Chapter 265: Emperor An's throne is not legitimate, and the Queen is seeking the skin of a tiger
When Xiao Yan heard the message from Fengxi Palace, Qian Baokun was pestering him about Lu Zhao.
Ever since Lu Zhao was transferred to the Ministry of Justice and Lu Chongyuan returned to the court, Qian Baokun was forced to hand over the information he had found out about the grain tax case. Within just a few days, Lu Zhao was convicted and took the blame for everything, clearing the entire Lu family.
Qian Baokun was so angry.
"Those bastards in the Ministry of Justice are clearly biased towards the Lu family. There's so much more to uncover in the grain tax case, and the evidence isn't even complete yet. Yet, they're turning a blind eye and letting Lu Zhao take the blame just to get rid of the case?!"
He was so angry that his eyebrows flew up and he was spinning around in place, with fire in his throat.
"And then there's the matter of Guan. How did she manage to connect Prince Cheng with the Ministry of War? Who was in charge of the iron ore that allowed the Lu family's ships to be lucky? How could she, the eldest wife of the Lu family, have such great abilities? She hasn't even thoroughly investigated the backgrounds of Lu Zhinian and Xie Yin, yet His Majesty has made a final judgment and ordered Prince Cheng to execute them tomorrow!"
If he hadn't known that the Emperor couldn't possibly be doing anything inappropriate with Prince Cheng, he would have almost suspected that it was the Emperor who was having an affair with Prince Cheng. Otherwise, why was he so eager to make a decision?!
Qian Baokun was really holding his breath. If he hadn't been concerned about the fact that he was the emperor, he would have cursed Emperor An to death.
Seeing that Xiao Yan was just flipping through the things in his hand without saying anything, Qian Baokun walked over to him and pressed the things in his hand on the table.
"I said you still have the mind to read these, do you know that once Lu Zhao is convicted, it will be extremely difficult to cause trouble for Lu Chongyuan again?"
"You've driven the Lu family into near desperation. If Lu Chongyuan were to rise again, he would certainly not let you go. Furthermore, His Majesty has suddenly been treating you coldly these past few days. Not only has he transferred the grain tax case to the Ministry of Justice, he's also forbidding you from interfering in other matters! Just think of that Song Jinxiu..."
As he spoke, he pointed outside angrily, as if pointing at Song Jinxiu's nose, his face full of disgust.
"He used to keep saying he would help you take down the Lu family, but now, His Majesty has asked him to help the Ministry of Justice investigate a case and testify against Lu Zhao. He has readily complied with His Majesty's wishes, and I don't know how he managed to curry favor with His Majesty. For two or three days in a row, His Majesty has repeatedly summoned him to the palace."
"He's just a fickle villain. Aren't you afraid that if he really wins the favor of His Majesty, he will turn against you in the future?!"
Xiao Yan listened to Qian Baokun's indignation, and the anger rushed to the top of his head. He said to comfort him: "Uncle Qian, please calm down."
"What's there for me to be at peace about?"
Qian Baokun glared at him, waved his sleeves, and sat down next to him. "I don't mind. I'm in charge of the Ministry of Revenue anyway, so no one can touch me. But if His Majesty really dislikes you and the Lu family finds an opportunity, they will definitely take your life!"
Xiao Yan listened to his words and looked at Qian Baokun's angry face, which was filled with worry. He rarely smiled and said, "Uncle, do you think that once Lu Zhao dies, the Lu family will be safe and sound?"
Qian Baokun was stunned: "What do you mean?"
Xiao Yan looked at him and said, "Have you ever thought about why His Majesty suddenly changed his mind about the Lu family?"
Qian Baokun frowned when he heard this. He just couldn't understand this. Emperor An had clearly intended to eradicate the aristocratic families for a long time, so why did he suddenly change his mind?
