Under Xiao Muchen’s arrangement, the incident of Duan Mingxi being poisoned in Kunde Palace quickly spread both within and beyond the palace walls. Through various channels, the news reached the common streets and alleys, tearing off the Empress’s mask of hypocrisy.
The development of events was so rapid that even though the Crown Prince responded swiftly, he was unable to contain the surging tide of truth from being exposed to the entire world.
At the same time, during this morning’s imperial court session, Qu You took the lead, with Censor Zhong as his deputy, and together they laid bare the full truth uncovered in the investigation of Qiping Prefecture.
Though Zhang Guangan was already dead, it could not be said that the matter had died with him and was left without evidence. Qiping Prefecture still held a large number of transactional records and grain account ledgers—each leaving a clear trail.
Moreover, although Zhang Guangan was dead, there were still other officials in Qiping Prefecture, who had now all been arrested and brought back to the capital.
The Emperor glared fiercely at the officials of Qiping Prefecture kneeling on the ground, wishing he could cut them all down with a single stroke!
Was this how they repaid his trust in them?
For two years, Qiping Prefecture had falsified reports of natural disasters. How much money and grain had the court allocated? And the result? It had all ended up in the bellies of these dogs!
“Your Majesty, we were merely following Lord Zhang’s orders. In Qiping Prefecture, Lord Zhang’s word was law—anyone who opposed him either lost their post or their life. We did not dare disobey.”
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince’s whole body involuntarily tensed. His eyes, dark and fathomless, gave away no thoughts, leaving it unclear what he was thinking.
Xiao Muchen glanced at the Crown Prince from afar, then calmly withdrew his gaze and looked toward Fengcheng Marquis among the crowd.
Fengcheng Marquis immediately stepped forward, raised his head, and loudly declared to the emperor, “Your Majesty, this group of corrupt officials is not only detestable but utterly vile in their conduct. They deceive their superiors and oppress the people, embezzling relief funds under false pretenses. They break the law knowing full well the consequences. I ask Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly. Would they dare act so brazenly if they had no one backing them?”
“I second the motion!” Duke Wei strode forward. “Your Majesty, a prefectural magistrate is like a parent to the people. He must faithfully execute imperial orders, easing the burdens of the court above and serving the people below. The officials of Qiping Prefecture colluded and acted in concert—if not punished severely, how can we explain this to the world?”
“I also second it!” Marquis Fuchang stepped out boldly. “Since ascending the throne, Your Majesty has loved your people as your own children, working diligently for decades without slack. Yet these scoundrels deceive the court, falsely claim to act under imperial orders, impose extra taxes, and seize farmland, causing families to fall apart and the people to suffer. How can they be worthy of Your Majesty’s benevolence? Their deaths alone can appease the anger of the people!”
Jin Wang and Qi Wang both looked on with grim expressions. Only Yu Wang maintained a calm demeanor—his situation was only slightly better than Kang Wang’s. He no longer had any stake in the power struggle and now watched the court drama as mere entertainment.
But Jin Wang and Qi Wang didn’t see it that way. Even after Zhang Guangan committed suicide, these people still wouldn’t let go. Clearly, they had a greater target in mind.
Jin Wang recalled recent rumors that Zhang Guangan was one of the Crown Prince’s people. Though he hadn’t directly involved himself in the Qiping Prefecture matter, he had still received some information from his maternal family.
Instinctively, Jin Wang looked toward Duan Wang. Among the brothers, Kang Wang lacked the emperor’s favor, Yu Wang was scorned, and Qi Wang was erratic and unstable. As for himself, he was burdened by He Wanyu’s affairs. Only Duan Wang was sly and cunning enough to win the emperor’s trust.
This likely was Duan Wang’s move against the Crown Prince. He himself had no love for the Crown Prince either. As long as the Crown Prince held the position of heir, the rest of them would always be suppressed.
But if the Crown Prince fell, then everyone would have a chance.
Jin Wang’s heart pounded wildly as he instinctively looked toward his maternal grandfather.
