Chapter 92: Court Struggles

Chapter 92: Court Intrigues

Zhao Yishi sneered.

"Ten thousand eight hundred and eighty taels of silver, and one thousand taels of gold."

Xie Zhifei quickly did the calculations in his mind and looked at Pei Xiao in astonishment. "That's a huge amount?"

"Don't look at me when you say that," Pei Xiao replied, taken aback by Xie Zhifei's gaze. "It's as if I'm the one who embezzled it, but not a single tael has entered my pocket."

Xie Zhifei slowly turned his head, his gaze heavy as he looked at Zhao Yishi.

Zhao Yishi understood the hidden meaning in Xie Zhifei's eyes.

Ji Lingchuan had obtained this lucrative position through the Zhang family. If he could embezzle so much, then the Zhangs must have received even more.

The Han Prince had seized upon this fact, which was why he had gone to such lengths, even persuading the retired censor, Lu Shi, to return to service.

Lu Shi was an upright official with an untainted reputation. Despite holding a high-ranking third-tier position, he lived in a modest three-section courtyard with only a few loyal servants. He had never married or had children, deliberately remaining single to maintain his integrity and fulfill his role as an upright and reform-minded imperial censor.

It was precisely due to his unwavering principles that the emperor held him in high esteem. Once he filed an accusation against someone, their fate was virtually sealed.

Upon this realization, Zhao Yishi slammed his fist on the table. "I had no idea they were so bold, daring to embezzle so much!"

Xie Zhifei's quick reflexes prevented a teacup from toppling over. "The situation is as it is. It's pointless to dwell on past wrongs now; we need to focus on what comes next."

"That's right," Pei Xiao chimed in.

After a long silence, Zhao Yishi spoke, "They're all locked up in the Northern Bureau for the time being. The emperor has ordered a joint investigation by the Ministry of Justice, the Board of Censors, and the Supreme Court, with Lu Shi and Commander Feng Changxiu of the Imperial Guards presiding over the trial."

Pei Xiao smiled bitterly. "Lu Shi is as stubborn as they come – you can't expect to sway him. As for Feng Changxiu, forget it; his loyalty lies solely with the emperor. It would be more productive to think of ways to alleviate the suffering of those involved."

The Northern Bureau referred to the Jinyiwei's Northern Inspectorate, responsible for handling imperial prisons. Its leader was Cai Si, who had some acquaintance with Xie Zhifei.

Xie Zhifei thought for a moment and said, "I might be able to pull some strings with Cai Si..."

" Fifty."

Zhao Yishi interrupted him, "I've already arranged things with the Northern Bureau. They won't face severe punishment, but minor offenses are inevitable."

Xie Zhifei exchanged a look with Pei Xiao: How efficient was he?

"I had a bad feeling when Ji Lingchuan was dismissed. To be on the safe side, I instructed someone to make preliminary arrangements," Zhao Yishi explained, lowering his eyelids.

"My father's character is well-known to all. He wouldn't intervene for anyone, not even the Zhang family."

Pei Xiao asked, "With corruption already proven, what's left to investigate?"

Zhao Yishi gave a cold smile. "Xiang Zhuang's sword dance aimed at Liu Bang; their real target is the Ministry of Finance, my father."

Although Xie Zhifei and Pei Xiao had guessed as much, they were still stunned.

The rivalry between the Crown Prince and Prince Han was a well-known affair in the court of the Great Xia Kingdom.

Both princes were born from the same mother, but their appearances and dispositions were as different as the North and the South, hardly resembling true siblings. The Crown Prince resembled his mother, with a plump figure, while Prince Han took after his father, exuding extraordinary handsomeness.

The Crown Prince favored literature; the sight of swords and sabers gave him headaches. On the other hand, Prince Han was fond of martial arts, always with a bow and arrow at hand, skilled in horseback riding and warfare.

The Crown Prince was known for his peaceful and benevolent nature, approaching tasks methodically and reasonably. In contrast, Prince Han was competitive and ambitious, executing actions swiftly and decisively, without any trace of weakness or sentimentality.

