Chapter 77 The Emperor's Heart is Unfathomable
He had an important matter to attend to, and it was precisely the time when he needed Eunuch Wan's help, yet he died just like that?
Feng Zhiyi nodded and said, "That's right. Guan Yi'an killed Chief Steward Wan. Because Guan Yi'an did not admit to intentional killing, the bodies of the two victims have been sent to the Censorate to await examination by the coroner."
The Emperor stood above, looking down at Guan Yi'an with piercing eyes. "Minister Guan, tell me, why did you kill Chief Eunuch Wan?"
The powerful aura pressed down like Mount Tai, and Guan Yi'an dared not look directly at him. He lowered his head and explained, "Steward Wan has been frequently asking me to have tea lately, and I have never dared to neglect him and have treated him with sincerity. However, today I only left for a moment because I needed to relieve myself. When I returned, I saw Steward Wan and my concubine in disheveled clothes. I went up to question them, and Steward Wan even spoke rudely to me. Therefore, I became agitated and accidentally stabbed him to death."
Anyway, since Eunuch Wan and Meng Huanyan are both dead, there's no way to verify anything. As long as he sticks to his story and doesn't give up, there might still be a glimmer of hope.
Feng Zhiyi smiled slightly. "Lord Chen and I have examined Steward Wan's injuries. He was stabbed at least a dozen times in the chest. You call that manslaughter? Besides, your concubine said before she died that you used her. Even if you killed Steward Wan in a fit of rage, how do you explain killing your concubine in front of Lord Chen and me?"
Guan Yi'an looked humiliated. "That bitch had some arguments with me a few days ago. She's a fickle woman who can't stand being alone. When things came to a head, she even tried to slander me. How could I, a dignified man, endure such humiliation? That's why I lost my temper."
The emperor frowned slightly, his face solemn.
"So, you're the victim? Chief Eunuch Wan is a eunuch, and Vice Minister Guan is as handsome as Pan An. How could your concubine abandon her handsome husband to fool around with an old eunuch?"
"I can't understand it either. It's probably because she's narrow-minded. She scratched my face over a trivial matter before, forcing me to go to court with an injury. Now that I've had a dispute with her, it's not surprising that she would retaliate against me in this way."
Guan Yi'an lied through his teeth, and perhaps because he had told so many lies, the emperor couldn't detect anything unusual on his face.
The fact that the emperor could not see the problem did not mean that he believed him.
Eunuch Wan never acted without a reason. When he recommended Guan Yi'an to the emperor as the Vice Minister of Rites, the emperor suspected that there was some improper deal between them.
Guan Yi'an was talented, and the Emperor was happy to give Eunuch Wan face.
But he never expected things to escalate to this point, and he certainly never expected that Eunuch Wan would lose his life because of it.
Although Guan Yi'an is a rare talent, he is indeed quite restless. He hasn't even settled matters in the inner quarters, and he's also killed his most trusted steward, Wan.
The Emperor frowned in displeasure. Now that Eunuch Wan was dead, he had no one by his side who understood him, which was really troubling him.
If he simply had the authorities investigate thoroughly, they would naturally find out that Guan Yi'an was lying, and bring him to justice, thus completing his relationship with Steward Wan.
But Chief Steward Wan has a lot of blemishes. If the government really investigates him thoroughly, all the dirty things he made Eunuch Wan do will probably be found out. It will be easy for people to suspect that he was the mastermind, which will damage his image in the eyes of his subjects and the people.
Since Steward Wan is already dead, it's best not to make a big fuss about this matter and to close the case as soon as possible.
After considering this, the Emperor said in a deep voice, "Even if you are innocent, it is not a reason for you to kill two people. Issue my decree that Guan Yi'an, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, be dismissed from his post immediately and sent to prison to await further punishment."
"I am deeply grieved that Chief Eunuch Wan has served me for decades and has suffered such a calamity. However, the dead cannot be brought back to life, so he should be laid to rest as soon as possible. I hereby issue my decree to grant Chief Eunuch Wan a fine burial plot, and let him be buried today."
"As for Guan Yi'an's concubine, I remember she was the prime minister's illegitimate daughter. She was sent back to the prime minister's residence. Such a scandalous affair in the palace should be closed as soon as possible to prevent it from reaching the ears of the people and disgracing the royal family."
"This guilty subject accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude."
Guan Yi'an knew that his life was saved.
Although both are murders, if he is the victim, then he does not deserve to die.
It seems the Emperor still values talent.
Despite knowing that there were many suspicious points in the case, they still believed him.
Both Feng Zhiyi and Lord Chen were somewhat bewildered. Feng Zhiyi spoke first, "Your Majesty, this matter has not yet been investigated. There are many doubts about Guan Yi'an's statement. He should be sent to prison for strict interrogation before a decision is made."
Lord Chen echoed, "Your Majesty, the coroner will examine the body as soon as possible, and I will search for witnesses and physical evidence to ensure that the truth of this matter is revealed."
The Emperor stood up and slowly walked down from his throne, his steps steady and his every move exuding imperial aura. "I have already made my decision on this matter. Are you two ministers questioning my decision? No matter what, Eunuch Wan has served me for decades. He was not a complete person while alive, so why demean him further after he is dead? Are you still looking for witnesses and evidence because you are worried that too few people know about this scandal?"
When the emperor was enraged, Feng Zhiyi and Lord Chen dared not say another word. They trembled with fear and immediately shouted, "Yes, Your Majesty!"
Although the Emperor strictly forbade the matter from being publicized and claimed that Guan Yi'an and Eunuch Wan had a quarrel that led to the murder, the large number of guards and soldiers who went to Guan's residence that day, coupled with the special identities of the two victims and the perpetrator, still failed to stop the spread of the story.
A powerful old eunuch, a newly appointed top scholar, and a beautiful concubine—these three identities combined, along with a little leaked information, are enough to conjure up a series of erotic scenes in one's mind.
After receiving Meng Huanyan's body, Aunt Lu cried until she fainted. Meng Xingyuan, pitying her for losing her only daughter, went to the palace to ask the Emperor to reopen the case and give his daughter justice. However, he was rebuked and sent back by the Emperor.
The emperor's heart is unfathomable, and the officials could not fathom his thoughts. They could only praise the emperor's wisdom and benevolence, for he not only gave a grand funeral to the eunuch who had served him for many years, but also gave the top scholar a chance to repent.
The emperor's actions not only did not damage his reputation, but also garnered him a new wave of praise.
Listening to the rumors outside, Meng Lingge couldn't understand the Emperor's intentions for a moment.
But the Emperor's will was hard to defy; even her father couldn't sway his mind, let alone her. Besides, the outcome wasn't too bad: Eunuch Wan, who had harmed the palace maids and eunuchs, died tragically, and Guan Yi'an became a prisoner.
It is only after Meng Huanyan's death that she was ridiculed and talked about. Although she reaped what she sowed, it is still a sad thing.
Meng Lingge personally returned to the Meng residence. Considering that Aunt Lu might be saddened to see her, she only sent some valuable items and instructed her mother to take care of her.
Meng Lingge guessed that even if Guan Yi'an escaped death, he would probably be imprisoned for life or exiled. However, half a month later, she received an unexpected message.
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