After the engagement was called off, the senior sister of the sect took the initiative to consummate

Qin Muchen's face turned pale instantly. He stared wide-eyed at Emperor Qin in disbelief.

This truly proves the old saying:

The higher your expectations, the greater your disappointment!

The Sixth Prince's faction didn't look too good either.

General Nangong Xiaotian's eyes were bloodshot, and his voice was accusatory: "Your Majesty, the Sixth Prince has done nothing wrong, so why can't he become the Crown Prince of Qin?"

He didn't want his hard-earned achievements over the years to end up being nothing but a wasted effort.

The Qin Emperor frowned, displeased. "The reason for this involves a scandalous affair concerning me and the royal family!"

General Nangong Xiaotian persisted, "Your Majesty, please explain clearly. Otherwise, it will be difficult to convince the ministers and silence the public's criticism!"

The Qin Emperor's face was grim, and a hint of anger was in his eyes. He remained silent for a moment, seemingly considering his options.

"That's fine!"

The Qin Emperor slowly spoke, "I never intended to make this matter public in my life, but since you insist, I have no choice but to reopen this wound!"

He looked at the assembled officials and asked, "My esteemed ministers, do you still remember the tragic incident involving the white-clad figures eighteen years ago?"

Upon hearing this, the courtiers all lowered their heads.

The hall fell into a deathly silence, with only the faint candlelight flickering and illuminating their faces, which were filled with surprise and fear.

The Qin Emperor slowly rose and walked to the center of the hall. His shadow stretched long in the candlelight, making him appear exceptionally lonely.

He took a deep breath, as if trying to inhale all the painful memories from eighteen years ago into his chest.

His voice rang out again, trembling almost imperceptibly: "Eighteen years ago, on the day the Empress gave birth, a group of men in black stormed into the palace to hunt down a woman in white. That night, the men in black moved through the palace like ghosts, leaving rivers of blood and wails of agony wherever they went..."

At this point, a hint of pain flashed in the Emperor's eyes, "I watched with my own eyes as my newborn child was abducted, and I was powerless to do anything about it!"

The air inside the hall seemed to freeze.

The courtiers were greatly shocked. They only knew that a tragedy had occurred in the palace years ago, but they did not know that the prince had been kidnapped.

They began to whisper and murmur amongst themselves.

"I never imagined there was such a hidden story back then?"

"That's not right. If the prince born to the Empress was kidnapped, what about the sixth prince?"

"Back then, a prince was kidnapped, and now another prince who had been living among the common people has been found. Could there be a connection between the two?"

"Could it be..."

After hearing the discussions of his ministers, the Qin Emperor nodded heavily, "That's right, just as you all think, the Prince of Jin is the prince who was captured back then!"

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked!

"What? The Prince of Jin is the same prince from back then?"

"And what about the Sixth Prince?"

Qin Yichen, who was engrossed in watching the drama unfold, was instantly stunned by Qin Di's words.

When you're just watching the drama unfold, it happens to you directly—that's unbelievable!

Furthermore, it's unbelievable that this ridiculous plot of a real and fake prince could happen to me!

The Qin Emperor continued, "As for Qin Muchen, he was actually born from an affair between a palace maid and a guard. Back then, I was worried that the Empress would be heartbroken and fall ill from longing if she found out the child was missing. So, I adopted the palace maid's child."

He paused, then continued, "This is why I said Qin Muchen cannot be the Crown Prince of Great Qin!"

Qin Muchen felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, making him shiver all over.

He clenched his fists instinctively, his nails almost digging into his palms. The pain brought him to his senses slightly, but everything before him still felt like a dream.

The whispers around him surged like a tide, but he shut them all out. At this moment, his world consisted only of the Qin Emperor's pronouncement-like voice.

General Nangong Xiaotian was also very open and honest.

The Qin Emperor coldly swept his gaze over the assembled officials. "Since there is nothing else to report, the court may adjourn!"

After saying that, he turned and left, leaving Qin Yichen looking bewildered and the ministers gossiping.

Qin Muchen stood there blankly, as if he had lost his soul.

The crown prince position that was almost within his grasp has vanished...

He couldn't even keep his status as a prince.

Qin Yichen walked out of the main hall in a daze, feeling as if he were dreaming.

It's just the time it takes to hold an early morning court session.

With status, and with a mansion...

Even his status underwent a dramatic change; he was no longer an ordinary prince, but a legitimate son.

But why does it sound so fantastical?

"Your Highness Prince Jin, please wait!"

Just as Qin Yichen was lost in thought, the chief eunuch of the Qin Emperor caught up with him.

Qin Yichen stopped and mechanically turned to look at the person who had approached him. "Who are you? And why did you call me?"

The Grand Eunuch replied with a smile, "Replying to Prince Jin, this servant is Grand Eunuch Ye Buqun. His Majesty has decreed that you attend a banquet at Fengyi Palace."

"what?"

Qin Yichen was greatly shocked and asked incredulously, "Are you the Grand Eunuch Ye Buqun?"

Ye Buqun?

The big shot next to me is getting a bargain?

Ye Fan's uncle?

This guy is ruthless; he's comparable to Yue Buqun from the novel world of my past life.

The difference is that the former castrated himself to enter the palace, while the latter castrated himself to practice martial arts.

If we could win him over...

Qin Yichen quickly dismissed the idea.

How could a prince with no power, influence, or connections possibly win over Ye Buqun?

Moreover, he had a considerable grudge against Ye Fan's nephew, not to mention that he had slept with Ye Fan's sister-in-law.

It's a miracle he didn't retaliate against himself!

Although Ye Buqun did not know why Qin Yichen was so shocked to hear his name, he still smiled and said, "It is indeed this old servant. Your Highness Prince Jin, have you heard of this old servant's story before?"

I've heard more than just about it.

It's all about being influenced by what you see and hear all the time.

I'm afraid you'll become the next Wu Song!

On the surface, Qin Yichen shook his head and denied it, saying, "I haven't heard any stories about you, it's just that your name is widely known and famous..."

"I see!"

Ye Buqun nodded, seemingly believing but not quite. "Then, Your Highness, this old servant will lead you to the Fengyi Palace for the banquet. Let's not keep His Majesty and the Empress waiting."

Qin Yichen followed Ye Buqun to Fengyi Palace.

Outside the Qilin Hall, General Nangong Xiaotian shook his head and sighed, "It's true what they say: those involved are often confused, while bystanders see things clearly. I never imagined that after hunting eagles my whole life, I would end up being blinded by one."

Upon hearing this, Mei Limou, the Minister of Rites, frowned and asked with some confusion, "General, what do you mean by that?"

General Nangong Xiaotian slowly raised his head, his gaze deep and solemn. "We've been tricked!"

"Fooled?"

Upon hearing this, Minister of Rites Mei Limou was even more perplexed and hurriedly asked, "Whose trick have we fallen for? Qin Yichen or that old fox Jun Moxie?"

General Nangong Xiaotian shook his head and said with a wry smile, "None of that! His Majesty has been playing the game all day, and we have all become pawns on his chessboard."

"what do you mean……"

The expression on Mei Limou's face changed slightly, as if he had thought of something, but he was not sure.

General Nangong Xiaotian nodded and said in a heavy tone, "The position of Crown Prince is a trap. His Majesty is using a strategy of luring the enemy into a trap."

"But what's the point of all this?"

Mei Wenhua, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, looked at the two of them with a blank expression and couldn't help but ask.