lovenovelstory Chapter 1151 - 987: Take It One Step at a Time
Chapter 1151 - 987: Take It One Step at a Time
Xia Qing, upon hearing this, immediately burst into tears, "Your Highness, you must trust this old minister! This old minister has been loyal to the Emperor and Your Highness, how could I possibly collude with Da Xing? I am a man of Dayan, the Xia Family is a prestigious family in Jiangnan, how could we do such treacherous acts? Please, Crown Prince, be discerning!"Xia Qing crawled forward on his knees and lay prostrated at the feet of the Crown Prince, weeping uncontrollably.
"Your Highness, years ago I met the Tianji Taoist by chance. He seemed like a sage from another world. I saw him cure a dying child with just one pill, and I was greatly astonished, which is why I recommended him to the Emperor. I too have been deceived by this man. Who could have thought he was a spy for Da Xing?"
Xia Qing cried pitifully, his face a mess with tears and snot.
The Crown Prince kicked away Xia Qing, who was trying to clutch his leg, looking at Xia Qing with utter disgust.
"Someone! Take..."
"Emperor! The Chief Minister was also deceived by this man and would never have colluded with Da Xing. Over the years, the Chief Minister has been loyal to the court, diligent regardless of merit. Please, Your Highness, reconsider!"
Left Minister of Communication You Shaofeng stepped forward to plead for Xia Qing, fearing that the Crown Prince, in his anger, would punish the Chief Minister.
They were in the same faction as Xia Qing. If Xia Qing were stripped of his position by the Crown Prince, what path would be left for them?
Relying on the Chief Minister’s favor, they had offended many colleagues. Without Xia Qing as their backing, those colleagues would certainly not let them go.
Regardless of whether Xia Qing recommended the Tianji Taoist with intention or without, officials in Xia Qing’s faction were certainly in a difficult position.
How could he not be frantic? Life and death hung on the Crown Prince’s decision.
"Your Highness! The words of You Tongzheng contain reason, how could the Chief Minister collude with the enemy? Please, Your Highness, see clearly."
Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice Zhang Shuo, a disciple of Xia Qing, was also panicking at this moment.
He had already hidden his young son elsewhere to ensure a continuation of his family. The Emperor’s sudden death, attributed to the poison of the Tianji Taoist, had caught them off guard.
Today was their last gamble while they still had the chance. If they succeeded, the rise of their family would be imminent.
If not, then it would be the end, taking their whole family along with them.
"Hmph! It was because of him that Father Emperor passed away, even if he was deceived, it’s a crime worthy of death. Someone! First detain Chief Minister Xia, You Tongzheng, and Vice Minister Zhang at the Dali Temple, and we’ll decide their fate later!"
The Crown Prince scanned the room. All the kneeling civil and military officials felt a chill in their hearts. They all shrank back, not daring to meet the Crown Prince’s gaze.
Vice Minister of the Ministry of Industry Peng Yuhao was shaking uncontrollably. He was very close to Xia Qing and had gained many benefits from this relationship.
From today’s view, Xia Qing was bound to be accounted for.
When the Crown Prince’s keen gaze swept over, Peng Yuhao felt an icy chill throughout his body. However, that gaze only lingered on him briefly before moving away.
Peng Yuhao felt relieved, then cautiously glanced towards the Crown Prince. Seeing the Crown Prince’s gaze sweeping back, he hurriedly lowered his head again.
Beads of sweat the size of beans rolled off his forehead onto the shiny, reflective floor tiles, drawing several glances from Yao Qinglan beside him.
The Crown Prince ultimately decided not to completely eradicate, as taking the wrong side wasn’t a crime warranting death. But if he truly found that these people colluded with Da Xing, he wouldn’t spare them.
"Search the Xia Mansion, surround the You Mansion and Zhang Mansion."
Peng Yuhao heaved a great sigh of relief, almost collapsing to the ground; this should have passed, right?
Not just him, but even other officials felt the relief. More than half of them had connections with Xia Qing.
It seemed the Crown Prince only intended to deal with those closely associated with Xia Qing as a warning to others; they were safe for now.
"Your Highness! I am innocent!" You Shaofeng was shocked, wondering if the Crown Prince intended to label him and Xia Qing as Da Xing spies together?
"Your Highness! This official and the Chief Minister are not the same; please, Your Highness, see clearly..."
"Amitabha Buddha!"
The Crown Prince looked towards the sound and was surprised. In front, draped in a monk’s robe, holding Buddha Beads and saluting, who could it be but Liao Wu?
...
"You’re saying Tianji Taoist was recommended by Xia Qing, and the Tianji Taoist colluded with Da Xing, so Xia Qing is most likely also a Da Xing spy?"
The Empress suddenly stood up, walking to Gu Chengyu, her gaze towards him filled with suspicion.
"Yes! That’s what the Emperor said before he passed; he found Xia Qing highly suspicious. Previously there was no evidence, and many in the court had close dealings with this man; the Emperor was also at a loss."
"But why would the Emperor tell you about this? The Crown Prince is the heir to the throne; wouldn’t it be better to tell the Crown Prince?"
Gu Chengyu cautiously glanced at the Empress before saying, "That is unknown to this humble subject."
The Empress snorted coldly, flicking her robe, and looked at Gu Chengyu, thinking.
The Emperor was already dissatisfied with the Crown Prince. How could she, as a mother, not know her son’s temperament? Was the Emperor worried that the Crown Prince couldn’t contend with Xia Qing and therefore instructed Gu Chengyu instead?
Yet the Empress felt something was off; this man was quite cunning and might be hiding something.
But the collusion of Xia Qing with Da Xing, without the Emperor’s disclosure, was indeed something Gu Chengyu couldn’t have known given his position.
Never mind! The back palace shouldn’t meddle in politics. If Gu Chengyu lingered too long at Guangning Palace, those Imperial Censors finding out would accuse her.
"You may leave now! Remember, assist the Crown Prince well, or there’s no need for my palace to state what the outcome will be?"
This person was still of some use; the Crown Prince often praised him in her presence, proving he was somewhat appreciated.
"Yes! This humble subject takes leave!" Gu Chengyu left the Guangning Palace, letting out a breath of relief.
Regardless of whether the Empress believed him, at least he passed through this hurdle. Who knows what might happen in the future?
One step at a time!
"Send someone to follow him, see what he does recently, but keep distance; don’t let him notice."
As soon as Gu Chengyu exited the Guangning Palace, the Empress summoned the Chief Palace Maid and instructed her.
"Amitabha Buddha! The humble monk Liao Wu greets the Crown Prince!" Liao Wu looked solemn, gaze unflinchingly towards the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince quickly walked a few steps; his eyes slightly reddened as he looked over Liao Wu, "Third Brother!"
"The humble monk brings fellow monks and disciples to perform rites for the Emperor!" Liao Wu ignored the Crown Prince’s excited feelings, his eyes remaining emotionless.
The Crown Prince choked, "Third Brother..."
"The humble monk’s dharma name is Liao Wu, wishes the Crown Prince to let go of the past and address by dharma name!"
Afterward, Liao Wu shifted his gaze to a senior monk beside him, "This is my senior brother, Liao Kong, who presides over the ceremonies. Please, Your Highness, arrange for us to be taken to the venue."
The Crown Prince paused, "Very well!"
Xia Qing’s face was ashen. Wasn’t the Crown Prince always planning to deal with him? He turned back to look at the Third Prince, clenching his fists.
He must not be impatient; he had to wait a little longer.