Chapter 40 Betrayal

Chapter 40: Defection

"This old minister has heard that the Empress Dowager is observing Buddhist rites in Cide Palace, with the palace gates closed and even the palace servants dismissed?" At the morning court session, Lord Wang inquired.

Wei Yan had long since discovered that Lord Wang was a member of the Empress Dowager's faction... or rather, aligned with Chen Yiqing. However, he had not yet dealt with him, intending to use today's morning court to uncover the full extent of their network within the court. He planned to have the Imperial Guard conduct a thorough investigation later to completely eradicate them.

Although Wei Yan had handled these matters in his previous life, it was all too distant in the past. He could only remember one or two of the higher-ranking leaders, but it was difficult to distinguish which minor followers belonged to which faction. To avoid wronging the innocent, it was better to conduct a fresh investigation.

"The Empress Dowager has always been in poor health. Even during the late Emperor's time, she rarely left the palace. Now, overwhelmed by grief, she has fallen ill again, hence the temporary closure of the palace gates for recuperation. Once her health improves, she will naturally emerge again," Wei Yan said. "Could it be the Beloved Minister believes that I have placed the Empress Dowager under house arrest?"

"I wouldn't dare, Your Majesty," Lord Wang immediately bowed. "It is just that in recent days, the Empress Dowager also mentioned the rumors circulating outside the palace. Does Your Majesty intend to turn a blind eye and insist on establishing Lu Jiming as Empress?"

Wei Yan chuckled. "Then what does Lord Wang suggest should be done?"

"At the last morning court, the Empress Dowager mentioned that the Lu family had arrived in the capital. I privately sought them out and inquired thoroughly about the Lu family's affairs... I believe the rumors are not unfounded. The Lu family members are now waiting outside the palace gates. If Your Majesty summons them, they can immediately be granted an audience."

After Lord Wang finished speaking, another court official immediately stepped forward. "In my humble opinion, Lord Wang's words are most reasonable. Rather than allowing rumors to run rampant, it would be better to have a direct confrontation in Your Majesty's presence today to clarify matters. Once loyalty and treachery are determined, what need is there for us outsiders to argue endlessly?"

Other court officials objected. "This imperial court is not a prefectural yamen. Has the Golden Luan Hall become a place for adjudicating cases?"

Wei Yan glanced at Xue Jun and asked, "What does Chief Envoy Xue think?"

"The Lu family members also hold official positions; they are not mere commoners from the countryside. Even if they were commoners, according to the rules of our dynasty, if they have grievances, they can also plead their case in the Golden Luan Hall. It would be better to let them come up," Xue Jun said. "There is just one point: since this matter has been brought before the throne today, right and wrong must be decided today. After today, no further discussion will be tolerated."

Moreover, although the Lu family had declined, they were, after all, descendants of founding meritorious officials. Their ancestors had been granted titles and even held ironclad patents. If they were truly determined to plead their case before the throne, Wei Yan would have to accord them some respect. Therefore, it was better to agree first, at least to avoid putting himself in a passive position.

"Permission granted," Wei Yan said. "But since ancient times, when hearing a case, both sides must confront each other. It is not good to listen to only one side. Eunuch Chen, have the Empress brought up as well."

Lu Jiming had not yet been formally installed as Empress, but Wei Yan directly referred to him as "Empress."

Many opportunists in the court had been hesitating over whether Wei Yan would actually shield Lu Jiming—after all, theirs was a matchmade marriage, and it was not long. Their bond might not be that strong. If the rumors intensified and damaged the imperial family's dignity, Wei Yan might abandon Lu Jiming.

But now, with Wei Yan's single form of address, those wavering fence-sitters in the court could better gauge the emperor's stance.

Wei Yan and Lu Jiming had already privately discussed today's matters. Lu Jiming was prepared. Seeing Eunuch Chen come out, he immediately followed him into the hall, his expression appearing very calm.

Upon entering the main hall, Lu Jiming stood before the ranks of officials, close to Wei Yan, gazing at the full assembly of courtiers.

