When Xiao Yan received the summons from Fengxi Palace, he was being pestered by Qian Baokun about the Lu Zhao case.
Since Lu Zhao had been handed over to the Ministry of Justice and Lu Chongyuan’s return to court, Qian Baokun had been forced to relinquish all evidence related to the grain transport case. Within days, Lu Zhao had taken sole responsibility, absolving the entire Lu family.
Qian Baokun was furious.
“Those spineless bastards in the Ministry of Justice are blatantly shielding the Lu family! The grain case has so much more to uncover—evidence isn’t even fully gathered—yet they turn a blind eye, letting Lu Zhao shoulder the blame to close the case?!”
His eyebrows twitched as he paced, breathing fire.
“And Lady Guo’s involvement—how did she connect Prince Cheng with the Ministry of War? Who handled the Lu family’s iron ore shipments? How could a mere Lu matriarch pull this off? Even the origins of Lu Zhinian and Xie Yin remain unclear! Yet His Majesty has already ruled, sentencing Prince Cheng to execution tomorrow!”
Were it not for knowing the emperor couldn’t possibly have illicit ties with Prince Cheng, Qian Baokun might have suspected collusion. Why else rush to conclude the case?
He seethed, barely restraining himself from cursing Emperor An outright. Seeing Xiao Yan calmly flipping through documents, Qian slammed his hand on the desk.
“How can you stay so composed? Once Lu Zhao is convicted, bringing down Lu Chongyuan will be impossible! You pushed the Lu family to the brink—if Lu Chongyuan recovers, he’ll destroy you! And the emperor’s sudden coldness toward you—transferring the grain case to the Ministry of Justice, barring you from other affairs! That Song Jinxiu…”
He jabbed a finger outward as if pointing at Song’s face. “He vowed to help you crush the Lu family, yet now he obeys the emperor’s orders, testifying against Lu Zhao. He’s ingratiated himself with His Majesty, summoned to the palace daily! That treacherous snake will turn on you once he gains power!”
Xiao Yan handed Qian a cup of tea. “Uncle Qian, calm yourself.”
“Calm?!” Qian Baokun slumped into a chair. “I’m safe in the Ministry of Revenue, but you—if the emperor abandons you, the Lu family will have your head!”
Xiao Yan smiled faintly. “Do you truly think Lu Zhao’s death saves the Lu family?”
Qian frowned. “Explain.”
“Why do you think His Majesty suddenly changed his stance toward the Lu family?”
When Lu Chongyuan reminded the emperor of his “dragon-raising” support during his ascension, Xiao Yan continued, “His Majesty despises being indebted to nobles. Yet this time, he protected the Lus. Why?”
Qian’s eyes narrowed. “You mean… the emperor’s throne…” Was usurped?
Xiao Yan nodded subtly. “Only extraordinary circumstances force a monarch’s compromise. The Lu family aided His Majesty through treacherous paths to the throne. Now, they’ve reached an understanding. To pursue the Lu family now is to challenge the emperor himself.”
Qian paled. Emperor An’s reign began with the rebellion of the Crown Prince Li—a case investigated by the Lu family.
“Was the Crown Prince Li’s rebellion truly…”
“Hush.” Xiao Yan cut him off as footsteps approached. A messenger announced Empress Lu’s summons regarding the Fourth Prince’s fall.
Qian frowned. “Wasn’t that an accident? Why summon you?”
Xiao Yan stood. “The empress may be a Lu by name, but not Lu Chongyuan’s ally. Remember how the Fourth Prince raided the Lu mansion and forced Lady Guo’s death? Lu Chongyuan doesn’t forgive.”
As Xiao Yan left, Qian warned, “Be careful. Don’t get ensnared.”
…
When Xiao Yan arrived, the Fourth Prince’s agonized screams echoed from the rear chambers. Empress Lu emerged pale-faced, her regal demeanor cracking as she confronted him.
After dismissing all attendants, she hissed, “Xiao Yan! Do you confess your crimes?!”
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, amused. “Crimes? What might those be, Your Majesty?”
“You conspired with Rong Yue to manipulate the emperor into ordering my son to investigate the Lu family! You arranged the Hengting Pavilion meeting where he clashed with the Second Prince! You engineered his encounter with that Bai concubine, provoking him to storm the Lu mansion!”
Her voice sharpened. “You drove him into that fatal polo match! This is all your doing!”
==========
You can read ahead to chapterr 400 (100+ extra chapters) here
Comments
Post a Comment