."

Emperor Yongjin sighed and said, "Well, since you insist on doing this, then I'll grant you permission. However, you must remember that this matter must not be spread to anyone else."

Chu Shizhao was overjoyed and immediately thanked him, "Thank you, father, for your permission!"

After receiving the imperial edict, Chu Shizhao did not dare to delay for a moment and immediately rushed to the clan house.

However, things did not go as smoothly as he had imagined.

The gate of the Zongrenfu is majestic and heavily guarded.

Chu Shizhao showed the imperial edict. The guards did not dare to stop him, but they also showed no respect. They just led him into the mansion coldly.

The official in charge of the files was an official named Liu. He was fat, had a greasy face, and a pair of small eyes that kept rolling around.

He took the imperial edict, glanced at it casually, and said sarcastically: "Your Highness, this file is not something that everyone can read."

"Although the emperor has approved it, the rules still need to be followed."

"Your Highness, please report which files you want to see, so I can arrange it."

Chu Shizhao naturally understood that this official Liu was deliberately making things difficult for him.

He was not annoyed, but just smiled faintly, "Master Liu, this king wants to check the relevant files of the previous prince's rebellion case, as well as the records of the Su family's corruption case twenty years ago."

When Officer Liu heard this, his expression changed slightly and his eyes moved faster.

"Your Highness, this case of treason from the previous dynasty is a secret among secrets. The Emperor only allows you to read it, but he did not say that you can read it at will."

"As for the Su family's corruption case, it's a long time ago, and the files may have been destroyed long ago."

"Lord Liu, the imperial edict clearly states that this prince is allowed to review the relevant files."

"Does Lord Liu intend to disobey the order?"

Chu Shizhao's tone suddenly turned cold.

Officer Liu's forehead was covered with cold sweat and he chuckled twice.

"Your Highness, you are joking. How dare I disobey your order?"

"It's just that the number of files is huge and it will take time to sort them out. Your Highness, please be patient."

Chu Shizhao knew that this was just a delaying tactic, but he didn't point it out and just snorted coldly.

"Then I'll wait here. Sir Liu, just take your time to sort it out."

When Officer Liu saw that Chu Shizhao refused to leave, he had no choice but to order his men to go to the warehouse to get the files.

However, after several hours, only a few unimportant documents were brought in.

Chu Shizhao's patience was gradually running out.

"Master Liu, is this the relevant file you mentioned?"

Officer Liu wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Your Highness, these... these are the files that this humble official could find."

Others... others may actually be damaged. ""

"Damaged?"

Chu Shizhao sneered: "Lord Liu, do you think I am a three-year-old child?"

"I have heard that the files of the clan government are well preserved. How could they be easily damaged?"

"Could it be that Lord Liu is hiding it on purpose?"

After hearing these words, Officer Liu's face changed drastically.

"Your Highness, you...you must not wrongly accuse me!"

"I am loyal to the Emperor and would never dare to do such a thing!"

However, Chu Shizhao was too lazy to pay any attention to Lord Liu's poor show of loyalty, and immediately walked towards the archives room of the clan house.

Upon seeing this, Officer Liu stepped forward to stop them.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, you cannot go in!"

"The archives room is a restricted area, no outsiders are allowed to enter!"

Seeing that this guy still refused to give up, Chu Shizhao, who had completely lost all his patience at this moment, slapped him in the face with his backhand.

"Snap!" A crisp sound echoed.

"Who are you to dare to stop me?"

"Today, I want to see what shameful things are hidden in this archive room!"

As he spoke, Chu Shizhao kicked open the door of the archive room.

The archive room was dimly lit, with files piled up like mountains, leaving almost no room to stand.

(End of this chapter)