I’m all ears!

Wei Yi propped himself up, turned his back to Jingrong and paced two steps before turning around to meet Jingrong’s gaze.

At the same time, Jingrong also stood up.

Their eyes met at an equal level. Wei Yi furrowed his brows and spoke slowly: “Let’s start with Minister Liu. I learned that he privately abused his authority to engage in illegal transactions for profit. Collusion between officials and merchants has always been intolerable. How could I allow him to continue wearing that official hat and serve in the court? Then there’s Minister Lu from the Grand Secretariat—he has never submitted to me. Several times he privately plotted with court officials about how to impeach me, determined to make me abdicate and yield my position to someone more worthy. That constitutes treason, a crime that would implicate nine generations of his clan. I showed mercy to them all as veteran ministers, thus preserving their dignity by merely stripping their official positions and letting them return to their homes—this was already an act of grace! And Minister Zhou—relying on his position as an Academician of the Hanlin Academy, he accepted bribes from wealthy families to place their sons in positions at the Academy. Such bribery was beyond my tolerance. I ask you, how could we expect such officials to serve the court effectively? To prevent the tree from rotting from within and leaving insects and ants behind, I had no choice but to take this risky step. As for those newly appointed officials, I carefully selected and promoted them—their backgrounds are clean, they are all virtuous ministers, and I believe they will certainly serve the court well.”

Every word seemed reasonable!

Jingrong didn’t know what was true and what was false.

Was it truly a case of knowing a person’s face but not their heart?

No!

Ministers Liu, Lu, and Zhou were all loyal ministers. When he left the capital, he had specifically instructed them to assist the emperor. Yet in merely two months, how had they all become traitorous and corrupt officials?

The intrigue within must be like a deep pool—its bottom impossible to see.

Wei Yi took two steps closer toward him and continued: “I knew you would certainly misunderstand. I had originally planned to wait until the court situation stabilized before sending someone with a letter to put your mind at ease. I didn’t expect you to return to the capital so quickly.”

Jingrong didn’t want to reveal everything directly and narrowed his eyes: “If all of this is true, then Your Majesty’s dismissal of their positions was appropriate.”

“Now that I sit in this position, I naturally know right from wrong in my actions. Jingrong, you should trust me.” Wei Yi’s expression was utterly sincere.

You should trust me!

Jingrong’s chest tightened.

Just before entering the palace, Ji Yunshu had grasped his hand and asked him to trust Wei Yi once.

Trust?

Or not trust?

He studied Wei Yi carefully and said: “If Your Majesty can remain true to your original intentions, I will naturally trust you!”

“I’m relieved to hear you say that.” Wei Yi broke into a smile, then suddenly his expression turned regretful. “However, your return to the capital this time was probably also because of Minister Qin’s matter, wasn’t it? Speaking of which, I truly feel deeply remorseful. Although he privately arranged for officials to enter the Ministry of War without informing me or going through the Ministry of Personnel, I had no intention of blaming him. Yet he wished to resign and return home. Though I was reluctant at the time, I still granted his request. But… if I hadn’t approved it, he wouldn’t have encountered mountain bandits on the journey… Minister Qin was someone I deeply respected. Since my ascension, he taught me many things and was truly a mentor.”

So full of self-reproach!

Jingrong only said: “All matters are predetermined by fate.”

“Perhaps so.”

Jingrong stayed no longer and cupped his hands in farewell.

But Wei Yi suddenly asked: “I heard that this time Houliao conquered Yuedan in less than a month?”

Jingrong responded with a single word: “Yes.”

“Now that Houliao controls the entire Western Sai grasslands, I hope this won’t become a threat to Da Lin.” Wei Yi’s words clearly carried an underlying meaning.

Jingrong vaguely understood his implication and emphasized: “Houliao has maintained friendly relations with our Da Lin for a hundred years. Houliao’s chieftain Muzha’er has never thought of opposing Da Lin and will absolutely not disturb the border regions. Your Majesty can rest assured on this point.”

“That would be best!”

After Jingrong left the great hall.

Wei Yi stood in place for a long while before returning to his original seat, looking at the two cups of tea before him.

He had drunk half of his own cup.

The cup before Jingrong remained completely untouched!

The hot tea had also gradually cooled…

Jingrong emerged from the imperial palace but stopped at the palace gates, then turned to look back.

Outside the palace, inside the palace—separated by merely a wall!

Those few short steps determined a person’s entire life.

His gaze looked inward from outside, passing through the great gates, through the long corridors, through the extending stone slabs, not knowing where it ultimately came to rest.

He only knew he could see no end!

After a long while, he finally withdrew his gaze.

He mounted his horse and headed straight for Prince Rong’s residence.

As soon as he entered the residence, he asked Lang Bo about Ji Yunshu.

Lang Bo said Ji Yunshu had gone to the Ministry of Justice to take over Minister Yu’s case and was now in the rear courtyard drawing skeletal portraits.

Her taking over Minister Yu’s case had been part of the plan upon returning to the capital!

Jingrong didn’t go to the rear courtyard to disturb her but instead instructed Lang Bo to help him investigate something.

By evening, Lang Bo returned with information.

He reported: “Your Highness, the reasons why Ministers Liu, Zhou, and the others were dismissed have not been publicly announced, but I’ve secretly verified that they were indeed dismissed due to charges of corruption and treason.”

Truly as Wei Yi had said?

Jingrong’s brows furrowed deeply—he still found it somewhat hard to believe.

Lu Jiang, standing nearby and knowing he was troubled, stepped forward and said: “During Your Highness’s absence from the capital, I’ve been observing the movements in the capital. The charges against Ministers Liu and the others came far too suddenly, and their dismissal by the emperor was also very sudden. Before this, there were no signs whatsoever pointing to their corruption or treason. Yet Ministers Liu and the others all confessed to their crimes and thus willingly accepted dismissal and left the capital without lingering.”

These words seemed to awaken something in Jingrong.

What those officials feared most was trouble spreading to themselves and offending their superiors—let alone the emperor. If the emperor imposed charges upon them, their method of self-preservation was to obediently accept the charges, admit to the crimes, and permanently leave the capital to preserve their lives.

“You mean… if one wishes to condemn, there is always a pretext?”

If one wishes to condemn, there is always a pretext!

Lu Jiang: “I’m merely speculating—I dare not make any definitive conclusions.”

“It seems… in the end, this prince still thought too simply.”

Thinking of this pained his heart!

At that moment—

A guard came to report: “Your Highness, Minister Qi from the Office of Transmission has arrived.”

Minister Qi?

Jingrong nodded and had him enter.

Soon, Minister Qi arrived with his son Qi Li.

The little fellow walked unsteadily, adorably clumsy. Unlike before, this time he obediently followed beside his father, holding a beautiful brush holder in his hands. He neither cried nor made noise, but his large eyes appeared to have cried for a long time—they were terribly red and swollen.

Entering the hall.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

“Minister Qi need not perform such courtesies. But it’s so late—why did you bring your son along?”

Minister Qi explained: “This child cried all day today and simply cannot be separated from me, so I brought him along.”

Minister Qin had died, and little Qi Li had cried for several days. He kept clutching the small brush holder his Uncle Qin had given him.