The Return of the Seventh Young Lady-Chapter 92 - 91

Chapter 91

Su Manor

Within the quiet study room, an old man sat reading poetry comfortably, his wrinkled face showing a relaxed expression. However, the serene atmosphere was soon disrupted by the hurried entrance of his eldest son, who flung open the door.

"Father, there’s an urgent summons from the palace for an emergency meeting of the officials!"

Su Anming, who had been engrossed in his reading, paused momentarily before setting the book down on the table. "Do you know what it is about?"

"Our informant who sent the message said he didn’t know the reason, he only knows that His Majesty summoned Mu Gongzhen to the royal study this morning for some discussions, and shortly after, a royal decree was issued calling for an urgent meeting at the throne room,"

Su Hankai reported truthfully. Shortly after the royal court messenger delivered the decree, their informant within the palace relayed these details.

"Mu Gongzhen, you say?"

Su Anming lowered his eyes slightly, deep in thought. His keen instincts, which had guided him through a successful official career for decades, were now warning him continuously, as if impending trouble...

"Are our people in Laifeng City and outside the capital still sending regular reports?"

"Everything is normal, Father. The latest reports from both locations came in this morning. It seems unlikely that anything has happened," Su Hankai glanced at his father’s abnormal expression and inquired, "Do you think something is amiss, Father?"

"Nothing is ever truly normal; it’s always about who seizes the opportunity," Su Anming smirked slightly, his cunning eyes darkening ominously. Regardless of the situation, he trusted his instincts. It’s always better to be prepared than to react too late!

"Send word to the palace to replace the guards outside the throne room and inside the palace with our own men!"

"You think that..."

Su Hankai was taken aback slightly at his father’s command. His father had always maintained peace and deliberated carefully before taking action. This swift decision indicated that something serious might be brewing.

"Prepare yourself. Whatever happens, must happen," Su Anming said calmly, his eyes icy cold. He then stood and walked into the inner dressing room to change into his official robes. Meanwhile, Su Hankai quickly turned to relay the orders outside, his expression tense.

It seemed that the sky was about to change colors...

Royal Palace

After an emergency assembly was called at the throne room this afternoon, numerous officials were summoned to attend. Many were confused, wondering what could have prompted such an urgent meeting. But if it wasn’t something of utmost importance, would His Majesty have called for an emergency assembly like this?

Over a hundred officials lined up in orderly rows according to their ranks. As they saw the figure of their ruler, adorned in golden dragon robes, walking in from the rear, they all knelt and loudly paid their respects.

"Long live His Majesty, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand, ten thousand years."

"You may rise," Chen Feng Yue swept his gaze over the officials before him briefly, then seated himself on the dragon throne with a commanding presence. His handsome face behind the bead curtain remained stern, making it difficult to discern his thoughts.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

At the sound of the officials’ response, they all stood up, bowing their heads slightly in accordance with tradition. The room fell silent, devoid of the whispers that had filled the air moments before, as everyone maintained a solemn demeanor.

"You must be wondering why I have called for such an urgent meeting, right?"

Chen Feng Yue began straightforwardly, his sharp eyes observing the reactions of the officials before him with a calm gaze. Every movement and expression were under his scrutiny.

"I will not waste time with preambles. Recently, I have learned that there is a minister who has betrayed our country. You are all aware of how severe the punishment for treason is, aren’t you?"

At his words, the officials collectively showed signs of shock. Many exchanged glances, sharing whatever information they had. Some were alarmed and anxious, others confused and unaware. Despite the sense of a small storm brewing within the hall, the officials soon managed to regain their composure.

"Minister of Justice...please provide an example of actions that could be considered treasonous."

Meng Tian, the Minister of Justice responsible for the nation’s laws, stepped forward when called by the Emperor. He clasped his hands and responded to his sovereign’s question.

"Your Majesty, actions that indicate treason include planning to overthrow the royal family with the intent to seize the throne, amassing private military forces, possessing unauthorized armed forces, embezzling state resources for personal gain, and..."

Before Meng Tian could finish, Chen Feng Yue raised his hand to stop him. "Thank you, Minister of Justice, for your response."

"As stated earlier, everyone here is undoubtedly aware that embezzling state resources for personal gain constitutes treason. If the perpetrator is an official, the crime is even more unforgivable..."

The icy authority in his voice seemed colder than a thousand-year-old glacier, making the hearts of many officials in the hall sink. Whether they imagined it or not, they felt as if the temperature had suddenly dropped significantly. Su Anming, who had maintained a composed demeanor all this time, glanced down briefly. His cunning eyes darkened ominously, as the premonition that had been warning him since he was at his residence grew stronger.