Xiao Yan reached out and picked up the teapot, poured some tea, and handed it to Qian Baokun before saying, "On the day Lu Chongyuan entered the palace, he mentioned to Your Majesty the kindness he had shown you in assisting him. Logically, Your Majesty would hate it most when someone from an aristocratic family threatens him with the merit of following the emperor. Yet, this time, he backed down and even took the initiative to protect the Lu family. Why do you think that was?"
Qian Baokun narrowed his eyes slightly: "You mean, when Your Majesty ascended the throne..." Was it not a legitimate position?
He was startled by the sudden thought that came to his mind and suddenly looked up at Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan said lazily, "Anything that can make a king compromise in this world must be extraordinary. Your Majesty encountered several setbacks on his way to the throne, and it was only with the help of the Lu family that he was able to overcome them safely. Your Majesty has never wanted to protect the Lu family."
"He and the Lu family have reached a tacit understanding, and each of them has taken a step back. If we pursue this matter now, we will not be dealing with the Lu family, but with His Majesty."
Qian Baokun's face changed. The reason why Emperor An ascended the throne was because Crown Prince Li committed treason and it was the Lu family who investigated and punished this matter.
"Could it be that the Crown Prince..."
"Shhh."
Xiao Yan glanced at Qian Baokun and said, "Someone is coming."
Qian Baokun immediately fell silent.
A moment later, footsteps were heard outside. Someone came in with a message saying that there was news from Fengxi Palace. The Queen wanted to see Xiao Yan to inquire about the Fourth Prince's downfall.
Qian Baokun turned his head to look at him: "Wasn't the Fourth Prince's downfall an accident? Why did the Queen meet you?"
Xiao Yan shook his head: "I don't know."
Qian Baokun said solemnly: "Be careful, the queen is a member of the Lu family after all."
Xiao Yan laughed when he heard this. "The Queen's surname is Lu, but that doesn't necessarily mean the Lu from Lu Chongyuan. Uncle Qian has forgotten that the Fourth Prince raided the Lu family and forced Guan to death. Lu Chongyuan isn't that magnanimous."
He stood up and said, "I'm going to Fengxi Palace."
Qian Baokun was worried, especially since he had just learned that there might be something hidden behind the Crown Prince's affairs. This made him feel uneasy. He couldn't help but say, "Be careful, don't let anyone plot against you."
Xiao Yan smiled and said, "I understand. Uncle Qian, please sit down for a moment. I'll be right back."
"Jinyun, have someone serve tea to Minister Qian."
…
When Xiao Yan went to Fengxi Palace, the Fourth Prince woke up in pain. The pain of having the abscess removed from his face made him scream in agony.
Empress Lu finally managed to coax him into quietness, and after having someone give him some medicine and he fell asleep again, she came out of the back hall with a bad look on her face. When she walked around to the front and saw Xiao Yan standing in the hall, her face suddenly became stern.
Jinzhi sent all the people in the hall out, and Deshun personally stood guard in front of the hall.
When there were no more outsiders inside, Empress Lu angrily said, "Xiao Yan, do you admit your guilt?!"
Xiao Yan wasn't frightened by her. Instead, he raised his eyebrows with a half-smile, "Your Majesty, the accusations you're asking are bizarre. What have I done to deserve such anger?"
"You still dare to quibble. That day, His Majesty suddenly ordered the Fourth Prince to investigate the Lu family. Did you collude with Rong Yue to instigate His Majesty and Hengting Pavilion? You deliberately arranged for the Fourth Prince to meet you at Hengting Pavilion, causing him to clash with the Second Prince and even witnessing what happened later."
Empress Lu stared at Xiao Yan intently. "Don't try to quibble. If you hadn't deliberately provoked this relationship between me and him, he wouldn't have rushed into the palace, much less witnessed what happened later. You deliberately let him meet Aunt Bai and the others, deliberately provoking him to go to the Lu family."
"If it weren't for you, he wouldn't have gone to the polo field out of spite with the Second Prince and nearly lost his life!"
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