Why did Chapter 89 ramble on and on?

Mu Zhen slumped in his seat, completely confused: "Xi'er, what nonsense are you talking about?"

"Father, I'm not lying. Wasn't it you who strongly opposed Pan'er staying in the manor and even wanted to send her away?" Mu Xi put on a convincing act.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Mu Zhen could not be stopped and could not speak.

“Raise your head…” Mu Ji glanced at Cao Pan’er, then looked at Mu Xi.

Mu Xi didn't dare look at anyone while saying these words, and had no idea what Cao Pan'er's expression was at that moment.

After a long pause, Mu Ji was still skeptical: "Hmm... Cao Pan'er seems to have a good appearance, but... she's been involved with remnants of the previous dynasty. Does Your Highness really not know anything about this?"

Mu Xi acknowledged his relationship with Cao Pan'er, but could no longer admit to the matter of Cao Mama delivering food and clothing: "If Your Majesty asks about Cao Mama delivering food and clothing to the criminals of Xishan, I truly do not know, but I do know that Cao Pan'er went out of the city to find a place to stay. I just don't know why she accidentally got involved with the criminals."

Lu Cao also shouted, "Yes, it was a coincidence that we stumbled upon her. We were hiding in Zhilan Terrace, and we were afraid that she would see us and report us, so we forcibly kept her here."

Gao Quan retorted, "You treacherous slaves are not what you said before."

The royal mausoleum is in the western suburbs, while Zhilan Terrace is in the eastern suburbs; the two are completely unrelated.

Gao Quan failed to notice such an obvious flaw. Mu Xi, listening from the side, began to doubt his intelligence and, of course, hoped that Gao Quan would be as stupid as possible.

Lu Cao stammered, "That was...that was...it was true that we happened to meet, and it was also true that I forced her to stay. I just didn't want to add to my crime, so I lied...Now that I'm going to die, why should I implicate an innocent woman?"

"No..." Just then, Cao Pan'er suddenly looked up as if to say something.

“No… it’s just that Lu Cao is ungrateful,” Mu Xi quickly interjected, stopping Cao Pan’er from acting impulsively. “Lu Cao has received support from your mother for so many years, and he still wants to hold you hostage. It’s inevitable that you are heartbroken and disappointed.”

Lu Cao also admitted, "Yes, it was just an excuse that the sinner made up to save his life. The sinner's death is not a pity, but the sinner does not want to go to hell after death, so he cannot implicate his junior sister."

With tremendous effort, it was barely possible to salvage the situation.

"Oh?" Mu Ji pondered deeply, then asked Mu Zhen, "Brother, are you aware of this matter?"

Mu Zhen was completely baffled and didn't know how to answer: "Ah...this..."

Mu Ji's expression softened slightly: "Judging by her age, Cao Pan'er probably wasn't even born when the previous dynasty was destroyed. If she weren't connected to the remnants of the previous dynasty, a maid could be returned to the heir. As for the other slaves, no matter the reason, runaway slaves have always been unforgivable..."

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..." King Yu had already relented, but Cao Pan'er suddenly went mad, "Your Majesty, Lu Cao and the others have no connection with the previous dynasty. They are just unfortunate craftsmen who have been enslaved. It is the Court of Justice and the Imperial Guards who cannot explain themselves and insist on framing them. Your Majesty, please see the truth! Your Majesty, please see the truth..."

Gao Quan chimed in sarcastically, "This doesn't seem like a casual relationship. As I see it, Cao Pan'er's relationship with this group is even closer than that of the Crown Prince."

Cao Pan'er remained composed and dignified: "What is my relationship with Lu Cao and the others? These officials have already investigated it. Even a woman like me cannot bear to see innocent people die unjustly, but some people are heartless beasts. As for what is my relationship with the young master, the young master knows best."

Cao Pan'er deliberately emphasized the last sentence, which was to pressure Mu Xi.

Mu Xi's mind was in turmoil. Saving Cao Pan'er was already a huge risk, so how could he possibly save these unrelated criminal slaves?

But Cao Pan'er's actions were tantamount to a public threat, so she had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "Hahaha... Your Majesty... Although people say that women are compassionate, sometimes that compassion isn't entirely unreasonable. Your Majesty, as far as I know, these criminal slaves were all people who surrendered to the previous dynasty, but were demoted to slaves again for various reasons. Since they have already surrendered, how can we kill them again? Wouldn't that make future generations accuse the Mu family of going back on their word?"

Mu Zhen pressed his forehead tightly, his anger already too weak to retaliate: "Ignorant brat, what nonsense are you spouting? Whether these criminal slaves are killed or released is none of your business. Whether they are descendants of the previous dynasty or remnants of the previous dynasty, it is up to the king to decide. It has nothing to do with you, and it is not your place to interfere."

“Brother, there’s no need to be nervous. The Crown Prince is just young and impetuous.” Jin Fangjun Muzhen said this, but Yu Wang Muji became more amiable. “However, even if the Crown Prince has nothing to do with the remnants of the previous dynasty, he is still involved in this matter. Not to mention that as long as the late king’s remains are not found, the rumors will continue to spread. There are also many rumors about the Cao family mother and daughter. The Crown Prince can’t escape responsibility.”

"This..." Mu Zhen had no idea what Mu Ji was up to, so she didn't know how to continue the conversation.

Mu Xi was also confused. On the surface, it seemed that the Prince of Yu was trying to link the Jin Fangjun Mansion with the remnants of the previous dynasty, but his attitude was not very tough. What exactly was he trying to do?

Just then, an eunuch announced: "Your Majesty, Grand Minister of Works Tao Jin has come to see you."

"Summon them." Mu Ji suddenly acted as if nothing had happened and immediately agreed.

Grand Minister Tao Jin, a short, stout man in his fifties with a short beard, broad eyebrows and wide eyes, who looked like he had an expression growing on a steamed cake, entered the Tianjun Hall to pay his respects.

Mu Ji immediately asked, "According to these slaves, my royal mausoleum was built with shoddy materials, and they actually used the old wood from the Zhilan Terrace of the previous dynasty?"

Tao Jin, with a righteous and awe-inspiring expression, pointed to the heavens and swore: "This is absolutely not true. I can guarantee it with my life."

Lu Cao was unconvinced and stretched his neck to repeat what he had just said.

Tao Jin didn't even give him a second glance, and only spoke to the king: "Your Majesty, how can you believe the words of a sinner? Your Majesty knows best how much loyalty and devotion I have given for Your Majesty's long-term plan."

"Yes, Tao Qing is indeed loyal and courageous." Mu Ji's expression softened slightly, and he nodded in affirmation. "But with the collapse of Zhilan Terrace, and everyone having their own version of events, what do you have to say?"

Mu Xi couldn't discern which of the two sentences embodied "loyalty and courage," and a single guarantee proved nothing.

I don't understand why King Yu Muji is rambling on like this today.

Tao Jin, however, seemed to have anticipated this matter, and without a second thought, he replied directly: "Your Majesty, I recall that Liu Bian, the Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Works, surveyed the Zhilan Terrace a long time ago, saying that the terrain and feng shui of the Zhilan Terrace were special, and that if it were built, it would have the efficacy of prayers and sacrifices. I remember that Your Majesty agreed at the time, but although the Ministry of Works was responsible for the construction of the earthwork, water conservancy, and the mausoleum, it was simply too busy, which is why it has been delayed until now. The Zhilan Terrace was never fully completed, and with no maintenance over the years, it has collapsed. Isn't this a warning from the Dragon God?"

Mu Ji asked ambiguously, "So, Zhilan Terrace still has to be demolished and rebuilt?"