"Arrogant!"
With such a major incident occurring in the Kaifeng Prefecture, Emperor Huizong naturally could not have been unaware.
As Zhang Shaoyou's investigation neared its conclusion, even Prince Yun, Zhao Kai, did not dare to plead for Cai Jing's concealment at this juncture.
When the news, which he had suppressed for an entire night, reached the imperial palace, Zhao Ji flew into a uncontrollable rage.
"Your Majesty, calm yourself, you must take care of your health. The insignificant Cai Tao is not worth mourning, but now Prime Minister Cai has already..."
Seeing Zhao Ji's extreme reaction, Zhao Kai, bracing himself, stepped forward to plead for Cai Jing.
"Have you read your books to the dogs? Do you not understand the principles of a ruler and a subject? Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, Teacher – who comes first? Who comes after, do you not understand? Do you not realize how serious this matter is?"
As soon as Zhao Kai finished speaking, Zhao Ji launched into a tirade of scolding. These rhetorical questions immediately made Zhao Kai tremble all over, and he knelt on the ground.
"If one of Cai's servants dares to buy and sell offices, does that mean his master is willing to sell my head? Have I ever treated the Cai family unfairly? Have I deprived them of food and drink, or withheld their rewards? For them to dare to do such a thing!"
As he spoke, Zhao Ji swept all the memorials on his imperial desk to the ground.
Zhao Kai's head sank even lower. He had never imagined that Zhao Ji's reaction to this matter would be so extreme.
"A mere servant, holding a list thicker than the official roster of the Ministry of Personnel, what was the Imperial City's Guard doing all this time?"
Even though Zhao Kai had adopted a humble posture, Zhao Ji did not seem inclined to let him off the hook.
He rushed up to Zhao Kai, kicked him twice in the posterior, and then, with disappointment, spoke again.
"Your Father, forgive my anger! I admit my fault!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Kai trembled all over. He understood almost immediately that this matter was far more complicated than he had imagined.
The Emperor had clearly received the news long ago. The reason he was throwing such a tantrum was not the incident itself, but rather Zhao Kai's presumptuous act of suppressing it for an entire night!
He had long suspected that there was a force within the Imperial City's Guard that he did not control. Now, he was absolutely certain of it...
The reason he could hold the upper hand over the Crown Prince in all matters was not only due to the Emperor's favor, but also because he held this crucial position. If he were to lose this post, it was likely that within a short period, he would be driven out of Bianliang under the relentless attacks of the Crown Prince and Prince Xin, Zhao Zhen.
Even though they had exhausted all means to delay Zhao Zhen's arrival in the capital, Zhao Zhen would eventually return!
"Your Majesty, His Highness is merely kind-hearted by nature and too young, which led to his disrespectful words. I implore you to forgive him this time!"
Seeing the Emperor's gaze fall upon him again, Liang Shicheng, who had been pretending to be an ostrich, reluctantly stepped forward and offered a way out for the Emperor.
"Today, for the sake of Grand Commandant Liang, I shall spare you, you unfilial wretch. Go back to your residence, and starting today, you are confined for ten days to reflect on your actions!"
Seeing that Liang Shicheng had finally spoken and he had a way to de-escalate, Zhao Ji, having achieved his objective, gracefully accepted the offer.
"Yes!"
Although this punishment was negligible, almost nonexistent, the incident itself had sent Zhao Kai into a cold sweat. Even after returning to his carriage from the palace, he was still trembling uncontrollably.
"Your Highness, what is wrong?"
Seeing Zhao Kai trembling, Fan Shiyong, who had been waiting in the carriage, quickly asked.
"Mr. Fan, your master has truly put me in a terrible predicament this time!"
After taking several deep breaths, Zhao Kai finally managed to calm down. He recounted the events in the palace with a wry smile.
"Confined for ten days..."
Upon hearing the punishment, Fan Shiyong paused for a moment, then a wry smile appeared on his face.
"Sir, even though I wish to help you with this matter, my hands are tied. It seems you will ultimately have to rely on yourselves!"
Based on the memorial submitted by Prince Xin, Zhao Zhen, to the Bureau of Military Affairs, Zhao Zhen was due to return to Bianliang in ten days!
His journey had been repeatedly delayed precisely because Cai Jing had been causing trouble.
Now, with the Emperor issuing such a punishment to Zhao Kai, could this be a hint?
"This matter has already caused enough trouble for His Highness. Since that is the case, I shall not disturb you further. I bid you farewell!"
Although Fan Shiyong had formed his own judgment about this matter, the implications were too far-reaching, and he was truly uncertain whether his judgment was correct or not. After a moment's hesitation, Fan Shiyong stood up, cupped his hands to Zhao Kai, and departed.
"Please convey a message to my master for me: if he needs anything, this Prince can do anything for him!"
Just as Fan Shiyong was about to exit the carriage, Zhao Kai suddenly spoke again.
"Understood!"
After a slight pause, Fan Shiyong cupped his hands to him, quickened his pace, and returned to his own carriage, heading straight for Cai's residence.
"Young Master, Prince Yun Zhao Kai just left the palace!"
As soon as Zhao Kai's carriage left the palace gates, Han Mo received the news.
"It's alright, it's to be expected. There will be good entertainment soon!"
Han Mo was not surprised by Zhao Kai's situation.
After all, Tong Guan and Cai You were his foundation. Since they were now aligned with Cai Jing, it would be truly bizarre if he did not help Cai Jing.
"My Lord, if Cai Jing and Tong Guan fall, will the front lines be vulnerable to the Jurchens..."
Looking at Han Mo's composed and strategizing demeanor, Yue Fei quietly asked.
"Actually, I shouldn't have let you see these things!"
Looking at Yue Fei's sharp and defined face, Han Mo suddenly picked up the wine pot in front of him and poured Yue Fei a cup of wine with a wry smile.
"My Lord..."
Hearing Han Mo's words, Yue Fei was startled by his attitude.
After all, the difference in their status was not insignificant. Han Mo's tone was not that of someone speaking to a subordinate.
Seeing Yue Fei's apprehensive look, Han Mo looked at him with a complex expression.
"Pengju, I know you have the ambition of a swan and only wish to serve your country. This kind of intrigue and deception must make you uncomfortable and could potentially give the Jurchens an opportunity. However, I must do this. Have you considered what the Jurchens would do if they marched south, given their usual conduct?"