Thinking about what was about to happen, Song Ziyu felt a little uneasy.
He went outside the palace to inquire with the eunuchs and heard that the Empress had suddenly suffered a headache, and Emperor Jingyuan had rushed to visit her.
Song Ziyu was restless, feeling that things had happened too coincidentally.
Why did Emperor Jingyuan have to be intercepted just before he could speak?
Could it be that someone has seen through his intentions?
He took a deep breath, looked around the hall, and his gaze fell on Jiang Wan, who was sitting quietly to the side.
No, it won't happen.
Jiang Wan has been imprisoned and can barely take care of herself, so how could she possibly know about Mr. Yun Que's affairs, let alone guess the plans of the Elder Madam?
Song Ziyu chuckled.
She's not a god; she can't predict the future.
He must be overthinking it.
The group waited in the hall for an hour before Emperor Jingyuan returned, followed by Pei Xuan, who had a solemn expression.
Emperor Jingyuan sat in the main seat and offered seats to several ministers.
Song Ziyu was about to speak when he was interrupted by a soft voice.
"Your Highness, is Her Majesty's condition alright?" Jiang Wan asked Pei Xuan, who was seated, with concern in her voice.
Song Ziyu sneered inwardly, feeling that she was just putting on an act.
The Empress has been good to Jiang Wan, but in this situation, does she really expect the Empress to save her? That's far too naive.
He had heard that His Majesty was very angry about Jiang Wan's actions after reading Ji Rong's report.
If this is investigated, she might not even be able to keep her second-rank imperial title!
“Although the symptoms are similar to those of the last illness, it is just a recurrence of an old ailment and has stabilized,” Pei Xuan said.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingyuan suddenly recalled that when the Empress had fallen seriously ill, it was Jiang Wan who came to the palace every day to attend to her, and it was she who always protected the Empress in front of Consort Rong.
His heart softened, and his gaze toward Jiang Wan became much more affectionate.
"Madam Jiang, rise and speak."
He Xingyun also clearly sensed the change in Emperor Jingyuan's attitude and secretly looked at Jiang Wan.
With just one sentence, he was able to win His Majesty's favor.
This Madam Jiang is truly extraordinary.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Jiang Wan expressed her gratitude and continued, "I came here today with Lord He. It seems that the Prefect of the Capital has a new lead regarding the death of the merchant."
"His Majesty."
In his panic, Song Ziyu knelt down on the ground.
"I also have important matters to report, which involve confidential and urgent matters. Please dismiss those around you, Your Majesty!"
He turned to look at He Xingyun: "Lord He, your case has been under investigation for many days. Is there any rush?"
Emperor Jingyuan pondered for a moment, recalling that Song Ziyu's expression had indeed been very anxious. Just as he was about to nod, he heard Pei Xuan suddenly speak up.
"What General Song is talking about must be related to the tiger tally."
Before anyone knew it, Pei Xuan had already taken the document submitted by He Xingyun, glanced at it briefly, and handed it to Emperor Jingyuan.
"The image of the tiger tally was circulating throughout the streets and alleys of the capital, and even five-year-old children could play with it. It was only then that General Song remembered to submit a memorial to the emperor."
Pei Xuan's expression turned cold.
"It's too late."
Song Ziyu was greatly surprised.
He discovered that Yun Que had only been there for a day or two, yet he decided to go to the palace to plead guilty. He thought he had acted quickly enough, so how did Pei Xuan know so clearly?
Could it be that the Crown Prince's spies have spread throughout the capital?
"Wasn't the matter of the Tiger Tally over? What's going on now?"
Emperor Jingyuan got a headache as soon as he heard those two words. He opened the document, read it, and his face immediately darkened. He slammed the document on the ground and roared in anger.
"Song Ziyu, what's going on here!"
It's utterly unbelievable that the tiger tally pattern was leaked and circulated in the streets and alleys.
If this were recorded in history, wouldn't he, as a monarch, become a laughing stock?
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger! I have come today to plead guilty for this matter!"
Sweating profusely, Song Ziyu pulled something from his sleeve and presented it to the eunuch.
"The Song family failed in their duty to safeguard the Tiger Tally and, knowing their incompetence, are willing to hand over the Tiger Tally and military power to His Majesty for disposal!"
Emperor Jingyuan glared at him, clearly furious.
He Xingyun stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, I have obtained the testimony of Mr. Yun Que. He personally admitted that General Song traded the tiger tally with him and lied that it was ordinary red marrow jade, defrauding him of 15,000 taels of silver.”
Song Ziyu's face flushed red with anger: "He, he's talking nonsense!"
“The bank has all the transaction receipts, what else can you argue with!” He Xingyun said.
"Ten thousand taels of silver?"
Jiang Wan suddenly spoke, looking at Song Ziyu with a puzzled expression.
"General, you are truly foolish. Your household has always had a surplus. What use do you have for such a large sum of money?"
Her voice was clear and crisp, but when it reached Song Ziyu's ears, it was as chilling as ice.
"You are a military general in charge of a large army. With such a huge amount of money in your hands, you should explain yourself properly to avoid His Majesty misunderstanding the loyalty of the General's Mansion."
If Jiang Wan hadn't mentioned it, things would have been fine, but as soon as she said it, Emperor Jingyuan's face turned ten times uglier.
The greatest use of a military general's wealth is, of course, to recruit soldiers and horses.
Could it be that the Song family harbors such ambitions?
Song Ziyu cried out urgently, "Your Majesty, I am innocent! How could I possibly spend such a large sum of money..."
That money was extorted; the other party had evidence of the Song family bribing officials. How could he dare to mention it?
He gritted his teeth and said, "To prove my innocence, I am willing to hand over all this silver to the national treasury..."
Jiang Wan watched as Song Ziyu's face paled inch by inch, smiled silently, and interrupted him.
"I also believe in the Song family and that they have no intention of disloyalty. Since the general has said so, Your Majesty can send people to search the entire mansion. That sum of money must still be there."
Song Ziyu's face stiffened.
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