"Let's go take a look."
Zhao Gan immediately led his men to the study.
The white cat on the study ceiling was puzzled. The item was clearly in its collar, so how could there be something else?
White Tiger: Could it be that I didn't search thoroughly enough? Oh no, if my subordinates find false evidence, I won't be able to explain myself.
No, it needs to go down and check.
Maybe they can steal the things later.
With that thought, the white cat on the roof easily jumped down and quietly followed him into the study.
"Boss, look here."
The Imperial Guard who first discovered the problem pointed to a set of footprints and said...
"The footprints here are very fresh. I just asked the servants in the manor, and they said that because they are lazy, the general's study is usually only cleaned once every two weeks."
“It hasn’t been cleaning time these past few days, and the servants haven’t been here. The ground is covered in dust, but this footprint is very fresh.”
Zhao Gan followed his subordinate's gaze and also spotted the footprint. Judging from its length and depth, it belonged to a man, and a grown man with martial arts skills at that.
Following the footprints to the bookshelf, the footprints became more distinct, but he discovered that in addition to human footprints, there were also animal footprints.
A very light, huge plum blossom print.
"A plum blossom seal?!"
Zhao Gan measured the dimensions with his hand, his eyes brightening slightly, and murmured something under his breath.
My mind raced, and then a flash of insight struck me—I understood something.
The white cat, who had just stepped inside, happened to hear the murmur.
The white cat's body trembled: Plum blossom prints?! Damn, I'm done for. I've left footprints. Could I have been discovered? But I won't admit it until I'm caught red-handed.
"Besides the footprints, have you searched the bookshelves, desks, and other places?"
Zhao Gan composed himself and asked the group in a businesslike manner.
"We've searched the entire area, but found nothing unusual."
His subordinates reported back one after another.
"Alright, restore everything to its original state and return to the palace to report."
After Zhao Gan finished speaking, he left the study, feeling much more relaxed.
...
The Imperial Palace.
"Gentlemen, please rest in the side hall. We will discuss this further when Lord Zhao returns."
Eunuch Xu did not leave with Emperor Jing, but instead arranged for the ministers to wait in a side hall.
The matter is not yet resolved and will be discussed later. If we go back to the manor, we will have to go to the palace again, which will be troublesome. It is better to wait here.
After Eunuch Xu left, the atmosphere in the side hall became lively, with people huddled together in twos and threes, whispering among themselves.
"Do you really believe what's in that letter? I feel like there's something fishy about this."
“Who says otherwise? Just because of a letter, they’re going to search the General’s mansion. That’s completely against the rules. And what about that Vice Minister of Rites?”
"He's usually so quiet, why is he acting like this today? He can't even prove the letter is real, yet he dares to give it to the Emperor. Is he returning the palace to the Grand General?"
Faced with the strange looks from the crowd, and the gaze from his superior, the Left Vice Minister of Rites remained silent.
He glanced furtively in the direction of the Prime Minister, then lowered his head.
Half an hour later, Zhao Gan returned to the palace with his men to report back, and everyone present was invited to the Golden Palace.
"Your Majesty, I found no evidence of treason or collusion with the enemy in the General's residence."
Zhao Gan bowed and reported, then changed the subject: "However, I have made another discovery."
When Zhao Gan said that no evidence of crime had been found, three people in the hall froze. Then, upon hearing that another discovery had been made, they breathed a slight sigh of relief.
All of this was clearly seen by Emperor Jing on the dragon throne.
Emperor Jing snorted inwardly, "It really was him."
"explain."
"Your humble servant discovered a fresh male footprint in the General's study. Based on analysis, this footprint must have appeared last night."
"Moreover, the footprints stretched from the window all the way to the bookshelf, and there were none anywhere else."
"Your Majesty may not know that the servants in the General's mansion are so lazy that they only clean the study once every two weeks, which makes it easy for dust to accumulate. That's why footprints can be left there."
Zhao Gan explained to everyone, and then added:
"Your Majesty, I believe this is far too coincidental. Your Majesty received such a letter, and then someone suggested searching the General's residence, along with mysterious footprints. This is clearly a plot by someone to frame the General."
"Your Majesty, please make the judgment."
Zhao Gan practically pointed at the face of the Left Vice Minister of Rites and said, "It was you who framed the General."
Those present weren't fools; they quickly figured out the connection and looked at Li Xin with inquisitive eyes.
Everyone was wondering, whose man is this Li Xin? He wants to frame the Grand General. Isn't this putting the Great Yong Dynasty in danger?
General Gong is the guardian of the Great Yong Dynasty. If the Gong family were gone, would we send these civil officials to fight?
This is simply impossible.
What does the Prime Minister think?
Emperor Jing was pleased to see that Zhao Gan was so cooperative. He looked at the silent prime minister and asked him a question.
"Your Majesty, I share the same view as Lord Zhao. Someone must have framed the General."
The Prime Minister was planning to abandon Li Xin, and Li Xin panicked upon hearing this.
He opened his mouth as if to say something, but then he saw the Minister of Revenue wink at him, and it seemed like he was saying "son" from his lips.
Li Xin instantly understood, his face turned pale, and he remained silent.
He should have known sooner; trying to negotiate with a tiger for its skin is a bad idea, and he blames himself for being greedy.
"Li Xin, do you have something to say?"
Emperor Jing looked at the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.
"I have nothing to say, I confess my guilt."
Li Xin had no choice but to accept the situation, otherwise his wife and children would be in danger.
"Very well, very well. Guards, remove him from his position as Vice Minister of Rites and throw him into prison. The Minister of Rites has been negligent in his duties; he shall receive half a year's salary."
Emperor Jing, seeing that he was stubborn and unyielding, did not inquire further.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Imperial Guards waiting outside the palace received their orders and escorted Li Xin away without uttering a single word.
"Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty."
The Minister of Rites absolutely hated Li Xin. What kind of mess was this? He gave up a perfectly good official position to get involved in the affairs of the people behind the scenes, and ended up getting himself into trouble.
Fortunately, it was just a fine of salary.
Everyone knew from this one incident that there was an unseen person manipulating everything behind the scenes, wanting to overthrow the Great Yong Dynasty.
However, the identity of this person remains unknown...
Back to Jing Le's side.
Xiao Bai arrived at Jing Le's side before Zhao Gan and told him everything he had seen.
He also told Jing Le about the plum blossom seal that Zhao Gan mentioned.
Xiao Bai: "Master, has Lord Zhao discovered me? Will I expose your identity?"
"It's alright. Lord Zhao is Father's man. Let him guess if he wants; it won't matter anyway."
Jing Le casually petted the cat; she now only liked the white tiger shrinking down so she could pet it.
Little White seemed to enjoy being petted like a cat, even making purring sounds.
Xiao Bai: "By the way, Master, the evidence is in the collar."
Jingle can also use this collar; it's a shared item.
"Let me see."
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