Countless gazes—curious, mocking, or contemptuous—were cast toward him. Lu Jiming maintained an inscrutable smile throughout.

In his past life as Prime Minister, he had initially been too young to hold his own and had witnessed even more chaotic scenes. He was used to such things.

These people—some familiar, some strangers, some long unseen—under their ambiguous stares, Lu Jiming only felt a sense of nostalgia.

This was also the first time he faced these former colleagues in the capacity of an imperial consort.

But deep in his heart, Lu Jiming still harbored a sliver of anxiety, fearing that the person who would soon come forward to accuse him might be Lu Yuanye.

After all, a father was different from others. The same action, if done by others, Lu Jiming could treat with indifference, but if done by his father, it would only feel like a stab to the heart.

--

When someone found them in Mingzhou, the Lu family originally wanted nothing more to do with Lu Jiming. After all, their attempt had backfired, leaving any lingering goodwill between them completely shattered.

But the other party was clearly prepared. They merely said that Lu Jiming was having a difficult time in the capital, missing his relatives, and had sent them. The visitor even produced a palace identification token, leaving the Lu family no choice but to believe.

Although the previous falling-out had been ugly, blood is thicker than water. Lu Jiming's father was still worried about his son. After discussion, they decided to have Second Uncle Lu go along.

Meanwhile, He Zenian, who was staying with the Lu family, was originally from the capital. After spending some time in Mingzhou, he was eager to return home. He still had a maternal uncle in the capital, so he begged Second Uncle Lu to let him travel to the capital together, so they could provide mutual support on the journey.

Unexpectedly, upon reaching the capital, the person who brought them changed his tune. He was not sent by Lu Jiming but by someone who wanted to deal with Lu Jiming.

After a mix of threats and inducements, the other party promised that if they were willing to accuse Lu Jiming of disloyalty, unfilial piety, and harboring ill intentions, they would provide the Lu family with leaked examination questions for the next imperial examinations. They also promised to secure an official position for He Zenian, allowing him to stay in the capital long-term.

Second Uncle Lu and He Zenian went through the motions of bargaining, then agreed, satisfied. He Zenian had always resented Lu Jiming for being superior in everything, so he took the opportunity to embellish the story of Lu Jiming being expelled from the Lu family.

Within two days, rumors spread like wildfire throughout the capital.

Seeing the two appear in court, the last trace of tension in Lu Jiming completely vanished. Even the smile that had always been on his face now held a hint of relief.

Second Uncle Lu and He Zenian entered the hall, first kowtowed, and did not dare to look directly at the Emperor's face, keeping their heads bowed.

"Before the Son of Heaven, you must speak all you know without reservation. Do not lie or deceive, otherwise it is the crime of deceiving the throne," Xue Jun spoke first, giving them a warning.

The two men were submissive, agreeing to whatever Xue Jun said.

Eunuch Chen asked, "In that case, which of you will speak?"

"This humble official, Lu Yuanzhe, is Lu Jiming's second uncle," Second Uncle Lu began. He still held an official position, though he had not passed the imperial examination and was only a provincial graduate. He had no great prospects, having served as a local magistrate for some years without any notable accomplishments. Currently without an official post, he had been idle at home.

"Lord Lu, say what you wish to say, speak boldly," Lord Wang prompted. "His Majesty is wise and will surely see that justice is done."

"Replying to Your Majesty and all esteemed officials, Lu Jiming is this humble official's nephew, watched him grow up since childhood, and knows his character and conduct best," Second Uncle Lu said. "Since childhood, he has been arrogant on account of his talent, rebellious and unorthodox. At sixteen or seventeen in his hometown, he privately pledged himself to someone. After passing the imperial examination in the capital, he abandoned that person and, behind their back, became engaged to the daughter of the former Marquis of Yu'an's Zhao family."

As soon as these words were spoken, murmurs arose among the courtiers. A young Remonstrance Official stepped forward and said, "Such behavior, how can he be worthy of being the nation's Empress? I beg Your Majesty to reconsider!"

Wei Yan did not speak. Xue Jun smiled and said, "Official Wei, perhaps listen a bit longer and give His Highness a chance to defend himself, no?"

