The Second Prince went in upright and came out horizontal.
Cui Lin stood outside, hearing only the sound of a heavy object hitting the ground from within the hall, faintly accompanied by Emperor An’s angry curses. His initially good mood had long vanished. When he saw the Second Prince being carried out, his face and head covered in blood, panic surged in his heart. He wanted to step forward to inquire, but the imperial guards blocked him back.
“His Majesty’s decree: Minister Cui is to wait here for a summons.”
“The Second Prince, he…”
Cui Lin tried to speak, but before he could finish, he was curtly interrupted.
“Please, Minister Cui, obey His Majesty’s will.”
Reluctantly, Cui Lin retreated, standing back under the scorching sun outside, watched closely by the vigilant imperial guards. He couldn’t help but wonder if something had gone wrong with the Lu family’s affairs. He pondered what to do if Emperor An summoned him, but to his surprise, no one called for him even after a long wait.
He stood under the blazing sun from the end of the morning court until past noon. Only then did Grand Tutor Liang and Cao Dejiang emerge from the hall.
“Grand Tutor…” Cui Lin hurriedly spoke, hoping to glean some information.
Grand Tutor Liang gave him a cold glance, leaving only the words, “Mind your own actions,” before turning to leave.
“Grand Tutor!” Cui Lin’s expression darkened, and he had no choice but to turn to Cao Dejiang.
Cao Dejiang clicked his tongue. “Minister Cui, what a talent!”
He gave Cui Lin an admiring thumbs-up, and without waiting for a response, leisurely followed Grand Tutor Liang with his hands clasped behind his back.
As the two drew closer, Grand Tutor Liang shot Cao Dejiang a fierce glare.
Cao Dejiang feigned innocence. “What’s that for, Grand Tutor? I haven’t done anything.”
Grand Tutor Liang’s teeth ached. “Don’t play dumb. You’re no saint either.”
Cao Dejiang rolled his eyes. “Now you’re just being unreasonable.”
Grand Tutor Liang: “…”
Hmph.
Old scoundrel!!
Don’t think he didn’t notice Cao Dejiang exchanging glances with that Xiao fellow in the hall. Did he think Liang was blind?
But those in the Censorate were thick-skinned. Seeing Cao Dejiang act as if he didn’t understand, Grand Tutor Liang’s head throbbed with anger. He flung his sleeves, intending to leave, but Cao Dejiang suddenly leaned in.
“Cui Lin’s done something despicable this time, and the Lu family has caused a colossal disaster. You must have a headache, Grand Tutor. But I find it a bit odd.”
“The Privy Council has been investigating the Lu family for more than a day or two. With Xiao Yan’s methods, they couldn’t find solid evidence for so long. Yet, in just a few days, they turned everything upside down. Don’t you find that strange, Grand Tutor?”
Grand Tutor Liang’s heart skipped a beat, though his face betrayed nothing. “What are you getting at?”
Cao Dejiang smiled. “I’m just curious. Noble families are usually protective of their own, yet you didn’t plead for the Lu family. What did they do to make you abandon them?”
Grand Tutor Liang hadn’t expected Cao Dejiang to be so perceptive. His eyes darkened as he said coldly, “The Lu family’s actions were perverse. They deserve their fate.”
“Is that so?” Cao Dejiang’s tone was meaningful.
Grand Tutor Liang had no interest in arguing with this old fox. Besides, with the Lu family’s situation, some things couldn’t be hidden for long. He didn’t even bother with pleasantries, mocking instead, “If Lord Cao is so curious, why not ask Supervisor Xiao? Who knows the Lu family’s affairs better than him?”
“But I pity you, Lord Cao. You cast aside your former integrity to support a eunuch, yet he doesn’t seem particularly loyal to you. Be careful not to get pecked by the hawk.”
With a cold snort, Grand Tutor Liang left.
Cao Dejiang Sedejiang watched his retreating figure with a thoughtful expression. He didn’t believe Liang’s attempt to sow discord.
His relationship with Xiao Yan was merely transactional—mutual favors. He coveted Xiao’s rare books and owed him a few favors, nothing more than covering for that rascal a couple of times.
But the Lu family…
What could they have done to make even Liang Guangqi abandon them?
Cao Dejiang pondered for a moment, hands behind his back. Xiao Yan wasn’t easily fooled, and that girl Tang Ning was sharp as a tack. His own foolish grandson would likely get swindled out of everything if he tried to dig for information. To get answers…
Cao Dejiang, who had planned to return home, changed course and headed toward the Ministry of Revenue.
Qian Baokun, who was sorting through documents, suddenly sneezed.
…
Outside the Imperial Dragon Terrace, Cui Lin held onto hope, thinking Emperor An might be discussing matters with Xiao Yan since he hadn’t emerged. But soon after, Deputy Commander Yu Yanfeng of the Imperial Guard arrived, received a punishment of thirty lashes, and left. Even the guards of Fengxi Palace were disciplined.
Officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review entered the palace one after another, and several furious old princes from the imperial clan stormed in as well.
People came and went, summoned by Emperor An, while Cui Lin remained standing outside.
The sun moved from high noon to a dim, westward slant. The imperial kitchen delivered two rounds of meals to the Imperial Dragon Terrace, yet Cui Lin was still standing there.
His face was sunburned red, his forehead drenched in sweat, his legs weak and trembling, on the verge of collapse.
When he tried to move, an imperial guard stepped forward.
“Minister Cui, His Majesty’s decree is for you to wait here.”
“I have urgent needs…”
“His Majesty’s will, Minister Cui. Please do not make this difficult.”
“I wish to see His Majesty…”
“Please wait for His Majesty’s summons.”
“…”
Cui Lin looked at the guard blocking his path and the others watching him intently. Even a fool could tell something was wrong.
Emperor An was doing this on purpose.
Cui Lin’s expression darkened. He licked his dry lips, wanting to curse but unable to defy the emperor’s orders. Suppressing his exhaustion, he stood his ground.
The guard, seeing this, retreated to the shaded corridor.
…
Inside the Imperial Dragon Terrace, Emperor An had no intention of seeing Cui Lin. He hadn’t been this busy in ages, and after meeting with everyone, he felt utterly drained.
Eunuch Feng poured tea and massaged his shoulders. Emperor An waved him away, leaving only himself and Xiao Yan in the hall.
Looking at Xiao Yan, Emperor An asked, “What do you think of the Lu family’s situation?”
Xiao Yan raised his eyes. “The Lu family’s crimes are unforgivable. If Your Majesty shows leniency, the world will talk.”
Emperor An still hesitated.
Xiao Yan spoke bluntly, “May I ask boldly, why does Your Majesty indulge the Lu family so much?”
Seeing the emperor’s silence, he continued, “The only reason Your Majesty would be so cautious is if the Lu family holds some leverage over you, threatening to bring you down with them. In the past, Your Majesty’s leniency could be excused as loyalty between ruler and subject. But now?”
“What Empress Lu has done is a grave crime anywhere. If the Lu family had confessed early, Your Majesty could have dealt with the empress and her son discreetly, and the matter would have passed.”
“But instead, they dared to deceive you, and now the court is in an uproar. What reason could Your Majesty possibly have to spare them?”
Emperor An felt a surge of disgust at the thought of the Lu family, but their secrets couldn’t be shared, not even with Xiao Yan, whom he trusted.
Xiao Yan understood the emperor’s reticence and didn’t press further. After a moment of silence, he said softly, “I don’t know how Your Majesty plans to deal with the Lu family, but they have already shown disloyalty. They cannot be spared.”
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You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
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