Chapter 297 It seems more like it’s directed at me!
The emperor gave the order personally and the work was done with great efficiency.
In just a moment, the maid's family was brought to the scene and knelt aside in an orderly manner.
Fatty Wang from the Taifu Mansion originally wanted to slip away and get away with it.
But he didn't run far before he was caught by the quick-eyed and quick-handed officers and soldiers and escorted here.
Upon seeing the high and mighty Zhang Chengyan, Fatty Wang was so frightened that his legs went limp. He fell to his knees with a plop, and his crotch was instantly soaked. “Your Majesty… I was also coerced! I beg Your Majesty to have mercy and spare my life!”
Seeing that her family was safe and sound, the maid calmed down a little. She pointed at Fatty Wang and scolded him, "You are talking nonsense! You are clearly a traitor and a lackey for outsiders. How can you be coerced?"
Zhang Chengyan looked calm and did not say anything to stop them, allowing the two to blame each other.
This dog-eat-dog situation often allows them to reveal more useful information.
After a moment, the Imperial Guards stepped forward, held Fatty Wang down, and shouted, "Tell me, who ordered you to do this?"
Fatty Wang trembled, "Yes...it's Mr. Zhou's son!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the people were immediately in an uproar.
"How dare Mr. Zhou's son be so bold!"
"You are so audacious! Aren't you afraid of retribution?"
"In my opinion, the matter is not that simple. There must be someone behind the scenes supporting him. He is a top scholar in the imperial examination. He will surely be very successful in the future. There must be someone who doesn't want him to enter the official career!"
Zhang Chengyan frowned slightly and had to give orders again to send people to capture Zhou Yuanwai's son.
Not long after, the Imperial Guards hurried back, "Your Majesty, Mr. Zhou's family of thirteen has all been poisoned to death!"
It seems that this person was murdered to silence him.
The power behind Mr. Zhou is most likely the culprit behind the frame-up of Xun Yuanshan.
"Although the person is dead, the investigation cannot be stopped. Thoroughly check who they usually interact with, and also carefully check who entered and left the Zhou family today. Mr. Zhou dared to do such a thing, so it must not be his first offense. If it is found that he has committed other evil deeds, use the Zhou family's money to compensate the people who have been persecuted by him."
"As you wish!"
Now that Xun Yuanshan’s injustice has been cleared up, Zhang Chengyan has almost finished performing this drama in front of the people.
The rest will be handed over to the government office for further investigation.
Zhang Chengyan turned his eyes to the maid, "Considering that you were coerced by others, the death penalty can be spared, but you cannot escape the punishment of life. I sentence you to thirty strokes of the cane as a warning to others."
After saying that, he looked at Fatty Wang again.
Fatty Wang was so frightened that his whole body trembled. He kowtowed desperately and begged for mercy, "Your Majesty, please spare my life! Your Majesty, please spare my life!"
"The Zhou family members are dead, and you are a child born in the Taifu Mansion. Your parents are long gone. How can the other party threaten your relatives? How dare you lie to me and betray your master? You are a traitor. Your crime is unforgivable! You will be beheaded at noon tomorrow!"
After saying that, Zhang Chengyan slowly stood up and said, "Return to the palace!"
"Farewell to the Emperor. Long live the Emperor!"
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Everyone knelt on the ground and shouted long live the emperor.
The students on the field even knelt down and kowtowed to express their gratitude for the emperor's great grace.
Today, the emperor seems to be only upholding justice for Xun Yuanshan, but in fact he is also supporting the vast number of students in the world.
After this battle, let’s see who dares to use such despicable means again!
Although it is impossible to eliminate all shady activities, it can at least deter many people from doing harm.
As soon as he entered the palace, Zhang Chengyan immediately ordered Wang Decai, "Immediately find a few people with outstanding writing skills to write some articles praising me, and publicize today's events in the capital, making sure everyone knows about it."
"Yes, I'll do it right away!"
Bai Wutong's sedan chair was parked not far away, and he could hear the whole process clearly.
Seeing the emperor return, he immediately praised, "Your Majesty is wise. Yuanshan has cleared his name this time. From now on, he will be loyal to you and will serve you wholeheartedly."
When Zhang Chengyan thought that many people in the capital would praise his wise action tomorrow, he was in a good mood and asked Bai Wutong to ride on the dragon chariot with him.
"How can I allow a dignified scholar to be slandered by such scoundrels? Fortunately, they had their own opinions and knew how to bring the matter to my attention, so the villains did not succeed."
If he hadn't come, it would have been a different situation.
Bai Wutong leaned lightly in Zhang Chengyan's arms, her beautiful eyes slightly fixed, her expression worried, "Your Majesty, all thirteen members of the Zhou family were poisoned to death. To be able to kill so many people in such a short time, either they had planned it in advance and arranged everything in advance. Or they knew that the matter was exposed and rushed to do it. But no matter which situation it is, it is enough to show that the other party's methods are ruthless, their power should not be underestimated, and their identity is extraordinary."
She raised her pretty face, her eyes clear and aggrieved, "Your Majesty, I think the actions of the mastermind behind this are more likely to be directed at me. Otherwise, why would he target the Xun family? He wants to suppress the Xun family to make life difficult for me!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
