The Famous Detective of the Red Mansion

Indeed, like uncle, like nephew.

He still dared to say that he was his favorite subordinate when he heard that he didn't agree to deal with the Niu family and didn't even ask about the cause and effect; his face immediately changed.

With such a temperament and such a mind, he was a helpless Master, and this was precisely why Sun Shaozong had always wanted to keep a distance from him.

But now, forced by the situation, he could only balance the power of the two harms, at least compared to Prince Zhongshun, this useless Crown Prince was much better at deceiving.

"Your Highness."

Before coming to the Crown Prince's Residence, Sun Shaozong had already prepared a plan to deal with it. At this time, facing the Crown Prince's sudden change of color, he did not panic at all, but explained calmly, "Since Prince Beijing submitted a petition, the Niu family has been seen as rebellious and estranged between the court and the public, and the decline has become a foregone conclusion. If they are eager to take action now, it may be used against themselves..."

"What are there to be afraid of, to be used by others?"

The Crown Prince interrupted Sun Shaozong's words with sharp words and angrily said, "Imperial Uncle led the way this time, and I can't be blamed!"

*Do they still need to blame you?*

Sun Shaozong rolled his eyes and was about to analyze the current situation for him, asking him to understand the fact that the Royalist Party was thriving and losing together. However, behind the Four Seasons Screen, two soft coughs suddenly came out.

***Cough, cough!***

At the sound of this commotion, it was intentional. Sun Shaozong instinctively stopped talking and scanned behind the screen with a suspicious corner of his eye, but could only vaguely see a graceful figure behind the screen.

The Crown Prince frowned upon hearing this cough, but he didn't want to pay any attention. He then said in a deep voice, "Please retell Imperial Uncle's plan to me, you..."

"Your Highness."

Before the Crown Prince could finish speaking, there was a commotion coming from behind the screen. This time, she didn't even need to cough. The Crown Princess immediately called out, "I have something to report to you. Please take a step to speak."

The Crown Prince appeared very displeased but hesitated for a while before obediently moving behind the screen.

He could only hear the couple whispering behind the screen, initially as hasty as a rat eating millet, probably because the Crown Prince was dissatisfied and spoke out in reprimand. Subsequently, it was as delicate as a beetle devouring the wood, perhaps as the Crown Princess whispering in his ear, giving him advice.

Not long after, the Crown Prince turned out from behind the screen, but his attitude was completely different from before. He took a few steps forward and bowed deeply to Sun Shaozong, saying, "I was in a hurry and lost my courtesy. I hope you can forgive me."

Sun Shaozong quickly dodged and was about to bow to apologize. However, the Crown Prince grabbed his hand and tightly grasped his wrist, saying, "You don't have to say much. If Imperial Uncle dares to force you again, just push it to me—the Niu family is just a disease of scabies, struggling to survive. How can I let you take risks with your own body?!"

This performance...

The evaluation was still above the passing line, but considering the context, the transformation was too abrupt.

There was no need to ask; this must be the result of the Crown Princess's mediation.

With the orchid heart and charm of the Crown Princess, it was a disgrace to marry the Crown Prince.

Sun Shaozong sighed inwardly, with a forced expression of gratitude on his face. He exclaimed excitedly, "Your Highness is so understanding, and I really... really have no way to repay you..."

"Lord Sun!"

Although the Crown Prince's acting skills were poor, he quickly became emotionally charged. He exerted a lot of strength on Sun Shaozong's wrist and passionately said, "As long as you don't disappoint my high expectations in the future, I will definitely not disappoint you!"

"Your Highness!"

Sun Shaozong's words were choked up, but what he was thinking in his heart was, *A eunuch like you, what kind of f***ing future do you have…*

He was about to search his knowledge and find some sentimental words to deceive this little rascal.

The Crown Prince suddenly gritted his teeth and turned his head to glance at the other side of the screen. Without a doubt, he said, "Lord Sun, it's a bit stuffy here. Let's go to the porch and talk."

Speaking, he walked out of the flower hall hand in hand with Sun Shaozong.

This was obviously a confidential matter to discuss with Sun Shaozong, and he didn't want the Crown Princess to hear about it.

As expected, when he arrived outside the flower hall, the Crown Prince first repelled all the servants in the courtyard and then led Sun Shaozong to the hollow and open area of the courtyard. He lowered his voice and said, "Now, naturally, I can help you avoid the revenge and trouble of my Imperial Uncle. But once I lose my position as Crown Prince, what will I do?"

After speaking, he looked eagerly at Sun Shaozong with a hopeful expression in his eyes.

This unlucky bastard, it was like he rejected the tiger before and entered the wolf den after

At present, the situation in the Capital has roughly achieved a subtle balance, and what could threaten the position of the Crown Prince was naturally Emperor Guangde's plan of having a newborn.

