Following the Palace Coup (Side Story)
"You said that since the Emperor Emeritus disappeared, the couple Xuanwu and Zhuque Divine Generals have also gone into seclusion. Did they plan to roam the world together?"
"Why don't you mention that the White Tiger General founded the Snow Mountain Sect and became its leader, and that the Emperor Emeritus and the others went to the Snow Mountain Sect to enjoy themselves?"
"The Azure Dragon General is still the most reliable. He truly deserves to be called the number one general of Zhao Han. If even he were gone, the Great Yue Kingdom would probably have attacked long ago..."
Listening to the coroner's rambling on, I said unhappily, "Which of these charges is enough for you to bear: privately discussing the Emperor Emeritus and neglecting official duties due to distraction?"
"Hehe, Lord Xiao, don't take it so seriously!"
"This is a case that the Empress Dowager, the Prince Xian, and His Majesty are all watching closely. Eunuch Huang delivered it personally!" I said sternly.
Seeing my zombie-like face, the coroners immediately fell silent.
I'm not fierce, just habitually serious, but that's enough to scare them.
These old coroners have seen fewer corpses and murderers in their entire lives than I have in a single year.
It wasn't until late at night that I informed Eunuch Huang of the results.
"The Marquis of Lingshan died of poisoning."
Eunuch Huang took a deep breath and said seriously, "Xiao Bing, you should know the consequences of this conclusion."
“I am the Empress Dowager and His Majesty’s man. So what if I am loyal to them? Since the Empress Dowager and His Majesty have come to me, they want the truth.”
Eunuch Huang looked at the cell behind me and said, "If Marquis Lingshan was poisoned to death, then the poisoner could not have been Yuan Gang."
"It can't be him."
I agreed with Huang Hua's statement and said decisively, "When I was a child, every time I went to Changsui, I would meet with His Majesty, Marquis of Lingshan, and Yuan Gang. Perhaps my relationship with them was a little distant, but the three of them were like brothers."
"Do you have any evidence?"
"No, but putting aside emotions, Yuan Gang had no motive."
"I understand. I will go back and report to the Empress Dowager immediately."
"Wait." I chased after him.
"Eunuch Huang, would you like to hear my judgment?"
Grandpa Huang didn't respond, his eyes fixed on me, clearly waiting for me to continue.
"The Prince Xian used his advocacy for war to pressure His Majesty, who responded by suppressing the pirates and appointing the Marquis of Lingshan as commander. The Marquis of Lingshan returned victorious, not only bringing honor to His Majesty but also consolidating the Empress Dowager's power. My concern is that the Prince Xian may be getting restless and will test the Empress Dowager's limits..."
Eunuch Huang interrupted me, but said with a smile, "Xiao Bing, you didn't inherit the family business, nor did you rely on your uncle's connections. Instead, you rose from a minor official to where you are now, just to avoid getting involved in court intrigues, right? Why are you telling me all this today?"
“You’re wrong, Eunuch Huang. I didn’t inherit the family business because I don’t like doing business. I don’t rely on my uncle because that’s not reliable. If you want to become a high-ranking official, you have to start from the bottom. Otherwise, you’re just a person who is not talented enough and whose virtue is not worthy of the position.”
Eunuch Huang was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said, "In this respect, you and General Xiao are exactly the same!"
Having developed a habit from years of being an official, I didn't laugh along with Huang Hua.
Without boasting, among my childhood playmates in Changsui, apart from His Majesty the current emperor, Marquis Lingshan and Yuan Gang really can't compare to me in terms of family background.
My father, Xiao Luomu, was the richest man since the founding of Zhao Han. Now, even my uncle, Xiao Luoyan, is the richest man in Cang Kingdom. My eldest uncle, Xiao Luofeng, is a great general and the pinnacle of Zhao Han's army.
From the time I was old enough to understand, I looked at Chang Sui's three playmates like little kids. Even though Yuan Wushang, who had once been an emperor, was the same age as me, I didn't think highly of him back then.
My eyes are perhaps suited to be a clerk from a young age.
Now, I am the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice.
"Xiao Bing, are you sure you want to continue investigating?"
"It's my duty."
"Be careful," Grandpa Huang instructed me.
I replied, "With my uncle's protection, my safety is not in danger. It is you who should be careful. If the Empress Dowager is going to take action, I am afraid that the Prince Xian will strike first."
How dare he?
I smiled and said, "My father once told me that only his elder brother and father could keep Zhao Zhan in check on his ambition and madness. Now that neither of them is here, what's so surprising about him doing something even more outrageous?"
Upon hearing this, Huang Hua's expression changed, and he turned and left.
"Zhao Zhan? If I were Zhao Cheng, I should have killed him before even starting my travels!"
I sighed, recalling what my father had said while drunk.
I understand. Zhao Cheng might value brotherhood, after all, their mother is still alive. Or perhaps he doesn't trust the Empress Dowager and the Emperor; the Emperor's benevolence could easily allow his relatives to grow stronger. As for the Azure Dragon General, he's a martial arts fanatic, good at fighting but a complete idiot when it comes to court intrigue. Zhao Cheng needs to leave behind a strong figure within the Zhao family, and Zhao Zhan is the only suitable candidate.
I don't know what will happen in the future, I just hope to continue to act according to my conscience.
As expected, the investigation results were the same as I had anticipated.
The person who poisoned the victim was silenced, but his superior was exposed as a retainer of the prime minister.
The Empress Dowager was furious and wanted to dismiss Prime Minister Yan Zheng, and even ordered the Imperial Guards to imprison him.
The case involved the Prime Minister, and immediately caused a sensation in the imperial court.
It was a summer night in the fourth year of the reign of Emperor Jisheng. The dog lay in the courtyard, panting and watching the armored soldiers gathered in the main hall.
The Empress Dowager's close attendants were all thrown out, leaving only five people standing.
The Empress Dowager, Heng Wenhao, Xia Qi, Huang Hua, and...
I.
We were facing Zhao Zhan and Xiao Luofeng, along with hundreds of armored soldiers behind them.
"Fourth Prince, are you plotting a rebellion?" the Empress Dowager said coldly.
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