Wen Tai opened his eyes, his expression calm, and said, "Lord He, you've worked hard."
He Yin bowed to Wen Tai, nodded, and said, "This is my job."
Wen Tai continued, "I don't deny your investigation results, but I'm just suggesting a possibility. The Right Chancellor has lived in Yanchuan for five years and dotes on his son Zhao Cheng. I've heard that Zhao Cheng is in charge of the Right Chancellor's residence. Is it possible that Yanchuan has become Zhao Cheng's chessboard, and everything you've seen and done this time was part of his plan?"
He Yin pondered, showing no emotion towards Wen Tai's words, but instead seriously considering this possibility.
“No,” He Yin said confidently. “Actually, the people of Yanchuan don’t have a good impression of Zhao Cheng. Xu An and Li Guanyu, who are involved in this case, are also powerful figures in Yanchuan. They don’t need to take orders from Zhao Cheng.”
"Furthermore, I have also investigated and found that Xu An and Zhao Cheng have always been at odds, especially a few days before the incident. Xu An lost a large estate due to a high-stakes gamble with Zhao Cheng."
"I believe Xu An's testimony is fair."
"Zhao Cheng lacks the ability to establish a presence in Yanchuan."
“Most importantly…” He Yin looked at Wen Tai and said seriously, “Not only did Hu Xiayong confess, but three Southern Zhou spies also confessed. They were still very stubborn when they were in Yanchuan, but they couldn’t withstand the torture in the water dungeon of the Ministry of Justice in Changsui.”
Wen Tai remained expressionless and said, "Could it be a case of sacrificing a pawn to save the king? The Right Chancellor and his son have been in contact with this group of Southern Zhou spies for a long time. Now that the matter has come to light, Chen Yuxian and Hu Xiayong have no choice but to make this decision."
He Yin said in a deep voice, "If this continues, I think it will be a fabrication."
Wen Tai's expression darkened.
Yuan Xiu immediately laughed and tried to smooth things over, saying, "He Yin, speak properly and don't let your emotions get in the way!"
"Your Majesty, I have finished reporting the situation. The conclusion will be decided by Your Majesty and the Left Chancellor."
He Yin turned around and gestured, saying, "Your subject has something else to offer."
Yuan Xiu became interested and said with a smile, "Could it be that you went to Yanchuan and brought me a gift?"
I guess so.
He Mu walked in carrying a wooden box. Lü Lu took the box, placed it on the imperial desk, and opened it.
Looking at the gold bars, jewelry, and silver notes inside, Yuan Xiu jumped down from the dragon throne and laughed, "Wow, that's a lot of money!"
He Yin said, "This was given to me by Wang Yufeng's mother when I first arrived at the General's Mansion. In order to facilitate the investigation of the case, I accepted it on behalf of Your Majesty."
Yuan Xiu said, "If someone bribes you, why are you giving it to me?"
"If I accept it, it's considered bribery; if Your Majesty accepts it, it's considered surrendering it to the national treasury."
"Minister He, you truly distinguish between public and private matters! Brilliant, brilliant!"
Yuan Xiu closed the box, his eyes darting around, and said, "The Wang family bribed you, didn't Zhao Cheng reciprocate?"
“That is exactly what I wanted to say.”
He Yin glanced at Wen Tai, then looked at Yuan Xiu and said, "Zhao Cheng not only didn't offer any bribes, but he didn't even arrange a meal for us."
"This kid is so insensible!" Yuan Xiu scolded.
"Therefore...I believe he has a clear conscience and is completely open and honest."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Xiu glanced at Wen Tai, and seeing that Wen Tai had closed his eyes to rest again, he smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Minister He, you've worked hard. The Left Prime Minister and I will sort things out for you. You should go home and rest first!"
"Your Majesty, I take my leave!"
"Wait!" Yuan Xiu opened the box again, took out a gold bar, walked out of the imperial desk and handed it to He Yin in person, saying, "You've had a long journey, you should get something in return."
"Absolutely not!"
"Why not? The General's Mansion can come up with so much money all at once; who knows how much they've embezzled from the people! It's free money!"
"Your Majesty..."
"You're not allowed to refuse! I don't like people who are too clean!" Yuan Xiu roared. "You're so young. I've heard you never go to brothels, don't drink, and don't gamble. Now you're even afraid to take a little gold. What exactly are you trying to do?!"
Upon hearing this, He Yin, who was usually calm and composed, changed his expression drastically and immediately knelt down, saying, "Your subject deserves to die ten thousand times!!"
He understood all too well the meaning of Yuan Xiu's words: "Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger."
Why is he so ruthless to himself—not gambling, not whoring, not drinking, not being greedy?
What big plan are they plotting?
A rebellion?
He Yin said tremblingly, "I'll take it, I'll take it, but... this is too much, please give me a smaller one."
"Get the hell out of here! I gave it to you, and you're still complaining?"
Yuan Xiu shoved the gold bar into He Yin's hand and kicked him in the waist: "Get lost!"
Seeing He Yin walk away, Yuan Xiu turned back to his desk and said angrily, "That damned thing!"
He glanced at Wen Tai and laughed, "Left Prime Minister, don't be angry. He Yin is just like that. His He family is full of such blockheads!"
“Your Majesty is too kind. I was merely suggesting a possibility. Whether it is right or wrong is not important; it is simply another way of thinking,” Wen Tai said with his eyes closed.
Lü Lu approached Yuan Xiu and bowed his head, saying, "Attendant Chen has been waiting for a long time. Shall we summon him?"
"Send him over! Let's hear what he has to say; the case will be practically closed then!"
A few moments later, Chen Changyun and Yuan Yun walked in.
"Sister, what brings you here too! If I had known you were waiting outside, I would have greeted you all first!"
Yuan Xiu hurriedly came out to greet him, and pulled Yuan Yun to sit with him on the dragon throne.
Yuan Yun didn't care, plopped down, and said, "I'm here to complain! It's infuriating, so infuriating!"
"Oh?" Yuan Xiu glared at Chen Changyun and demanded, "Who made my sister angry?"
Chen Changyun looked at Yuan Yun.
Yuan Yun said, "Why are you looking at me? Tell me the truth!"
Chen Changyun then recounted Yuan Yun's experiences at the Right Prime Minister's residence, leaving Yuan Xiu stunned and Wen Tai opening his eyes.
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