Chapter 225: Defection

Chapter 225: Defection

Upon hearing He Qingxiao's report, Prince Qing's eyes flashed with murderous intent.

He should have known—He Qingxiao had always been out to get him!

After listening, Emperor Xingyuan frowned and asked, "Why wasn't such a significant matter reported immediately?"

"I feared that the man might spout nonsense, causing Your Majesty unnecessary worry. After the interrogation, I dispatched the Jinlin Guard to investigate Dingbei, intending to report back to Your Majesty once we had results."

Emperor Xingyuan's face darkened. "Acting on your own initiative!"

"I deserve ten thousand deaths," He Qingxiao knelt on one knee, pleading guilty.

The date He Qingxiao reported for the young man's capture was slightly off from the actual date, but it was more palatable to Emperor Xingyuan.

After venting his frustration, Emperor Xingyuan didn’t bother scolding He Qingxiao further, instead saying coldly, "Is this man currently in the Northern Pacification Office?"

"Yes."

"Bring him before me."

It was another agonizing wait before the young man was brought before Emperor Xingyuan.

"I am Wei Changqing, a humble citizen. I greet you, Your Majesty."

Emperor Xingyuan glanced displeased at He Qingxiao. "And you used torture?"

"My men acted rashly; they suspected him of being a villain and used some methods initially."

The Jinlin Guard’s authority to conduct independent arrests and interrogations was a power granted by the emperor. After Emperor Xingyuan's question, his attention fully shifted to Wei Changqing.

Like Zhu Xiaoyue, Wei Changqing spoke of the situation in Dingbei. "Beiquan County is quite close to Beian County, which was the hardest hit by the disaster. Fortunately, although many buildings collapsed, most people were unharmed. However, for some reason, despite several counties receiving disaster relief supplies, there has been no sign of them in Beiquan County."

Listening again to Wei Changqing's account, combined with the latest news from Dingbei, He Qingxiao understood the tricks of those corrupt officials.

The disaster relief funds were limited. If spent on a place like Beiquan County, where most buildings had collapsed but most people were safe, the officials would have to allocate resources for both reconstruction and basic needs, leaving little room for embezzlement. However, by diverting the funds to less affected areas, they could achieve better results with minimal spending and gain more recognition.

Those 'people’s umbrellas'—symbols of public support—were real, but so was the embezzlement of disaster relief funds.

These officials resorted to slaughtering civilians to cover up the truth, yet they still won the admiration of the people in places like Pingcheng—an irony that couldn’t be more absurd.

After listening, Emperor Xingyuan coldly looked at Lord Pei. "Pei Zuo, do you have anything else to say?"

Prostrate on the floor, Lord Pei remained motionless.

"Pei Zuo—" Emperor Xingyuan's voice grew colder.

The Minister of the Household Ministry, seated closer to Lord Pei, grew anxious and couldn't help but gently nudge him as a reminder. But as soon as he made contact, Lord Pei toppled over.

The elderly minister, taken aback by the sudden turn of events, gasped so sharply that his mustache flew upward in surprise.

Chief Eunuch Sun Yan went over to check, and then said, "Your Majesty, Lord Pei has fainted."

The officials exchanged uneasy glances. Had he fainted from fear?

"Summon the imperial physician and wake the man up!" said Emperor Xingyuan coldly.

While waiting for the physician, Emperor Xingyuan looked at King Qing expressionlessly.

King Qing wept bitterly, "Father, I swear I didn’t order the massacre of the people in Taiping Town!"

Emperor Xingyuan's eyes were full of disappointment and disgust. "Until now, you still refuse to admit it?"

"Father, I swear I didn’t! I’ll swear on anything you want!"

Seeing King Qing panic and raise his hand, Zhu Xiaoyue was reminded of the cursed oath she had made not long ago in front of the Shun Tian Prefecture Magistrate. She found it both ironic and oddly satisfying.

"Swearing? Do you think this is a street brawl where people make idle threats?" Emperor Xingyuan grew even angrier at the sight of King Qing's behavior.

King Qing was too frightened to make a sound.