And these palace secrets, how could outsiders intervene?

So Sun Shaozong could only console himself with a hollow head and a dull mind, saying, "Your Majesty, after all, is already old, and Your Highness doesn't need to be too worried..."

"How can I not worry?!"

The Crown Prince exclaimed excitedly, then quickly lowered his voice and said, "I heard that Imperial Uncle has come up with a prescription that can nourish yin and tonify the kidneys. It is said that it only took more than a year, and even the tall and powerful Hu woman from the Western Regions was subdued by him."

This was absolutely nonsense.

How was the Capital of Prince Zhongshun? Sun Shaozong has seen it before. It was reasonable to say that he could make up for it and get a few young girls who were just starting to fall in love. However, when it came to being able to get a well-trained prostitute from the Western Regions, Sun Shaozong didn't believe anything.

However, Sun Shaozong didn't dare to comment on the loopholes in these details indiscriminately; otherwise, falling into the ears of Prince Zhongshun would truly be self-inflicted, and he wouldn't survive.

Therefore, he simply analyzed haphazardly and said, "This thing may promote male masculinity, but it may not necessarily be beneficial to the offspring; otherwise, Prince Zhongshun is having fun every night, and good news would have been heard long ago."

"How can this be confused?"

The Crown Prince exclaimed urgently, "Sixth Uncle has three thousand beautiful women in the harem, but they have never had a son under their knees. However, the Emperor only has me because he favored my mother in the past..."

It used to be possible to give birth, but now it might not be possible.

However, seeing that the Crown Prince has already reached the tip of an ox's horn, such empty words of comfort might be of no use

Therefore, Sun Shaozong straightforwardly said, "According to Your Highness's instructions, are you trying to intervene in the affairs of the harem?"

"I..."

Although it was the same idea that initially led Sun Shaozong out, now that Sun Shaozong had made his words clear, the Crown Prince was somewhat hesitant and avoided Sun Shaozong's gaze, stuttering, "I naturally dare not interfere in the palace, but... I just want to ask you to come up with a safe idea for me."

If he dared to beat the drums and gongs, and said that he wanted to interfere in the affairs of the palace, perhaps Sun Shaozong could even look up at him, but this fierce and cowardly appearance would only make Sun Shaozong feel contemptuous.

Even if this guy could ascend to the throne smoothly, he might find it difficult to control the powerful officials in the court.

In his disdainful heart, Sun Shaozong gave the Crown Prince a comment, but his face became even more solemn. He bowed and said, "Your Highness, it is already the safest way not to interfere in the affairs of the palace. Why do you still ask me?"

"You!"

The Crown Prince's voice suddenly rose high, and he quickly suppressed it with a seven-point annoyance, saying, "Are you asking me to just watch and not do anything?"

"May I ask Your Highness?"

Sun Shaozong retorted, "What kind of person is Your Majesty today?"

The Crown Prince was taken aback by this question, but he was used to flattering his father normally, so before he could fully react, he blurted out his praises, "Although my father is not as good as the ancient sages, he is also one of the few wise rulers and saints in history!"

This statement was naturally an exaggeration.

However, with the comprehensive qualities of Emperor Guangde, he could at least be rated as good among emperors of all dynasties. Unfortunately, he encountered the Supreme Emperor, who had been in power for more than 30 years and had reached the top of his prestige and skills. Therefore, most of his skills were used for internal consumption.

Moreover, being able to endure hardships for ten years and replace the prefectures outside the Capital one by one, but only remaining weak in the Capital, was enough to prove the courage of Emperor Guangde and the city government.

If it weren't for a sudden birth anomaly, with one or two more years of effort, it was estimated that Emperor Guangde would be able to completely control military and political power and break free from the constraints of the Supreme Emperor.

When Sun Shaozong heard the Crown Prince's flattery, he immediately put on a look of deep empathy and said, "Your Majesty is a wise ruler. There may be some things you can't consider outside this palace wall, but within this palace wall, trying to deceive His Majesty's ears and eyes is like a fool talking a dream!"

"Your Highness, if you take chances and risks, you will truly be isolated from His Majesty and the position of Crown Prince!"

The Crown Prince became more and more stern as he listened, and his heart was filled with thoughts about his father's various methods. Even though it was like pouring cold water on the head or like a deflated ball, he stumbled back half a step in a dejected manner and murmured, "So, I... can I only hope for the favor of fate?"

"How can one sit safely on the throne without fate?"

Sun Shaozong took advantage of the situation and installed a divine stick, then slowed down his speech, "However, if Your Highness wants to succeed to the throne smoothly, it is impossible to wait for fate to return. I will give Your Highness four words. If you can do your best, at least you will have a chance of winning."

