xymnovel Chapter 1211 - 949 There’s Still a Conspiracy_2
Chapter 1211 - 949 There’s Still a Conspiracy_2
Ji Youzhi thought, the Long Princess is really open-minded. After listening to the secrets of her own biological mother and aunt for one night, her expression only slightly changed at the time.Afterward, she could actually act as if nothing had happened.
"Yes! Your Highness, the Princess!"
The Emperor waved his hand and shouted, "Guards, take him to the bottom of the Celestial Prison. Without my orders, no one is allowed to contact him!"
"Yes!"
The guards dragged Lu Zezhong away, and the Emperor also stood up from the Dragon Throne.
Outside, the voice of Nanny Xiao could be heard.
"Why are the two chancellors still at the entrance of the Imperial Study? It doesn’t look like they’ve just left court!"
Chancellor Lin hurriedly cupped his hands and shouted "Nanny Xiao," but didn’t say anything else.
However, Chancellor Song explained, "We were summoned last night, and since the matter isn’t settled, we haven’t left yet."
Nanny Xiao nodded upon hearing this, "I see, the Empress Dowager feels for the two chancellors who are aging and have been standing outside the Imperial Study all night, so she specially sent the old servant to bring some food to warm you up."
Chancellor Lin and Vice Chancellor opened their eyes wide in surprise.
Before they thought of what to say, they heard Nanny Xiao continue.
"Yuan Yang, Yue E, take the food to the Side Palace, and please ask the two chancellors to have a meal."
Upon hearing this, Chancellor Lin and Vice Chancellor quickly cupped their hands in gratitude.
"Thank you, Empress Dowager, for your great kindness!"
Nanny Xiao had a serious expression and made a gesture of invitation to the two gentlemen.
"This way, please, chancellors."
She then led Chancellor Lin and Vice Chancellor to the Side Palace for a meal.
Inside the room, the Emperor listened to the commotion outside and sighed.
"Mother is trying to protect Chancellor Lin!"
The brothers Ji Youzhi did not speak.
However, Princess Lianchun sighed and said.
"After all, he’s a veteran of three reigns, and the Empress Dowager wants to give him some dignity. You are still young and currently in the process of selecting a concubine and crowning an empress. She certainly doesn’t want you to earn the reputation of a tyrant."
Princess Lianchun spoke correctly; this was exactly what the Empress Dowager thought.
As soon as the matter was settled in the Imperial Study, the news reached the Cining Palace, and Empress Dowager Xiao, after much deliberation, finally decided to do this despite losing face.
"When I take action like this, the Emperor will surely feel uncomfortable."
Empress Dowager Xiao’s statement was immediately followed by a move on the chessboard.
Xie Pan’er took one of her pieces quietly before saying.
"Please don’t worry too much; the Emperor will surely understand your good intentions. Besides, our Emperor is a wise ruler who can comprehend the reasons for your actions, and won’t distance himself from you."
"You’re defending him even before marriage; once you’re married, wouldn’t you take his side in everything?"
Upon hearing her words, Xie Pan’er’s face suddenly flushed bright red, and she lowered her head in shyness.
"By the way, I asked the Imperial Astronomical Observatory to select a few dates. Discuss with the Emperor and pick a suitable time for the wedding!"
Xie Pan’er opened her mouth to speak but was at a loss for words for a while.
"I... I don’t... don’t choose!"
She twisted and turned indecisively.
Empress Dowager Xiao found it amusing to watch.
She reached out and pinched Xie Pan’er’s cheek, "Even if you don’t want to choose, you have to. This is my order, and disobeying the decree will lead to punishment!"
Xie Pan’er’s face instantly burned with heat!
The announcement of the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue’s corruption, collusion with the Great Wizard of Nanjiang to embezzle funds from the National Treasury, has been posted everywhere after Chancellor Lin and Vice Chancellor left the palace.
Along with this announcement, other lists were posted, all related to bribery and corruption.
At the same time, the arson case at the Prince’s Mansion was investigated and found to be the work of Li Hongzhong of the Li Clan.
This truth must be revealed to the world!
Lu Yunsheng is not the heir of the Prince’s Mansion; that’s a rumor, and a separate announcement was also posted.
Lu Yunsheng’s situation worsened; despite his accomplishments, he became the son of a criminal official due to recent events.
He, too, was imprisoned in the Celestial Prison.
Upon receiving the news, Madam Lu knew her future was bleak, and she ended her life with several feet of white silk.
When Ji Youzhi received the news, he said nothing, just instructed the brothers of the Divine Hunter to handle the situation appropriately.
The crimes committed by Lu Zezhong warranted punishment beyond individual repercussions; even three clans couldn’t escape.
The Emperor, being compassionate, only sentenced Lu Yunsheng to exile three thousand miles away.
Lu Zezhong was beheaded at the Noon Gate.
The female members of the Li Family were integrated into the Music Bureau, while the males were exiled three thousand miles, implicating three clans.
This was truly the greatest mercy the Emperor could bestow on the Li Family.
The Li Family was uprooted this time, Li Hongzhong had his cultivation abolished by Ji Youyuan, imprisoned in the dungeon, with Ji Youzhi visiting daily, extracting confessions little by little each time.
Ji Youze entered the Imperial Palace on the day of the scholars’ parade and continued his secretive investigations, finally reaching the conclusion he had long suspected.
"So you’re suspecting that Xiling’s downfall also involved the handiwork of Xunyang?"
Several days later, the Emperor, along with Ji Youzhi and his brother Ji Youze, revisited this major case in the Imperial Study!
Ji Youze nodded, "Yes, I suspect it’s not only Xiling, but possibly Dongyue as well, there may be similar turmoil."
The Emperor sat on the Dragon Throne, reaching up to rub his eyebrows.
"What could Xunyang gain from this? If previously we speculated he wanted to turn all people of the Central Plains into witchcraft-assimilated individuals.
But now, having uncovered and thwarted his plans, I feel even more uncertain than before."
The more the Emperor thought about it, the more he felt something was amiss, suspecting an even grander conspiracy remained undiscovered.
Ji Youzhi, seeing the Emperor rub his eyebrows, couldn’t help but look toward Ji Youze.
"Haven’t you already found some clues? Hurry up and say it!"
Hearing this, Ji Youze directly walked to the map hanging on the wall of the Imperial Study.
He looked up at the map and pointed at the positions of Xiling, Dongyue, Great Han, and finally at Nanjiang.
"I’ve already received news from Dongyue; half a month ago, Dongyue’s Chancellor staged a coup."