jdhmnovel Chapter 431 Are you loyal to me?
Chapter 431 Are you loyal to me?
The fact that Yun Shang faked his death had a huge impact on the officials.
They couldn't help but wonder why Yun Shang faked his death, and what he did during that time.
And what have they been doing all this time...?
Recalling their actions during that period, most right-wing officials suddenly broke out in a cold sweat, a chill running down their spines.
Because they believed Yunshang was dead, they became increasingly reckless and unrestrained in their actions.
Looking back now, those arrogant actions, if Yun Shang had caught them red-handed, would undoubtedly have turned into incredibly sharp blades, piercing straight into him!
At this moment, the right-wing officials looked at Yun Shang as if he were a demon crawling out of the underworld.
Emperor Wenjing seemed oblivious to the thoughtful glances of his ministers. He simply helped Yun Shang up with a hearty laugh, "Minister Yun, now that you've returned, you will remain the Inspector General. I will entrust you with investigating the case of Censor Song's impeachment of the Right Chancellor. You must investigate the case impartially, without wronging a loyal minister or letting a treacherous official go unpunished!"
Upon hearing this, Yun Shang bent his knees and was about to kneel down again.
Emperor Wenjing stopped him directly, saying, "There's no need for you to kneel anymore."
Yun Shang obediently stopped kneeling, took a few steps back, bowed, and said, "Your subject obeys the decree!"
Emperor Wenjing smiled with satisfaction. He glanced at Li Chongyi with a slight smile on his face. "Right Chancellor, Censor Song risked his life to remonstrate, and I cannot ignore it. His impeachment is of great importance, so I will have to trouble you to stay in the palace for the time being."
He spoke in a consultative tone, but before he finished speaking, he gestured for the Imperial Guards to take Li Chongyi away.
Several imperial guards walked up behind Li Chongyi.
Li Chongyi's facial muscles twitched slightly. He felt a surge of anger rising in his heart at the smile on Emperor Jing's face.
When the Right Party officials saw that the Imperial Guards were about to arrest someone, they were eager to step forward and plead for mercy, but Li Chongyi stopped them with a look.
Li Chongyi suddenly reached out and took off his official hat, then knelt down and kowtowed to Emperor Wenjing, his voice choked with sobs.
"I hope Your Majesty will investigate thoroughly and not be misled by treacherous people, so as to clear this old minister's name."
Emperor Wenjing's expression turned cold, a hint of disgust flashing in his eyes, but he nodded solemnly.
He also reached out to help Li Chongyi, saying, "I know in my heart that you are loyal to me. Rest assured, I will definitely find out the truth."
He was stating the 'truth' rather than trying to clear Li Chongyi's name.
Li Chongyi paused in his attempt to get up, and remained motionless for a long time.
Only then did he realize that Emperor Wenjing was only pretending to help him up; he didn't genuinely intend to help him to his feet.
Li Chongyi lowered his eyes to conceal the darkness within them, and slowly straightened up. "Yes, Your Majesty, this old minister awaits your investigation to uncover the truth."
Ultimately, it was he who allowed the emperor to grow stronger step by step and develop his own power.
However, it's not the last moment yet, and no one can say for sure whether it will be the eagle that dies or its eagle keeper.
Li Chongyi was taken away by the Imperial Guards and temporarily resided in Chengxin Palace within the Imperial Palace.
Chengxin Palace is situated on an island in the middle of a lake within the palace grounds, surrounded by water, and can only be accessed by boat. After Li Chongyi was brought to Chengxin Palace, twenty or thirty imperial guards were immediately stationed on the island to guard him, and hundreds of imperial guards patrolled the lakeside continuously, maintaining a tight security.
Emperor Wenjing assigned a mute old eunuch to serve Li Chongyi.
At this moment, Li Chongyi stood outside the palace, looking at the Imperial Guards on the island and those patrolling back and forth by the lake, a mocking sneer curling at the corner of his lips.
When the old eunuch Ba spoke, it seemed as if he was talking to himself.
"Your Majesty has really gone to great lengths for this old minister."
