si-mexico Chapter 192 The crime is unforgivable
Chapter 192 The crime is unforgivable
Emperor Wuzong nodded slightly, waved his hand, and issued an order: "Summon the prefect of Jingzhao to see the emperor."
Outside the palace gate, the prefect of Jingzhao had been waiting for a long time. After receiving the imperial edict, he hurried into the inner palace.
"Your Majesty, this humble servant pays respect to you. This is the preliminary result of today's interrogation regarding the assassination of the Prime Minister. Please read it carefully."
The prefect of Jingzhao presented the case file with both hands. The heavy document seemed to carry unspeakable secrets.
Emperor Wuzong's eyes swept across the case file, his expression gradually became solemn, and finally suddenly sank, and the case file in his hand was slammed heavily on the table, making a dull sound: "Xia Ranran, you are so bold, you dare to attack the wife of the prime minister of this dynasty!"
Hearing this, Xia Yunfeng's body softened and he fell to his knees, eagerly explaining: "Your Majesty is very observant, there must be a misunderstanding!"
"The evidence is irrefutable and the confession is clear. How else do you plan to argue, Lord Xia?"
Emperor Wuzong's sneer was as cold as the wind, "Your daughter is to blame for planning the attack on the Prime Minister!"
"Your Majesty, spare your life!"
Xia Yunfeng's voice trembled, full of powerlessness and helplessness.
At this time, Emperor Wuzong's eyes softened and he turned to Fu Yansheng with concern: "My dear, has your injury improved?"
Fu Yansheng bowed, his brows relaxed, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. My injury is no longer serious."
His eyes inadvertently passed over Xia Yunfeng, seemingly unintentional but with deep meaning, and then he slowly pulled out a memorial from his sleeve, "Your Majesty, I have another matter to report. Xia Yunfeng is suspected of bribing officials in the capital, intending to interfere in government affairs through money. I hope Your Majesty will understand!"
Xia Yunfeng felt as if he was struck by lightning. His grief had not yet subsided, and he was filled with new sorrow. For a moment, he felt dizzy.
"Your Majesty, I have done absolutely nothing of the kind. This is a huge injustice!"
Emperor Wuzong ignored Xia Yunfeng's pleas, and unfolded the memorial, reading it carefully page by page.
Xia Yunfeng was so nervous that he almost suffocated, and even his breathing became cautious.
"Xia Yunfeng, you are so bold and reckless. Your crime is unforgivable!"
Emperor Wuzong threw the memorial in front of Xia Yunfeng with great force, shocking everyone.
Xia Yunfeng took the memorial with trembling hands and read it word by word. All the strength in his body seemed to be drained away and he almost collapsed on the cold ground.
How could Fu Yansheng know that he had accepted bribes from the magistrate of Shanchuan County? This evidence of his crime should have been buried by him, so why did it see the light of day?
Fu Yansheng sneered, "Do you think the fall of the previous county magistrate can cover up everything? You still underestimated me."
Xia Yunfeng closed his eyes in despair, knelt on the ground, and begged at the top of his lungs: "Your Majesty, please have mercy! I am willing to give away all my wealth, just asking Your Majesty to spare my life and the lives of my family!"
As Emperor Wuzong waved his hand lightly, an unquestionable majesty emanated from him. Before Xia Yunfeng could react, he was quickly and silently dragged out of the door by the well-trained guards. The slight sound of clothes rubbing against the ground echoed in the empty hall, as if it was an insignificant whine under power.
"Do you still remember who recommended Xia Yunfeng to enter the capital?"
Emperor Wuzong's tone was understated, but it contained hints of inquiry and dissatisfaction. He sipped tea leisurely, and the fragrance of tea slowly permeated the air, forming a sharp contrast with the tense atmosphere, making people hold their breath involuntarily.
Upon hearing this, the eunuch standing by hurriedly stepped forward, with an extremely respectful attitude, and answered in a voice that was almost as soft as a whisper: "Your Majesty, it is the eunuch Zhao who holds the seal, Lord Deng Guiping."
The eunuch's voice was low but clearly audible, revealing a subtle hint of uneasiness.
"Deng's seal? How interesting!"
There was a hint of contemplation between Emperor Wuzong's brows. He gently put down the teacup in his hand, but his eyes became more and more solemn, as if he was weighing some important decision in his mind.
Then, he decisively ordered: "Summon Deng Guiping to the court!"
Soon, a young eunuch's crisp and respectful announcement came from outside the door: "The seal-holding eunuch Zhao Gonggong has arrived!"
Following the announcement, Deng Guiping walked slowly into the hall wearing a luxurious purple brocade robe. His appearance seemed to bring an unusual touch of brightness to this solemn space.
His face was handsome yet heroic, his red lips and white teeth were even more distinct in the candlelight, and his tall and straight figure stood out among the many hunched-over eunuchs, revealing a scholarly air like that of a literati. He was in no way inferior to any aristocrat, and even better than any of them.
As he walked, a faint mint scent drifted in the wind, making the entire hall seem a little fresher.
When Deng Guiping passed by Ling Mohui, the fresh fragrance made Ling Mohui look sideways involuntarily, and she was filled with surprise.
Such a well-mannered young man turned out to be the legendary Deng Zhangyin who was deeply trusted by the emperor. If one had not seen it with one's own eyes, it would have been hard to believe.
Emperor Wuzong gave a slight signal, and the eunuch beside him quickly handed the key memorial to Deng Guiping.
Deng Guiping took the memorial with a calm attitude, and a gleam of light flashed in his eyes: "Your Majesty, it happens that I have a memorial here as well. I beg Your Majesty to read it."
Emperor Wuzong showed a hint of curiosity, but his tone remained calm: "Show it up."
Deng Guiping took out another memorial from his sleeve and presented it to the emperor. Emperor Wuzong glanced at it and his expression suddenly changed. The content of the memorial was obviously beyond his expectations.
Deng Guiping explained at the right time: "Your Majesty, these are the contracts for three houses in the capital that Xia Yunfeng tried to bribe me with not long ago. His generosity is really shocking!"
"There are three mansions in the capital. Xia Yunfeng's courage and skills cannot be underestimated."
Emperor Wuzong sighed softly, while Deng Guiping nodded in agreement and continued, "Indeed, I was also shocked at the time. From this, I inferred that Xia Yunfeng must have hidden more corrupt behaviors. Therefore, I suggest that we transfer him to our own place first and investigate him slowly in the capital, so that he won't be in a remote place in Anzhou and it will be difficult for us to investigate thoroughly."
As soon as this statement came out, everyone in the audience was shocked.
Deng Guiping's shrewdness and decisiveness allowed him to expose all of Xia Yunfeng's cards in an instant. His methods were so sophisticated that people were secretly astonished.
Facing the suspicious look of Emperor Wuzong, Deng Guiping responded calmly: "I originally planned to report to Your Majesty in detail after the matter was clarified. As for Xia Yunfeng's three houses, I have not touched them at all. I will present them all to Your Majesty when the time is right."
As soon as he finished speaking, Deng Guiping took out the land deeds from his sleeves as if by magic. Emperor Wuzong nodded with satisfaction and ordered the eunuch to take them. He praised him and said, "It seems that you have indeed put in a lot of effort. I will not pursue this matter any further."
Just as Fu Yansheng was about to speak, Deng Guiping suddenly knelt down to express his gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your magnanimity!"
Fu Yansheng hesitated to speak, and finally swallowed the words that were about to come out of his mouth.
In the court, the open and covert struggles between him and Deng Guiping lasted for many years. Both sides attacked and defended each other, but they were never able to completely overwhelm the other.