Chapter 28: Exile to the Frontier, a Warning to All

"Elder brother, oh elder brother, how could you do such a thing?" Prince Gao said, with a hint of indignation.

Prince Jianglü also chimed in with hypocritical concern, "Elder brother, you have always been our role model. Now that you have committed such a preposterous act, how are we to respect you in the future?"

"Indeed!" Prince Huhai stepped forward as well, his expression one of profound grief. "His Imperial Majesty has trusted you so deeply; are you not breaking his heart with this?"

The combined remarks of the three were like adding fuel to the fire. Every civil and military official standing on Li Si’s side began to express their own deep disappointment and sorrow.

Fusu glanced at Prince Huhai and the others, then finally turned his gaze toward the First Emperor of Qin. "Father, your son is wronged. I implore you to give me a chance to prove my innocence!"

"Hmph!" The First Emperor let out a cold snort, clearly taken aback by how the situation had unfolded. Regardless of whether Fusu could prove his innocence, in the current climate, it would be extremely difficult to name him Crown Prince in the future.

*This unfilial son. How could he have done such a thing!*

"Things have reached this point—how do you expect to prove your innocence now?" the First Emperor roared.

Fusu took a step forward, his expression resolute. "Father, what if I can find Lu Sheng and Hou Sheng?"

"Hmm? You can find them?" The First Emperor looked surprised.

Fusu nodded, but before he could say more, Zhou Qingchen shouted sternly, "Your Majesty, look! Prince Fusu has confessed it himself!"

"He is indeed colluding with Lu and Hou. Are they still in contact?"

Wu Gong also stepped forward, his heart filled with wild joy. He quickly added, "So many people have failed to find these two, yet Prince Fusu claims he can. Is there any need for doubt?"

"This confirms it!"

"They must be in communication!"

Fusu glared coldly at the two men. "And what if I have not colluded with Lu Sheng and Hou Sheng? You are being so aggressive; if I am innocent, then your accusations are nothing but slander. According to the laws of our Great Qin, this warrants beheading!"

At these words, the expressions of Wu Gong and Zhou Qingchen flickered.

The First Emperor slammed his hand on the table. "Enough!"

"From this moment on, Fusu is to be confined to his estate; he is not to leave without authorization! Once his wedding is concluded, he is to be immediately exiled to the northern frontier, to Shang Commandery, where he will assist Meng Tian in fortifying the Great Wall and defending against the Xiongnu to atone for his crimes!"

"That is all. The matter is settled for now!" With that, the First Emperor rose and departed.

The officials in the court stood with varied expressions. Li Si wiped away a cold sweat. Fusu’s claim that he could find Lu and Hou had terrified him. If they were truly found, the entire scheme would unravel. The plan had been flawless, but Fusu’s unpredictable behavior had caused too many variables—and Lu Sheng and Hou Sheng were the greatest variables of all.

Li Si understood that even with the verdict set, the First Emperor would not execute Fusu; he was, after all, his son. This outcome of exile to the frontier already exceeded his expectations. As long as Fusu was away from the capital, his supporters would gradually dwindle until they could be wiped out entirely.

As Zhao Gao left, he glanced at Li Si with eyes full of delight. He had not expected the plan to go this smoothly. Fusu was finally being sent away; his own good days were about to begin.

Meng Yi looked at Fusu, wanting to speak but holding back. Wang Jian stepped forward and said, "This matter cannot end here. I shall send my own men to investigate—to investigate thoroughly!" With those words, he shot a glare at Li Si and strode away. Having chosen his side, he would fight to the end. This was Wang Jian’s final stubbornness, and a way to secure a stable future for his granddaughter.

Fusu watched Li Si and the others, a flash of murderous intent crossing his eyes. Not only had they targeted him time and again, but this time they had orchestrated a trap to destroy him completely, leaving no room for retreat.

Fusu took a deep breath. It seemed he needed to make preparations early. *Exile to the frontier! Ha! This is exactly what I desire! Once I hold a million brave soldiers in my hands, who cares about you petty, conniving wretches? If you refuse to submit, I shall trample Xianyang beneath my cavalry!*

As Fusu thought this and turned to leave, someone brushed past him and whispered, "Your Highness, you should investigate your own people carefully."

Fusu froze, standing in place. He looked back at the man, only to see him chatting and laughing with Li Si as they walked out. It was... it was Wei Liao! The Grand Marshal, Wei Liao! The military sage from the State of Wei who had come to Qin and devised the strategy for total unification! He was the one who had authored the famous *Weiliaozi*.

Fusu was stunned for a long time. Suddenly, it occurred to him: if the enemy could devise such a meticulous and exquisite trap, it wasn't just because they were skilled in strategy—it was highly likely there was a traitor in his own inner circle! A mole!

*Wait.* Fusu didn't even have a good relationship with Wei Liao. They had never really interacted. Why would he kindly offer a warning? Was it a deliberate attempt to lead him astray with false information?

Watching the officials depart, Fusu realized that the waters of the imperial court were far deeper than he had imagined. You could never tell who was a friend and who was a foe.

*Never mind.* Regardless of the motive, Fusu decided he needed to be more cautious. It seemed he would have to investigate his own household as well.

Just as he was lost in thought, a man approached with several guards. "Let us go, Your Highness."

Fusu looked at the burly man, who shared a passing resemblance to Wang Jian but possessed a more striking appearance. He recognized him from his memories: Wang Ben! A famous tiger general of Qin! He was also the father of Wang Ruonan, Fusu’s future father-in-law.

In the court earlier, at the most critical moment, it was Wang Ben who had provided the most vital testimony: that Chen Sheng and Wu Guang had been abducted. This indirectly proved that someone did not want them to reach Xianyang, thus confirming that Fusu’s claims were true. This was one of the reasons why the First Emperor’s rage had resulted only in confinement and exile.

"Thank you for speaking up for me, Martial Marquis," Fusu said with a bow.

Wang Ben dodged the gesture. "Do not thank me. I am not helping you; I am helping my daughter." With that, he walked toward the exit without another glance. Fusu followed, under the guard of the soldiers.

...

Night fell. In his residence, which was filled with the elegant, antique charm of the Chu State, Fusu looked at the dozen or so maids before him and shook his head. "You may all leave."

The maids, as if granted a pardon, quickly retreated. *Not a single one worth looking at.* Fusu sighed. *Oh well. Once Wang Ruonan marries into the house in a few days, at least there will be someone easy on the eyes.*

As he thought this, a guard rushed in. "Your Highness, we have screened all the maids and guards in the residence. We have found no suspicious individuals for the time being."

Fusu sorted through his memories and said, "Replace them all."

"Understood."