Of course, he could tell that the officials were ostensibly impeaching the Crown Prince and others for currying favor with the people, but in reality, they were hinting that these families were forming cliques to undermine the court.
For a ruler, the most taboo thing is for officials to form factions.
If this had happened to any other prince, it would not only have brought them down, but would have surely incurred the Emperor's intense displeasure.
Chapter 76