Chapter 185 - 127: Slapping Ren Weizhi

Chapter 185: Chapter 127: Slapping Ren Weizhi

The evidence was extremely detailed. It documented exactly where Zeng Shilin spent every single sum, and precisely how much was used.

After reviewing it for a long while, Emperor Jianhong looked flatly at Zeng Shilin. "My beloved subject Zeng, what do you have to say for yourself?"

In an instant, everyone’s gaze turned toward Zeng Shilin.

The members of the Li Faction and the Eunuch Faction all wore expressions of total detachment, acting as if this had nothing to do with them. Some even looked as though they were eagerly anticipating a good show.

Lou Yingqi, on the other hand, glared deadly at Ren Weizhi. He wanted to step forward, but noticed a subtle hand gesture hidden beneath Zeng Shilin’s sleeve. Seeing this, Lou Yingqi took a deep breath and stopped himself from moving. However, his eyes remained sharp as they fixed upon Ren Weizhi.

"To Your Majesty, I have always acted with a clear conscience. When the Jishui Dam was being constructed, not only did I never embezzle a single silver coin of the disaster relief funds, but I also actively raised donations when funds fell short. I even took silver coins out of my own family’s pockets to build the Jishui Dam into a fortress as solid as steel."

Zeng Shilin’s face was brimming with righteous indignation. After bowing respectfully, he didn’t forget to set a trap for Ren Weizhi, his voice turning extremely stern. "Within thirty years, it is absolutely impossible for the Jishui Dam to encounter even the slightest problem!"

"Oh?" Upon hearing Zeng Shilin’s words, a look of triumphant scheming flashed across Ren Weizhi’s face. He suddenly raised his voice. "Do you dare to guarantee this?"

Zeng Shilin tilted his head up slightly, raising his chin. "Why wouldn’t I? If there is even a sliver of an issue with the Jishui Dam, Your Majesty has every right to execute my entire extended family!"

TSK.

Hearing this, Ren Weizhi could hardly suppress the laughter bubbling in his heart. He took a deep breath. "Good! Minister Zeng, you must take responsibility for your own words!"

"HMPH!"

The old man merely cast a disdainful glance at Ren Weizhi before slowly retreating to his spot.

Emperor Jianhong casually tossed the "evidence" onto the desk in front of his dragon throne. He looked up at his assembled ministers. Just as he was about to speak, a loud voice rang out from outside the hall.

"Reporting to Your Majesty! An urgent dispatch has arrived from Liangjiang Commandery!"

The moment those words were spoken, everyone’s gaze shifted to Ren Weizhi. Their eyes were filled with uncertainty and suspicion.

They wondered, "Could it be that Ren Weizhi had..."

Various speculations flashed through everyone’s minds. Emperor Jianhong also instinctively looked at Ren Weizhi. However, Ren Weizhi remained completely expressionless, his head lowered as if he hadn’t heard the announcement at all. Only his hands, hidden beneath his sleeves, were clenched tightly into fists, and a faint, almost imperceptible sneer played at the corners of his lips.

Emperor Jianhong then looked back at Zeng Shilin. Zeng Shilin’s current expression was surprisingly identical to Ren Weizhi’s.

Both men seemed to wear cold smiles of absolute certainty.

"Bring him in!" Emperor Jianhong commanded calmly, raising his head and gently waving his dragon-embroidered sleeve, exuding an overwhelming aura of imperial majesty.

"Understood!"

Following that response, a figure slowly walked in from outside the hall. The person was dressed in tattered rags, his face obscured by dark, dried blood. He limped into the grand hall, looking exactly like a destitute refugee.

They wondered, "What kind of disaster has this man suffered?"

A wave of confusion instinctively washed over everyone’s hearts.

Wait a minute! A disaster? Coming from Liangjiang Commandery? The Jishui Dam?!

In that instant, many people abruptly raised their heads and stared at Ren Weizhi!

Ren Weizhi looked up with feigned composure, turning a blind eye to all the stares directed his way. Upon seeing the battered figure, the heavy stone of anxiety in his heart finally dropped. He knew that the moment this man opened his mouth to report the disaster in Liangjiang Commandery, Zeng Shilin would be doomed beyond a shadow of a doubt!

He shifted his gaze to Zeng Shilin.

However, he didn’t detect even the slightest hint of panic on the old man’s face. There was only total indifference. The old man even cast a contemptuous glance back at Ren Weizhi.

Ren Weizhi continued to sneer.

He thought, "Keep pretending. Let’s see how long you can keep up this act."

If the Jishui Dam collapsed, the ensuing floodwaters would instantly turn the three commanderies along Fengqi Road into waterlogged ruins overnight. And it wouldn’t stop at just three commanderies! The flood would spread to at least seven!

By then, the people would be plunged into absolute misery. In the face of such a catastrophic disaster, Emperor Jianhong would have to offer up Zeng Shilin’s head to appease the public’s fury and give an explanation to the entire empire. As for the "evidence" that Ren Weizhi had just presented to His Majesty... whether it was real or fake wouldn’t even matter anymore.

Inside the hall.

