Demoness, where are you Fleeing to?
Chapter 597 - 482

Chapter 597: 482

By the time Li Xuan and Luo Yan met with Minister of Revenue Xiao Ci, it was already nightfall.

This was because they had been delayed for some time at the Ministry of War by Yu Jie and Shang Hong. These two had detained Li Xuan until they had clarified the matter, only then were they willing to let him go.

Yu Jie immediately summoned the Style Light, went straight to the Ministry of Punishments, and sought out Shaobao Yu Shiyue; Shang Hong, the left Shilang of the Ministry of War, entered the palace directly, prepared to seek out his two cabinet colleagues for discussion.

At this time, the cabinet was only beginning to rise in status in the Jin Dynasty.

The original cabinet was established during the Jianling era. It served as the advisory body to the Jin Emperor but had no real authority initially; it consisted of members selected from the Hanlin Academy.

It was not until the reigns of Emperor Ren and Emperor Xuan that the status of the cabinet increasingly received respect. Especially during Xuan Emperor’s era when the three Yangs assisted in government affairs, the power of the cabinet rapidly expanded and initially dominated the six ministries.

But during the Zhengtong Era, the eunuch Wang Zhen ruled, and Emperor Zhengtong relied more on Wang Zhen to manage government affairs, nullifying this rule.

The status of the cabinet rose again during Emperor Jingtai’s time.

The Emperor was plagued by old injuries, and thus relied more on the cabinet when managing government affairs.

In order to strengthen the status of the cabinet, Jingtai Emperor even specifically brought Shang Hong, the left Shilang of the Ministry of War, Xiao Ci, Minister of Revenue, and Wang Wen, the Minister of Personnel - these powerful figures from the six ministries - into the cabinet.

He even intended to add Shaobao Yu Jie into the cabinet but was obstructed by the ministers.

The people truly in charge of the cabinet’s affairs today are Chen Xun and Gao Gu, the rest of the members typically managed their respective departments externally.

The cabinet colleagues whom Shang Hong wanted to convince were precisely these two people.

Only after the two of them left did Li Xuan go to the adjacent Ministry of Revenue.

Fortunately, the Ministry of Revenue had been busy recently, and Xiao Ci was still handling official duties there.

After hearing about the case from Li Xuan, his expression and tone were somewhat similar to Shang Hong’s.

At first, Xiao Ci didn’t understand why Li Xuan would come to him with a case on a decade-long injustice since the Ministry of Revenue had nothing to do with this case.

He even felt a bit impatient but managed to hold back due to having regard for Li Xuan’s status and power.

However, when he heard that the silvers involved in the case might reach more than forty million tael, Xiao Ci abruptly rose from his seat.

"Is there such a matter?"

Xiao Ci picked up the case files that Li Xuan handed over, carefully examining them page by page, and asked in detail about anything unclear.

He had few doubts about the case, mainly about who the salt merchants involved in the case were? How much wealth was in their family? How much silver was taken in the embezzlement?

In the end, Xiao Ci was furious, fiercely pounded the tabletop, even smashed one corner of the table.

"A group of insatiable worms, death isn’t enough to atone for their sins!"

After saying this, Xiao Ci gave a sigh: "What a pity for Yushi Xia. Such an upright person actually fell under the plot of greedy officials and pestilence. Marquis of Guanjun, do you know if this Yushi Xia has any descendants?"

Yu Jie had already asked the same question, so Li Xuan didn’t look at Luo Yan, he just shook his head: "Yushi Xia’s family which includes seventy-five people, all suffered due to their collusion with Wang Zhen. The women who somehow managed to escape also died shortly afterward."

Luo Yan’s eyes were reddening, and her gaze turned somewhat saddened.

She didn’t hate the idea of reclaiming her ancestorial roots, but she knew it was impossible to avoid her adoptive father’s problem, and it was also impossible to avoid the ’Demoness Zidie’ of the blacklist robbers.

Luo Yan didn’t want her past as a thief to tarnish her father’s posthumous reputation.

The pleasure she had once felt when stealing and spending money was equal to the regret and pain she felt now.

Li Xuan thought nothing of it and felt Luo Yan was acting impulsively.

If it were him, he wouldn’t care about others’ opinions.

However, people of this era cared a lot about reputation, and Luo Yan was no exception.

"Did such a tragedy really occur?" Xiao Ci sighed repeatedly, shaking his head: "This is a mistake on the side of the court. I should tell His Majesty about this and strive to clear Yushi Xia of grievance, receive official announcement for his name rectification, and be given generous rewards. Ideally, a loyal and considerate relative should be chosen from the Xia family to be adopted, so Yushi Xia’s incense will continue."

At this moment, Xiao Ci could not sit still any longer. He saluted towards Li Xuan: "The situation is urgent, I need to go to the palace swiftly. If I have been impolite, please forgive me, Marquis. I will apologize to you another day."

After saying this, Xiao Ci left the Ministry of Revenue’s Yamen as if he had wheels on his feet.

Li Xuan didn’t plan to stay there either. He stood up calmly: "Let’s go back to the Duanshiguan Yamen, the matter concerning your father’s case has almost settled. If my prediction is correct, His Majesty would probably summon me into the palace tonight to discuss this."

The Central Army Judiciary Yamen was located within the complex of the Five Armies Dudu’s mansion, which was located diagonally across from the Ministry of Revenue, making the distance between the two locations extraordinarily close.

The distance to the Chengtian Gate was also very close, just a few steps away.

However, unsure if it was merely his illusion, Li Xuan found that Luo Yan’s body temperature was astonishingly high on their return to the judiciary Yamen, her petite body seemed like it was on fire. Her eyes were glistening, filled with a fantastical hue, and her pretty face was flushed, making her look incredibly charming. It was a thrilling beauty that was dazzling and overwhelmingly radiant.

