Chapter 166 Sending the Northern Wilderness King to the Capital to Defend Himself
As Zhao Qi got older, he always felt like he wasn't getting enough sleep.
He lay on the couch, listening to the maid humming a folk song from his hometown, and slowly closed his eyes and fell asleep.
When he woke up, he looked at the sky outside and saw that the sun was already setting.
"Someone come here."
"Master, you're awake." The butler, who had been waiting outside for some time, rushed into the room upon hearing the voice.
"What time is it?" Zhao Qi asked as the steward helped him to his feet.
It's already late afternoon.
"Is the boss back yet?"
"not yet."
Before the butler could finish speaking, Zhao Qi suddenly sat up straight, his expression turning serious: "They haven't returned yet? Did they send a message home?"
No, not at all.
"Go and call the second brother over quickly."
"Yes." The steward didn't dare to delay and was about to leave the courtyard when he suddenly saw a group of people rush in.
Upon seeing the official robes worn by that group of people, the steward's heart sank, but he forced a smile and stepped forward: "Sir, do you wish to see my master?"
The steward stood in front of Bai Xiuming, and the commander of the Mingjing Division immediately wanted to draw his sword, but he stopped him by raising his hand.
"I wish to see Lord Zhao Qi. Please lead the way."
"Of course, there is no problem. However, my master prefers peace and quiet, so please, gentlemen, step outside first."
The saying goes, "Even a third-rank official is subject to the prime minister's gate." The steward was used to using his own rules to demand things of outsiders, and in the past, no matter how high the official rank of anyone who came, they would all obey. But before he could finish speaking, several knives were already at his neck.
Someone stepped forward and kicked the butler aside, coldly scolding, "Who do you think you are, daring to make demands of our master?"
The commotion outside had already alerted the people inside. As soon as Zhao Qi came out, he saw his personal butler being kicked to the ground, and his expression immediately changed: "Stop!"
He quickened his pace and immediately spotted Bai Xiuming surrounded by people.
Zhao Qi and Bai Xiuming had no relationship and had never spoken before, but they had met at palace banquets during festivals.
After the incident at Xiling, some of his disciples came to his door, wanting him to persuade His Majesty to be close to virtuous ministers and keep away from treacherous people. The treacherous person they were referring to was naturally Bai Xiuming.
However, he ultimately declined the offer, citing physical discomfort.
Zhao Qi knew in his heart that the current emperor only showed him respect on the surface. If he really stood up for himself, he was afraid that all that affection would be used up.
Although he did nothing, in his heart, Bai Xiuming was a scoundrel who would turn his back on his family for power.
"Lord Bai is quite imposing, not even sparing a servant." Zhao Qi stood a few steps away, his face somber. Although he was already in his eighties, his aura was not weak in the slightest.
“My men are ignorant and have made a fool of themselves in front of you, Master Zhao. Help them up.”
The guards from the Mingjing Division picked up the steward and even patted the dust off his clothes.
Seeing that Bai Xiuming had backed down, Zhao Qi did not press the matter further. At this moment, he was more concerned about why the Mingjing Division had come to his door.
"May I ask what business Lord Bai has with me?"
"The Dowager Princess of the Northern Wilderness was murdered yesterday. Please accept my condolences, Your Excellency."
Zhao Qi took a step back, his face full of disbelief: "This...how is this possible? Where are her guards?"
Bai Xiuming answered truthfully: "The person who did the attack was the Empress Dowager's guard. I heard that the Empress Dowager brought him from the Northern Wilderness."
"Guards?" Zhao Qi's expression changed several times. He clearly remembered his daughter saying that she had guards from the four realms by her side. Those guards were sent by the previous Northern Wilderness King to protect her and had been with her for decades. How could they suddenly betray her?
Even if the prince and the imperial concubine had a falling out, it wouldn't warrant taking his own mother's life.
If it weren't for that fourth-level guard, the only visible bodyguard around the Dowager Consort would be... Zhao Yin?
