Duke Zeng raised his head and said gravely, “The entire south is abuzz with rumors that these officials died gruesomely because of their heavy sins, that the vengeful spirits of those unjustly killed during the flood have returned for retribution, that the nearly ten thousand people burned alive in Rongjiang have come back for revenge…”
“That’s utter nonsense!”
Li Wenchang stood abruptly, shouting, “What vengeful spirits? It’s clearly someone scheming in the shadows!”
The aristocratic families weren’t all fools. Those serving in court knew how Lu Chongyuan and Emperor An had “connected” years ago. Emperor An, an obscure prince, rose to prominence and married into the Lu family because of the flood twenty years ago.
The tarnishing of Prince Li’s reputation, and later the He family’s punishment, were largely tied to that event.
The aristocrats might not care about the Lu family’s reputation or how Emperor An fared, even if the Emperor’s name was ruined, it wouldn’t affect them much. They could even seize the chance to back a new emperor aligned with their interests. But they absolutely couldn’t allow the truth about the He family and Prince Li to be overturned.
Back then, the He family was illustrious, and Prince Li was formidable. If the truth from that year were exposed, tarnishing Emperor An’s reputation, the accusations of Prince Li’s rebellion and the He family’s crimes might also be dragged into question.
Lu Chongyuan was long dead, and the Lu family was ruined, so they’d lose nothing more. But those who had piled on to carve up the He family would face dire consequences.
Li Wenchang, closest to Feng Qiuli, shot him an anxious glance. Feng Qiuli, feeling his gaze, tightened his expression and said, “Duke Zeng’s claims are just rumors. The events of twenty years ago were settled long ago, and talk of vengeful spirits is baseless.”
“I don’t believe in ghosts or spirits. The officials’ consecutive deaths are likely man-made, not accidents. I urge Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly.”
Grand Tutor Liang, appreciating Feng Qiuli’s courage in stepping forward under pressure, added gravely, “This old minister also doesn’t believe in vengeful spirits. Moreover, Duke Zeng, since you knew of the southern rumors and the officials’ deaths, why didn’t you report to His Majesty sooner? Why hide it for so long? Are you seeking the truth, or do you have ulterior motives?”
He looked at Emperor An, “Your Majesty, this is a grave matter. If someone is using rumors to destabilize the court, they must not be spared!”
For once, Emperor An found these aristocratic vassals agreeable. With a stern gaze, he said, “The Grand Tutor is right. Xie Pingjia, you knew of the southern rumors and officials’ deaths yet said nothing to the court. You’re utterly disloyal! Guards, seize Duke Zeng!”
Duke Zeng had anticipated that speaking of the southern case would bring trouble and had prepared various responses, but he hadn’t expected his father to be so shameless.
Before Yu Yanfeng and the others could approach, he spoke directly, “Your son didn’t withhold from reporting to Father. But Father despises me. Because I cared for your honor and feared you were deceived, I exposed the affair between the deposed Empress and Prince Cheng. You nearly took my life and gave me this humiliating title.”
“I never resented your offense, but I know Father dislikes me.”
Duke Zeng’s eyes reddened as he looked at Emperor An, “When I first met those two from Zhao Hui, how could I easily trust them? I thought their words were mere rumors. How could I dare report to Father before verifying them?”
“Later, after sending people south and uncovering these things, I panicked and sought an audience with Father. I even told you I had urgent matters to discuss, but you had me turned away at the palace gates, even ordering the guards to drive me out, refusing to see me from start to finish.”
“I wanted to inform Father and discuss the southern matter, but how could I speak? Should I have shared such grave matters with palace eunuchs or guards, letting them pass the word and stir a commotion?”
Emperor An was stunned by Duke Zeng’s questioning, while many in the hall suddenly realized.
They recalled that a few days ago, Duke Zeng had come to the palace, lingering outside the Imperial Study for half a day before being driven out by Emperor An’s orders. At the time, many mocked him, thinking the former Second Prince had truly fallen out of favor with no hope left. Who could have guessed he was trying to report the southern matter to Emperor An?
With this, Emperor An and Liang Guangyi blaming Duke Zeng for not reporting would seem utterly unreasonable.
Duke Zeng, eyes red with indignation, said, “I know Father dislikes me, but I’ve never harbored disloyalty. Regarding the southern case, I couldn’t bear the thought of past wrongs being overlooked or the souls of those unjustly killed lingering.”
“I planned to seek Father privately after the banquet, but just now, Minister Cui kept mentioning the Lu family, and Grand Tutor Liang claimed their rebellion was induced by Xiao Yan. I feared someone might pin the Lu family’s wrongs on others, so I had to bring up the southern matter publicly.”
“Twenty years ago, during the flood relief, Lu Chongyuan was in charge, and the troops sent to pacify the south were led by the Lu family’s in-laws. If someone truly burned Rongjiang, massacred the city, and embezzled relief funds, causing misery in the south, the Lu family bears undeniable responsibility.”
“I’m not afraid of Father’s disdain, but as a royal born to the imperial family, supported by the realm, I’m duty-bound to seek justice for the people!”
Duke Zeng’s righteous words and fearless courage, despite his red eyes and Emperor An’s fury, moved everyone. His revelations sent the courtiers’ minds reeling.
Burning Rongjiang.
Massacring the city.
Embezzling relief funds, killing escorting soldiers, and causing countless civilian deaths in the southern riots.
Each accusation was horrifying.
Cao Dejiang, expressionless, said coldly, “If I recall correctly, twenty years ago during the southern flood, the late Emperor sent Prince Li and He Wenzhuo to provide relief. After the ship sank, the south descended into chaos. Prince Li was forcibly recalled to the capital, while He Wenzhuo stayed behind.”
“After Prince Li’s return, the late Emperor sent the Lu family south, with Your Majesty accompanying them. The court couldn’t provide a second relief fund, so Prince Li and the He family sold assets to raise funds, joining the Lu family, and dispatched dozens of imperial physicians to rush south to treat the plague. But soon after, it was said He Wenzhuo embezzled funds, colluded with southern officials, and caused the riots.”
“The physicians sent south were killed by enraged rioters, and He Wenzhuo was said to have been killed by the mob, his body lost. But now, it’s said he was stationed in Rongjiang by Prince Li’s order.”
Cao Dejiang looked at Emperor An, his gaze sharp, “If this is the truth, then the fire in Rongjiang not only killed the city’s people and the physicians sent to treat the plague but also He Wenzhuo. So where did the later accusations against the He family come from?”
You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
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