Li Xuan could hardly take his eyes off her, frequently stealing glances at her all along the way.

Just as Li Xuan had predicted, upon their return to the judiciary Yamen, the head eunuch, Wang Chuanhua, of the Duzhi Bureau was already waiting for them.

He was on a mission to deliver a royal decree to Li Xuan, calling upon him to urgently enter the palace.

※※※※

At this time, Prince Xiang’s mansion in the capital was brightly lit, projecting an elegant and grand atmosphere on the magnificent prince’s mansion.

The son of Prince Xiang, Yu Qiyong, walked hurriedly into the main hall of Prince Xiang’s mansion with a slightly pale face. He then saw his father, Prince Xiang, Yu Zhanshi, sitting in the master’s seat, calmly sipping tea.

The sight of Prince Xiang, his demeanor calm and collected, smoothed a wave of anxiety in Yu Qiyong’s heart, who slightly raised his eyebrows.

He then straightened his clothes a little before stepping inside and bowing, "Father! You must have heard about the assassination of Abbot Weizhen, haven’t you?"

"I heard about it in the afternoon." Prince Xiang, Yu Zhanshi sighed, "How could I not know about such a major incident in the Capital City? The Marquis of Guanjun is truly cunning, poor Weizhen, he really suffered an unworthy defeat."

Prince Xiang’s son, Yu Qiyong, said bitterly, "Not long after Weizhen’s death, the officers from Liudao Division and Shuntian Government arrived at the crime scene, followed by officers from the Ministry of Punishments and Xiuyiwei. It is said that the evidence found at the crime scene all points to ’Only for Profits’, Mei Qingshu.

I predict that he might have been hired by Li Xuan. The Marquis of Guanjun is ruthless, killing Weizhen despite his extensive connections, millions in wealth, cultivation at the sub-heavenly level and even the backing of two Venerables of Qielan. He hardly had the chance to use any of it before he was sent to the Underworld. His defeat was truly unjust."

He then paused, looking solemnly at Prince Xiang, "Father, his death might complicate the case of Xia Guangwei, but it presents an opportunity for our family."

Prince Xiang chuckled, "You think that by Weizhen’s death, we can conveniently take over the contacts he held and his family’s salt business?"

"That’s what I thought." the son of Prince Xiang, Yu Qiyong, said solemnly, "Weizhen’s operation in the court over the years has been impressive. The Xia Guangwei case also involves more than ten court officials, and it concerns them directly. If they could assist me, I could surely make my mark.

And now, this case provides an opportunity. As long as our Prince Xiang’s mansion is willing to lend them a helping hand, they will certainly reciprocate – "

Yu Qiyong’s speech came to an abrupt end upon seeing Prince Xiang sigh and put down his cup of tea.

Prince Xiang looked at him with a bitter smile. "Are you aware that after the incident with Weizhen, Li Xuan went on to visit Yu Jie and Shang Hong of the Ministry of War, and Xiao Ci of the Ministry of Revenue? At this moment, the Emperor summoned the cabinet ministers for a discussion at the Taihe Gate?

At the same time, left Qiandu Yushi Wei Zhen and Dudu Tongzhi Zuo Daoxing, of the Xiuyiwei, have already sent their men to search Wesizhen’s two residences."

The son of Prince Xiang, Yu Qiyong, furrowed his brows. He was unaware of these two events and did not quite understand what they implied.

"Have you forgotten? The current court cannot even afford to pay the officials. After the battle with Meng Wu, the coffers of the Ministry of Revenue were emptied and there’s not a dime left in His Majesty’s personal vault."

Upon seeing Yu Qiyong’s eyes suddenly contract, indicating that he had understood, Prince Xiang shook his head, "That’s why I said the Marquis of Guanjun has good strategies. At this point, anyone standing between the Emperor and Shaobao Yu will be crushed."

He then stood up and ordered in a stern voice, "Someone! Quickly bring me my court attire."

Prince Xiang’s son, Yu Qiyong, immediately asked, "Is father going to the palace?"

"Or else? Though this case is not closely related to Prince Xiang’s mansion, as a father, I should still explain the situation to the Emperor as soon as possible."

Prince Xiang then glared coldly at Yu Qiyong, "Go find Qin Yongren and give him a cup of poisoned wine. For a palace servant to deceive his master for a mere tens of thousands of teals of patterned silver, he really doesn’t know the value of life!"

The son of Prince Xiang, Yu Qiyong’s eyes changed slightly, but he immediately bowed, "I will send him on his way immediately."

Qin Yongren was the deputy steward of Prince Xiang’s mansion, an old man who had served their family for several decades. He had always been respectful to Yu Qiyong.

Yu Qiyong knew that in the past, his acceptance of Weizhen’s bribe had been with his father’s tacit approval.

At that time, his father’s considerations were, first, there wasn’t much that Prince Xiang’s mansion needed to do; they could simply make an appearance and there was no need to make any moves. Second, Weizhen in his bribes was very sincere, allowing Prince Xiang’s mansion to have a share of the salt business, bringing in an income of two to three hundred thousand teals of patterned silver a year.

And the most important point was Weizhen’s network of connections. As the head of the Zen Sect, he was qualified to be a support for Prince Xiang’s mansion in the court and amongst commoners.

Yu Qiyong was terribly disheartened. He mourned the loss of the silver Weizhen had given to the family and also regretted the loss of the connections Weizhen had built.

But given the current situation, it was necessary to abandon the lesser in order to preserve the greater interest.

He knew that under the pressure of the political situation, all of this would collapse into nothingness. For them, all that Weizhen once held no longer held value.