The capital!

News of the Shanhuai County incident swiftly reached the capital.

Emperor Qizhen’s health had been gradually improving. Although he hadn’t attended court in recent days, memorials submitted by officials were delivered one by one to the inner palace by eunuchs.

Upon learning of this incident, he immediately threw the memorial down in rage!

With a sweep of his hand, the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones on the desk all clattered to the floor.

The ministers in the inner palace bowed and retreated to both sides, not daring to make a sound.

Even Jing Yi stood quietly to one side!

After all, no one dared to pluck whiskers from a tiger’s head at such a moment.

“Absurd! A prince barely leaves the capital and causes such an incident.”

At the bottom of it all, this was a matter of face!

A prince ambushed by mountain bandits—how humiliating!

Everyone remained silent throughout.

The rage in Emperor Qizhen’s chest rose and fell, impossible to calm. His fierce eyes were tinged with icy coldness.

Minister Liu of the Personnel Ministry hesitated anxiously for a moment before finally stepping forward. Bowing his head, he asked, “Your Majesty, Prince Rong has ordered the removal of the Shanhuai County magistrate, leaving this humble minister to handle it. I respectfully request Your Majesty’s explicit instructions.”

His voice was steady, yet couldn’t conceal the trembling in his heart.

Emperor Qizhen swallowed a breath, displeased. “Explicit instructions? What explicit instructions? With such an incident occurring in Shanhuai County, the county magistrate naturally must be charged. Handle it as it should be handled. If you don’t know how to punish him, go consult the laws of Great Lin.”

He waved his hand!

Another memorial flew off the desk.

Minister Liu’s face twitched.

“Yes, yes…”

He quickly lowered his head and retreated dejectedly.

Thus, no one else dared to step forward.

At this moment, Jing Yi’s brow tightened, his expression composed. Yet secretly, he smiled with downcast eyes.

After his gaze swept over everyone present, he stepped forward and said, “Father Emperor, please calm your anger. Jingrong being captured by mountain bandits this time was an unexpected event. Although failing to report to the court before attacking the mountain was his oversight, fortunately no harm came of it.”

No harm?

Emperor Qizhen’s expression turned stormy.

“According to what you’re saying, I shouldn’t punish him but should reward him instead?”

“Your son merely feels that this time Jingrong was commissioned to investigate the disaster relief silver in Yufu County. An accident occurred en route. Sending troops to suppress bandits was naturally appropriate.”

How rare!

Jing Yi was actually speaking on Jingrong’s behalf.

However, Emperor Qizhen’s eyes remained gloomy. He didn’t respond to his words, coldly staring at the memorial he’d thrown to the floor, carefully considering something in his heart.

In everyone’s view, Emperor Qizhen’s anger was blazing.

However, the group couldn’t understand what exactly he was angry about.

They hadn’t lost court soldiers, and Gaoshan Stronghold had been eliminated. What was there to be angry about!

Truly, since ancient times, an emperor’s heart was like a needle at the bottom of the sea!

At this moment—

A eunuch entered from outside, bowing.

“Your Majesty, Minister Qin requests an audience.”

Qin Shiyu?

That old fellow hadn’t participated in politics for ages, and his legs were in poor condition. Coming here at this time, he naturally wasn’t here for tea. Presumably, he’d heard some rumor and come about Jingrong’s matter.

Emperor Qizhen snorted. He couldn’t very well push the man away.

“Let him enter.”

The eunuch received the order.

Qin Shiyu’s legs weren’t good. He walked with a limp, slowly. A few steps took him quite a while before he finally reached the center of the inner palace.

Cupping his hands and bowing, he said, “This subject pays respects to Your Majesty.”

“Minister Qin need not be overly courteous.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Emperor Qizhen swept his gaze over all the ministers and waved his hand. “All of you may withdraw.”

Everyone bowed their heads.

“We take our leave.”

One by one, they withdrew!

Fleeing for safety.

Jing Yi scrutinized Qin Shiyu, pondering something in his heart, but ultimately said nothing.

He bowed to Emperor Qizhen. “Your son takes his leave.”

He also withdrew.

Even the several eunuchs in the hall were dismissed by Emperor Qizhen.

Only Qin Shiyu was left behind.

“I heard Minister Qin’s foot pain has flared up again recently. Why aren’t you resting at your residence?”