When Lou Yingqi saw the ragged figure enter, his heart sank heavily.

He wondered, "What kind of dirty trick is Ren Weizhi playing now?!"

He wasn’t privy to the inside information and remained in the dark about many details. So, at this moment, he could only watch helplessly as the situation slowly unfolded. A deep sense of foreboding already lingered in his heart.

In the entire grand hall, the only person who could still maintain his composure was Zeng Shilin.

Upon seeing the battered figure, the old man’s mouth twitched instinctively. He pressed his lips tightly together, trying his best to make his face look calm.

THUD!!

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the ragged figure collapsed to his knees right in the middle of the hall.

"Your Majesty, please seek justice for your subject!!!"

The voice sounded somewhat familiar, laced with a tragic desperation. Hearing this voice, Emperor Jianhong furrowed his brow slightly. He stared at the disheveled figure kneeling on the ground, and the more he looked, the more familiar the man seemed.

"Raise your head," Emperor Jianhong commanded coldly.

"Yes."

The figure slowly lifted his head, revealing the familiar face of Bai Ziqing. Only, Bai Ziqing no longer possessed his usual high-spirited vigor. He looked entirely haggard and weather-beaten.

Upon recognizing that face, a flash of murderous intent erupted in Emperor Jianhong’s eyes.

"What happened?!" his voice betrayed a hint of shock and suspicion.

Hearing Emperor Jianhong’s tone, everyone was stunned. They all raised their heads to look at the Emperor.

They wondered, "Why is His Majesty so enraged?!"

A thoughtful glint appeared in Chief Minister Li Zhen’s eyes. Standing beside the dragon throne, Chief Eunuch Si Zhongxiao also narrowed his eyes as he peered at Bai Ziqing.

"Your Majesty... the spies from the Eastern Sect..." Before Bai Ziqing could finish his sentence, he broke into an uncontrollable fit of coughing.

COUGH COUGH COUGH!

As he coughed, his entire body convulsed violently.

"Hmm?" Emperor Jianhong narrowed his eyes, a clear warning flashing in them.

He had secretly ordered Bai Ziqing to investigate the mastermind behind the Cyan Viper. The operation was meant to be completely covert. How dared this fool try to blurt it out openly in the imperial court?

However, before the Emperor could say anything else, he saw Bai Ziqing’s face suddenly turn deathly pale.

SPURT!

A mouthful of fresh blood sprayed from Bai Ziqing’s mouth. His complexion grew even whiter, and his body began to tremble uncontrollably.

This scene left even Emperor Jianhong completely dumbfounded.

Bai Ziqing was a Fourth Grade Martial Artist! He was a renowned expert in the capital! How could he have sustained such severe injuries?!

"Where is the Imperial Physician?!!" Emperor Jianhong snapped his head up and shouted toward the doors. "Summon the Imperial Physician!!"

Amid a flurry of panicked footsteps, the eunuchs waiting outside the hall frantically sprinted toward the Imperial Hospital.

Yet Bai Ziqing seemed to have grown addicted to his performance. He lay half-paralyzed on the floor, the blood continuing to pour uncontrollably from his mouth.

"Si Zhongxiao!" Emperor Jianhong commanded expressionlessly, glancing at the Chief Eunuch.

Si Zhongxiao bowed with utmost reverence. With a light tap of his toes, he vanished, appearing directly in front of Bai Ziqing the very next moment.

He crouched down expressionlessly and slowly closed his eyes. His withered hand reached out to grasp Bai Ziqing’s arm.

But someone beat him to it.

Zeng Shilin, his face grave, strode over to Bai Ziqing and placed a hand firmly on the man’s back.

BUZZ!!

The next moment, Vast Cyan Qi surged into Bai Ziqing’s body.

Seeing this, Si Zhongxiao obediently stood aside.

At that moment, everyone’s eyes were glued to Bai Ziqing. Only one person had a deeply darkened expression.

Ren Weizhi.

After realizing that this ragged figure was actually Bai Ziqing, an ominous premonition had already bubbled up in his heart.

WHOOSH.

Finally, Zeng Shilin slowly withdrew his hand. The Vast Cyan Qi gradually returned to his body.

With a deep frown, Zeng Shilin muttered, "How did you sustain such heavy injuries?"

After saying that, he walked back to his position, keeping to himself. He stood with perfect poise, looking straight ahead as if turning a deaf ear to everything around him.

Meanwhile, Bai Ziqing groggily opened his eyes on the floor.

The very second his eyes opened, he pushed himself up without hesitation and stumbled toward Ren Weizhi.

STEP, STEP, STEP.

Every step seemed to take an immense toll on him.

Watching him approach, Ren Weizhi furrowed his brow deeply. "What are you..."

But before he could finish, he was violently cut off.

SLAP!!!

An incredibly abrupt, resounding slap echoed through the hall.

At the exact same time, Bai Ziqing’s furious roar rang out. "You traitor!! You deserve to die!!!"

Everyone was left completely dumbfounded by this unexpected slap.

Only Zeng Shilin stood amidst the crowd, fighting hard to suppress the urge to burst out laughing.