Chapter 26 The Loyal Butler
The emperor threw the letter at the feet of Prime Minister Cui.
The letter was unfolded, and the last sentence stood out.
This child is rebellious and must not be allowed to live.
This is Prime Minister Cui's handwriting.
The emperor said coldly, "Prime Minister Cui, it seems you are blaming me."
Prime Minister Cui knelt on the ground, "Your Majesty, this was not written by me!"
Having held a high position for many years, he almost forgot that our Emperor once fought his way into the capital.
Over the years, Your Majesty has governed the country with benevolence and virtue, and has consistently covered for Qin Jinzhi, that troublemaker.
It gave him the illusion that His Majesty was old and therefore somewhat senile.
But just a moment ago, he seemed to see again the ruthless emperor who had just ascended the throne decades ago!
The people inside the room knelt on the ground, and the air pressure dropped to its lowest point.
But Prime Minister Cui is truly innocent. If he wanted Qin Jinzhi dead, why would he leave such obvious evidence?
The emperor said coldly, "If Prime Minister Cui blames me, he can speak his mind. But to secretly harm a child is a disgrace to the noble family."
Prime Minister Cui immediately said, "Your Majesty, please believe me! This letter was not written by me! I have never given any orders to assassinate the princess. Please investigate thoroughly, Your Majesty!"
The emperor glared at Prime Minister Cui and said, "Prime Minister Cui, do you really think I'm so old and blind that I can't even recognize your handwriting!"
Prime Minister Cui was utterly speechless, for the handwriting on the letter was exactly the same as his own!
For a moment, Prime Minister Cui was at a loss for words.
The emperor turned to look at Pei Hong, "Minister Pei, have I given the Pei family too much face? How dare you, a mere minister, poison a royal princess? I have truly underestimated you!"
Pei Hong felt utterly wronged. "Your Majesty, I truly did not poison the Princess. Besides, if the Princess was poisoned by the brocade box, why am I unharmed? I personally handed the brocade box to the Princess."
At this moment, Zhao Wuji said, "Your Majesty, this is what I found at Pei Hai's residence; it is the antidote for the Netherworld Flower."
Pei Hai shook his head repeatedly, "Master, I really don't know! I just followed your instructions and put a powder on the brocade box that would cause rashes, intending to teach that princess a lesson. I don't know why it turned into a ghost flower!"
Pei Hong was immediately shocked, "When did I ask you to tamper with the brocade box?!"
Pei Hai immediately replied, "It was what you ordered when you entered the palace the other day. This isn't an antidote for the Netherworld Flower, but an antidote for the rash powder. I was worried that you might not have taken enough medicine, so I left some extra in case of emergency!"
Pei Hong was furious. "Nonsense! Your Majesty, I absolutely had no intention of harming the princess, let alone poisoning her in front of everyone! I am not an idiot!"
The emperor, however, did not believe their words. Qin Jinzhi had a deep-seated grudge against both families, and Prime Minister Cui had expressed his dissatisfaction with Qin Jinzhi's punishment more than once.
Pei Jin was punished again because of Jin Zhi two days before the New Year, so it's not impossible that these two wanted to kill Jin Zhi.
The emperor looked at the two men coldly, "The evidence is overwhelming, what else do you two have to say?"
Prime Minister Cui finally came to his senses and calmed down a bit before saying, "Your Majesty, this Cui Liu keeps saying that he acted according to my orders. When, where, and who sent you the message? Is there any witness?"
Cui Liu said without changing his expression, "It was three days ago, in the evening, that the messenger came from Steward Fusheng. There were no witnesses at the time."
Cui Chengxiang immediately shouted, "Nonsense! Fusheng has been serving me in my study for the past three days. When did he go to deliver a message to you?!"
Cui Liu simply said respectfully, "If the Prime Minister does not believe me, he may summon Steward Fusheng for questioning."
Zhao Wuji replied, "I have brought the steward of the Cui family with me, and he is waiting outside the hall for questioning."
The emperor immediately said, "Summon them!"
A man dressed as a middle-aged steward was brought into the hall.
It must be said that the Cui family's etiquette, even the servants, was extremely proper.
Fusheng said calmly, "This humble servant pays his respects to Your Majesty."
Just as Prime Minister Cui was about to speak, he was interrupted by Zhao Wuji.
"Steward Fu, did you deliver a letter to Cui Liu on behalf of Prime Minister Cui three days ago?"
Fusheng nodded. "That's right."
Prime Minister Cui immediately looked at Fusheng, "When did I ever ask you to deliver a letter?"
Fusheng was his childhood friend and had even shielded him from a hidden attack; he would never betray him!
Sure enough, a look of doubt flashed in Fusheng's eyes, and at the same time, Fusheng immediately realized that something serious had happened.
Having spent a long time by Prime Minister Cui's side, he was also able to quickly sense danger.
Just then, he saw the envelopes and letters scattered on the ground, the very letters he had given to Cui Liu that day.
The letter was laid out boldly on the ground, and the words on it were clearly visible.
It turned out that the Prime Minister had ordered Cui Liu to cooperate with the Pei family to poison Princess Jinzhi.
Fusheng immediately said, "I delivered the letter myself; the Prime Minister was unaware of it."
Prime Minister Cui looked at Fusheng with a hint of confusion in his eyes.
Zhao Wuji said, "The handwriting on this letter is the Prime Minister's handwriting. How do you explain that?"
Fu Sheng immediately replied, "I have served the Prime Minister since I was a child, so it is not difficult for me to imitate the Prime Minister's handwriting!"
Zhao Wuji pressed on, "Then why did you poison the princess?"
Fusheng said, seemingly indignantly:
"That Qin Jinzhi deserves to die!"
My young lady was the most noble lady in the capital, but she almost lost her life because of that arrogant and domineering Qin Jinzhi!
This old servant has watched Miss grow up since she was a child, and has long regarded her as his own daughter!
Qin Jinzhi went to Baique Temple for three years, but my young lady is still bedridden!
Of course I want to get rid of him as soon as possible!
Zhao Wuji sneered, "So you were the one who conspired with the Pei family?"
Fusheng immediately replied, "Of course it's me!"
Zhao Wuji shouted, "Nonsense! If that's true, then tell me in detail how you conspired with the Pei family to poison the princess."
This steward is truly a veteran of the Prime Minister's service. He guessed what had happened in just a few words, and I have to say I admire his composure in the face of danger!
Fusheng slowly rose to his feet. “Right and wrong, success and failure are no longer important. I only regret that I cannot avenge Miss. Thank you for your care over the years, Prime Minister. This old servant is leaving now!”
After saying that, he suddenly slammed his head against the dragon-carved pillar in the hall.
Blood splattered on the spot.
Prime Minister Cui shouted, "Fu Sheng!"
Zhao Wuji immediately stood in front of the emperor and shielded the person behind him.
They only went forward to check on the person when they saw that he was no longer moving.
This steward is a ruthless man; he actually had the will to die to smash his head against a pillar.
Anyone with eyes could see that the steward died to take the blame.
He is indeed loyal.
"Your Majesty, the person is no longer breathing."
The emperor coldly observed the somewhat distraught Prime Minister Cui, "So it was a villain from the Cui family who impersonated Prime Minister Cui's handwriting. His intentions deserve to be punished, and his death is no pity. Drag him out and tear him apart by five horses!"
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