Chapter 151: Truth or Lie?
The imperial physician Zhou Huaijin had summoned arrived quickly. He merely picked up the teacup, smelled it, opened the teapot, glanced at it, took out a leaf, examined it carefully, and then confirmed, "This is senna leaf, mixed with tea leaves. It has the effect of cleansing the intestines and is generally used to treat severe constipation, but normal people will experience diarrhea if they drink it."
The imperial physician stopped there. Having worked in the palace, he knew very well what to say and what not to say.
Zhou Huaijin's face was ashen. The tea delivered to the examination room contained a laxative. The theft of Meng Guanqi's examination paper was a conspiracy. He probably had enemies in the palace who were setting him up.
However, his biggest mistake was targeting the Ministry of Rites. As the custodian of the examination papers, Meng Guanqi's papers were stolen right under their noses, and they bore an undeniable responsibility.
Zhou Huaijin coldly said to the clerk, "Take this pot of tea with you and come with me to see the Emperor."
The clerk followed Zhou Huaijin nervously, carrying the teapot.
Liang Qisheng lifted the curtain and walked to Emperor Jian'an: "Your Majesty, Minister Zhou requests an audience."
Emperor Jian'an asked in surprise, "Did he come alone?"
The results of the palace examination should be out soon, right? If he's coming, shouldn't he be with Xie Jijiu and Yang Shimin?
Liang Qisheng said, "He brought a secretary with him, and it seems he has important business to discuss with the Emperor."
Emperor Jian'an said, "Send it over."
Zhou Huaijin soon brought in the secretary, who was carrying a teapot.
Emperor Jian'an asked curiously, "What are you holding?"
The clerk was so frightened that he knelt down, and Zhou Huaijin had no choice but to tell the whole story: "Your Majesty, I have already asked the imperial physician to come and see. There was a laxative in the teapot. Someone did it on purpose."
Emperor Jian'an's expression was peculiar: "Did someone drug the clerk and steal Meng Guanqi's exam paper?"
Zhou Huaijin bowed and said, “Your Majesty, this matter is absolutely true. While the Ministry of Rites was certainly at fault for such an incident, the thief disregarded palace rules and regulations by openly poisoning the clerk and stealing the candidates’ answer sheets. He has committed a serious crime. I implore Your Majesty to thoroughly investigate this matter.”
The clerk also kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, please investigate thoroughly."
If the murderer cannot be found, then he will have to take the blame.
Emperor Jian'an pondered for a long time, then waved his hand and said, "Alright, I understand. This matter should not be publicized. You may all leave now."
Zhou Huaijin frowned slightly. The Emperor didn't summon the Imperial Household Department or the Court of Judicial Review, and just dismissed them? What did this mean? The time for the results to be announced was fast approaching. If Meng Guanqi's paper wasn't found by then, how would the Ministry of Rites explain itself to the people?
But Emperor Jian'an seemed not to take the matter too seriously, which left Zhou Huaijin quite puzzled.
The results of the palace examination will be announced in two days. He decided to ask about the progress again tomorrow, but Emperor Jian'an had already said that this matter should not be publicized, so he decided not to tell Grand Secretary Yang and the others for the time being.
If Emperor Jian'an still hasn't given an explanation by the day the palace examination results are announced, then they'll have no choice but to admit their mistake. But what about Meng Guanqi's ranking? She did so well, and they lost her exam paper...
Zhou Huaijin felt a toothache whenever he thought about this problem. It would be best if Emperor Jian'an could invite people from the Imperial Household Department or even the Court of Judicial Review to the palace to investigate. Although it was just a little eunuch with an unfamiliar face who delivered tea to the clerk, he must have seen the person coming and going. Maybe he could find out the truth by asking around.
But what exactly will he do?
After Zhou Huaijin withdrew, Emperor Jian'an said, "Liang Qisheng."
Liang Qisheng walked in: "Your Majesty."
Emperor Jian'an asked, "Besides Zhou Huaijin, is there anyone else who requests to see me today?"
Liang Qisheng thought for a moment before replying, "Your Majesty, earlier, a young eunuch who was sweeping Qinghe Palace came to deliver a message, saying that the Sixth Prince wishes to see Your Majesty."
Emperor Jian'an said, "Isn't it a coincidence? Just now, Zhou Huaijin said that Meng Guanqi's exam paper was missing, and then people from Qinghe Palace came to request an audience. Do you think this was just a coincidence or intentional?"
Liang Qisheng dared not reply. Did His Majesty suspect that the person who stole the examination paper was the Sixth Prince?