The Remonstrance Official glanced at his colleagues around him. Seeing no one supported him, he realized he had been too hasty. He apologized and returned to the ranks.

Second Uncle Lu continued, "Later, when the Marquis of Yu'an's family fell, he watched coldly from the sidelines and did not offer assistance. One could say he is utterly cold-hearted. Later, when my elder brother fell seriously ill and resigned to return home, only he remained in the capital. The Lu family elders were too far away to effectively discipline him.

"Unexpectedly, when he returned home again, he had become the Crown Princess Consort. After arriving in Mingzhou, he actually rekindled his affair with his former lover, committing many outrageous acts. The Lu family elders could not bear to watch and wanted to use family discipline to admonish him. But he turned black into white, deceiving the Imperial Guard soldiers and Young Master Yin who accompanied them, making them mistakenly believe the Lu family was dissatisfied with the marriage and intentionally making things difficult..."

Lu Jiming's face remained smiling, his eyes almost narrowed into slits.

"The Lu family truly could not bear it, and he refused to submit to discipline, so we removed his name from the family register," Second Uncle Lu said. "Young Master Yin and Lord Cui were both witnesses... but both were confused by his words. I fear they still believe to this day that the Lu family relentlessly pressured him!"

Second Uncle Lu had already calculated: the imperial family valued reputation and integrity most. By firmly establishing that Lu Jiming had an affair, the Emperor would not protect him.

Moreover, there was evidence regarding the engagement with the Marquis of Yu'an's family. Lu Jiming and Xu Cifeng were indeed close; there were many who could testify. Once the Emperor suffered such a great loss of face, as long as their intimacy was confirmed, he would not investigate further into the exact nature of their relationship.

As for Yin Yuxie and the Imperial Guard side, they had no concrete evidence. As long as the Emperor's attitude was clear, they would naturally protect themselves and not invite trouble.

But the expected fury did not appear. The person on the dragon throne merely said calmly, "Since Second Uncle Lu has finished speaking, does Cousin He have anything to add?"

This was the first time the Emperor had spoken since Second Uncle Lu entered the palace. He faintly felt the voice sounded somewhat familiar. He Zenian, having interacted with Wei Yan multiple times, was even more familiar with his voice. He subconsciously looked up. Upon clearly seeing Wei Yan's face, he immediately turned deathly pale.

"Zenian, say what you wanted to say too," Second Uncle Lu reminded him.

Before coming, the two had carefully discussed: Second Uncle Lu would outline Lu Jiming's various ill intentions in broad strokes, then He Zenian, as a peer, would provide detailed specifics, making it more convincing.

But He Zenian, looking at Wei Yan, was already scared out of his wits and couldn't utter a word.

"It seems Cousin has nothing to say. Then perhaps I should speak?" Lu Jiming said.

He remembered his previous life: he had brought Second Uncle Lu's eldest son, Lu Jiheng, to the capital, carefully looked after him, and guided his studies for the imperial examinations. Later, he painstakingly paved the way for him. When the youngest son, Lu Jida, injured someone fatally in a dispute, it was also Lu Jiming who dirtied his hands to settle it for him.

Now, this second uncle, who in his previous life had thanked him profusely and repeatedly claimed to regard him as his own son, stood here, using his mouth to distort right and wrong. How could Lu Jiming not feel heartbroken?

At this moment, Lu Jiming realized that a heart could die over and over again.

Wei Yan laughed. "All esteemed ministers have doubts. Bringing people before the throne to distort right and white, Xuping, if you defend yourself, who would believe it? Presumably, only I can personally explain to all esteemed ministers to set your minds at ease."

Upon hearing this, the court officials immediately knelt in unison, claiming they dared not.

Wei Yan did not call for them to rise. He descended from the dragon throne, walked to Second Uncle Lu, his smile undiminished. "Regarding the matters in Mingzhou, I witnessed them firsthand, and I also met Xuping's so-called 'lover.' I truly do not know where I was deceived, or by whom. I hope Second Uncle Lu can enlighten me."