Standing next to Lu Zheng, Lang Ming couldn't help but feel anxious. He knew Lu Zheng was an upright official, but he was too upright.
Emperor Wen was clearly questioning Luo Cheng, so why did Lu Zheng bother to take the initiative? Wouldn't this directly offend the Crown Prince? Lang Ming sighed inwardly, worrying about the trouble that might arise next.
Cold sweat broke out on the prince's forehead. Xuanhu and Xuanbao had gone out to do something for him tonight. It seemed that the crime of murder would have to be pinned on them!
The Third Prince winked at the Minister of Revenue, Kang Peiyi, who immediately addressed Emperor Wen: "Your Majesty! Tonight, I discovered some issues with the household registration records at the Ministry of Revenue, and went to see the Secretary Shi Changqing to check. I never expected him to be murdered! Your Majesty! I think there's a conspiracy!"
Emperor Wen looked at him meaningfully and smiled: "Lord Kang, you really guessed it right! See for yourself!"
After Emperor Wen finished speaking, he looked at Kang Peiyi with a cold gaze and threw a file in front of him. Kang Peiyi was startled and opened the file with trembling hands. The contents inside made his eyes widen and a look of horror appeared on his face. He suddenly knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly, his forehead hitting the ground with a crisp sound.
"Your Majesty! I didn't know! I really didn't know that the villain was Yue Wu's secret agent! I am loyal to Your Majesty and have no second thoughts! Your Majesty, please believe me!" Kang Peiyi said in a crying voice, his body trembling slightly with fear.
Emperor Wen sneered, "Kang Peiyi, what else do you have to say?"
Kang Peiyi kowtowed repeatedly and said, "Your Majesty! I am innocent! I am loyal to Your Majesty and have absolutely no second thoughts! Someone must have deliberately framed me! Your Majesty, please investigate!"
Emperor Wen shouted angrily, "Shut up! The evidence is irrefutable, and you still dare to quibble! Come! Capture Kang Peiyi!"
Kang Peiyi was dragged out by the guards, and Emperor Wen glanced at the third prince.
He said to the Crown Prince happily, "Prince! You did a great job this time! If you find any of Yue Wu's secret agents in the future, kill them immediately! A secret agent actually sneaked into the Ministry of Revenue and became a clerk! He even instigated the rebellion of the Minister of Revenue! It's simply abominable!"
The Crown Prince was feeling a wave of uneasiness, but his expression remained calm as he spoke respectfully, "Protecting Da Zhao is my duty! Congratulations, Father, for eliminating my secret agent!"
Emperor Wen glanced at the Crown Prince and said with a smile, "That's right! This is how my son should be!"
The Third Prince was extremely angry! Even if Shi Changqing was Yue Wu's secret agent, Kang Peiyi was his man. How could he be instigated by Yue Wu's secret agent to rebel?
Moreover, Emperor Wen postponed his wedding with Hu Yanzhuozhuo and ordered him to observe a three-year mourning period! Hu Yanzhuozhuo was furious and returned to Yuewu Kingdom. He even refused to give him the Yuewu secret stake he had been promised!
Now Emperor Wen actually used this excuse to get rid of his people! The Third Prince clenched his fists. Damn it! After losing a Minister of Revenue, what else can he do in the future?!
Emperor Wen glanced at the people below with an expressionless face, then spoke slowly, "Xuan Hu, Xuan Bao, you two have done a great service by eliminating the secret agents planted by Yue Wu in the palace. I have now decided to grant you the position of fourth-rank sword-bearing guards, and let you be in charge of the guards of the Eastern Palace!"
Hearing Emperor Wen's words, Xuan Hu and Xuan Bao's faces showed surprise. They had originally worried that their lives might be in danger tonight, but now they had unexpectedly received a promotion, which made them very happy.
The two men quickly knelt and kowtowed in thanks: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace! Long live the Emperor!"
Emperor Wen smiled faintly. "Get up! My dear ministers, you have all worked hard today. Eunuch Gao, please lead everyone to the warm room to rest for a while. We will discuss other matters during the court tomorrow!"
Everyone bowed to Emperor Wen and expressed their gratitude, then followed Eunuch Gao to the warm room next to the Imperial Study to rest. Once inside, the Crown Prince, Xuan Hu, and Xuan Bao found a soft couch to sit on. The Crown Prince said to them cheerfully, "Oh! That's wonderful! When we return to the Eastern Palace, I'll definitely reward you all!"
Xuan Hu and Xuan Bao burst into tears of gratitude, saying, "We are where we are today thanks to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"
The Third Prince sat alone in a corner, his eyes blazing with rage. He clenched his fists tightly, hiding them in his sleeves, as if channeling his anger through his fingers. He silently cursed those who had put him in this predicament, while also pondering how to escape it.
Meanwhile, Lang Ming and Lu Zheng sat next to Luo Cheng, their faces filled with relaxed and cheerful smiles. Lang Ming whispered, "Lord Luo! After the court session, shall we three go for a drink?"
Luo Cheng smiled and replied, "Okay! It just so happens that I also want to get together with the two adults! I'll treat you today!" After that, he turned to look at Lu Zheng, expecting his response.
Lu Zhengze nodded in agreement and added, "Yeah! We haven't had a drink together for a long time, so we must have a good chat this time!"
At this moment, the wise king suddenly came over to them and whispered, "I want to drink with you too!"
Luo Cheng's face instantly became embarrassed. He subconsciously touched the purse in his pocket and secretly groaned in his heart.
He knew that if the wise king came along, the meal would probably cost a lot of money, and he couldn't help but worry whether his wallet could bear such an expense.
The virtuous king was delighted, hoping that Lang Ming and Lu Zheng would refuse his invitation, thus proving that they were on the opposite side of him. However, to the virtuous king's disappointment, Lang Ming and Lu Zheng agreed to his request without hesitation and expressed their willingness to go together.
"Great! Let's go together!" Lang Ming and Lu Zheng said in unison. For them, this was a rare opportunity to savor Tianxianglou's delicious food without having to pay for it themselves. They had heard that Tianxianglou had recently introduced seafood dishes and had always longed to try them. Now, they finally had the chance to fulfill their wish.
The four chatted for a while, and before they knew it, the time for the morning court session was approaching. Emperor Wen sat upright on the dragon throne, his expression dignified and solemn. He nodded slightly to Eunuch Gao, indicating that the morning court session could begin.
Eunuch Gao announced loudly, "Minister of Revenue Kang Peiyi was instigated by Yuewu State's undercover agent Shi Changqing to betray his country and collaborate with the enemy! His crimes are heinous! He is hereby sentenced to immediate execution! All his property will be confiscated! His family will be exiled to Muhe!"
Upon hearing the news, the court was in an uproar, and the ministers began to discuss it. Emperor Wen, on the other hand, looked serious, as if he was very dissatisfied with the matter.
Kang Peiyi, the Minister of Revenue, had committed such a treasonous act, which was truly heartbreaking. Emperor Wen decided to punish him severely to uphold the dignity of the country and the fairness of the law.
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