Rong Ning cannot accept this!
There is no way to give an explanation to the fallen soldiers and the desperate people.
Prefect Zhu's face turned ashen. They knew that what they had done was unforgivable, but when people become selfish, the common people and national interests are no match for their own immediate gains.
“Your Highness, I am aware of my grave sins, so I have confessed to all my crimes from the beginning. How to deal with me is entirely up to you.”
"This is not something that can be settled simply by the deaths of your Zhu family or the Prime Minister's faction!"
The cities lost by the Southern Dynasty, the territory north of the Muyang River, the soldiers and civilians who died in battle, and the people who were displaced in the war—you have no way of explaining these things!
Perhaps you feel that the loss of territory and the humiliating surrender of the Southern Dynasty were not caused by you, but if you, those in high positions, could have upheld your principles and bottom line, wouldn't the situation have been different?
"If those above set a bad example, how can those below behave properly?"
No one in the Southern Dynasties is innocent in the way they have become!
Prime Minister Xie was a key minister during the reign of the late emperor and was highly trusted by him, doing many things for him.
His main task was to help the late emperor amass wealth.
The late emperor was arrogant and extravagant, spending money like water. He only cared about how much silver went into his private coffers, not where it came from.
An unprecedented anger rose in Rong Ning's heart, along with a sense of despair—a despair for the officialdom of the Southern Dynasty.
With such a group of people occupying the court and controlling its lifeline, how could the Southern Dynasty possibly improve?
The Crown Prince patted Rong Ning's shoulder and said softly, "Don't be angry, it's not worth it!"
Unlike Rong Ning, he had grown up by his father's side and mingled in the court. He knew that these problems did not arise overnight. When the entire court, and even the emperor who ruled the world, were only focused on their own interests, it would be impossible for the people below to uphold their principles.
Most people in this world go with the flow; very few can remain virtuous.
The Crown Prince picked up the confession written by Prefect Zhu, read it carefully, and said calmly, "If you had written this confession earlier, the matter might have been resolved much sooner."
Prefect Zhu gave a desolate smile. "Your Highness, everyone has a tendency to take chances. As long as the road isn't blocked, people will still hold onto hope! Your Highness, that child isn't registered in the Zhu family genealogy and can't be considered a member of the Zhu family. Can you please let him go?"
Let them go?
Rong Ning seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world, and said sarcastically, "You have a compassionate heart now. When you were doing all sorts of evil, did you not think about whether others could survive?"
Although he is not included in your Zhu family genealogy, he has enjoyed the wealth and honor brought by the Zhu family since birth. Why should he be spared?
There's no way we'll let them go!
Don't even think about it!
At this point, Prefect Zhu's back hunched over. He may have regretted it, but his main regret was not about what he had done, but about why he hadn't done things more perfectly and flawlessly.
Rong Ning didn't want to waste any more words with him and had him taken away.
With Prefect Zhu's confession, they could easily take action against the Prime Minister's residence. Rong Ning had already ordered the Imperial Guards to surround the Prime Minister's residence, and Prime Minister Xie was also detained in the palace. With such a commotion, everyone inside and outside the court was watching to see what the outcome would be.
The Crown Prince and Rong Ning went to the palace together with the confession. When they saw the confession, Prime Minister Xie did not plead wronged to the Emperor, nor did he confess his guilt. He remained silent and unusually calm.
With only a confession and no evidence, the emperor spared the prime minister's dignity by not imprisoning him, nor did the prime minister's staff detain him. Instead, he increased the number of imperial guards to guard the area, prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving. He then instructed Rong Ning and the crown prince to do their utmost to gather evidence.
The emperor had finally gotten a real chance to get the prime minister under control, and he couldn't let him escape. Even if he couldn't find any evidence in the end, with the prefect's testimony, he could still do something.
The sky over Nanyang City seems to be about to change.
Afterwards, Rong Ning and the Crown Prince separated. Rong Ning left the palace and returned to the Princess's residence.
She felt that things had progressed to this point, and she should meet with Xie Xizhu.
She stayed at the princess's residence for almost a month. During this time, Rong Ning was busy and rarely went back, so the two of them didn't have many opportunities to meet, let alone sit down and have a proper talk.
When Rong Ning returned to the princess's residence, it was already late at night. She originally thought that Xie Xizhu had already gone to sleep, but she didn't expect that as soon as she returned to the courtyard, before she could even sit down, A Ying said that Xie Xizhu was requesting an audience.
It seems she can't sleep either.
Rong Ning invited her in to speak, but before she could say anything, she knelt down and said, "Your Highness, I wish to return to the Prime Minister's residence!"
Rong Ning's brow twitched. Why did he have to reply now of all times? Is there anything wrong with that?
She didn't understand and said, "Xizhu, the reason I brought you out of the Prime Minister's residence was because I was afraid this day would come. No matter what, the Prime Minister's residence will not be able to get away unscathed this time. Going back now will not do you any good."
“Your Highness’s good intentions are clear to me, but I am a daughter of the Xie family. Whether I live or die, I should be one with the Xie family. Since the Xie family is guilty, I am also guilty and should not continue to stay in the princess’s residence.”
Rong Ning was frustrated, feeling a sense of disappointment. "Do you know that before I even took on this case, I had someone spread rumors that you had already sided with me and betrayed the Prime Minister's Mansion? If you go back to the Prime Minister's Mansion now, no one will appreciate your willingness to come back and share the hardships at this critical juncture. People will only think you are an ingrate."
"Of course... if you resent me for dragging your Xie family into this mess, and therefore don't want to stay here any longer, I can understand. After all, I personally put your father in jail."
After hearing her words, Xie Xizhu shook her head. "Your Highness upholds justice for the sake of all the people. How could I possibly hold a grudge!"
"In that case, it's best for you to stay in the Princess's residence. A long time ago, I separated you from the Prime Minister's residence. If you continue to stay in the Princess's residence, in the end, I will make sure you get out unscathed."
If your concern is about escaping unscathed when the Xie family falls on hard times, and you fear public condemnation, then I can let you live under a different identity.
Xi Zhu, as a human being, there's no need to feel tormented when considering your own needs in dire straits. Everyone should learn to think of themselves; there's nothing wrong with being a little selfish.
Rong Ning looked at her, and every word she spoke came from the bottom of her heart.
She genuinely hoped Xie Xizhu would stay.
Xie Xizhu remained unmoved. "I appreciate Your Highness's kindness, but I still wish to return to the Xie family."
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