Chapter 47

The next morning when Shen Yu woke up, she was informed by a guard that Xie Tingzhou had arranged a courtyard for her.

“I’m the only one living here?” Shen Yu asked in surprise.

She couldn’t figure out what Xie Tingzhou was thinking, suddenly arranging such a nice courtyard for her.

The guard replied, “The Chief Guard instructed so. Everything inside the house is ready for you, so rest assured.”

Shen Yu thought to herself that this place was located at the east gate of the mansion, far from Xie Tingzhou’s courtyard. Could it be that he had banished her here? Just back and already being pushed away as far as possible.

Before she could fully process it, the guard was ready to leave.

“Wait,” Shen Yu stopped him, putting on a smile. “Excuse me, how is my duty rotation arranged?”

“I’m not sure about that,” the guard replied. “The Chief Guard went to the palace with His Highness. You might as well take a rest and discuss it when they return.”

Shen Yu nodded, “Thank you.”

As the guard left, Shen Yu fell into deep thought.

Xie Tingzhou’s return to the capital was certainly to report to the palace, and he would surely mention the Yanzhang case during his audience.

As Emperor Tongxu had just finished his morning court session, he summoned Xie Tingzhou to the Xuanhui Hall. Several cabinet ministers accompanied him.

“Please, take a seat,” Emperor Tongxu said. “It’s been years since I last saw Tingzhou. The last time we met, you were just recovering from your injuries, right?”

“Yes,” Xie Tingzhou replied.

That year, he had been severely injured on the battlefield, and Emperor Tongxu had sent imperial physicians from the capital to treat him in Beilin. After the imperial physicians returned and reported truthfully, Emperor Tongxu, who was inherently suspicious, summoned Xie Tingzhou to the capital despite his injuries not fully healed, under the pretext of having convenient access to numerous renowned physicians in the capital. In reality, he wanted to personally confirm.

“You seem to be in better spirits than that year,” Emperor Tongxu remarked.

“These past few years, I’ve sought renowned physicians far and wide, barely escaping death,” Xie Tingzhou replied respectfully.

Emperor Tongxu, aged and wrinkled, still had sharp eyes, exuding the dignity of a ruler when he observed others.

“It’s a pity. I still remember when you were thirteen years old and you came to the capital with your father. We happened to encounter the Spring Hunt. Your excellent archery skills surpassed all my generals,” Emperor Tongxu reminisced, seeming somewhat cheerful as he recalled the past.

Thinking back, Emperor Tongxu seemed somewhat cheerful.

Xie Tingzhou knew that beneath the seemingly casual conversation lay a probing intention. He took the opportunity to change the topic, “Your Majesty is too kind. It was just my luck to encounter General Shen’s absence in the capital at that time. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have had the chance to shine.”

Mentioning General Shen Zhong’an, everyone couldn’t help but think of the Yanzhang case, and the atmosphere instantly became heavy.

This was the matter to be reported today, otherwise Emperor Tongxu wouldn’t have summoned several cabinet ministers together.

Emperor Tongxu spoke in a solemn tone, “You have merits in rescuing Yanzhang Pass and deserve heavy rewards. However, we will discuss this matter later. For now, report exactly what you saw at Yanzhang Pass.”

After Xie Tingzhou finished his report, Emperor Tongxu slammed the table in anger.

“Have you all heard? Investigate this! Liang Jianfang, a mere monitoring officer, where did he get the audacity? There must be someone behind him instructing. I want to see who has such audacity!”

Emperor Tongxu was breathing heavily, and several cabinet ministers repeatedly urged him to take care of his health.

Defu hurriedly brought a cup of tea and helped Emperor Tongxu pat his back.

After taking a sip of tea to calm himself, Emperor Tongxu asked, “What do you all think?”

Wen Hongyuan, the Minister of War, said solemnly, “However, now that Liang Jianfang is dead, where should we start?”