"Four words?!"

The Crown Prince's eyes lit up, and he quickly grabbed Sun Shaozong's wrist and exclaimed excitedly, "Lord Sun, tell me quickly, what are these four words?!"

"Filial piety and nurturing power!"

"Filial piety and nurturing power?"

The Crown Prince murmured and repeated, seeming to understand, "These four words are concise, but how should I act?"

As he spoke, he lost his breath and said, "Besides, my father is now wholeheartedly seeking a son. No matter how filial I am, I'm afraid it will be of no use."

Sun Shaozong smiled slightly and shook his head, saying, "Your Highness must show filial piety to your father. However, the key to filial piety that I am referring to is not with His Majesty."

"Not with His Majesty?"

The Crown Prince was even more bewildered and frowned, saying, "Are you talking about Mother..."

"I mean the Supreme Emperor!"

Sun Shaozong saw that this scumbag couldn't grasp the key point at all, so he simply pointed it out and said, "I hope you can fulfill your filial piety more under the Supreme Emperor from now on!"

"Why is this?"

The Crown Prince said inexplicably, "In this current court situation, the Supreme Emperor may not interfere in the matter of establishing a Crown Prince casually, let alone those lowly... the children born by those palace concubines are also the bloodline of the Supreme Emperor."

This guy really has no political consciousness at all.

"Although the key to filial piety is towards the Supreme Emperor."

Sun Shaozong had no choice but to continue explaining, "But ultimately, it's not to let the Supreme Emperor interfere with the establishment of you, Your Highness, but to cultivate your power through this!"

"The power within the court that was close to the Supreme Emperor has always been centered around the Prince Beijing's Residence and Duke Zhen's Mansion."

"The decline of the Niu family is irreparable now, while Prince Beijing's defection and betrayal of his faith may seem like a cloud of followers, but in reality, he has lost the trust of his allies."

"Without these two leaders, the current power close to the Supreme Emperor can be said to be in a state of panic and anxiety, fearing that it will follow the footsteps of the Niu family."

"Your Highness can take this opportunity to use the Supreme Emperor as a breakthrough point to show your magnanimity to these noble families and show a posture of seeking wisdom and not blaming the past. At that time, there will naturally be people approaching Your Highness, and both inside and outside the court, there are already many ministers who oppose the abolition of legitimate elders and the establishment of illegitimate children. These two together are enough to gather a force that can't be ignored."

After listening to Sun Shaozong's analysis, the Crown Prince was initially delighted, but then habitually looked forward and hesitated for a while, wrinkling his facial features. He hesitated and said, "It would be great if he could truly live up to what you have said. But now, amid loneliness and hardship, those noble families who have always sought good fortune and avoided misfortune may not necessarily..."

"Your Highness."

Sun Shaozong said, "It is precisely because these noble families seek good fortune and avoid misfortune that they will choose to support you even more."

"The Supreme Emperor is already old, and His Majesty has a faint intention of weakening the noble family. Therefore, in today's world, whether now or in the future, there is only you who is willing and capable of helping them continue their glory and prosperity!"

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince was finally overjoyed and excitedly gripped Sun Shaozong's wrist, shaking it up and down. He praised him repeatedly, "Lord Sun truly deserves to be my favorite subordinate. If I can ascend to the throne in the future, you will be a big credit!"

Whether achieving success or not, one shouldn't kick him away after the services were no longer needed.

Of course, if there were to come a day, Sun Shaozong would never sit idly by and fight to the death.

The thought of being *'willing to be cut all over and dare to pull the emperor off his horse'* was swirling in Sun Shaozong's mind. He bowed solemnly and said, "I do not seek wealth, honor, or glory. I only hope to one day witness Your Highness's majesty like the sea and over all nations!"

"Okay, good, great!"

The Crown Prince exclaimed three times in excitement, unable to remove the hot blood from his crotch. His head was flooded with a surge of blue veins, his face flushed like fire. He opened his mouth to Sun Shaozong, but before he could say anything, he rolled his eyes and fell backward.

*The f***!*

He was so excited that he fainted?!

With this pitiful little body, it was probably a question of whether he could survive until the death of Emperor Guangde.

"Your Highness? Your Highness!"

Sun Shaozong quickly reached out and helped him. He shouted several times in a row, but still couldn't see the useless Crown Prince wake up.

Intentionally calling out to the Imperial Physician in the residence, but looking around, this courtyard was empty, without even a single person. He couldn't leave the unconscious Crown Prince alone.

By the way…

Wasn't the Crown Princess in the flower hall?

Thinking of this, Sun Shaozong immediately picked up the useless Crown Prince like a chicken and strode into the flower hall with a meteor-like gait.