Such iron-blooded and arrogant methods, killing without batting an eye, so ruthless, do they still have a chance of winning? Their faces instantly turned various shades of blue and purple; they could even foresee the tragic fate of the Lou and Zhang families, yet they were powerless to change anything.
Liu Liu strolled unhurriedly to the front of Zhang Zhi San, the Minister of Ceremonies, and crouched down, asking coldly, "Zhang Zhi San, do you know your crime?"
Upon hearing that Her Majesty the Empress had directed all accusations towards him, Zhang Zhi San's face darkened, his heart sinking to the bottom. Was he truly the sacrificial lamb? He regretted it deeply but was utterly helpless, only managing to stammer in panic.
"This minister should not have suspected Her Majesty carelessly. I beg Her Majesty for forgiveness."
"There's nothing wrong with suspecting this consort,"
Liu Liu stood up, her voice pleasant, as if willing to negotiate, but just as Zhang Zhi San began to relax, she followed up with another statement.
"But you actually engaged in the business of selling official positions. A scum like you has managed to reach the position of a first-rank minister, truly disgracing the image of the Tianfeng Dynasty."
The moment Zhang Zhi San heard Her Majesty the Empress's words, his face turned deathly pale, and he collapsed to the side, unable to rise again.
Liu Liu acted as if she saw nothing. She lightly clapped her hands twice with her pale white hand, and a handsome and imposing man walked in from outside the main hall. His face was refined, his bearing like that of a pine or bamboo, straight and resilient, clearly a person of utmost integrity.
He entered the hall with neither arrogance nor subservience, offered a bow to Feng Xie and Liu Liu on the high seat, and stood to the side, awaiting orders.
The officials in the hall buzzed with discussion about this sudden appearance. However, upon seeing this man, Zhang Zhi San could bear no more blows; with a thud, he slumped to the side, foam sputtering from his mouth.
Liu Liu seemed to ignore it. Since Her Majesty the Empress remained silent, who would dare to speak? What was the current situation? Everyone was busy protecting themselves, who would bother inquiring about Master Zhang's life or death?
"Bai Han, tell me, what is your position?"
It turned out this handsome man was named Bai Han. Hearing Her Majesty the Empress's question, Bai Han bowed, "This subordinate is a Reader of the Hanlin Academy."
"Tell me, how did you become a Reader of the Hanlin Academy?"
Liu Liu cast a cold, sharp glance at Bai Han. Her words caused several faces in the hall to change color.
Liu Liu scanned the room, instantly understanding everything. Grand Tutor Lou's expression was equally grim. He hadn't expected Her Majesty the Empress to be so well-prepared. He shot a cold glare at Zhang Zhi San on the ground, wishing he could give him a fierce kick.
Hadn't he warned him not to sell official positions anymore? How could he have disregarded his words? This Bai Han clearly didn't seem like someone who would engage in the selling of positions; this was clearly a ploy arranged by someone!
"Replying to Your Majesty and Her Majesty, I bought it through someone. Originally, this minister did not want to engage in such matters, but in order to obtain leverage against these detestable traitors, I spent one hundred thousand taels of silver to purchase this position and have compiled a list of some of the buyers from it."
After speaking, Bai Han presented the list. Liu Liu took it, glanced at it, and gestured for a eunuch to pass it to His Majesty.
Feng Xie took a look and was surprised that such a phenomenon as selling official positions existed in the Tianfeng Dynasty. He realized how many loopholes had appeared during his five years on the throne. His face suddenly darkened, and he roared towards the outside, "Come! Immediately escort Zhang Zhi San to prison and await sentencing."
"Yes,"
Immediately, a group of guards rushed in from outside the main hall and swiftly moved forward to drag Zhang Zhi San away. The vast Qianqing Palace fell silent, the previous boisterous atmosphere completely gone.
No one dared to utter a single word, cold sweat beading on their brows. The Empress's schemes were truly profound.
"Is the Minister of Justice present?" Feng Xie asked ominously. The official from the Ministry of Justice quickly stepped forward, not daring to be careless, and bowed, "This minister is present."
"You must thoroughly investigate this case. Regardless of who is involved, investigate to the end without leniency. Furthermore, order the Minister of War, Jin Shaoyuan, to participate in the review of this case as well." Upon hearing the Emperor's words, Jin Shaoyuan immediately stepped out and received the decree.
"This minister accepts the decree."
