"You mean the Crown Prince has been behaving like this for some time?" the Emperor asked.
"Yes, Your Highness. The Crown Prince has been like this for a long time. He usually enjoys frequenting brothels, and occasionally takes me along. I have strongly advised against it, but he refuses to listen to me," Shangguan Hong replied.
The Emperor slammed the table heavily, "A Crown Prince behaving in such a manner, what kind of decorum is that!"
Shangguan Hong, kneeling below, trembled in sync and buried his head even deeper.
Naturally, the Emperor couldn't see the smug smile that appeared on Shangguan Hong's face.
After a moment of silence, the Emperor took a deep breath, waved his hand, and said, "You may go. I have noted everything you have reported to me today."
Shangguan Hong looked up, "Your Majesty, after I return, I will surely counsel His Highness the Crown Prince!"
"Withdraw," the Emperor waved his hand, a weariness evident in his demeanor.
"Yes." Shangguan Hong slowly exited the study.
Facing the bright sunlight outside, Shangguan Hong shed his look of fear and revealed a smile.
Crown Prince, Crown Prince, your good days are numbered.
As he walked, he recalled what he had done in the past few days.
It was true that the Crown Prince frequented places of ill repute, and it was also true that Shangguan Hong orchestrated it all. Possessing martial arts, Shangguan Hong could easily transform into the Crown Prince's close friend. With persuasive words, a bit of trickery, and eventually leading the high and mighty Crown Prince into the brothels, they indulged in pleasure and boundless joy together.
During those times, Shangguan Hong deliberately ensured they were seen by others, so that they would report back to the Emperor.
Initially, the Emperor did not believe it. However, with the saying that "three people talking about a tiger make one believe it," as more and more people spoke of it, the Emperor could not help but become suspicious.
By the time he, as the Crown Prince's strategist, offered his final confirmation, the Emperor's stance on the matter had naturally ceased to have any doubts.
No matter how much he doted on his son, the Emperor, desiring the continuation of his empire, would naturally begin to consider whether the throne should be passed to him.
Thus, Shangguan Hong's initial plan had been largely completed.
After reporting to the Emperor for a few more days, he saw no significant action from the Emperor.
Shangguan Hong found it a little strange but still assumed the guise of the Crown Prince's friend and invited him to their usual place of amusement.
The Crown Prince, who had been reading, saw his friend approaching and smiled, waving his hand, "I'm not going, not going. I have to read here today."
"Your Highness, you are truly diligent," Shangguan Hong smiled as he stepped forward and lowered his voice, "but I have heard that Miss Mudan at the Yihong Tower is also very diligent."
"Oh? Miss Mudan? How is she diligent?" The Crown Prince's interest was clearly piqued.
Miss Mudan was a girl the Crown Prince quite favored. He had once booked her for three consecutive nights. The Crown Prince had even told the madam that Mudan was his woman and no other man was allowed to touch her.
Upon hearing Miss Mudan mentioned, the Crown Prince could no longer focus on the book in his hands.
With his objective largely achieved, Shangguan Hong continued with a smile, "Miss Mudan asked me why you haven't visited her for so many days. She specifically learned a new song for you, and she hasn't sung it for any other man, only for you."
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince became elated, his thoughts already drifting away from the palace towards the beautiful, flower-like Miss Mudan.
"Is what you said true?" the Crown Prince asked.
"How could these words be false? If Your Highness does not believe me, then come with me and see for yourself if Miss Mudan has indeed composed a new piece for you," Shangguan Hong said.
"Alright, alright, I'll go with you to see!" With that, the Crown Prince put down his book and refused to look at it any longer.
Shangguan Hong smiled and nodded, "Please, Your Highness."
All the way, the Crown Prince wore a bright smile, his mood exceptionally good.
Shangguan Hong found it amusing, thinking that this person had no idea what he was about to encounter.
Indeed, just outside the brothel, before they could even step inside, the Crown Prince and Shangguan Hong were surrounded by government officials.
"Isn't this His Highness the Crown Prince?" the leader looked at the Crown Prince with a smile.
The Crown Prince's face turned ashen, unsure of what to say.
"This is by imperial decree. We must trouble you, our Crown Prince," the leader smiled again and signaled his subordinates.
Thus, both the Crown Prince and Shangguan Hong were tightly bound.
Soon after, both were escorted into the imperial palace.
The scandalous affair of the dignified Crown Prince frequenting brothels, once it incidentally spread, became a laughingstock in the streets.
The Emperor was naturally enraged. After apprehending the Crown Prince that day, he reprimanded him for a full three hours and finally sentenced him to three months of confinement for reflection.
During this period, virtually no one visited the Crown Prince.
Everyone knew that visiting the Crown Prince at such a time was akin to inviting disaster upon oneself. No one wished to do something that offended the Emperor.
When he was surrounded by officials outside the Yihong Tower, the Crown Prince could vaguely foresee the consequences. However, with conclusive evidence, he had no room to defend himself and could only obediently accept the punishment.
Shangguan Hong waited for a few days at his residence, timed it precisely, and entered the imperial palace again.
The Crown Prince was confined to his own palace. Shangguan Hong used his magic to bypass the walls, arriving at the Crown Prince's chambers unnoticed by the guards.
Present in the room, besides the Crown Prince, was the Empress, who was covering her face and weeping.
Of course, this was exactly as Shangguan Hong had anticipated.
Shangguan Hong did not rush to reveal himself, but stood to the side, quietly observing the two.
"My son, why are you so foolish to go to such places? Do you know your father, the Emperor, detests lecherous men the most!" the Empress cried.
"Mother, I was also lured and deceived. Could you not intercede for me?" the Crown Prince said.
"How can I intercede? Your father is currently furious, and he doesn't listen to anyone. I merely mentioned you that day, and he flew into a rage. I am truly helpless," the Empress wiped her tears.
The Crown Prince frowned and fell silent.
The Empress looked at the Crown Prince's visibly thinner face, her heart aching, "My son, even in confinement, you should at least eat something. If you become so thin, what will happen? What if your health fails..."
"Mother, if I were not thin, do you think Father would let me off so easily? If I walked out looking as radiant as before, he would surely think I have no remorse, and perhaps even strip me of my title as Crown Prince," the Crown Prince said.
His reasoning was sound, and the Empress understood the implications. As much as she felt heartache, she also knew that compared to being stripped of his title, suffering a bit now was better.