Grand Tutor Liang was pressuring Emperor An.
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly grew heavy and tense.
How could Emperor An not understand Grand Tutor Liang’s intent? He glared at Liang Guangyi. “I’ve said, I will have Xiao Yan’s matter investigated. Tonight is the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for reunion. Let the courtiers return to their homes…”
“If it’s a festive occasion, why not conduct the trial now, Your Majesty?”
Grand Tutor Liang looked at him. “The matter of the deposed Empress is already widely known, and Zheng Kun’s words cannot be concealed. If this isn’t thoroughly investigated in front of tonight’s attending courtiers, clarifying the truth about the deposed Empress, it may tarnish Your Majesty’s reputation, making people think you are heartless.”
“The Lu family was guilty of rebellion, and Empress Lu’s actions deserved death. But if they were manipulated and led to their downfall, doesn’t Your Majesty owe the world an explanation?”
“Liang Guangyi!”
“Your Majesty!”
Grand Tutor Liang met Emperor An’s anger with calm composure. “This old minister knows Lord Xiao is your trusted confidant, and the Lu family matter was handled by him. If he truly acted on Your Majesty’s orders, so be it—great deeds overlook minor details.”
“But if he acted without your authorization, colluding with a prince as a eunuch, consorting with consorts, and deceiving the throne—each is a grave crime. I beseech Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly, giving an explanation to the court, the imperial clan, and to Minister Cui and Duke Zeng, who were shunned by Your Majesty over Prince Cheng’s matter.”
Liang Guangyi’s voice was soft, far calmer than Cui Lin’s indignation, but this very calmness revealed the ruthlessness of this grand tutor, the foremost power among court vassals.
In the past, Liang Guangyi, nearing retirement and with no successors in the Liang family, had handed court affairs to other aristocratic vassals, rarely speaking unless it was a major issue.
But when he did speak, his authority as the court’s grand tutor and chief vassal was unmistakable.
The hall was deathly silent. Emperor An glared at Liang Guangyi, seething, the throbbing pain in his head making him wish he could kill the old man.
He resented Xiao Yan’s secret dealings with Empress Lu and her son, and hated that Xiao Yan knew of Prince Cheng’s scandal but stayed silent, causing him to lose face. Yet, Emperor An knew clearly that no matter what Xiao Yan’s relationship with Empress Lu was, he couldn’t interrogate him publicly.
Since gaining his trust, Xiao Yan had done too many unsavory deeds, ruthlessly targeting aristocratic families to clear the court for him.
He knew too many of Emperor An’s secrets, too many hidden matters.
Even if Xiao Yan had truly colluded with Empress Lu behind his back, Emperor An could only deal with him privately, never allowing him to speak publicly.
But Liang Guangyi, that old scoundrel, had cornered him, leaving him no way to handle Xiao Yan discreetly, trapping him in a dilemma.
As the emperor and vassal faced off, the atmosphere in Zichen Hall grew oppressively tense.
Grand Tutor Liang suddenly turned to Xiao Yan. “Lord Xiao has always been eloquent and claims loyalty. Surely you don’t wish to live under Zheng Kun’s accusations in confusion?”
Xiao Yan’s thin lips curved slightly. “The innocent need no defense.”
“Hah, I say you’re beyond defending!”
Cui Lin scoffed mockingly, then turned to Duke Zeng, who had remained silent. “Second Prince, like me, you were shunned by His Majesty for exposing Empress Lu and Prince Cheng’s scandal, earning that humiliating title.”
“We were both framed by this scoundrel Xiao Yan. He deliberately set a trap to ensnare us, aiming to harm us. Don’t you want justice?”
Duke Zeng, seated at his table, hesitated for a moment as he held his wine cup when Cui Lin called him out.
He never imagined Xiao Yan had been in contact with Empress Lu and her son so early, or that he knew about Prince Cheng. Did Xiao Yan truly not know his later actions, or did he deliberately let him and Cui Lin investigate, pushing them to offend their father, the Emperor?
Duke Zeng couldn’t help but look at Xiao Yan. Even under such public condemnation, with Zheng Kun exposing his past in court, Xiao Yan’s expression remained unchanged, his dark eyes still cold and indifferent.
It wasn’t a feigned calm but rather as if everything in the hall, Zheng Kun’s death, Cui Lin’s accusations, the Emperor’s fury, had nothing to do with him…
Duke Zeng’s wavering heart, stirred by Cui Lin and the others, was doused with cold water. He suddenly recalled Xiao Yan’s cunning.
His mind cleared instantly. He released the wine cup, now warm from his grip, and stood calmly. “When I exposed the Empress and Prince Cheng’s affair, it was out of conviction. I anticipated Father’s displeasure.”
“I’m different from Minister Cui. You investigated for promotions and to benefit the Cui family, but I only wished to prevent the imperial family from being tarnished and its bloodline muddled.”
Cui Lin never expected Duke Zeng to say this. Seeing his righteous demeanor, as if refusing to collude with him, Cui Lin’s eyes widened, nearly fainting from anger.
Ignoring Cui Lin’s furious glare, Duke Zeng stood calmly at his seat. “As a member of the imperial family, supported by the realm, how could I hide the truth out of fear of Father’s displeasure? Even if Xiao Yan deliberately led me to uncover this, I’d only be grateful. Without it, who knows how long the Empress would have deceived the imperial family?”
“You…”
Cui Lin nearly blurted out, Are you mad, you fool?
Who was Xie Pingjia? No one knew better than him. When Xie Pingjia sought aristocratic support to surpass the Fourth Prince, he used every trick to curry favor. His heart was as scheming as anyone’s, yet now he posed as a saintly lotus for whom?
If not for being in the Emperor’s presence, with so many watching, Cui Lin would have spat in his face.
“Didn’t you hear what Zheng Kun said? Xiao Yan colluded with the prince and consorted with the Empress!” Cui Lin roared.
Duke Zeng frowned. “The words of a traitor who snuck into the palace with malicious intent, how can they be trusted?”
“Zheng Kun was the deposed Empress’s man, naturally resenting Lord Xiao’s actions against the Lu family. Besides, it’s just his word. Who knows if he truly served the Empress? Perhaps someone, jealous of Lord Xiao, bribed Zheng Kun to frame him.”
He turned to Emperor An. “Father, Lord Xiao is a key court official. Regardless, evidence is required, not mere accusations to convict him.”
“Minister Cui’s haste to condemn Lord Xiao, is it for Father or for personal gain?”
“This old minister seeks only justice…”
“If it’s for justice, what’s wrong with Father ordering a thorough investigation before judging Lord Xiao?”
Duke Zeng looked directly at Cui Lin. “If roles were reversed, and someone claimed tonight’s events were orchestrated by you, Minister Cui, out of jealousy for Lord Xiao’s favor and the Cui family’s recent setbacks, colluding with Lady Xuan and Zheng Kun to frame him, would that be true?”
“Nonsense!” Cui Lin erupted in anger.
Duke Zeng chuckled. “See, Minister Cui knows it’s nonsense. To try a key court official based on a dead man’s slander, who insulted Father and the imperial family, isn’t that even more laughable?”
“Minister Cui, I know you’ve long clashed with Lord Xiao, but don’t let personal grudges cloud your judgment.”
Cui Lin: “…”
Judgment, my foot!
That damned Duke Zeng, has he lost his mind?!!
========
T/N: Who else is feeling anxious
=============
You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
Comments
Post a Comment