"Yes, Lord Tan, this is the imperial court. Don't be so scared that you wet your pants!"
Sun Ren looked at the contents of the flyer and chuckled strangely. He glanced at Tan Biao sideways and snorted a few words with disdain.
[That's satisfying! That bastard never expected this, did he? He'll be in this situation today!]
Suddenly asked a question by Left Chancellor Xue Guangjin, and then mocked by Sun Ren, Tan Biao turned and glared at him, saying dryly, "What do you mean by that, Lord Xue?"
"Lord Sun, how can you speak so rudely?"
“I…” Sun Ren was about to argue when Yun Beiye spoke up.
"Minister Tan, do you have anything to say about what's on this leaflet?"
Yun Beiye looked at Yun Beiye calmly, his tone revealing a faint sense of detachment.
The court officials understood Yun Beiye's tone. Although offending Tan Biao was not a wise move, taking sides at this time would make them great heroes in bringing down Tan Biao.
Judging from the emperor's expression, Tan Biao had no way to escape this time.
"Lord Tan, this list says that you have embezzled a total of 7.3 million taels of disaster relief funds over the years. Is that true?" Minister of Revenue Kang Fuguo stroked his beard.
"If it's true, it's truly chilling! Lord Tan, could it be that you've hidden all this disaster relief money in your own residence?!"
"Yes, what's going on here?" the ministers discussed amongst themselves.
"Your Majesty, this list says that Lord Tan disregarded human life and bribed bandits to kill Lord Xu's entire family."
“This is similar to what I have heard in the past,” said Xu Youyan, the censor, as he stepped forward.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I have also heard that Lord Tan has many wives and concubines, but none of them live more than a year or two. That is why Lord Tan has not had a single child to this day."
"Furthermore, on one occasion, Lord Tan went to Tianxiang Tower to watch a play. Somehow, the actors offended Lord Tan, and he had all ten dancers in the courtyard beaten to death on the spot!" Another official, Zou Kuan, stepped forward and said.
"Oh, is that so?"
"That's incredibly ruthless!"
As Tan Biao listened to his colleagues' accusations against him and the hushed whispers, his throat felt dry and tight, and his breathing seemed to become difficult.
“Lord Xu, you must be careful with your words. Lord Xu’s family encountered bandits on their way back home. At that time, Marquis Chi Nan had already set off for Yunnan. How could he have time to deal with such matters?” Tan Biao’s accomplice stepped forward and spoke, his tone vicious, his eyes glaring at Xu Youyan.
The censors were usually gentle and mild-mannered; how could they withstand such a fierce gaze?
Xu Youyan shivered and retreated to his original position.
"Your Majesty, I believe this is just a prank, and these leaflets cannot be used as evidence," Tan Biao said, seeing that the situation had improved.
"Your Majesty, you must not let rumors disturb Your Majesty."
“Yes, Your Majesty, I believe we should arrest the person who distributed the leaflets and punish him severely!” another of Tan Biao’s accomplices stepped forward and said.
"I second that proposal."
Yun Beiye squinted, his face grave as he looked at the nine ministers kneeling in the court.
[Oh, so these people are all Tan Biao's accomplices!]
Some ministers who had previously failed to see the true nature of political parties now had the opportunity to see clearly who supported Tan Biao.
From now on, I will eradicate these poisonous sprouts step by step!
He suppressed his anger. Since Tan Biao had so many accomplices, and the officials were afraid of the power of Tan's faction, it seemed that he could not confront them head-on.
"What do you think, Magistrate of the Capital?" Yun Beiye asked, looking at Jin Jinzhi standing behind Xue Guangjin.
“Your Majesty, public resentment has risen. I have heard that many people have gathered at the gate of the Tan residence, demanding that Lord Tan come out and give an explanation,” Jin Jinzhi stepped forward and said respectfully.
"Regardless of whether the contents of this leaflet are true or false, I believe that Lord Tan's safety is of utmost importance." Jin Jinzhi said with a serious and sincere expression.
"To ensure Lord Tan's safety, I am willing to lead a small team to guard the area around the Tan residence and protect Lord Tan's safety."
"Prevent these troublemakers from breaking into the Tan family mansion, and protect the safety of the entire Tan family until the matter is thoroughly investigated."
"Okay, we'll do it your way." Yun Beiye nodded approvingly.
"Also, send men to search the Tan residence for assassins."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail in my mission."
Jin Jinzhi and Yun Beiye sang in unison in the imperial court, turning the original plan to search the mansion for evidence into a cover for protecting Tan Biao's safety.
In this way, even if Tan Biao's accomplices wanted to refute it, they would not be able to find any reason to do so.
"Yes, you can allocate the manpower directly. You don't need to report to me again!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will go and drive away the crowd that is causing trouble at the entrance of the Tan residence."
Yun Beiye nodded. "Yes, is there anything else to report? If not, the court may adjourn."
The ministers exchanged glances, and seeing that Yun Beiye had already stood up, they shouted in unison, "Your Majesty, we respectfully bid you farewell! Long live the Emperor!"
Tan Biao glared fiercely at Jin Jinzhi's departing figure, his fists clenched tightly.
[Hmph, protect my safety? Do they think I'm a fool? They've clearly just sent soldiers to keep watch near the Tan residence and, incidentally, to keep me under house arrest.]
[Old fox, that sounds nice.]
[Was this leaflet distributed by that scoundrel of the emperor, just to order a search of the palace?]
...
After leaving the Golden Palace, Yun Beiye no longer hid his joy. He strode towards the Purple Palace with a beaming smile.
"Oh dear, Your Majesty, the roads are slippery in the snow. Please walk slowly and be careful not to fall!"
"His Majesty!"
Yun Beiye took large, steady steps, while Zhao Zhongquan followed behind, bending over and struggling quite a bit.
From the Golden Palace to the Purple Palace, one needs to pass through a long red corridor and then through a palace gate.
Normally, Yun Beiye wouldn't walk this road himself; he would always have eunuchs carry him in a sedan chair. However, he was in a good mood today, and walking on the snow and feeling the cool breeze made him feel refreshed and very comfortable.
"Hahaha, this is so exhilarating! I haven't felt this good in ages!"
"What a beautiful sunny day!"
Yun Beiye clasped his hands happily and laughed, "I've been looking for a pretext and solid evidence to deal with Tan Biao, and now this is truly a great opportunity!"
Zhao Zhongquan waved his hand, his expression serious, and dismissed the eunuchs following behind him, leaving only himself to stay by Yun Beiye's side.
He looked around cautiously, and only after confirming that there were no unfamiliar faces or eunuchs eavesdropping did he feel at ease and walk behind.
"That feels so good, so incredibly good!"
"Ha ha ha ha!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, these leaflets, as white as snow in winter, are truly a stroke of genius!"
Zhao Zhongquan finally walked quickly to Yun Beiye's side and echoed her words.
"Hmm, tell me, who distributed these flyers?"
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