Chapter 286 - 168: Is Divine Retribution Real?
"Your Majesty, be discerning! This old minister had no knowledge of this matter and certainly has no nephew in the Capital City! All my family members are married, how could they..."
"Prime Minister." Sun Wenlin took out a record of evidence from his sleeve and handed it to Mr. Wei.
"I have verified that there indeed arrived at your residence a plump nephew, who today was at the Commandery Princess’s birthday banquet competing in poetry with the young masters; many people witnessed it. This is the inquiry record from the surrounding area."
"This... this..." Mr. Wei’s face instantly turned pale.
Emperor Jing watched this scene coldly, a cloud of suspicion filling his heart.
Mr. Wei is a senior official of two reigns, with considerable influence within the court, and usually has good relations with Champion Marquis; if he were to have a motive...
"Your Majesty!"
Mr. Wei kowtowed heavily, "Indeed, my family has several plump nephews, but none of them are in the Capital City! Even if they were, how could I allow them to harass the Commandery Princess? This must be someone framing me!"
Emperor Jing did not respond immediately; he stared at Mr. Wei for a long time, then turned to Sun Wenlin, "Was anything suspicious discovered on site?"
Sun Wenlin shook his head, "The site is already a ruin, too chaotic; the search is still ongoing."
Emperor Jing nodded slightly.
Sun Wenlin is one of the Sun family, who are relatives of Emperor Jing’s maternal family, which is why Sun Wenlin was entrusted with the Ministry of Justice. Emperor Jing naturally trusts what Sun Wenlin says.
"Mr. Sun." Emperor Jing suddenly spoke, "Immediately seal the Champion Marquis’ residence, thoroughly investigate every corner. Mr. Liu, strengthen Capital City’s defenses, strictly investigate those leaving the city. As for the Prime Minister..."
Mr. Wei trembled all over, his forehead touching the ground.
"I give you three days to find that nephew of yours, alive or dead. If after three days you still haven’t found him, I will consider you as an accomplice!" Emperor Jing’s voice was as cold as ice.
Considered as an accomplice!
Emperor Jing’s words echoed powerfully.
Mr. Wei shook violently, kowtowing repeatedly, "I accept your command, I will act immediately!"
After the three ministers withdrew, Emperor Jing sighed long, wearily sat back in his chair.
Outside the window, the eastern sky had revealed a fish-belly white, but the dark clouds above the Capital City had yet to disperse.
"Your Majesty..."
Li Zhongxin asked cautiously, "Do you want to send someone to inform the Empress and Princess Changle?"
"Let’s wait. I want to personally visit Champion Marquis’ residence." Emperor Jing rubbed his temple, stood up intending to walk out.
"But Your Majesty, it’s too dangerous there!"
"I am the Emperor, why should I fear..."
Emperor Jing hadn’t finished speaking before he paused, instinctively thinking of the word "divine punishment," fearing something might happen leaving the Imperial Palace.
So, he couldn’t help but change his mind.
"You’re right. I am the Emperor; I still have court duties to attend to, I can’t leave the palace lightly."
After Emperor Jing went to court, indeed he was handling state matters. However, what he discussed with the ministers regarded the marriage alliance with the Turks.
May sunlight streamed through the clouds, falling upon the white marble steps in front of Taiji Palace.
After the court session, Emperor Jing rubbed his swollen temples, his inner robes beneath his imperial attire soaked through with sweat.
The soft yet resolute gaze of Princess Yujia of the Turks seemed to still flicker before his eyes.
The conditions of the marriage alliance exchanged a large amount of grain, cloth, and looms for Princess Yujia entering the palace as a consort; the date for the marriage alliance had been set by the Ministry of Rites on June 15th.
"Your Majesty, would you like the palanquin?" Chief Eunuch Li Zhongxin bowed and asked.
Emperor Jing waved his hand, "I want to walk."
In the Imperial Garden, the peonies were in full bloom, resplendent in yellow and purple; but Emperor Jing’s gaze fell upon the distant palace walls, with no desire to admire them.
The news of the extermination at Champion Marquis’ residence weighed like a boulder on his heart; the news delivered by the Hidden Guard last night was startling, with not a bone remaining of over ten members of the Marquis’ household.
This news left him unsure how to inform the Empress and Princess Changle, who rested in the palace last night.
"Your Majesty, a message came from Weiyang Palace asking where you would be having lunch?" A little eunuch chased after him, panting.
Emperor Jing halted his stride.
What must come is inevitable. He took a deep breath, the rich fragrance of flowers suddenly felt piercingly pungent, "Set out for Weiyang Palace!"
In front of Weiyang Palace, a few clusters of vibrant year-round begonias were blooming perfectly.
Princess Changle’s bell-like laughter echoed from within the hall; she was showing an embroidery frame to the Empress.
"Aunt, look, does this pattern of twin lotus blooms please your eyes?"
"Haha, why?" The Empress teased Princess Changle, "Yesterday agreed to the marriage proposal, and today you’re thinking of embroidering twin lotus blooms?"
"His Majesty has arrived!"