Emperor Jian'an said, "Alright, stop speculating. We'll find out if he goes to Qinghe Palace. Take me there."
This was the first time the Sixth Prince had been imprisoned for nearly ten months, and Emperor Jian'an clearly stated that he wanted to see him.
Liang Qisheng's heart tightened, and he immediately bowed and agreed, arranging for a sedan chair to take Emperor Jian'an to the front of Qinghe Palace.
The eunuchs guarding the palace gates were so frightened when they saw Emperor Jian'an that they all knelt down.
Emperor Jian'an didn't even look at them: "Open the door."
Thus, the main gate of Qinghe Palace, which had been tightly closed for nearly ten months, was finally opened.
The sixth prince, accompanied by Shuangxi, bowed to Emperor Jian'an in front of the palace: "Your subject greets Your Majesty."
Emperor Jian'an quietly observed the Sixth Prince. In the nearly ten months since he last saw him, the prince had grown much taller and thinner. He had stubble on his chin and wore plain-colored everyday clothes with frayed cuffs and no subtle patterns on them.
Emperor Jian'an felt a sudden pang of pain in his heart. The sixth prince was the most flamboyant prince in the entire palace. He had loved colorful things since he was a child, and he would dress up in a flamboyant manner even when he went to the study. When he was young, Emperor Jian'an had teased the empress more than once that he had been born into the wrong family. With such a love for fashion, he should have been a princess.
But who would have thought he would use colorful poisonous stones to harm the prince's child?
He was imprisoned for ten months, and then the New Year passed. He is now seventeen years old.
The child who used to be so cheerful and affectionate in his memory now stood before him in a plain, unadorned dress with torn cuffs. Although he seemed to be in good spirits and had a bright smile, Emperor Jian'an felt as if his heart was being pricked by countless needles.
He was already heartbroken just by seeing that he was wearing such plain clothes. If he were to follow the law and demote him to a commoner and exile him to a cold and desolate place, how could he bear to do that?
The Sixth Prince smiled and said, "It's been a long time. Father, you have more white hair on your head. Father, you haven't seen me for a long time either. I wonder if I have changed in your eyes?"
Emperor Jian'an gazed at him for a long time before uttering three words: "You've grown up."
The sixth prince laughed even more heartily: "Father, do you still remember that I am already seventeen years old this year? Haven't I grown up?"
His smile was still so innocent and naive, as if the wicked child who once had blood on his hands had nothing to do with him.
Emperor Jian'an waved his hand, signaling everyone around him to leave, leaving only Liang Qisheng by his side.
The sixth prince pointed to a stone table in the courtyard and said, "The years of confinement have been hard to bear. I have taken to playing chess. When I have nothing to do, I play a game with Shuangxi. Would Father Emperor be interested in playing a game with me?"
Emperor Jian'an nodded silently, and the father and son, one playing white and the other black, began to play chess.
As the black and white pieces gradually covered the chessboard, Emperor Jian'an suddenly spoke up: "You used to be reluctant to learn Go, thinking that the black and white pieces were too monotonous and not beautiful. I never expected that you would be able to play against me today."
The Sixth Prince placed a black piece on the chessboard: "In the past, we could choose which piece to keep; otherwise, who would want to hold onto a piece that has no aesthetic appeal?"
When it was Emperor Jian'an's turn, he did not pick up a piece again. Instead, he looked at the Sixth Prince with a deep gaze: "You could have had many choices. You could have played the five-colored chess set or worn the seven-colored robe. You yourself gave up the right to choose..."
The sixth prince retorted, "Do I really have a choice? I want to wear bright yellow; has Father ever given me that option?"
Emperor Jian'an's expression changed, and he slammed his palm on the chessboard. The chess pieces bounced and instantly became disorganized: "You are insolent!"
The sixth prince looked deeply at Emperor Jian'an and knelt down: "Father, I have laid bare all my ambitions before you. You have scolded me, beaten me, and imprisoned me, and I have no complaints. But we are both born of the same mother. Why is it that my brother can have everything I want just because he is more than ten years older than me, while I have done nothing wrong? Just because I am young, Father and Mother will not even give me a chance to compete?"
Emperor Jian'an said sternly, "You're not the only one who wants this position. Your third brother is gathering people everywhere to compete with your brother. If you really want to compete, why don't you learn from him? Why do you have to use such methods on three innocent children? How old are they? What have they done wrong? They are also my own grandchildren!"
The sixth prince retorted, "Those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles. As long as I can win, why should Father Emperor be concerned about my process and methods? Besides, from the founding of the Great Wu Dynasty by the Holy Ancestor to Father Emperor's generation, I dare say that I am not the first person to do this."
