Chapter Thirty-Five: Shattered Pieces

Chapter 35: Shattered

Ganlin Palace.

The officials who had come to report their findings all bowed their heads in silence. After an extended period of quiet, Zhu Yunxuan asked coldly, "What did he have to say for himself?"

After the envoy's return, the case had been handed over to the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court. The Minister of Justice stepped forward and cautiously replied, "Vice Premier Zeng said that he failed to properly educate his descendants and committed a grave mistake, which he is ashamed of in front of His Majesty's trust. He has no face to meet His Majesty again and earnestly requests that His Majesty severely punish him."

A heavy feeling settled in Zhu Yunxuan's heart. "...Did he really say that?"

"Yes, it was his eldest grandson, Zeng Jin, and two nephews who acted under the Vice Premier's name to seize land and amass wealth in Qin Prefecture. Other relatives from the clan were also involved. The practice of seizing land has long been prevalent in Qin and Yu Prefectures despite repeated prohibitions. This is because they relied on the influence of Prince Xuanyang. In the early years, they only occupied unclaimed lands, but later it escalated to encroaching on farmlands owned by the people. Vice Premier Zeng's descendants and relatives were only recently drawn into this scheme, yet they've already seized five thousand acres of farmland."

"Was Zeng Huai aware of this beforehand?"

"It seems he wasn't. When Your servants visited his home, Zeng Jin had already been whipped by Vice Premier Zeng until his skin was torn open, barely clinging to life. Vice Premier Zeng knelt on the ground, unwilling to rise, and declared his willingness to die as atonement."

Zhu Yunxuan understood. Recalling the humble scene he had witnessed at Zeng Huai's secluded home, he knew that his teacher had never been one to crave wealth and pleasure. He believed Zeng Huai was truly unaware. "Who lured them into this?"

"...It was Prince Xuanyang. According to Zeng Jin's confession, he met an official from Prince Xuanyang's household at a tavern and was swayed by the man's words. That's why he secretly contacted his cousins and relatives back home, asking them to work with Prince Xuanyang's men. Once they tasted the benefits, they became even more excessive."

Zhu Yunxuan slammed his fist on the imperial desk, realizing that this Duke Xian was indeed a troublemaker sooner or later. He never expected him to be capable of such deeds: "If you say that the practice of appropriating land has been prevalent for a long time, why has no one reported it to the court before?"

The reporting official lowered his head even further, stammering, "It was mentioned during the reign of the previous emperor, but..."

Zhu Yunxuan understood without needing the official to continue. His father must have known about these matters but chose to turn a blind eye. This uncle of his had played a significant role when Emperor Zhaoyang ascended the throne. Although he was not as courteous to his nephew now, he had followed Emperor Zhaoyang's lead for over two decades, and Zhaoyang had held him in high esteem. It was only a matter of occupying more land; Emperor Zhaoyang would not have taken any action against him. As a result, Duke Xian became bolder over time, not only appropriating land himself but also enticing other aristocrats and high-ranking officials to join him, using this as a means to gain influence.

"The matter also seems to be connected to Prince Zhao."

Zhu Yunxuan's brows knitted together fiercely upon hearing this. "Prince Zhao? What does he have to do with this?"

"Our investigation, based on Zeng Jin's confession, led us to interrogate the manager of Duke Xian's estate. According to him, it was a guest from Prince Zhao's residence who suggested using this method to coerce and entice Lord Zeng. Initially, Duke Xian wanted to recruit Prince Zhao, but the people from Prince Zhao's residence told him that His Majesty trusts Lord Zeng more than Prince Zhao. They claimed that if Lord Zeng could speak favorably of Duke Xian in front of the emperor, he would have an easier time achieving his goals in the future."

"What audacity!" Zhu Yunxuan slammed his fist down again, now thoroughly enraged. "Fetch Prince Zhao for me!"

"Your Majesty, there's no need to send someone to summon me. I'm right here."

Liang Zhen stepped into the hall at a leisurely pace, casting a sardonic glance at everyone present before turning to Zhu Yunxuan. "May I ask what brings Your Majesty to summon me?"

Zhu Yunxuan gazed at him coldly. "Do you acknowledge your involvement in instigating Duke Xian to lure Zeng Jin and then using that leverage to blackmail Zeng Huai?"

Liang Zhen raised an eyebrow and asked the Minister of Justice, "How does this involve this prince?"

The Minister of Justice, with great determination, repeated his previous statement, "The manager of the Xiao Wangfu has signed and confessed, acknowledging that it was indeed one of your guests, Your Highness Zhao Wang, who instigated Xiao Wang to carry out this act."

"Guest? Which guest? This prince doesn't have many guests in the first place. Which one are you referring to?"

Faced with Liang Zhen's questioning, the Minister of Justice's face flushed with a mix of red and white. After a long pause, he awkwardly apologized to Zhu Yunxuan, "We haven't found that person, and it wouldn't be appropriate to search the Zhao Wangfu..."

Liang Zhen scoffed. "Search now if you must. This prince will open my doors for you to search at will. This prince is also curious about who would commit such a deed."

Seeing his calm demeanor, Zhu Yunxuan's expression turned even colder. He spoke in a deep voice, "Zhao Wang, stay. The rest of you, withdraw."

Once everyone had left, Liang Zhen smiled slightly, turning to Zhu Yunxuan. "Your Majesty, are you planning to interrogate this subject personally?"

"Were you the one who ordered this to be done?"