At that moment, the imperial physician entered with his medical kit, not daring to look around or make any wild guesses. After performing the necessary etiquette, he bowed his head and began acupuncture on Lord Pei.

Lord Pei soon let out a long breath and opened his eyes.

Lying down, he was greeted by the sight of the magnificent and intricate cloud-and-dragon ceiling, a reminder of where he was. Realizing his surroundings, Lord Pei quickly sat up, turned, and knelt properly to beg for forgiveness. "I deserve ten thousand deaths!"

Emperor Xingyuan sneered. "Indeed, you deserve ten thousand deaths!"

"Your Majesty, I was truly unaware of what these two have said!"

The stubborn refusal to admit the truth might seem laughable when observed from the sidelines, but when it's one's own life at stake, it's a survival instinct.

Just then, a eunuch walked in quickly and whispered a few words to Eunuch Sun Yan.

As one of Emperor Xingyuan's most trusted eunuchs, Sun Yan was usually calm, but at that moment, his face turned deathly pale, and he stumbled as he moved forward.

Seeing this, Emperor Xingyuan's expression grew grave. "What has happened?"

"Your Majesty, Zhao Feifan, the deputy commander of the capital garrison, requests an urgent audience."

There were military camps stationed outside the city, known as the capital garrison. The generals there would not casually enter the city.

Hearing that someone from the capital garrison had come at such a sensitive time, Emperor Xingyuan's heart sank. "Summon him!"

Soon, a tall and sturdy military officer walked in and knelt on one knee. "Your subject, Zhao Feifan, seeks an audience with Your Majesty."

"Deputy Commander Zhao, what urgent matter brings you to the palace at this time?"

Deputy Commander Zhao bowed his head and cupped his hands. "Just moments ago, Commander Wu Yanting led three thousand of his personal troops and suddenly left the camp heading north. I found it suspicious, have sent troops to pursue him, and have come to report to Your Majesty."

For a commander to leave the camp without reason was undoubtedly a rebellion.

Wu Yanting, the commander of the capital garrison, had rebelled!

The news hit like a bolt from the blue, leaving everyone in the hall stunned.

As King Qing remained in shock, Lord Pei, who was kneeling, swayed and fainted again.

The moment Emperor Xingyuan heard that Deputy Commander Zhao Feifan had requested an audience, he had a bad premonition. Upon learning that Wu Yanting had rebelled, his anger surged. Lord Pei's reaction pushed his anger to its peak.

Emperor Xingyuan strode forward, snatched the silver needle from the physician’s hand, and jabbed it hard into Lord Pei’s philtrum, his fury barely contained.

With a blood-curdling scream, Lord Pei snapped back to reality, jolting the stunned ministers out of their shock.

"Your Majesty, have mercy! Please forgive me!" Lord Pei cried out, lying prostrate on the ground.

Wu Yanting's rebellion at this moment only confirmed what everyone already suspected: their guilt.

As the commander of the capital garrison, Wu Yanting was one of the emperor's most trusted men. His decision to flee with his personal troops showed that he had heard the rumors in the city and knew that Emperor Xingyuan would never let this go unpunished. He was willing to risk everything to save his own skin.

In his terror, Lord Pei's mind suddenly cleared, and he quickly connected the dots.

Now, any further denial would be pointless.

The more Lord Pei thought, the more desperate he felt, his body trembling uncontrollably.

Unable to endure the suffocating tension, the other ministers silently knelt alongside him.

After swiftly arranging the pursuit of Wu Yanting and the necessary measures, Emperor Xingyuan turned his gaze to the trembling Lord Pei.

"Pei Zuo, do you admit your guilt?"

"Your Majesty, please spare my life!"

Emperor Xingyuan no longer paid attention to Lord Pei, his cold gaze shifting to King Qing.

King Qing, equally shaken by the news of Wu Yanting's betrayal, was brought back to his senses by the emperor's icy glare.

"Father, I swear I had no knowledge of this!" He turned, pointing at Lord Pei. "They were the ones who butchered the civilians, keeping me in the dark and deceiving everyone, from top to bottom!"