Emperor Jian'an was furious: "You!"
But the sixth prince is right. Although they were his ancestors, they used many dishonorable methods in the process of seizing the throne. Even if these deeds were not recorded in the official history, how could Emperor Jian'an, as the emperor, not know about them?
The Sixth Prince said, "History is always written by the victors. My brother was made crown prince before I was even born. If I don't use this tactic, how can I achieve victory with the least cost? Does Father want to see us brothers fighting each other? How many soldiers and civilians will shed blood then?"
His eyes shone brightly: "Moreover, if Father Emperor truly relied on and trusted my brother so much, why would he have given your son and third brother a loophole? In the end, wasn't Father Emperor also worried and unwilling to accept this?"
Emperor Jian'an unconsciously withdrew his hand.
When it comes to understanding people's hearts, the Sixth Prince seems to have an innate keenness. His large, clear eyes are full of naked desire for power, which he does not hide in the slightest in front of Emperor Jian'an: "Moreover, does Father really think that my brother is as upright and kind-hearted as he appears?"
Emperor Jian'an said in a deep voice, "Your brother is certainly not as clever and insightful as you are."
The Sixth Prince sneered: "Father really overestimates me and underestimates my brother. I, with my clever mind, had to use every means to steal Meng Guanqi's exam paper to get his attention in order to see Father. Meanwhile, my brother has been winning people's hearts and minds in and out of the court without anyone noticing, and Father is still praising him. In the end, did I outsmart myself, or is my brother seemingly stupid but actually wise beyond his years?"
Emperor Jian'an was taken aback: "What do you mean by this?"
The sixth prince said, "If Father Emperor wants to know the truth, he may summon Vice Minister Wang of the Ministry of War to come to an audience, and everything will be clear."
Wang Yongqin, the Vice Minister of War? Is he a man of the Sixth Prince?
Emperor Jian'an's expression was uncertain, while the Sixth Prince looked at him calmly, appearing confident. After pondering for a while, Emperor Jian'an said to Liang Qisheng, "Summon Wang Yongqin here."
Liang Qisheng accepted the order and left. After walking out of the palace gate, he gave a command, and a young eunuch ran to the Ministry of War to find someone.
Before long, the young eunuch led Vice Minister Wang in.
Minister Wang was rushing along the road, his forehead covered in sweat. Upon seeing Emperor Jian'an and the Sixth Prince, he said, "Your humble servant Wang Yongqin greets Your Majesty and Your Highness the Sixth Prince."
Emperor Jian'an gestured for Vice Minister Wang to rise, then looked at the Sixth Prince, who went straight to the point: "Minister Wang, I have been asking you to keep an eye on the Crown Prince's movements. Have you found anything out? Report this truthfully to the Emperor, and do not conceal anything."
Wang Shilang glanced around, and Emperor Jian'an gave a signal, ordering all unrelated personnel to leave the palace gates and not enter without permission.
Minister Wang knelt down, tears streaming down his face, and said, "Your Majesty, since the day you fell from the city tower, I have not had the chance to see Your Majesty for more than two months. There are so many things I have not been able to tell Your Majesty, and I have been unable to eat or sleep properly day and night..."
Emperor Jian'an had no time to listen to his nonsense. Just as he was about to tell him to stop rambling and get to the point, Vice Minister Wang exclaimed as if it were a thunderbolt: "Your Majesty is wronged! This calamity of falling from the city tower should not have happened to Your Majesty. However, because of the Crown Prince, Your Majesty injured your head and broke your leg, and will be confined to a wheelchair from now on. This situation is entirely the fault of the Crown Prince!"
Emperor Jian'an was furious: "Absurd! When I was coming down from the city wall, the Crown Prince offered to help me down, but I overestimated my strength and refused, which is why I fell down. Even if you have a problem with the Crown Prince, you can't wrong him like this."
Minister Wang kowtowed and said, “Your Majesty, this calamity should never have happened. Your Majesty should never have gone up to the city wall. It was all a complete hoax concocted by the Crown Prince that brought the charcoal carts into the city! He deceived all your court officials and tricked you into going up to the city wall, which is why you fell from there…”
Emperor Jian'an's expression changed drastically, his face instantly turning as dark as the sky before a storm: "What did you say?"
Wang, the Vice Minister, hurriedly said, "Before Your Majesty ascended the city tower, I mentioned to Your Majesty that the Crown Prince had stockpiled more than 100,000 catties of charcoal in the imperial estate south of the city and had not touched it. Does Your Majesty still remember this matter?"
