News of victories had been pouring in from Shanxi, and it was predictable that a large number of officials there would fall.
Emperor Changwu had already begun preparations to fill the vacant posts. One day, with ample leisure, he had Li Furui bring him the inventory lists from the storerooms and, with a few strokes of his brush, began selecting items for awards.
"They are just inanimate objects. No matter how many I bestow, it is meaningless. Little Fuzi, is Little Seven's wife due to give birth soon?"
"Counting the days, it should be next month."
"This child comes at a most opportune time. When his father returns victorious, I shall bestow a noble title upon him."
Even the Imperial Grandson did not have such treatment, but thinking of Prince Rui's achievements, Li Furui felt it was appropriate and quickly agreed, "That is the little Marquis's good fortune."
But it might be a little Princess.
Of course, no servant would utter such a disheartening remark.
"Your Majesty, an urgent dispatch from Shanxi, eight hundred li by express rider." Eunuch Yang, the Deputy Director of the Imperial Household, rushed in, knelt, and presented a sealed letter with both hands.
So soon? Emperor Changwu's heart sank slightly. Li Furui had already accepted the dispatch and handed it up. Emperor Changwu opened it with a few quick movements. The content of the dispatch was extremely brief, yet it made the Emperor's body tremble: "What do you mean 'fell off a cliff and status unknown'? What was Ouyang Wen eating? If he's disappeared, can't he find him?"
Eunuch Yang was dumbfounded.
Lately, the dispatches from Shanxi had all been reports of victory, and the messenger always received a generous reward. Today, he had snatched this errand, only to find...
Emperor Changwu's heart ached, but he heard no response for a long time. He glanced down and saw that the kneeling man was already covered in sweat, yet he was merely an on-duty eunuch. This only fueled his anger: "Since when did the messenger for an eight-hundred-li express become an imperial attendant?"
"This servant deserves death, this servant deserves death."
"Begone."
Although the Emperor did not specify a punishment, he knew clearly that his life was over. Years of effort had turned to dust, and he would once again become a eunuch bullied by everyone.
No, even worse than before.
Eunuch Yang was quickly dragged away. The messenger hurried in. Emperor Changwu excused him from formalities and ordered him to speak directly.
"That day, Prince Rui led his men to Zhong Province to confer with Prefect Cheng. Unexpectedly, upon entering, they were ambushed. Prince Rui, unwilling to let his guards sacrifice their lives for him, led the assassins into the mountains alone. In the end, with no way out, he fell off a cliff. Little Master and Governor Ke have searched with their men for many days, but have yet to see any sign of him."
"Is that cliff a bottomless pit? How can a person disappear into thin air?"
"There is a river at the bottom of the cliff. And according to the news, Prince Rui was struck by a poisoned arrow before he fell."
Poisoned, fallen off a cliff, and washed away by the river.
Almost certain death.
After searching for four days, Ouyang Wen, with no other choice, wrote a memorial and sent it to the capital by express rider. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
The commander's misfortune was a grave offense. He had considered concealing the news and apprehending the corrupt elements in Shanxi first. However, the other party did not give them the opportunity. Within a day, the news of Prince Rui falling off the cliff and presumed dead spread like wildfire.
Since the matter could no longer be suppressed, it had to be reported.
Emperor Changwu's figure visibly stooped, but he seized on the key point: "Which is the prefect of Zhong Province?"
"The eldest son of the Minister of Personnel."
"Investigate thoroughly."
Cheng Jinghao was a man of Situ Jue. Little Seven had met his misfortune in a prefectural office managed by the latter's son. Emperor Changwu could not help but wonder if this was another case of sibling rivalry.
Without warning, Cheng Jinghao, the Minister of Personnel, was thrown into prison and interrogated by the Imperial Guards. Officials whispered amongst themselves, and those who had been close to Cheng Jinghao in the past became uneasy, fearing that the Imperial Guards would come for them at any moment.
Emperor Changwu did not circulate the secret dispatch.
Lu Nianfu was close to giving birth. If she were to hear this devastating news at this time, he feared it would result in the loss of two lives. He did not care about Lu Nianfu's life, but the child she carried was likely Little Seven's only descendant.
In the imperial prison, upon learning that Cheng Beiyu was implicated in the crime of harming a prince, Cheng Jinghao nearly fainted. But he held firm and repeatedly cried out his innocence: "It's a grave injustice! Six years ago, I severed all father-son ties with that rebellious son. I knew nothing of his actions outside."
He had seen the discarding of a chariot to save a general, but to discard a son to save oneself, and so swiftly, was truly a first.
Emperor Changwu shook his head upon hearing this and ordered Cheng Jinghao to remain imprisoned until the truth was revealed.
Cheng Jinghao suddenly fell into great misfortune, but his son Cheng Beiqian, in whom he had placed great hope, had no connections. In the end, he had no choice but to turn to Cheng Beizheng, whom he had always looked down upon.