At this moment, Zhao Qi was only upset that his daughter had become estranged from him after getting married and refused to say anything. Now he knew nothing about her and could not ask her anything for fear of saying something he shouldn't have and giving the Mingjing Division something to use against him.
Bai Xiuming gave Zhao Qi some time to calm down before saying, "I have come here today to take the Dowager Consort's maid to identify the perpetrator. I hope you can cooperate, sir."
"Of course, that's no problem. I'll send someone to fetch them right away."
Zhao Qi always felt that Bai Xiuming's purpose was not pure, but since his boss had not returned, he did not know what had happened and could only deal with him for the time being.
Zhao Qi instructed the steward to go to the Empress Dowager's courtyard and fetch her maid. Bai Xiuming gave a signal to the person next to him, and immediately someone followed the steward.
Seeing this, Zhao Qi became increasingly uneasy.
"May I ask if Lord Bai could tell me where the Dowager Consort was murdered?"
"In a village on the outskirts of the city."
"Then... how did Lord Bai discover the body?" Zhao Qi asked tentatively.
"I received a report that someone had been taken hostage in the suburbs. When I went to rescue the hostage, I saw..." Bai Xiuming paused here and looked at Zhao Qi.
Zhao Qi had a bad feeling. He told his eldest brother to go find Liang Yan. With Liang Yan's abilities, he shouldn't be unable to find the Empress Dowager. They haven't returned yet. Could it be that they ran into the Mingjing Division?
Sure enough, the next moment Bai Xiuming said, "I saw Lord Liang of the Military Command fighting with the perpetrator. However, Lord Liang seemed to be in a hurry to kill the murderer, and he even refused to let go of the hostages. He is currently under investigation."
Zhao Qi did not pretend to be ignorant, but directly admitted: "It was I who asked Lord Liang to help find the whereabouts of the Dowager Consort. Lord Liang is so anxious, I suppose it is because of my urging. I will personally apologize to His Majesty."
Bai Xiuming smiled and said, "It's nothing, Elder, you don't need to take it to heart, and His Majesty won't care either."
"Your Majesty is wise." Zhao Qi cupped his hands in a gesture of respect towards the palace.
At this moment, the steward had already led the people from the Mingjing Division to the Empress Dowager's courtyard. Upon seeing the Empress Dowager's three maids, before the steward could even speak, the leading commander waved his hand, and his men immediately rushed forward and subdued the three maids.
The commander immediately ordered, "Search them, dislocate their limbs and jaws, don't give them a chance to commit suicide."
"yes."
The butler was stunned when he heard what the other party said. Wasn't the idea to have the maid identify the murderer? What did they mean by this?
Unfortunately, Zhao Qi was unaware of everything that had happened here.
"Lord Bai, when will we be able to bring the Empress Dowager's body home?"
"The case is still under investigation, and the old man will probably have to wait a while."
"Could you please give me a deadline, Lord Bai? The Dowager Consort is of high status. If too many people see her body, we will not be able to explain it to the Northern Wilderness Prince's Mansion."
"My lord, there is no need to worry about the Northern Wilderness Prince's Mansion. I have already reported this case to His Majesty, and I believe His Majesty will personally contact the Northern Wilderness Prince."
"Really? That's good."
"By the way, my good-for-nothing son must be with Lord Bai, I wonder when he will be released?" Zhao Qi asked, remembering his eldest son.
"The old man will be able to meet Lord Zhao soon."
"In that case, thank you very much, Lord Bai." Although Bai Xiuming answered all his questions, Zhao Qi always felt that there was a hidden meaning in every word he said, which made him increasingly uneasy.
"You're welcome."
At this moment, a guard from the Mingjing Division walked in and said to Bai Xiuming, "My lord, we have already received the Dowager Consort's personal maid."
Bai Xiuming grunted in acknowledgment, then said to Zhao Qi, "Please wait, sir. I shall take my leave now."
"Please take care, Lord Bai." Zhao Qi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Bai Xiuming turned around and suddenly said, "Speaking of which, the old master's courtyard seems a bit empty."
Zhao Qi froze, only to see Bai Xiuming suddenly stomp his foot down.
The entire courtyard shook, followed by a piercing buzzing sound.
