The man took the account book, passed by the dumbfounded Liu Quan, and went straight to the carriage in the general's mansion.
"General Shang is in the car."
Shang Yuanshan lifted the carriage curtain. "What do you want, young master?"
"General Shang, this is Wanhetang's account book. It contains records of poison sales. I hope it will be useful to you."
"Thank you, young master."
This person was arranged by Shang Yanqing. After handing the things to Shang Yuanshan, he disappeared into the crowd.
Shang Yuanshan opened the account book and saw what was recorded inside, he sneered.
"Master Liu, please take a look at this account book."
Liu Quan ran over trembling all over, and saw the thick account book.
The more Liu Quan read, the more panicked he became. This was not an account book. Every entry on it would include one or more lives.
After reading it, Liu Quan became even more panicked and his body trembled. "General, it was my fault for failing to check."
Shang Yuanshan sneered. "Oversight? Sir Liu, you should explain this to the Emperor."
"General, this..."
"Take action immediately. Take control of all the doctors and servants in Wanhetang and keep them under strict guard until this general meets His Majesty before making a decision." Shang Yuanshan's voice was firm and decisive, and there was no room for doubt.
"Sir Liu, please follow me." His eyes were as sharp as torches, staring directly at Liu Quan.
"Yes, sir." Liu Quan's voice trembled, and his legs seemed to have lost support. The guard handed him a horse. He tried several times but was so scared that he couldn't get on the horse.
Shang Yuanshan saw this and ordered in a cold voice: "Zhang Yuan, give him a helping hand."
"As you command." Zhang Yuan quickly stepped forward and easily lifted Liu Quan onto the horse's back. His tone was firm and unyielding: "Master Liu, please sit tight and don't fall off."
"Thank...thank you." Liu Quan managed to steady his body and moved slowly forward with the team. His face was pale and he seemed even weaker than the poisoned Shang Yuanshan.
When they finally arrived at the gate of the imperial palace, Liu Quan was already panting and sweating profusely.
When the two arrived at the door of the imperial study, Liu Quan's breathing became rapid, and even standing seemed to be a challenge.
When Eunuch Li saw Shang Yuanshan, he hurried forward with a nervous look on his face, "General Shang, the emperor was furious when he learned that you were poisoned."
Shang Yuanshan nodded slightly: "Please ask Eunuch Li to tell the emperor that I have an urgent matter to report in person."
"General Shang, please wait a moment. I will go and report right away." Eunuch Li hurried into the imperial study. Soon, the voice of Emperor Yuan Ming came through the crack in the door.
"Let him in." The door of the imperial study slowly opened.
"Lord Liu, what are you still standing there for? Come in with me." Shang Yuanshan's voice was filled with unquestionable majesty.
"Yes." Liu Quan's voice was weak, his legs trembling involuntarily, and he followed Shang Yuanshan into the imperial study. When he saluted, his body was stiff, as if he had lost his soul.
Emperor Yuan Ming frowned and said, "Liu Quan, why are you here in the palace instead of staying in the capital to investigate General Shang's poisoning?"
"Your Majesty, that..." Before Liu Quan finished speaking, Shang Yuanshan came forward, holding an account book in his hand, "Your Majesty, you will know once you look at this account book."
Eunuch Li, bring the account book here." The emperor ordered.
"As you wish." Eunuch Li took the account book and handed it to the emperor.
Time seemed to stand still. The only sound in the imperial study was the emperor's angry rebuke, and everyone was trembling with fear.
"Liu Quan, is this how you manage the capital? Wanhetang has been operating under your nose for many years, selling poison and harming countless people!" Emperor Yuan Ming was furious and threw the teacup at Liu Quan.
Liu Quan trembled all over and knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, I have failed in my duty. I beg Your Majesty to give me a chance to make amends."
Emperor Yuan Ming sneered: "Did he fail in his duty or did he do it on purpose?"
"Your Majesty, I am innocent." Liu Quan's voice was filled with despair.
"Unfair? I'll read it to you right now.
In the first year of the Yonghe reign, Nanny Zhen, who served the wife of Minister Liu of the Ministry of Rites, bought a bottle of Tripterygium wilfordii.
In the second year of Yonghe, Zhen Ma, who was beside the wife of the Dali Temple, bought a bottle of Xiaoweisan. Yonghe..." The emperor's voice was like a judgment, and Liu Quan's heart sank with every word he read.
"Liu Quan, please explain to me, your wife buys poison every year, is it for beauty purposes?" The emperor's words were like a sharp sword, piercing Liu Quan's heart.
Liu Quan listened to his wife's purchase records over the years, and a chill surged in his heart. He remembered the concubines he had taken in those years, who died mysteriously one after another. Could it be that...
Liu Quan kowtowed repeatedly. "Your Majesty, I failed to discipline you. I was also foolish. I didn't realize I married such a vicious wife."
"Don't know? Do you know about the Wanhetang incident? I don't believe you don't know anything about it."
"Your Majesty, this Wanhe Hall is not only known to me, but also to everyone in the capital."
Emperor Yuan Ming laughed angrily. "What a man who knows it very well."
"Your Majesty, Wanhetang has been in the capital for so many years, and its power is complicated. This cannot be entirely blamed on Lord Liu." Shang Yuanshan winked at Emperor Yuan Ming.
Emperor Yuan Ming frowned. His anger had just risen and he had to suppress it.
He knew very well that the existence of Wanhetang could not be blamed entirely on Liu Quan, but there had to be an explanation for this.
"What does Shang Aiqin think?"
Shang Yuanshan's mouth curled up. "Then why not let Lord Liu make amends for his crime?"
Emperor Yuan Ming could probably guess what Shang Yuanshan was going to do, but this would shake the foundations of some people, and he didn't want Shang Yuanshan to get involved and be implicated.
"Your Majesty, please take a look at the account book, the purchase records from the second year of Yonghe and one month ago."
Emperor Yuanming opened the account book and saw the record. He looked down at Shang Yuanshan.
There was heartache in his eyes.
Shang Yuanshan looked at Emperor Yuan Ming with a smile. The eye contact lasted only for a moment and no one noticed.
"Your Majesty, everyone has already joined the game."
Everyone present was confused and did not understand the relationship here.
Emperor Yuan Ming rubbed his swollen head and stared at Shang Yuanshan.
Liu Quan was still kneeling on the ground and found it too quiet at the moment. He secretly glanced at Shang Yuanshan.
It was not like this before General Shang entered the palace. At that time, General Shang wanted to kill him.
Why are you willing to help him now?
Emperor Yuan Ming: "Liu Quan, are you willing to make up for your crime and make meritorious contributions?"
"I am willing."
Shang Yuanshan raised his lips. "Your Majesty, I am also willing to help Lord Liu."
"Okay, then you will be fully responsible for this matter, and Liu Quan will assist you."
Shang Yuanshan winked at the emperor, who frowned, somewhat confused about what Shang Yuanshan meant.
Shang Yuanshan spoke to the emperor with his mouth.
Emperor Yuan Ming had a look of certainty on his face.
Shang Yuanshan nodded vigorously.
Emperor Yuan Ming looked at Liu Quan lying on the ground with pity. This was indeed something Liu Quan could bear.
"Okay, since you are willing to take charge of this matter, I am also a person who clearly distinguishes rewards and punishments."
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