Upon hearing this, Xuan Yuanzhan glanced at Grand Tutor Liang again: "I've heard that Grand Tutor Liang is extremely skilled in calligraphy, capable of both identifying handwriting and imitating others' handwriting. I wonder what Grand Tutor Liang's opinion is on the treasonous letters found in the Mu family back then?"
As soon as Xuanyuan Zhan said this, the ministers were immediately reminded of what happened back then.
“I remember Mu Wenhai also said that he was innocent, saying that someone imitated his handwriting to frame him. It was only when Grand Tutor Liang came out to examine the handwriting that Mu Wenhai’s treason was confirmed.”
"Could it be that Grand Tutor Liang lied back then, and that the handwriting wasn't Mu Wenhai's at all, but rather someone forged it, and that someone really framed Mu Wenhai!"
"From what I hear from the Holy King, the person who framed Mu Wenhai is none other than Grand Tutor Liang?"
"Grand Tutor Liang's calligraphy is indeed famous throughout the capital. If he wanted to imitate someone's handwriting, I doubt anyone in the entire capital could tell the difference!"
"Back then, it seems that after Mu Wenhai was sentenced to beheading, Grand Tutor Liang retired. Could this be related?"
Mu Lingchen also recalled how Grand Tutor Liang had examined the letters found in the Mu family's residence and concluded that those letters of treason were in his father's handwriting.
Back then, Aunt Bai had already pleaded for my father's life, and the Emperor also intended to treat the matter leniently. However, it was Grand Tutor Liang's assessment that ultimately led to my father being beheaded.
Mu Lingchen's bloodshot eyes suddenly turned to Grand Tutor Liang.
So the one who framed his father back then was actually Grand Tutor Liang. Over the years, he had never thought of Grand Tutor Liang. He knew that someone in the court must have colluded with the Northern Rong to frame his father, but he never imagined that it was Grand Tutor Liang!
Xuanyuan Peng also frowned and looked at Grand Tutor Liang.
Given Liang Taifu's calligraphic skill, imitating Mu Wenhai's handwriting would indeed be extremely easy!
Faced with everyone's questioning gazes, Grand Tutor Liang remained completely calm: "This old minister was indeed ordered to examine the letters found in the Mu family's collection. Those letters of treason were indeed written by Mu Wenhai. This old minister was merely stating the results of his examination and had no personal motives whatsoever!"
Upon hearing this, Mu Lingchen instantly flew into a rage: "You're talking nonsense! My father never colluded with the enemy or betrayed the country, and he would never harm General Su. You've wronged my father!"
Grand Tutor Liang looked at the impatient Mu Lingchen and sneered, "Who knows if he collaborated with the Northern Rong to murder General Su because he wanted to command the Su family army!"
Mu Lingchen became anxious: "My father doesn't have the military seal of the Su family army, how could he possibly command the Su family army? He has such a good relationship with General Su, there's no way he would plot against General Su for the sake of the Su family army!"
Even without his aunt, his father and General Su were the best of brothers. They went to war together and risked their lives together. Their relationship was even stronger than that of blood brothers, just like his relationship with Xuanyuan Zhan now.
He simply couldn't imagine that his father would murder General Su because of the Su family army, just as he would never murder Xuan Yuanzhan because of any military power. That was absolutely impossible!
"As long as General Su is gone, the Su family army's military tally will surely fall into other hands. How do you know your father didn't want the Su family army's military tally? He just didn't get it!" Since Mu Wenhai was already dead, Grand Tutor Liang insisted that Mu Wenhai had colluded with the enemy and murdered Su Renzhong because he wanted to obtain the Su family army!
Unable to argue with Grand Tutor Liang, Mu Lingchen could only turn to Xuan Yuanpeng and say, "Your Majesty, my father would never have plotted against General Su because of the Su family army. This reason is completely untenable. Furthermore, those letters were definitely not written by my father. I beg Your Majesty to give my father justice."
Xuanyuan Peng also felt that the events of that year were very strange, but no matter how they talked about it, they could not find any evidence to prove that it was Grand Tutor Liang who colluded with the enemy back then.
Grand Tutor Liang was not only a veteran official of three dynasties, but also his teacher. He could not punish Grand Tutor Liang on charges of treason without evidence.
Xuanyuan Zhan knew what Xuanyuan Peng was thinking and said, "General Mu did not collude with the enemy back then, so naturally he did not write those letters. Even if he did collude with the enemy, given General Mu's caution, it is impossible for him to leave those letters in the mansion. Therefore, the source of those letters is very suspicious. I remember that Wei Hu, the commander of the Imperial Guards who was in charge of searching the Mu family back then, was Grand Tutor Liang's nephew!"
Upon hearing Xuanyuan Zhan's words, the assembled officials were once again enlightened.
"Yes, the commander of the Imperial Guards back then was indeed Consort Liang's cousin and Grand Tutor Liang's nephew!"
"It seems that Wei Hu also died of illness not long after the Mu Wenhai incident? Could it be that Liang Taifu was behind it too?"
"That Grand Tutor Liang is too ruthless! Wei Hu is his own nephew, how could he do that to him!"
"Since ancient times, only the dead do not speak nonsense. If Wei Hu really helped Grand Tutor Liang frame General Mu, then Grand Tutor Liang will naturally silence him."
"If it is indeed Grand Tutor Liang who has colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country, then Grand Tutor Liang is truly ruthless!"
"To be honest, it was strange enough that letters of treason were found in the Mu family's house back then. Who would dare to hide letters of treason in their home after colluding with the enemy? Isn't that just courting death?"
"Mu Wenhai doesn't seem that stupid! He was probably framed by Wei Hu for the treasonous letter. But now that Wei Hu is dead, there's no way to prove it!"
No matter what they said or what they suspected, Grand Tutor Liang remained completely calm. Just as these ministers thought, Wei Hu was dead, and there was no way to verify anything. What did he have to fear? "The Holy King is saying all this to accuse this old minister of framing Mu Wenhai for treason. But the Holy King has no concrete evidence. Instead, he has used his words to smear this old minister countless times. Does Your Majesty intend to just stand by and watch this old minister be so wronged by the Holy King?"
Xuanyuan Peng frowned and looked at Xuanyuan Zhan: "Zhan'er, do you have any evidence for what you're saying?"
Since Wei Hu is dead, he can no longer testify against Grand Tutor Liang. Without other evidence, it would be difficult to convict him.
Xuanyuan Zhan sneered, "On the way back to the capital from the North, there's something I haven't been able to understand. How did Xuanyuan Zhi manage to contact the Northern Rong so easily? If it wasn't someone acting as a go-between, given Tuoba Xiong's shrewdness, would he have so easily believed Xuanyuan Zhi's words and come to attack the North? Wasn't he afraid that this was a conspiracy by Xuanyuan Zhi to wipe out the Northern Rong in one fell swoop? And why did Tuoba Xiong reach an agreement with Xuanyuan Zhi to invade the North based on just this one letter?"
Having spent so much time together, Tuoba Xiong was no fool. Of course, as the leader of a tribe, Tuoba Xiong couldn't be someone without a brain.
The person that Tuoba Xiong trusted so much was definitely not Xuanyuan Zhi, who was communicating with him for the first time.
Xuanyuan Zhan's question caused Xuanyuan Peng and all the ministers to turn their gazes toward Tuoba Xiong and Grand Tutor Liang.
Xuanyuan Zhan also turned to Tuoba Xiong and said coldly, "Now that things have come to this, does Tuoba Chanyu still not intend to speak? Who was it that truly communicated with the Northern Rong back then?"
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