"Near the valley not far from Laifeng City, a group of people has been discovered secretly mining a large quantity of minerals. Moreover, this mine has never been reported to the court, suggesting private ownership of the mine,"

"Mines are extremely valuable resources for Qingzhou Region. Secretly mining these resources is no different from embezzling the state resources for personal gain, which is considered treason."

Chen Feng Yue paused, surveying the elder man who held the position of the Left Side Chancellor before letting his gaze rest on Meng Tian. “...Is that correct, Minister of Justice?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, that is correct,"

Meng Tian responded firmly, his face remaining impassive despite the realization that something dire was about to unfold. The repeated emphasis by the Emperor suggested an imminent bloodshed!

"Master Su, do you have any explanation for this?" Chen Feng Yue asked with a faint smile that did not reach his eyes.

The Emperor’s question was like an arrow piercing the heart of a massive beehive, causing immediate turmoil in the throne room. Many officials began to show signs of panic, especially those aligned with the Su family, exchanging tense glances.

"Your Majesty, I must apologize, but I do not understand what you mean."

Su Anming maintained his calm demeanor, showing no hint of suspicion, as if unaware of the implications hidden in the Emperor’s words.

"Indeed, Master Su. At your age, understanding might be difficult," Chen Feng Yue did not take the other party’s attitude to heart in the slightest, signaling his trusted eunuch to bring him some documents.

"According to the investigations of the Brocade Guards, the minerals that are illegally mined from the mine near Laifeng City have been processed into weapons and sold in the black market in a large amount. The workers overseeing the operations are bandits raised in that mountain. However, upon further investigation, it was found that six years ago, former Deputy Commander Wei was tasked with eliminating all bandits in that area, making it impossible for any bandits to remain, especially near Laifeng City where patrols are stringent."

"Further investigation by the Brocade Guards revealed that former Commander Wei had a significant relationship with the Su family, and so did the former chief district officer station in Laifeng City. Both had received considerable help from Master Su..."

“Furthermore, upon investigating the financial records of the Su family, it appears that a substantial amount of unaccounted-for money has been flowing into their coffers continuously for the past five years. All witnesses and evidence point to the Su family’s involvement. Master Su, how do you explain this?”

Chen Feng Yue narrowed his eyes at the old official standing before him. He had spoken at length to pressure the other party into a corner, but the old official remained a wily fox, not easily dealt with.

“Your Majesty, I fear this is a misunderstanding. I have no knowledge of these matters. Please, Your Majesty, consider this carefully...” Su Anming responded unflinchingly. Though his words seemed pleading, his tone remained calm and devoid of any genuine respect, his posture upright and unyielding.

“Your Majesty, Left Side Chancellor has served as an official for over three reigns, with numerous accomplishments and loyal service to you. Today, because of the deceit of ill-willed people, please do not be swayed by false accusations!”

An official aligned with the Su family stepped forward to defend Su Anming, appealing for justice on his behalf. As one moved, the rest of Su’s allies followed, kneeling and pleading in unison.

“Please, Your Majesty, do not believe the falsehoods meant to tarnish a good official’s name!”

Chen Feng Yue looked at the kneeling officials with a mocking gaze. Falsehoods to tarnish a good official’s name?

If Su Anming was a good official, then there would be no bad officials in this land!

“Master Mu, please provide further details so that all of my dear officials can finally see the truth.” Chen Feng Yue exhaled deeply, a slight smile curling on his lips. When he spoke of seeing the truth, he meant for Mu Gongzhen to expose the shameless officials allied with the Su family right there in the throne room!

Mu Cui Ming, who had been quietly observing the proceedings, jolted at the Emperor’s words. Seeing his son step forward, he was relieved that the summoned person wasn’t him. However, his relief was short-lived as worry crept back into his face. If his son was involved in this matter, he would be implicated as well!

No matter what happened, the Su family would inevitably view the Mu family as their enemies!

“Your Majesty, from the evidence found at the former Chief District Jian Ping’s residence, there are secret correspondences between him and the Su family over the past six years. The letters contain orders from the Su family directing him to engage in various illicit activities, particularly the illegal mining, detailed step by step, Your Majesty.”

Mu Gongzhen, who had been preparing for this moment, reported in a loud, clear voice for everyone in the throne room to hear. He took out one of the secret letters and unfolded it for the ministers to inspect openly.

“Not only do the letters exist, but the records of ore exports from the mines are meticulously kept, with the quantities sold on the black market matching exactly the unaccounted-for funds appearing in the Su family’s financial records!”