Qin Shiyu lowered his head, appearing respectful. “This subject’s legs are just old ailments. There’s no serious problem.”

“Then did you enter the palace today to visit me? Or do you have an ulterior purpose?”

An ulterior purpose?

Such grave words!

Qin Shiyu immediately pressed his body lower, cupping his hands upward. “This subject wouldn’t dare. Entering the palace recently was only because I heard Prince Rong suppressed bandits in Shanhuai County and completely wiped out the hundreds of people at Gaoshan Stronghold. I came to the palace to understand the details.”

“Have you now understood clearly?”

“This subject knows that this incident didn’t harm the safety of common people in the areas surrounding Shanhuai County. Moreover, Gaoshan Stronghold has always been a major hidden threat to the court. Prince Rong instead resolved this difficult problem for the court, for Great Lin.”

Glib-tongued!

He unhesitatingly placed this tall hat on Jingrong’s head.

There was no help for it—Qin Shiyu’s speech had always been direct and clear.

Hmph!

Emperor Qizhen gave him an eye roll.

“According to what Minister Qin says, Jingrong should indeed be credited with merit.”

His tone was icy!

Qin Shiyu nodded, saying nothing.

Emperor Qizhen laughed coldly. “Minister Qin didn’t enter the palace merely to say these words, did you? Since I’ve already dismissed the others, if you have something to say, speak freely.”

Qin Shiyu straightened his body somewhat. His hands remained respectfully suspended at his sides.

“This subject knows Your Majesty’s concerns. Entering the palace today is precisely to resolve Your Majesty’s worries.”

“Speak.”

“Your Majesty is worried… that Prince Rong would have rebellious intent.”

Ugh!

Qin Shiyu, oh Qin Shiyu!

You truly are audaciously bold!

It must be said, he had instantly voiced the misgiving in Emperor Qizhen’s heart.

Emperor Qizhen was neither annoyed nor alarmed. Instead, he narrowed his eyes, intending to continue listening to what he had to say.

“In this bandit suppression, Prince Rong didn’t send anyone to report back to the capital. Instead, he went to Jingzhou and borrowed three thousand troops from Marquis Kang. But back in the day when Marquis Kang was at court, he had no private dealings with Prince Rong. Why would he lend Prince Rong troops? Therefore, Your Majesty’s suspicions are understandable. However, although Marquis Kang doesn’t concern himself with court affairs, according to what this subject knows, Marquis Kang has always been aware of the mountain bandits running rampant in Shanhuai County. When at court, he even repeatedly suggested suppressing them. So isn’t it reasonable that Marquis Kang would agree when Prince Rong borrowed troops this time?”

Saying it this way, it truly was reasonable!

Back in the day, Marquis Kang had indeed at court suggested suppressing the bandits, but Emperor Qizhen had suppressed the idea. After all, Shanhuai County was at a strategic pass—troops couldn’t be easily deployed.

Therefore, Marquis Kang was dissatisfied. Combined with various incidents accumulated over time, he ultimately withdrew from court!

Qin Shiyu continued, “What kind of temperament Prince Rong has, Your Majesty should understand. If we say he has rebellious intent and privately cultivated ties or colluded with Marquis Kang, this truly doesn’t make sense. After all, a tall tree attracts wind. Even if Prince Rong weren’t clever, he wouldn’t borrow Marquis Kang’s troops to invite Your Majesty’s suspicion.”

Speaking to this point, the doubts in Emperor Qizhen’s heart lessened somewhat.

He said in a low voice, “According to what Minister Qin says, I’ve been overthinking.”

“Your Majesty, think again. Jingzhou is closest to Shanhuai County. According to the situation at that time, if Prince Rong had submitted a memorial to the capital and then had the War Ministry organize troops to deploy, it would naturally consume time. But the situation was urgent. Prince Rong could only send people to find Marquis Kang to borrow troops. Furthermore, with Gaoshan Stronghold now taken down, the two thousand troops lost were all Marquis Kang’s men. Over these many years, hasn’t Your Majesty also been troubled by the fact that Marquis Kang holds these troops? This time, Prince Rong not only eliminated Gaoshan Stronghold, resolving a hidden threat for the court, but also reduced Marquis Kang’s forces. For the court, or for Your Majesty, this is the best of both worlds. Therefore, not only should Prince Rong not be punished, but he should be rewarded.”

Qin Shiyu’s words were pearls of wisdom, yet each sentence was measured and calm.