Liu Cheng, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Cabinet, said, “In my opinion, we should start with Liang Jianfang’s death. The Crown Prince has a hundred thousand troops. Knowing that Liang Jianfang was going to commit a crime, why did he only send two thousand men to the capital? Moreover, they traveled slowly along the way. Isn’t it just offering Liang Jianfang’s head to others?”

Xie Tingzhou sneered inwardly.

From the implications of these words, it seemed they were hinting that he and the person behind the Yanzhang case were accomplices, allowing Liang Jianfang

to be killed by them.

If he had brought more than three thousand private soldiers into the capital, he would probably not be served with warm tea at this moment, but with shackles.

The Xuanhui Hall fell silent for a moment.

The emperor’s thoughts were inscrutable, and several ministers were unsure of his intentions. Even though they felt the words were biased, they did not immediately retort.

Observing the expressions of the people in the hall, Xie Tingzhou slowly said, “I have no official position, and I shouldn’t speak in front of you gentlemen, but now that I’m involved, I have to say a few words. There are many directions to investigate. For example, where did the grain and money collected by the Ministry of Revenue go? Or where did the three urgent reports sent back by General Shen go?”

“Wait,” Minister of War Wen Hongyuan said solemnly, “Your Highness mentioned that General Shen sent three urgent reports. Is there evidence?”

Xie Tingzhou replied indifferently, “Naturally, there are witnesses.”

Wen Hongyuan said seriously, “The Ministry of War did not receive any urgent reports. Where did the problem arise?”

“That’s a coincidence,” Xie Tingzhou smiled, “It seems Minister Wen is also implicated, just like me.”

Wen Hongyuan knelt down and said, “Your Majesty, I have no ulterior motives. Please thoroughly investigate and give me justice.”

Emperor Tongxu stared at the bottom right position, “Yuan Qing, what do you think?”

The Prime Minister Jiang Yuanqing, who had not spoken for a long time, said slowly, “I dare not make unwarranted remarks. Jiang Ji is serving as the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. In terms of involvement, I should avoid suspicion.”

Jiang Ji, with the courtesy name Lianzhi, was Jiang Yuanqing’s eldest grandson.

Emperor Tongxu coldly snorted and looked at Liu Cheng, who had spoken out of turn earlier. “So it seems that no one can explain anything?”

Liu Cheng was sweating profusely. He had only intended to implicate Xie Tingzhou, but unexpectedly, with just a few words, Xie Tingzhou implicated many senior officials. He had definitely made enemies now.

According to Xie Tingzhou, if they continued investigating like this, none of the six ministries would come out clean, and the court would be thrown into chaos.

Xie Tingzhou remained calm. “Not necessarily. I haven’t finished speaking yet.”

He looked at everyone in the hall. “There’s a simpler way: to force Liang Jianfang to confess.”

Emperor Tongxu said, “A dead person. How can we make him confess?”

“Dead men tell no tales, but living ones do.”

Jiang Yuanqing sat up straight. “Are you suggesting…”

“Yes,” Xie Tingzhou looked at him. “Liang Jianfang is still alive.”

The hall erupted in shock.

Emperor Tongxu asked, “Where is Liang Jianfang now?”

“In my mansion. Your Majesty can send someone to my estate to bring him here at any time.”

Emperor Tongxu leaned back and listened as Wen Hongyuan asked, “But weren’t the reports that came to the capital saying he was beaten to death?”

Xie Tingzhou slightly lowered his head. “If not for that, Liang Jianfang wouldn’t have been able to come to the capital. We had to act quickly. I hope Your Majesty can forgive this.”

Emperor Tongxu waved his hand. “Let’s not discuss this matter for now, Defu.”

Defu bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Spread my decree. Let the Grand Court of Justice, the Ministry of Justice, and the Inspectorate jointly investigate, and let the Jinyiwei assist.”

Jinyiwei directly served Emperor Tongxu and was his blade, not to be trifled with.

This matter was of great importance, and Emperor Tongxu trusted no one.