Upon hearing this, the mute old eunuch lowered his head timidly, not daring to make the slightest sound.
After the previous court assembly ended and the officials left the palace one after another, Yun Shang was kept behind by Emperor Wenjing.
Yun Shang accompanied Emperor Wenjing to the Imperial Study.
Inside the imperial study, only the emperor and his minister were present at that moment.
Emperor Wenjing did not go behind the desk to sit down, but went straight to the soft couch by the window, sat down slowly, raised his hand, pointed to the empty seat opposite him, and said, "You sit down too."
Yun Shang stood still, his body motionless, and bowed his head slightly, respectfully replying, "Your subject dares not."
Emperor Wenjing smiled and said, "Why wouldn't I dare? I tell you to sit, so sit. If you don't sit, you'll be disobeying my decree."
Upon hearing this, Yun Shang had no choice but to agree. He gave a soft reply and sat down in the empty seat opposite the emperor.
The emperor and his minister were separated only by a low table. Emperor Wenjing looked at his minister and, for some reason, couldn't help but laugh.
He said, "It's a pity that Minister Yun did not participate in the imperial examination. Otherwise, with your talent and looks, you would have won the top three places."
Emperor Wenjing was joking, and Yun Shang naturally understood. He respectfully said, "Your Majesty's court is full of talented people. I am but a humble servant with meager abilities and dare not compare myself with you virtuous and talented individuals. It is my honor to be able to share Your Majesty's burdens."
Emperor Wenjing smiled and waved his hand, "Minister Yun is too modest."
"If it weren't for your timely appearance, Minister Yun, I wouldn't know how to handle this situation. The entire court is filled with officials, but we can't find a single reliable or useful person."
Yun Shang's eyes flickered slightly.
Emperor Wenjing continued, "Minister Yun, although Li Chongyi is currently trapped in the palace, once the Right Party realizes what's happening, they will definitely find a way to get him out."
"He has been cultivating his influence for many years, and his cronies are spread throughout the court and beyond. He is not easy to deal with."
Emperor Wenjing stared intently at Yun Shang.
Yun Shang sat up straight, his expression calm and focused: "Your Majesty, I have compiled a list of important members of the Right Party and have a lot of evidence of corruption within the Right Party. Next, I plan to start with their economic dealings and personnel changes and investigate them thoroughly."
For many years, the right-wing party has been rampant with corruption and its accounts are complicated and chaotic. Starting with these clues about finances will surely uncover more crimes.
Furthermore, I suggest placing reliable individuals in key positions within the court to secretly monitor suspected officials, so that any actions taken can be detected and dealt with promptly.
Emperor Wenjing nodded slightly, his eyes full of praise: "Minister Yun has considered everything thoroughly, but this matter is thorny. The Right Faction will definitely struggle desperately, and may even take risks."
The implication of this statement is that the right wing might take further action against him.
Yun Shang said, "I would gladly die to share Your Majesty's burdens!"
"Excellent!" Emperor Wenjing laughed. "He truly deserves my favor as a minister."
After he laughed, he suddenly stared intently at Yun Shang, looking him up and down for a moment before slowly saying, "I just don't know if Minister Yun's loyalty to me is wholehearted and without reservation?"
Meeting Emperor Wenjing's gaze, Yun Shang's eyes remained calm and undisturbed. He respectfully replied, "Having received the emperor's bounty, I am bound to be loyal to the emperor. I will certainly be utterly loyal to Your Majesty and have no other intentions."
The scrutinizing look in Emperor Wenjing's eyes did not disappear.
He said slowly, "Minister Yun, the people in this court are unpredictable and their actions are ever-changing. As I am in a high position and look down on all living beings, I am well aware of the interests involved."
"As long as you can eliminate the Li faction and restore order to the court, you will be the most trusted person by my side."
"Regardless of your past background, I promise you high office, great wealth, and honor. You must not disappoint me."
When talking to intelligent people, you don't need to be too blunt.
Emperor Wenjing's words were meant to warn him that he knew about his past.
This naturally includes the fact that the emperor knew perfectly well that Yun Shang was Prince Chen's man.