Zhao Qi lost his footing and had to grab onto a nearby pillar to steady himself. His anger surged, and he shouted, "Bai Xiuming, what do you want to do?"
Bai Xiuming slowly turned back and spoke slowly and deliberately: "It seems that there is something extraordinary hidden under the old master's courtyard. I have heard that Xuanjin makes a buzzing sound when it collides with soil and rocks. How much Xuanjin is hidden underground?"
Zhao Qi's face turned deathly pale. He suddenly realized that Bai Xiuming hadn't come today for the three maids, nor specifically to tell him about the Empress Dowager's death; he was...
"I've heard that the Zhao family has a hidden vault, seemingly made of black gold. I never imagined it was right beneath your courtyard, sir," Bai Xiuming said, looking at Zhao Qi. "What do you think I'm planning, sir?"
Bai Xiuming didn't make things difficult for Zhao Qi's somewhat rotten mind, and directly told him the answer: "The Mingjing Division came to our door, naturally for the case, for... the Shang family's massacre case twenty years ago."
Zhao Qi felt a sudden darkness before his eyes, and his last hope was shattered.
He fell straight backward, but was caught by the quick-thinking guards of the Mingjing Division.
"Take good care of the old man and make sure he doesn't suffer any mishaps, lest he be unable to see his own son soon."
Bai Xiuming agreed to let the father and son meet as soon as possible. Since he could not release Zhao Hongliang, he could only bring his biological father back to the Mingjing Division.
Zhao Qi was, after all, a high-ranking official of the previous dynasty, and his mind was not so fragile. Although he had fallen, he was still conscious.
After Bai Xiuming finished speaking, his lips trembled and he couldn't utter a word.
Bai Xiuming strode up to him, looking down at him condescendingly: "Lord Zhao, could you tell me where the entrance to the secret vault is? I've heard that half of the Shang family's wealth is in the secret vault?"
"You're spouting nonsense! I'll definitely report you to His Majesty!"
Having said all that, Zhao Qi knew perfectly well that Zhao Yin was the one who killed his daughter. But he still held onto a sliver of hope: if the secret vault couldn't be opened, Bai Xiuming would have no evidence.
Then, he will still have a chance to turn things around.
Bai Xiuming sneered and drew his long sword from his waist under Zhao Qi's gaze.
He casually twirled the knife, then slashed it with his backhand. A sickening scraping sound rang out, and then a crack appeared in the entire courtyard.
The gap was wide enough for a person to pass through. A guard from the Mingjing Division peeked down and then jumped down.
Before long, the man came up with a scroll and a jade bottle.
"My lord, the space below is very large, filled with gold, silver and jewels, as well as jade artifacts. The ornaments inside all have markings, including this jade bottle." The man lifted the jade bottle and showed Bai Xiuming the bottom of it.
The Shang family's mark is clearly engraved below.
"And this book is about exorcism techniques, and it has the signature of the Shang family members on it."
Bai Xiuming took the book and opened it. The first page contained a warning left by a man named Shang Zong, reminding future generations that if they did not have the talent of dual gods, they should not cultivate this book, as it would easily lead to madness.
"Lord Zhao, why don't you explain to me why all of the Shang family's wealth is stored in the Zhao family's underground?"
Zhao Qi was speechless, unable to utter a word.
"I suppose the old man hasn't come up with an excuse yet," Bai Xiuming said considerately. "It's alright, once you're in the town prison, the old man can think of one slowly with his family."
Under Zhao Qi's desperate gaze, Bai Xiuming ordered: "The entire Zhao family is implicated in the massacre that occurred twenty years ago. Bring everyone back to the yamen."
"yes."
Overnight, the entire Zhao family was imprisoned, and they were taken away directly by the Mingjing Division without going through the Dali Temple or the Ministry of Justice.
Among the court officials were many who had once been Zhao Qi's students. They only learned that the Empress Dowager had been murdered the previous night, and the murderer kept saying that the Zhao family had harmed his clan. Bai Xiuming couldn't wait to arrest the Zhao family members.