"Yes." In front of Zhu Yunxuan alone, Liang Zhen admitted it frankly.

Zhu Yunxuan's pupils constricted. "Why?"

"Is that young master of Venerable Minister Zeng's, Zeng Jin, correct? He's quite useless, still just a lowly Ninth Rank Censor at the Office of Imperial Censors in his thirties. When Venerable Minister Zeng was restored to his former position as Chief State Councillor, Zeng Jin hoped his grandfather could intervene to hasten his promotion. However, that Venerable Minister is overly rigid and refused adamantly. Filled with resentment, when provoked by others, he naturally sought to compensate for the lack of family support he had received."

"I ask you, why did you do this?!" Zhu Yunxuan's voice rose sharply, his eyes ablaze with fury, despising Liang Zhen's casual demeanor.

The smile on Liang Zhen's lips faded, and his gaze darkened slightly as he explained earnestly, "Last year, that Minister of Works, Zhou Langzhong, approached me, proposing the diversion of the Yellow River. He mentioned that he had previously discussed it with the Minister of Works, and Venerable Minister Zeng was also present. They both scolded him fiercely, calling his suggestion deceitful and harmful to the nation. They forbade him from ever mentioning it again. However, I found the idea feasible and necessary, but implementing it would certainly face considerable opposition. Not to mention that the group led by Prince Xian, who fear their interests being harmed and the land-grabbing scandal being exposed, would undoubtedly hinder the process. Venerable Minister Zeng, along with those scholarly conservatives, would certainly not consent and would strive to discourage such a plan..."

"So, you disposed of them to remove these obstacles? This is how you handle matters?!"

Liang Zhen narrowed his eyes slightly and said slowly, "Your Majesty, as I've said before, I will avenge anyone who has wronged you. Prince Xian was never a decent person to begin with. Now that his misdeeds have come to light, he deserves his punishment."

Zhu Yunxuan, filled with rage and frustration, exclaimed, "And what about Zeng Huai?! What wrong has he done? To get rid of him, you tempted his offspring and kin into committing such atrocities? When have I ever needed your help in such a manner?!"

"If those individuals truly possessed the integrity to uphold righteousness, then my attempts to entice them would be in vain... Does Your Majesty truly believe that Zeng Huai is suitable for the position of Chief Grand Secretary? Indeed, he is highly learned and of upright character, but he is also overly conservative, unwilling to adapt or compromise, forever clinging to the ways of the sages and stagnating within their confines. He may serve well as a Tutor to the Crown Prince, but as a Grand Councilor, he is utterly unsuitable! From the very beginning, Your Majesty has chosen the wrong man!... Furthermore, he ceaselessly urges Your Majesty to establish a consort, whispering poison into Your Majesty's ear to estrange you from me. What use is there in keeping such an old reprobate?"

Zhu Yunxuan's eyes reddened as he sneered coldly, "Have I chosen the wrong person? Do you believe that there can only be you by my side, and that you will be content only when everything is subject to your whims?! It was so with Yan Shixue, and similarly with Zeng Huai. You have methodically removed each and every trusted confidant from my side, all in a bid to keep me forever under your control, as a puppet emperor at your mercy!"

Liang Zhen's gaze grew even heavier. "Is this how Your Majesty sees this minister?"

Have I spoken wrongly? Ever since I ascended the throne, in all these matters, when have you ever respected my wishes? You disapproved of my choice of empress, of my reliance on others. Time and again, you humiliated me, branding me with the mark of disgrace, even forcing me to consume that vile potion that left me longing for death rather than life! You've never seen me as a person! I am merely an object to you, something you seek to possess, insisting that I have no will of my own, always complying with your every desire. On what grounds do you do this? !

Zhu Yunxuan's crimson eyes brimmed with hatred, venting his agony: "If you had just done these things without any pretense, that would be fine. But you insist on pretending to do them for my own good, expecting my gratitude. Your insincerity makes me nauseous! In your eyes, everyone else is wrong, deserving death, and unworthy of advising on state affairs. Only you are right, the most capable. So be it, I'll give you the throne right now!"

Liang Zhen frowned and stepped forward, gripping his shoulder. "Enough, stop talking."

Zhu Yunxuan fiercely pushed back, stepping away. "Why should I stop? Can Prince Zhao not bear to hear it? Isn't he the one with the least sense of shame? Suddenly, you can't bear to listen to me? What do I owe you? Even if this throne was gained with your help, I've repaid you. Why do you continue to pressure me? Why?!"

At the end of his tirade, he raised his hands and struck his abdomen hard twice, bending over in pain as tears streamed down his face. He glared at Liang Zhen, "Do you still want me to bear you a son? What absurdity! I despise this offspring utterly! The mere thought of his blood being yours makes me wish to dig him out and crush his bones!"

Zhu Yunxuan collapsed, causing Liang Zhen to panic. He rushed forward to catch him and shouted at Gao An, who had retreated outside the hall, "Fetch the Imperial Physician!"

Zhu Yunxuan's face had lost all color, drenched in cold sweat from the pain. As Liang Zhen held him, there was no warmth in his gaze. "I won't let your wishes come true. Give up, it will never happen..."

"Stop," Liang Zhen's head bowed, his voice trembling. "Please... stop."

Zhu Yunxuan's hollow gaze fell on the jade piece on the imperial desk. Tears blurred his sight. Struggling, he reached for it, then forcefully hurled it to the ground. A piercing sound echoed as the jade shattered into pieces.