By all rights, being the eldest and legitimate heir, the Crown Prince should have been the uncontested successor to the throne according to the rules and laws of any dynasty. However, he had a fatal flaw – a leg disability.

In other words, the Crown Prince limped while walking.

Put more bluntly, he was disabled.

The prospect of the future heir to the Great Huaxia Empire being disabled stirred a layer of uncertainty within the emperor.

Moreover, the emperor himself had a military background, having spent half his life leading armies and accumulating countless war achievements.

As they say, heroes admire other heroes.

When the emperor saw the Han Prince, dressed in military attire and bearing an uncanny resemblance to his younger self, he saw a reflection of his own youthful charisma and prowess.

How could he not take a liking to him?

How could he not show favoritism?

The favor shown by an emperor was not an ordinary father's affection for his son; it fueled the ambitions and desires of many.

And so—

Xie Zhifei and Pei Xiao were both taken aback, not by the conflict between the two princes, for the rivalry between the Crown Prince and the Han Prince had long been a life-and-death struggle a decade ago.

At one point, the Han Prince even held the upper hand, imprisoning most of the Crown Prince's faction.

If it weren't for several elder officials risking their lives to protect him and the emperor showing mercy, the Crown Prince would have withered away like yesterday's flower.

What stunned them was that after years of relative peace, the Han Prince was making a comeback...

He must be coming with a vengeance!

The Han Prince's aggressive move made Xie Zhifei realize something—

Even if he didn't want to talk about Yan Sanhe, he had no choice but to now.

Coincidentally, Zhao Yishi put down his teacup, "Fifty, who exactly are those two girls in your manor?"

Xie Zhifei was more than willing, not pausing for a moment.

"The pretty one is called Yan Sanhe, and the skilled one is Li Buyan. They're master and servant, and they've indeed only been in the capital from Yunnan Prefecture for a few days. They truly don't know much about the rules here."

"I'll vouch for that!" Pei Xiao rubbed his hands together.

Zhao Yishi stretched out his long arm and looped it around Pei Xiao's neck. "Then tell us, why have they come to the capital? Could it be because Qingming Festival is approaching, and they're here to pay respects to your grandmother?"

Damn!

How did he find out?

Pei Xiao shot a sidelong glance at Xie Zhifei before flashing a smile. "Well... it's a long story!"

"No worries, we have a whole night," Zhao Yishi said.

Pei Xiao quickly put his arms around himself. "Lord Pei sells his talents, not his body. Your Highness, don't get any funny ideas."

"Hmm, what about that fifty taels? Does that mean he still doesn't sell his body?" Zhao Yishi turned his head nonchalantly.

Xie Zhifei gritted his teeth. "Third Master sells both his talents and his body."

"Since he sells his body, let him speak."

Pei Xiao let out a long sigh of relief, followed by another heavy one. "Huairen, it's not that I don't want to sell, but my tongue just can't seem to explain it properly."

"Talking about your tongue, do you think you're a pig?" Zhao Yishi playfully knocked his head.

"Don't hit me, I'm already stupid enough," Pei Xiao replied.

In front of Yan Sanhe, he felt like a mere pig, he thought to himself.

Their playful banter served to lighten the mood in the cabin.

Third Master Xie frowned and straightened his face. "Huairen, this story is indeed a long one, and it starts with my father..."

His deep, resonant voice echoed alongside the night breeze of the Yongding River.

Gradually, Zhao Yishi's slender eyes darkened like the night, revealing a turmoil of emotions...

Just as the last word was spoken, the candle flame flickered, producing a soft crackling sound.

Zhao Yishi felt a chill rush up from his feet.

"So that means..."

His voice trembled slightly, "As long as we dispel the elder Madam Ji's inner demon, there's still hope for the Ji family?"

Xie Zhifei nodded, convinced in this belief.

"Wait!" Pei Xiao suddenly interjected.

Xie Zhifei lifted his eyes abruptly, "What do you mean? Could it be otherwise?"