Peasant Woman's Decreed Life as a Wife

Chapter 1962: Chapter 1959: Coercion

It is said that Zhang Zhonghai, being the Chief of Staff and also the Minister of Punishments, would never allow the people from the Court of Judicial Review to interrogate the young miss and young master of his residence at will.

Seemingly polite, yet constantly refusing, not cooperating with the interrogation.

This made the Minister of Dali Temple so worried that his hair turned white.

“Master, something’s wrong.” At this moment, a subordinate ran over to report to the Minister of Dali Temple, and upon seeing him quickly said, “Master, there are dozens of people outside the yamen saying they want to accuse… accuse…”

The subordinate spoke hesitantly.

The Minister of Dali Temple had a foreboding feeling, “Speak slowly, accuse whom?”

“Accuse the Minister of Punishments, Magistrate Zhang, the Marquis of Ande’s Mansion Prince and Princely Heir, the Right Metropolitan Censor of the Metropolitan Censorate, the Five Cities Commandant, also the Salt Transport Controller, and the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War.” Before the subordinate finished, most of these officials were of gentry clan origin, tracing back generations, many had also served in lower positions, or perhaps some held titles but no official positions, being profligate sons who were not mentioned.

Merely mentioning these high-ranking officials had already implicated quite a few people.

Moreover, the relationships among the capital officials were complex, and it was unclear how many other officials were involved, the subordinate only felt a storm brewing.

And at this moment, the atmosphere in the palace was tense.

After the banquet.

The Dowager Empress returned to Cining Palace early.

The Empress, under confinement and not responsible for the banquet, left after the banquet and returned to Kunning Palace.

Yet other officials who attended the banquet were detained in the palace.

Not only that, Consort Jie, Deng Jieyu, was summoned by Emperor Xuanming for a private audience in the Imperial Study.

When she saw King Huainan enter, Deng Jieyu’s eyes flickered.

King Huainan saluted Emperor Xuanming.

“My beloved minister, are you willing to fulfill the promise you made to me earlier?” Emperor Xuanming said cryptically, lifting his teacup.

King Huainan was baffled, “Your Majesty, I do not understand what you refer to?”

“It seems my beloved minister is still unwilling to be honest with me.” Emperor Xuanming’s expression turned cold, “I am very curious, how many soldiers are waiting for you outside the city gates?”

“Ten thousand or twenty thousand? Or how many soldiers in the military camp have you united?”

“And the palace guards.”

“Let me hear how many have been incited by your beloved consort?”

Emperor Xuanming’s indifferent words were like a thunderbolt, causing the previously composed Deng Jieyu to blanch with fear, instinctively kneeling down to refute, “Your Majesty, spare me, I have absolutely not collaborated with anyone to incite the palace guard.”

King Huainan, however, did not move, as if not surprised at Emperor Xuanming’s sudden confrontation today.

Even the Beirong Prince was kept in the palace by King Qi.

“Your Majesty, I have no rebellious intentions.” After a long pause, King Huainan sighed as if he had aged ten years, respectfully raised his hand, performed a grand salute to Emperor Xuanming, and kneeled, kowtowing three times.

Emperor Xuanming snorted coldly, “What, do you all think I’m senile? Unaware of the little tricks you’re pulling behind my back?”

At this time, Emperor Xuanming no longer appeared as ‘befuddled’ as before.

King Huainan, kneeling on the ground, did not deny his arrangements, loudly stating, “Your Majesty, I only wish for Your Majesty to deal justly with the wrongdoers; those being accused this time are not innocent.”

“Your Majesty also knows what they’ve done these years, yet you’ve tolerated them. Such a magnificent realm will sooner or later be ruined by these parasites.”

Emperor Xuanming was filled with rage.

A paperweight was hurled over.

A swelling appeared instantly on King Huainan’s forehead.

“Your Majesty, I hope you handle this fairly.” King Huainan showed no reaction, as if he hadn’t been hit, repeating his words invariably.