Su Anming furrowed his brows slightly upon hearing this. He hadn’t expected that even after ordering Jian Ping, his pawn, to be eliminated, the latter would still leave behind so much evidence. Moreover, his own men had failed by not thoroughly eradicating everything.

Now that the matter had been exposed to this extent, Su Anming was no longer surprised why the Emperor had decided to act against him so decisively. It was due to his own men’s carelessness!

This time, it was they themselves who made the mistake...

“Master Su, do you still have any defense left?” Chen Feng Yue asked in a calm voice, his gaze at the old official cold and devoid of emotion, as if he had already judged his enemy to be defeated.

Su Anming let out a faint chuckle before lowering his clasped hands. He looked up at the man on the throne with a calm expression. “Your Majesty, I still maintain that I have no knowledge of this matter. If Your Majesty insists on accusing me, I must regretfully decline to accept it.”

“Accuse? Master Su, you speak too harshly,” Chen Feng Yue raised his eyebrows, a mocking glint flashing through his eyes briefly before he continued pressing, “The evidence is clear. Yet, Master Su refuses to admit it?”

“If Your Majesty truly wishes to press this accusation upon me, then I must apologize, but I cannot accept it!”

Su Anming continued to deny the allegations persistently, before nodding towards a small eunuch standing in the corner of the room. Upon receiving the signal, the eunuch threw a teacup hidden within his sleeve to the ground.

Crash!

The sound of the teacup shattering broke the silence, followed by the rapid footsteps of hundreds of imperial guards who stormed into the throne room. The officials were immediately thrown into panic.

“Protect His Majesty!”

“This is terrible!”

“Your Majesty!”

“Everyone, stay where you are!”

“Move and you...die!”

Various voices suddenly rang out continuously, and chaos erupted in the throne room. The officials scattered like bees from a broken hive. Many of the eunuchs and high-ranking officials at the front rushed to surround the throne, instinctively moving to protect the Emperor.

However, due to the disparity in numbers and the fact that the officials in the throne room were unarmed, everyone was eventually subdued by the imperial guards loyal to the Su family. Those surrounding the Emperor’s throne were also encircled by Su family’s soldiers brandishing spears. Once everyone in the throne room was controlled by the blades and spears of the guards, making them too frightened to move or speak, the large doors were slammed shut.

Bang!

The officials not aligned with the Su family held their breaths for a moment. The rapid change caught them off guard, and by the time they realized what was happening, sharp weapons were already pointed at their sides.

"Master Su...what exactly are you planning?"

Chen Feng Yue, surrounded by a group of officials and eunuchs, squinted at the unfolding situation, feigning a solemn and troubled expression. His brows furrowed tightly together, and his voice was colder than winter snow.

"Your Majesty, I have already stated that I cannot accept being falsely accused of a crime I did not commit. It appears that a villain has tried to mislead Your Majesty with lies. It is my duty to set things right,"

Su Anming replied in a normal demeanor. He flicked his sleeve and approached the soldiers who had their spears pointed at the group surrounding the Emperor. "Though my methods may seem harsh, I hope Your Majesty understands."

"Master Su, you have gone mad! Your actions are no different from treason! Do you intend to rebel!?"

Meng Tian, one of those standing to protect the Emperor, shouted angrily. His face was filled with rage, unable to believe that Su Anming would dare to commit such blatant treason.

"I don’t understand what Master Meng is talking about. Outsiders will only know that today, I acted on the Emperor’s orders to eliminate corrupt officials who have deceived the sovereign..."

Su Anming said with a slight smile that didn’t reach his eyes. No matter what anyone said, nothing could sway his decision. Having come this far, there was no turning back.

"First and foremost...the corrupt official who dared to create false reports to deceive the sovereign and slander good officials is none other than the capable Master Mu. Out of jealousy, he conspired with rebels to fabricate evidence against senior officials. For this crime, the Emperor has issued a decree for immediate execution without mercy!"

The cold voice echoed in the silent throne room like a final judgment. Su Anming gazed at the impassive face of Mu Gongzhen, standing beside the Emperor, with icy eyes, exuding a murderous aura openly.

However, Mu Gongzhen, who should have been fearful, remained calm. His sharp eyes met those of his enemy below with a mocking glint. Likewise, Chen Feng Yue’s previously furrowed brows had relaxed, and his stern expression had completely vanished.

"Oh...is that so?"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Read ‘The Return of the Seventh Young Lady’ before anyone else with more Chapters at http://www.jinovel.com/en