Duke Zeng said, “I found it strange and doubted the talk of vengeful ghosts. Moreover, despite the consecutive gruesome deaths of officials in those three regions, the local authorities kept silent and never reported it. There must be something suspicious behind this. So, I sent more people to Shezhou to investigate, only to uncover a shocking past event.”
Emperor An’s heart sank upon hearing about the three regions of Shezhou. The mention of “vengeful ghosts” and “retribution” sent a jolt through his mind.
His expression changed instantly, but before he could interrupt, Duke Zeng continued.
“Twenty years ago, a flood struck the south, and the court sent officials to provide relief. However, the relief ship was sabotaged and sunk en route, worsening the disaster and sparking public outrage that led to riots. Astonishingly, all the officials who died recently were involved in that relief effort.”
“Some were local officials in the hardest-hit areas, others handled the relief funds and accounts, and some were military officers who helped suppress the southern rebellion or retrieved the bodies of soldiers from the sunken ship.”
“These victims had all risen rapidly due to their contributions during the relief effort, gaining promotions after the disaster…”
Emperor An’s hand trembled.
Grand Tutor Liang’s face changed instantly. He stepped forward, saying, “Such heinous acts, harming court officials, are despicable. Duke Zeng, such a serious matter should be reported to His Majesty in detail, without omission.”
He looked up at Emperor An, no longer pressing aggressively, and yielded, “Your Majesty, it’s late. Why not dismiss the banquet and question Duke Zeng about the southern matter in detail?”
Cui Lin, less aware of the past events, saw Liang suddenly backtrack and urgently said, “Grand Tutor, Xiao Yan’s matter hasn’t been resolved…”
“The deaths of southern officials are more pressing.”
“But…”
“Cui Lin!”
Liang Guangyi rarely rebuked another aristocratic vassal so openly, let alone called them by name. He was usually calm and composed, even when pressuring Emperor An about Xiao Yan earlier, showing no trace of harshness.
But now, looking at Cui Lin, his gaze carried undisguised coercion.
“The deposed Empress is dead. Whether Xiao Yan colluded with her can be investigated later. His Majesty would never shield him. But the murder of southern officials is a major court matter, now tied to talk of ghosts and spirits. As a court minister, you should know what’s more urgent!”
Cui Lin’s face tightened. He suddenly recalled Liang Guangyi’s commanding presence in court years ago, when even Lu Chongyuan had to avoid his edge. Though unsure why Liang changed his stance, Cui Lin was intimidated.
Seeing Cui Lin fall silent, Liang looked up, “Your Majesty?”
Emperor An’s heart pounded fiercely, his face flushed. Eunuch Feng, closest to him, could feel the cold sweat on the Emperor’s hand gripping his arm.
“The Grand Tutor is right. The southern matter is urgent. Duke Zeng, stay. Everyone else, leave…”
“Wait!”
Cao Dejiang suddenly stood. “If this concerns the southern officials, why have us leave? Moreover, this isn’t just about the southern officialdom, it’s tied to the relief effort twenty years ago. Since Duke Zeng has said this much, why not let him finish?”
“This old minister is curious. What caused those officials’ gruesome deaths, and why do their surviving families, instead of seeking justice, cower in fear, raving about retribution?”
Qian Baokun, long aware of the Rongjiang disaster, had held back until now, seeing a chance for the truth to resurface.
Even if he didn’t know why Duke Zeng was involved, it didn’t stop him from blocking Emperor An’s attempt to suppress the matter privately.
Qian Baokun also stood. “Lord Cao is right. Earlier, to interrogate Lord Xiao, Minister Cui and Grand Tutor Liang insisted we stay, unwilling to wait a moment, eager to convict him. Now, with so many lives lost in the southern officialdom, why are the Grand Tutor and Minister Cui suddenly not in a hurry?”
Liang Guangyi was at a loss for words. “The matters are different…”
“How are they different?”
Xiao Yan, who had been mostly silent, suddenly let out a cold laugh.
“Is it because I’m a eunuch, so I deserve to be tried in court, hounded by you all, and condemned to death based on a few slanderous words?”
“Now that it’s someone else, it’s worth slow deliberation and careful investigation. What, is my life not a life?”
Xiao Yan’s striking appearance, with frost in his eyes, carried an intimidating presence even without harsh words.
“The southern matter is already widely known. Even Zhao Hui in the northwest has heard rumors from Shezhou. Duke Zeng’s words in court can’t be concealed. If this isn’t investigated clearly before tonight’s attending courtiers, uncovering the truth behind the Shezhou officials’ deaths, it may tarnish Your Majesty’s reputation and shake the court’s foundation.”
“If those officials deserved their fate, so be it. But if they were murdered through schemes, shouldn’t Grand Tutor Liang urge Your Majesty to give the realm an explanation?”
The hall fell silent, Xiao Yan’s words striking a familiar chord.
As realization dawned, the courtiers’ gazes toward Liang Guangyi turned peculiar.
Weren’t these the exact words Liang used to pressure Emperor An to try Xiao Yan?
Aside from swapping “Xiao Yan’s collusion with the deposed Empress and her son” for “the gruesome deaths of southern officials,” it was identical, down to the wording.
“Cough.”
Despite his tension, Qian Baokun nearly burst out laughing.
Cao Dejiang scratched his palm, glancing at Liang Guangyi’s ashen face and shooting Xiao Yan an exasperated look.
This guy, still finding time to jest, nearly ruined the grave atmosphere he’d worked so hard to create!
Xiao Yan looked at Liang Guangyi. “Grand Tutor Liang always considers His Majesty and tirelessly serves the Wei dynasty, willing to die for it. Surely you can distinguish priorities and wouldn’t want His Majesty to face unwarranted infamy, would you?”
Liang Guangyi: “…”
Xiao Yan turned to Cui Lin. “Minister Cui, what do you think?”
Cui Lin: “…”
Think, my foot.
The hall’s atmosphere grew strangely tense.
Seeing both men silent, Xiao Yan glanced at the shocked Emperor An before addressing Duke Zeng. “It seems Grand Tutor Liang and Minister Cui agree with me that Your Majesty should investigate this in court. Duke Zeng, continue. Since this concerns the entire southern officialdom and the relief case from years ago, His Majesty surely won’t delay.”
“You…”
Emperor An opened his mouth to scold Xiao Yan for his audacity, for deciding on his behalf.
But Cao Dejiang suddenly spoke, “This old minister recalls that twenty years ago, His Majesty was among those sent to the south for relief. Since this matter involves so many officials’ lives, His Majesty surely wouldn’t want his reputation tarnished.”
Emperor An’s curse lodged in his throat.
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T/N: It’s about to start
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You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
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