Zhang Gelao stood still as a statue, head bowed, silent as if the storm on the court floor had nothing to do with him.
Jin Wang grew anxious. How could his grandfather remain unmoved at such a golden opportunity?
Though Zhang Gelao stood unmoving like Mount Tai, Marquises Guangxiang and Xingqin stepped forward, requesting the emperor to thoroughly investigate the Qiping case.
At this moment, Censor Zhong produced a secret letter found in Zhang Guangan’s residence and respectfully presented it with both hands.
The Crown Prince’s eyelids twitched as his body tensed even further.
Qu You raised his head and loudly added, “Your Majesty, this letter was handed to this official by Zhang Guangan’s wife. She wishes to atone for her family’s crimes by offering it and begs Your Majesty to spare the women of the Zhang household.”
Ding Zhao stepped forward to receive the letter and delivered it to the emperor.
The emperor opened the letter with a grim face, his expression darkening with every line. His hand trembled faintly as he held the paper.
Xiao Muchen cast a sidelong glance at Qu You and secretly let out a breath. So he had finally chosen to hand over the letter.
Originally, this letter had been given to Zhong Yuqing by the Zhang family, but Zhong Yuqing had been ambushed and wounded soon after, and the letter fell into Qu You’s hands.
Qu You was also attacked, but even then, he had not revealed the letter.
Now that the letter was out, there was no covering up the relationship between Zhang Guangan and the Crown Prince.
Clutching the letter tightly, the emperor turned to look at the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince did not dare meet his father’s eyes and lowered his gaze slightly.
Zhang Guangan, that wretched man—how could he have left something like this in the hands of his family?
The emperor looked at the Crown Prince and could not hide the disappointment in his eyes. Over the years, every time the Crown Prince made a mistake, he had patiently guided him, never truly punishing him.
He hadn’t expected that his fatherly love had become the very reason for such unchecked arrogance and disloyalty.
It was his mistake.
“Crown Prince, do you have anything to say for yourself?” the emperor asked in a deep voice.
The Crown Prince was stunned. He hadn’t expected the emperor to confront him openly in court. With that question, wouldn’t everyone now suspect his connection to Zhang Guangan?
“Royal Father, the crimes in Qiping Prefecture are grave. As the heir, I bear the blame for failing to uncover them. I accept Your Majesty’s punishment.”
Duan Wang sneered silently—“failing to uncover”? The Crown Prince was good at spinning things.
Xiao Muchen immediately stepped forward and said, “Royal Father, the Crown Prince is right. The Qiping case is appalling. Local officials blatantly disregarded imperial commands, treated the laws of the realm as nothing, fabricated disasters, raised taxes, and even deceived the court to obtain disaster relief funds. Their hearts are treacherous, and their crimes inexcusable.”
“If Your Majesty does not punish them severely, others across the realm might follow suit. Over time, the law will be meaningless, and the nation will fall into chaos. I urge Your Majesty to consider carefully!”
This righteous statement drew the support of many court officials.
All else aside, the phrase “disregard imperial command” struck a nerve with the emperor.
Even if he had wanted to support the Crown Prince wholeheartedly, he was still the ruler of this land. He was still alive, yet some officials dared take the Crown Prince’s lead and ignore his authority—how could that not enrage him?
Duke Cao immediately stepped out. “Your Majesty, Zhang Guangan certainly deserved death. However, the Crown Prince did not investigate the case himself and knew little of the details. How can he be held accountable for failing to uncover it? Please, Your Majesty, judge with clarity.”
“Duke Cao speaks rightly. His Highness the Crown Prince has served diligently since taking on state affairs, striving to ease Your Majesty’s burdens. Even if he lacks merit, he has certainly toiled. Please, Your Majesty, judge fairly.”
“I concur…”
More and more officials in the court spoke up in defense of the Crown Prince.
Xiao Muchen wasn’t angry at all. In fact, he felt relieved.
Let Royal Father see for himself just how many ministers the Crown Prince has won over through the years.
And among those speaking for the Eastern Palace—how many of them had fed off the blood and flesh of Qiping’s common folk?