The next morning at court, as soon as the emperor was seated, several people stepped forward to impeach Bai Xiuming.
Among them was He Yi'an, the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief. This Lord He impeached the Mingjing Bureau every few days, and today he even told His Majesty to dismiss Bai Xiuming as a treacherous minister.
"Your Majesty, Bai Xiuming imprisoned Zhao Qi, a minister who has rendered meritorious service to the country, based solely on a few words from the murderer. This is a treacherous minister. If this continues, the country will perish at his hands!"
These words were really too much, and the emperor's face changed.
He Yi'an, however, seemed oblivious and continued, "Your Majesty, even if someone in the Zhao family has committed a crime, the Ministry of Justice should take over the investigation. The Mingjing Division has overstepped its authority and should be severely punished."
"Bai Xiuming, what do you have to say?"
Bai Xiuming stepped forward, first bowing to the emperor before saying, "Lord He questions my overstepping of authority; I can offer an explanation."
He Yi'an snorted coldly: "How does Lord Bai intend to explain this?"
"According to Shang Yin, the murderer who assassinated the Dowager Princess of the Northern Wilderness, Zhao Qi and his daughter conspired with the previous Northern Wilderness King to exterminate the entire Shang family and seize their wealth. They then triggered the Ghost Gate, causing the deaths of hundreds of people in the surrounding area."
"Lord Zhao is a man of high moral character and integrity; he would never do such a thing. Someone must have framed him!" He Yi'an simply did not believe what Bai Xiuming said.
If one were to ask who he admired most in the capital, it would undoubtedly be his mentor, Zhao Qi.
After becoming an imperial censor, he offended many nobles. If it weren't for his mentor's help in his early years, he wouldn't have reached his current position.
He didn't believe a single word Bai Xiuming said.
Unfortunately, Bai Xiuming's next words shattered his illusions: "Lord He, Zhao Qi built a hidden vault at home using Xuanjin. The vault was opened yesterday and contains countless gold and silver treasures, as well as many valuables and ornaments bearing the Shang family's mark, and even the Shang family's unique cultivation techniques."
The more he spoke, the paler He Yi'an's face became.
Bai Xiuming ignored He Yi'an and said to the emperor, "Your Majesty, according to Shang Yin, Zhao Qi once tried to use the Shang family's martial arts to control the late emperor's soul and extract royal secrets from him. Zhao Qi admitted it yesterday."
In the past, if Bai Xiuming had said this, court officials would have certainly objected and tortured him into confessing.
But now, even if they were forced to confess under torture, they dare not speak out.
With the evidence irrefutable, anyone who dares to utter a single word now will not only be seen as an accomplice of the Zhao family, but also, without forgetting, the Northern Wilderness Royal Palace is involved.
The emperor took a deep breath, as if he too was startled: "What else did Shang Yin say?"
"He also said... when the Dowager Princess of the Northern Wilderness married into the Northern Wilderness, she took half of the property belonging to the Shang family from the Zhao family to use for the Northern Wilderness King's military training. Zhao Qi also admitted to this crime."
He did not use the word "treason," but how could the ministers standing in the court not understand the implication in his words?
Colluding with the Zhao family to wipe out their entire clan, just to use their wealth to train troops—how impatient they were! Is that training troops? That's treason!
But these two words cannot be uttered lightly, otherwise there will be no room for maneuver.
"Very well, so the Imperial Tutor whom I respect so much is only thinking about finding out royal secrets. What is he planning to do?"
None of the court officials dared to speak.
What else could they possibly want to do? They've already joined forces with the Northern Wilderness King; of course, they're doing all this for the Northern Wilderness King's sake.
Although some people felt that the King of the Northern Wilderness wouldn't be so unwise, especially since the Northern Wilderness had been peaceful for years and showed no inclination to oppose the imperial court, no one dared to speak up.
"Your life is in vain."
"Your subject is present."
"We must thoroughly investigate the case of the Shang family's massacre and give the dead an explanation."
"I obey the order."
"By imperial decree, the King of the Northern Wilderness is to come to the capital to defend himself."
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