Chapter 98
Wen Shu was far away in Shanzhou and had no idea what had happened in Anyang.
After she left, the Wen family, along with officials of all ranks from Tongqing Road, were escorted to Jijing.
The weather is getting colder in late autumn.
The plum tree at the entrance of the herbal medicine shop has started to shed its leaves.
At this moment, the young man stood silently under the tree, like a statue, gazing intently inside.
However, the person he longed for was not there.
Zhu Zijin stood not far away, watching his uncle.
Wen Si Niangzi has been missing for quite some time. Her uncle led people to search the Wen residence and Guangfu Temple inside and out countless times, even digging up and carefully examining every brick on the ground.
But Wen Si Niangzi seemed to have vanished into thin air, and there was no news of her since.
"Uncle..." the boy stammered, "We have to set off back to the capital tomorrow, Uncle..."
Pei Lingjun had to return to the capital. He was ordered by the emperor to secretly investigate Cai Hui. If he did not return and present the evidence to His Majesty, and if he did not nail Cai Hui to the executioner's block, the Cai family would be like weeds that could not be burned out, and would grow back in the spring breeze.
"We will depart tomorrow and return to Beijing as soon as possible."
The young man seemed to have not spoken for a long time, and his voice was terribly hoarse.
Zhu Zijin nodded, still worried seeing his distraught appearance. "Why don't I stay and continue looking for Fourth Sister? Leave things here to me, Uncle, don't worry."
"You can stay if you want." Pei Lingjun withdrew his gaze, rubbing his temples. He had searched every inch of Anyang.
Wen Shu isn't here; she's not here at all.
An indescribable bitterness welled up inside him, but he swallowed it down.
He forced out a sentence through gritted teeth, "Bring Jiang Xianyi along."
Zhu Zijin's heart skipped a beat. Of course, he knew about the relationship between this Princess Sui'an and that person. Now that his uncle had imprisoned her without any regard for the consequences, it was clear that he was about to make a move against that person in the palace.
It seems that this trip back to Jinan will surely be followed by another bloody storm.
——
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Cai Hui, abusing his position, colluded with Ruan Mingyuan, the Transport Commissioner of Tongqing Road, to embezzle and accept bribes. The evidence is conclusive. He is hereby imprisoned in the Dali Temple for further investigation and punishment! So be it—"
In the solemn imperial court, the bright yellow figure on the chair at the very top was nowhere to be seen.
After the eunuch's shrill voice, two guards stood before the Grand Tutor of Dasheng.
Cai Hui had just celebrated his sixtieth birthday, but now he looked ten years older. He slowly placed his official hat on the ground, stared intently at the bright yellow dragon throne above, and focused his energy on his dantian.
"Your Majesty, since the late Emperor ascended the throne, this old minister has served diligently and conscientiously. I implore Your Majesty not to heed the words of petty men—"
Inside the imperial court, Pei Lingjun did not show himself, but stood outside the curtain, allowing it to conceal his figure.
The young man's handsome and tall figure stretched out of his flying fish robe, a silver knife was tucked into his waistband, and his pair of deep black eyes were coldly indifferent.
"Lord Pei... what are you doing here? His Majesty summons you..."
The eunuch who had been by His Majesty's side for many years appeared behind him at some point and said something.
The young man barely regained his senses, his eyes still sharp and cold. The old man glanced at him and quickly lowered his head.
This man has only been by His Majesty's side for less than two years, yet he is now one of His Majesty's most trusted confidants. This time, he contributed to suppressing Minister Cai, uprooting Grand Tutor Cai in one fell swoop, which shows his character and methods.
His Majesty is still young, and has been dissatisfied with Cai Hui since he came to power. Pei Lingjun's secret trip to Anyang this time also has his reasons.
“The evidence of Cai Hui’s bribery is conclusive. His son-in-law Ruan Mingyuan was also among the bribe recipients, as were the Privy Councilor, Cai Hui’s eldest son, and military commanders such as the Northwest Three Routes Commander, whose positions were priced between five and eight thousand strings of cash. Many people borrowed money to buy their official posts.”
The middle-aged emperor looked at the mountain of memorials before him, rubbing his temples. "They have ruined my empire like this, I will not let them off lightly."
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Perhaps because Cai Hui's evidence was irrefutable, the emperor was in a good mood and asked, "You are a meritorious official in this southward campaign. Just tell me what you want."
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