The past events—

Like clouds and smoke passing before the eyes!

After Wei Yi finished speaking those words, he let out a few cold laughs and said, “Back then, your imperial father stole Duke Yuguo’s most beloved woman. Today, it’s remarkably similar. This is probably… heaven’s will.” As he spoke, he retreated two steps, turned his back to face the screen carved with dragon patterns, and the hatred in his eyes gradually overflowed, yet it also carried a tinge of desolation.

His body trembled. With a sorrowful expression, he said, “Whenever I close my eyes, scenes flash before me of the time Shu’er and I spent in Jinjiang—carefree and unburdened. I was by her side, and she was by mine. I even dream that we never came to the capital, that we stayed in Jinjiang forever, and that you never appeared. But when I wake from the dream, I realize it’s all self-deception!”

He laughed briefly.

Then turned to look at Jingrong.

“You destroyed my dream, and you’re the one who forced me to this point today. Everything is because of you! Not only do you want to take Shu’er away, but you also want to seize my realm and make me your puppet, subject to your manipulation, so you can rightfully become the regent!” he accused sharply.

His hatred was extreme!

The three words “regent” were truly too grave! Jingrong’s brow furrowed deeply, and a trace of sorrow flashed in his eyes. He solemnly told Wei Yi, “When you first ascended to the throne, I assisted you not because I wanted to control you, nor have I ever wanted to compete with you, much less become some regent! As for Duke Yuguo’s death, I did promise to spare his life, but the circumstances at that time left me no choice. If you harbor resentment in your heart, I have nothing to say, but no matter how much you hate me, you shouldn’t turn the entire court into scattered sand like this, or even kill the innocent indiscriminately, not even sparing Minister Qin.”

“You’re wrong!” Wei Yi corrected him, flicking his sleeve. “I never sent anyone to kill Qin Shiyu. I only wanted to capture him to use as ‘leverage’ against you in the future. But who knew he would suddenly suffer from his chronic illness? Before we could capture him, he died. As for Minister Yu Dali, I only wanted to use him to get Shu’er to return to the capital. Because if she knew Yu Dali was to be executed, given her temperament, she would certainly return. Fortunately, Qin Shiyu’s death helped tremendously, and you truly came back! As for those officials who were promoted, they do indeed have serious problems, but my purpose was to dismiss all your people and make an example of them, to let everyone know that this Great Lin realm’s Son of Heaven is not yours, Jingrong, but mine. I refuse to live forever in your shadow!”

His voice resonated like a great bell!

Now, Jingrong could no longer find in Wei Yi’s eyes or expression that clear, pure spirit from the past. All that remained was a desire to control power, filled with ambition.

However—

At least Jingrong was consoled, because Wei Yi had not killed Qin Shiyu. Otherwise, he would have become a second Duke Yuguo!

…

In the end, Jingrong left.

In the entire great hall, only Wei Yi remained alone.

It was empty and hollow; even slight breathing sounds could be heard clearly.

He just stood there, his gaze vacant as he stared at the tightly closed door in the distance.

He appeared extremely lonely.

After a long while—

He walked to that piece of calligraphy and looked at the few characters Jingrong had added to it. The rage in his heart surged to his head again. He grabbed the paper on the table, crumpled it into a ball, tore it to shreds, and threw it on the ground. With a sweep of his sleeve, he knocked all the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone from the table to the floor.

A clattering cacophony rang out!

Then he also pounded the table with his fist.

“Thud!”

His fist trembled, his eyes bloodshot.

Jingrong, you forced me to this!

…

Emerging from Fuyang Hall, Jingrong’s face was colorless, his gaze unfocused, as if nothing had just occurred.

Outside the palace gates.

Minister Li had been waiting by the carriage for quite some time.

He was extremely anxious.

When his attendant reached outside the palace, he saw Minister Li.

He stood by the carriage waiting anxiously, occasionally glancing into the palace gates.

“Why hasn’t he come out yet?”

He muttered for a long while.

Even the coachman was growing impatient, still needing to rush back for breakfast. Seeing it was almost noon, why was his master still dawdling? Who was he waiting for anyway? How annoying!

“My lord, who are you waiting for?”

Minister Li ignored him.

Finding no response, the coachman fell silent.

Minister Li waited a bit longer, thinking: Should I just go directly to Prince Rong’s residence?

Just as he was thinking this, Jingrong emerged.

He immediately went forward, calling out with a guilty expression, “Prince Rong.”

Jingrong came to his senses, realizing he had already left the palace. He glanced at Minister Li, probably guessing why he was waiting here for him.

“Minister Li, this is?”

He lowered his voice and sighed, “Regarding this matter with Minister Yu, the reason this official hastily closed the case—I’m sure Minister Ji has already guessed, and naturally, this cannot be hidden from Your Highness either. It’s truly… a difficult imperial command to fulfill!”

Jingrong’s face turned cold as he shot him a sideways glance. “This matter is already past; there’s no need to mention it again.”

“Yes!”

Jingrong was about to leave when he suddenly paused. “Minister Li.”

“This official is here.”

He turned back to remind Minister Li, “What you just said—do not say it again.”

Minister Li’s expression stiffened as he quickly responded, “Yes, this official will absolutely keep his mouth sealed and will not speak a single word more.”

“Good that you understand.”

Jingrong boarded the carriage that had been prepared outside the palace and departed swiftly.

In that spot, Minister Li slowly straightened his back, raised his sleeve to wipe away his sweat, and also hurried to board his carriage to go to the Ministry of Justice for work.

…

Last night, Ji Yunshu had been reviewing cases and discussing case files with Jiang Lan. After returning, she shut her door to rest and slept until noon before rising. The sun had come out, warm and pleasant. As soon as she got up, she heard that His Majesty had already ordered Yu Dali’s release, but due to various reasons, he had no choice but to remove him from his position as Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. The position of Minister of the Court of Judicial Review was then assumed by Wang Ye, Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, who took office immediately.

Wang Ye?

Ji Yunshu wasn’t very familiar with him, but she had met him once or twice. The man was in his forties, looked quite proper and correct, but his eyes always contained a trace of sinister energy that made people uncomfortable to look at. So Ji Yunshu had never spoken with him.

However, they were all in the same circle, so she occasionally heard things about Wang Ye. People said that while he appeared magnanimous and generous with money, he was actually an iron rooster who wouldn’t part with a single feather, and was extremely competitive. He would even step on others to advance his own interests. It was said that once, when the Ministry of Works was overseeing the construction of a river embankment, he had embezzled funds, filling his pockets with ill-gotten gains. But to this day, no one had held him accountable, claiming insufficient evidence. Even the Censorate had no way to convict him of any crime, so the matter could only be dropped. And now that fellow had been promoted from Right Vice Minister to Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

One could truly say he had “leaped over the dragon gate”! Who knows what connections he pulled to achieve this?