Emperor Jian'an nodded.
Minister Wang said, “Before I could find out what the Crown Prince intended to do with this batch of charcoal, news suddenly spread that the official road to Jinzhou had been opened, and a large quantity of charcoal was being transported north from Jinzhou. Dozens or even hundreds of carts entered the city together, creating a spectacular scene that drew crowds of people from all over the city to welcome it. That's why His Majesty became interested in going up to the city tower to watch, which is why he fell from it. But the more I thought about it after I returned, the more suspicious it seemed. Why was the road between Jinzhou and the capital not opened earlier or later? It was opened just after I told His Majesty that the Crown Prince had charcoal, and it was already being transported to the city gate the next day. How could the speed be so fast? I didn't believe it, so I sent people to investigate. That's when I discovered that the road between Jinzhou and the capital had not been opened at all. The charcoal that was rumored to have come from Jinzhou was actually charcoal that the Crown Prince had stockpiled at the imperial estate south of the city. He arranged for a caravan to load the charcoal in advance, disguising it as charcoal from Jinzhou, thus deceiving the Emperor, the court, and the people! This charcoal did not come from Jinzhou at all.”
Emperor Jian'an was shocked, yet still puzzled: "But why would the Crown Prince do this?"
Vice Minister Wang was visibly agitated: “Because he wanted to whitewash this batch of charcoal, he gave a death order to the soldiers from the Eastern Palace who were sent to support the road construction, demanding that the road to Jinzhou be opened within a certain timeframe so that charcoal could be transported north. However, he spread the word that the road had already been opened, and that the road would be completed just as the charcoal from the imperial estate was finished. The charcoal that actually came from Jinzhou could then make up for the charcoal he lost at the imperial estate. Without anyone noticing, this batch of charcoal went from being stockpiled before the New Year to being stockpiled after the New Year. If I hadn’t noticed this in advance and informed Your Majesty, Your Majesty would still be in the dark, thinking that it was newly purchased charcoal!”
Emperor Jian'an said sternly, "I asked you why he was so insistent on hoarding those 100,000 catties of charcoal in the imperial estate? You have not answered me yet!"
Wang, the Vice Minister, said, “This 100,000 catties of charcoal was prepared by the Crown Prince for the more than 5,000 candidates who will participate in the spring examination! He had long anticipated that this year’s cold wave would be unusual, and that it might be as cold as the second year of Jian’an. He did not want to see the candidates freeze to death in the examination hall, so no matter how much the capital was short of charcoal, he never wavered, because in his heart, the lives of the 5,000 candidates were more important than the lives of all the people in the capital combined!”
Vice Minister Wang spoke with great enthusiasm, each word like a heavy hammer blow, leaving Emperor Jian'an seeing stars.
In the second year of Jian'an, he had just ascended the throne. In order to leave a good reputation for filial piety to the people, he observed mourning for a much longer period than any previous emperor. During the spring imperial examinations, which coincided with the anniversary of the late emperor's death, he focused all his attention on the sacrificial rites and neglected the candidates who were taking the exams. As a result, more than ten people froze to death and hundreds suffered frostbite during this once-in-thirty-year cold wave.
Later, he secretly had someone count the number of people who actually froze to death. In fact, the number announced was far lower than the actual number of people who froze to death. More than 20 people froze to death during just three exams. More than 300 people who suffered frostbite also died after returning home due to ineffective treatment. No one in the court dared to mention this matter, but the lives of more than 80 candidates became a heavy burden on his heart that he could not mention or touch. Now, Wang Shilang actually told him that the Crown Prince had secretly prepared charcoal for more than 5,000 candidates.
Why didn't he tell him sooner? Why did he do it secretly? Was he afraid of his objection?
Wang, the Vice Minister, said, “It is absolutely true. I have investigated and found out that the Crown Prince had already started stockpiling this batch of charcoal back in November. He probably foresaw that this cold wave would repeat the mistakes of thirty years ago, so no matter how difficult things were in the capital, he refused to move it, preferring to risk being accused of deceiving the Emperor in order to replenish the charcoal sent from the imperial estates. He won his gamble. As expected, the spring examinations were still freezing cold. All the charcoal he prepared was used by the candidates. Now, which candidate in the entire country does not praise the Crown Prince’s wisdom and benevolence? Your Majesty, the Crown Prince’s trick of winning over the scholars of the world is definitely not something an ordinary person could come up with.”
Emperor Jian'an's expression calmed down strangely, but his eyes flashed with a light that startled Vice Minister Wang: "Who gave him this idea? Since Li Wenkui's death, when has the Court of Imperial Sacrifices produced such a talent?"
