Chapter 246 Suspicion
There was no grand court meeting today, so Murong Yu's plan was to review memorials in the imperial study, then go to Minghui Palace to see Concubine Hui, have dinner together, and take a walk in the imperial garden together.
Murong Yu sometimes felt that, apart from the part of reviewing memorials, he and Pei Shu were just like an ordinary couple, and their interactions were full of daily warmth.
After being used to a life of wealth, glory and superiority, it's nice to have this feeling occasionally.
Murong Yu planned to finish his government affairs early today, so that he could visit Concubine Shu before going to Minghui Palace.
But Hao Ren, who rushed into the palace, disrupted Murong Yu's plan.
Murong Yu sat behind the imperial desk and nodded his chin lightly:
"What happened? Why are you rushing to see me?"
Hao Ren raised his head and said, "Your Majesty, this matter is related to Xiaoyaofang."
When he heard the words "Xiaoyaofang", Murong Yu's eyebrows twitched slightly.
Xiaoyaofang is a gathering place for all kinds of people in Beijing, and it must be backed by officials from the court.
Murong Yu had previously thought of taking Xiaoyaofang for his own use, but it was not easy to do so openly.
And just yesterday, he heard that Xiaoyaofang was burned down.
Not only that, he also knew that Hao Ren, Murong Ming and Murong Qi had all been there the day before Xiaoyaofang was burned.
After Hao Ren was named the Imperial Merchant, many eyes in the capital were watching him. If anything happened to him, people would rush to report it.
Murong Yu heard that Hao Ren lost a large sum of money in Xiaoyaofang and was detained in Xiaoyaofang. Later, his wife sent money to redeem him.
That night, Xiaoyaofang was burned down.
This matter is really suspicious.
Murong Yu was planning to have someone keep a closer eye on Hao Ren, but he didn't expect Hao Ren to bring up the matter on his own initiative.
"Is it about Xiaoyaofang? What? Did you burn down this gambling house?" Murong Yu said with a forced smile.
Hao Ren showed a look of surprise: "Your Majesty is wise! It was indeed the common people who burned it."
Murong Yu probably didn't expect Hao Ren to admit it so directly. He took a breath before pretending to be furious and said:
"...How dare you set fire to the capital? Do you think that just because I think I like you, you can do whatever you want?!"
Hao Ren kowtowed again:
"Your Majesty, I know I am guilty. However, I have two reasons for doing this:
First, I lost a large sum of money that day, was scolded by my wife, and lost face in public, so I was furious.
A smile appeared in Murong Yu's eyes. He heard that Hao Ren had a fierce wife at home, and he made Hao Ren, who had lost money, lose face in public.
Anyone would be angry and embarrassed afterwards.
Hao Ren continued:
"Secondly, I realized I was being set up and wanted to expose the person behind it."
Murong Yu narrowed his eyes: "You said you were set up?"
"Exactly. I suspect someone knows I'm working for the Emperor, and they're trying to set me up through the gambling house, in order to force me into some unfavorable behavior in the future."
Murong Yu: "So you burned Xiaoyaofang down to cause a big commotion?"
"Yes, I ordered a servant who was quite skilled to set the fire after the market closed, but now I really regret it."
Hao Ren's chest heaved with excitement:
"When I set the fire, the people I sent discovered a hidden vault beneath Xiaoyaofang. I don't know the exact amount, but it must be several million taels. And the owner of this vault is not someone I can afford to offend."
As soon as the word "treasury" came out, Murong Yu put down the memorial and the red brush in his hand.
He had never heard of the vault.
"They were moving the vault when the fire broke out, and they seemed to have mentioned Lord He, and also..." Hao Ren hesitated to speak.
Murong Yu: "Just say it."
Hao Ren prostrated himself again:
"After one of them left, he headed towards Prince Gong's mansion and entered from the back... I dare to speculate that the Xiaoyaofang vault is connected to Lord He and Prince Gong! I sent someone to investigate Xiaoyaofang again yesterday, but the vault was empty."
"I, I acted rashly, and unexpectedly offended your Excellency. I am truly terrified. If...if Prince Gong views me as a thorn in his side, I fear death is the only way out. Therefore, I have come to the Emperor to apologize and seek a way out for my family."
After Hao Ren finished speaking, Murong Yu's mouth stiffened and he asked sternly:
"Hao Ren, you said the treasury incident was related to Prince Gong. Do you have any evidence? Do you know the consequences of speaking nonsense in front of me?"
Hao Ren shook his head. "I only learned about this yesterday and have no proof. But what I said is absolutely true. I dare not lie. Otherwise, I would not dare to come before the Emperor and apologize."
Dark clouds gathered between Murong Yu's brows, hinting at a storm.
He Tingfang was capable and resourceful, having done a lot for him over the years. His only flaw was greed, which Murong Yu knew well.
As long as He Tingfang doesn't go too far, he can turn a blind eye.
But millions of taels of gold are equivalent to the annual revenue of Dayu's treasury. If this treasury belongs to He Tingfang, how can he turn a blind eye?
Let’s talk about my seventh brother Murong Xun.
It was he who bestowed upon Murong Xun the title of Prince Gong and his fiefdom. He knew exactly how much money there was in Murong Xun's mansion.
If the vault did not belong to He Tingfang but to Murong Xun, the situation would be even more serious.
He Tingfang is greedy, so what is Murong Xun's motivation?
Millions of taels of gold can do so much...
Murong Yu's facial features became increasingly tense.
"Your Majesty, I acknowledge my guilt and beg you to grant me a chance to live. I have come a thousand miles from Lingnan, and the only person I can rely on in the capital is Your Majesty. I am willing to go through fire and water for Your Majesty."
Hao Ren's face turned pale.
Murong Yu temporarily suppressed his doubts and raised his hand to signal Hao Ren to stand up.
He smiled soothingly:
"Xiaoyaofang incited the people to gamble, causing them to lose everything and their fortunes to wither. By burning this gambling house, you are truly eliminating this threat to the people. How could I punish you with the law? You are someone I have chosen, and I will protect you."
"I will send someone to investigate the treasury. However, you acted rashly this time, so I will teach you a lesson. The old site of Xiaoyaofang has been reduced to scorched earth. You will use your merits to atone for your sins and take good care of this place."
Hao Ren was surprised: "The emperor wants to give that piece of land to the common people? But that piece of land is still in the hands of Wan Liang Jin——"
Hao Ren was halfway through his speech when he suddenly realized something and showed a look of surprise. He thanked him repeatedly:
"I thank the emperor for his grace."
Murong Yu sneered: "You are so unsuccessful, just a small place, and you are so happy. I am waiting to see how you will go through fire and water for me."
Hao Ren showed a hint of embarrassment:
"Your Majesty, to be honest, I've been scolded by my wife for two nights because I lost money, and there's been a huge uproar at home. Now that I've got a piece of land, I can finally go home and live a good life."
Murong Yu shook his head and waved away: "Go down."
Hao Ren returned to Heishan Mansion.
He left early and came back early.
Wu Yingniang was tired last night and had just gotten up at this time.
As soon as the two met, Wu Yingniang knew from her husband's expression that things were going well:
"He believed it?"
Hao Ren briefly recounted what happened in the palace.
Wu Yingniang: "You said he was suspicious, but based on your words alone, he might not believe it."
Hao Ren twisted a strand of Yingniang's hair with two fingers, and raised the corner of his lips slightly:
"He won't believe it completely, but it's enough to have a little doubt."
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