Wang Shilang said, "I have learned that Headmaster Gu of Wanshan Academy has recently made a move to move the academy from Guiyuan Mountain to the outskirts of the capital. In fact, Gu Henian has already accepted the invitation from the Crown Prince and promised to serve the Crown Prince. I cannot think of anyone else with such wisdom besides Gu Henian."
Emperor Jian'an remained silent for a very long time, seemingly in a daze.
One blow after another left him reeling. Had the Crown Prince been secretly doing all this right under his nose?
Was he deliberately dressed like that for his benefit?
Emperor Jian'an suddenly burst into laughter, and as he laughed, tears streamed down his face.
How fascinating! He always thought that the Crown Prince, who was more honest than clever, had actually played so many tricks behind his back, and even included him, the Emperor, in his schemes. He had always felt guilty for favoring the Sixth Prince, but he never expected that the Crown Prince was so superior in winning people over.
He knew perfectly well that the cold wave thirty years ago was a knot in his heart. He had prepared charcoal in advance but never thought of clearing his father's name. Now, he estimated that all the scholars in the world were praising the future crown prince for his benevolence and righteousness. The three hundred Jinshi graduates of this year were probably even more grateful to him and would be willing to give their lives for him.
Compared to him, I am even more shameful than the sinners of all time. A hundred years from now, I guess the historians will still record my mistakes so that future generations will know about them.
Furthermore, Gu Henian rejected his recruitment twice, focusing wholeheartedly on running his private school. He assumed Gu was indifferent to officialdom, but before the Crown Prince even ascended the throne, Gu had already decided to serve under him. What would that make him? An incompetent and mediocre emperor, avoided by all the talented people in the world.
He's not dead yet, he's still the emperor, and they dare to demean his character and dignity like this?!
Li Chengming, you're doing great!
He almost, just a little bit more, was ready to abdicate and follow Yang Shimin's advice to live a leisurely life fishing and gardening in the palace villa, handing over the world to him and letting him taste the joys and sorrows of being an emperor.
But he hasn't even gotten to that point yet. He's only lame in one leg, and the Crown Prince dares to pull so many tricks in front of him. It's simply unforgivable and heinous!
Emperor Jian'an's eyes turned bloodshot, a mixture of extreme anger, jealousy, resentment, and exasperation causing him to tremble uncontrollably. The Sixth Prince quickly signaled to Vice Minister Wang to stop speaking and stepped forward to press down on Emperor Jian'an's shoulders: "Father, you mustn't get agitated right now. If your headache flares up and you don't wake up, there will be no one in the world who can cure my brother!"
Emperor Jian'an was panting heavily. Shuangxi quickly served him a cup of tea, which the Sixth Prince helped him drink. He then patted his chest for a long time until Emperor Jian'an finally managed to catch his breath.
The sixth prince had a leisurely smile on his lips, not urging him, but carefully serving him.
Emperor Jian'an finally regained his composure. He glanced at Vice Minister Wang, then at the Sixth Prince, and suddenly cursed, "Your brother is no good person, and you're no better than him. You're both ruthless and cunning towards me!"
The sixth prince immediately said, "But Father, I have emptied my heart out to you and have nothing to hide from you anymore."
What else could he possibly be hiding? He's already openly stated that he wanted to wear that outfit. What else could he possibly be hiding?
Emperor Jian'an looked at him: "You went to great lengths to bring me here, are you thinking of leaving?"
The sixth prince said, "If I don't go out now, who will be able to seek justice for the injustice suffered by Father?"
Emperor Jian'an said, "The Crown Prince will not agree to your departure. He has now gained considerable power. I have a broken leg, and even Yang Shimin is showing signs of leaning towards him. Do you still insist on being his enemy?"
The sixth prince said, "I have no way out. If I don't go out openly now, I'm afraid I'll die without a burial place once my brother really takes the throne."
He smiled and said, "Although it is said that the victor is king and the loser is villain, I have not yet tried my best and I am not willing to admit defeat. If I lose to my brother in a fair fight, I will accept defeat."
Emperor Jian'an remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "Alright, have you thought of any way to get out of here?"
The sixth prince said, "Minister Wang has a young daughter who is about the same age as me. Father, why don't you grant us a marriage and let us live separately outside the palace? Once we're out there, I'll have my own plans."
Vice Minister Wang quickly bowed and agreed.
Emperor Jian'an seemed somewhat disheartened, giving Vice Minister Wang and the Sixth Prince a cold stare: "As you wish."
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