The two retreated back into the ranks. Seeing that the matter had been resolved satisfactorily, Bai Han let out a sigh of relief. He had met Her Majesty the Empress by chance.
Her Majesty the Empress had sought him out last time, asking him to enter Zhang Zhi San's social circle under the guise of buying an official position to expose their detestable true faces.
Because he abhorred these corrupt officials, he collaborated with Her Majesty. The hundred thousand taels of silver were provided by Her Majesty the Empress. Bai Han smiled.
Feng Xie glanced at Bai Han standing below. Seeing his outstanding character and refined demeanor, and his accord with the Empress, he formed a plan in his mind and said in a deep voice, "Bai Han, receive the decree."
Bai Han was taken aback, not expecting the Emperor to grant him a decree. Not knowing what it entailed, he quickly knelt down, "This minister Bai Han receives the decree."
"For cracking this case, Bai Han's merit is undeniable. You are promoted three ranks, and from today onwards, you are appointed Minister of Ceremonies."
Liu Liu watched this outcome and smiled with satisfaction. Only Bai Han was momentarily stunned, then knelt down in ecstatic joy to receive the decree.
He had originally intended to resign from his post, as the fourth-rank Reader position was too much of a deviation from his aspirations. He hadn't expected to be promoted to a first-rank minister in the blink of an eye. A first-rank minister was much more useful; he could finally put his ambitions to good use. He immediately accepted the order respectfully.
"This minister accepts the decree." After speaking, he retreated to the side.
Grand Tutor Lou watched everything unfold before him, knowing that the Lou family's influence was about to wane. The Emperor intended to dismantle their family and punish all their members, replacing them with people he trusted.
This way, the Tianfeng Dynasty would soon be infused with new blood, and their Lou family would have no standing. The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he became. Feng Xie waved his hand dismissively.
"Grand Tutor Lou, please rise. Do you still suspect that Her Majesty the Empress is a fake?"
"This minister dares not." At this juncture, it was important to preserve oneself. He could find evidence of this Empress's deception later. He immediately shook his head in fear and retreated to the side. Feng Xie waved his hand and said coldly, "Prime Minister Liu, receive the decree."
"This minister is present."
Liu Ting stepped forward. He hadn't expected his sister to employ such a tactic. He had planned to perform a duet with the Emperor today, but his sister had taken the initiative, saving them considerable effort. His expression was refined, a smile blooming on his lips.
"Immediately seal the Zhang residence. Do not spare any within the nine generations of the Zhang family. All are to be apprehended and thrown into prison, awaiting sentencing."
"Yes," Liu Ting turned and left the hall. Feng Xie waved his hand, and the young eunuch's sharp voice rang out, "Court is dismissed."
"We respectfully escort His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress."
A group of ministers knelt to see off the Emperor and Empress. After they departed, the vast palace fell into silence, everyone's faces ashen. They cautiously scanned their surroundings, not daring to speak casually.
They didn't know who among them was loyal to the Emperor and Empress. A careless word could lead to disaster, so it was better to be cautious. They quickly called out to each other to leave the hall. As for the person the Empress had killed, everyone had already forgotten about them.
Due to the Empress's iron-fisted ruthlessness, all senior officials of the second rank and above in the Tianfeng Dynasty dared not make any rash moves. The entire Zhang family, spanning nine generations, was imprisoned.
Zhang Xiuyi also received news in the palace. She immediately collapsed, not expecting that before she could send out any messages, her father and brother had fallen into such dire straits. She couldn't help but weep.
It could be said that the imprisonment of the Zhang family was also her own doing. If she hadn't allowed her father and brother to become entangled with the Lou family that day, how could such a situation where all nine generations were imprisoned have occurred?
The more Zhang Xiuyi thought about it, the more painful she became, weeping heartbrokenly. Her close maidservant, who had served her for many years, felt unbearable pity and quickly offered her a suggestion.
"My lady, what good is crying? You should hurry and find a way to save your family."
Zhang Xiuyi was startled. She came back to her senses, immediately wiped away her tears, and suppressed the grief in her heart. The young girl was right; she really needed to think of a solution. But whom could she turn to now?
Apart from the Lou family, thinking that she had always been close to Lou Sijing, perhaps she could seek help from Consort De.
Although she was not favored by the Emperor, she still had a child. If she were to plead for them, perhaps her father and brother could be spared death?
Zhang Xiuyi fantasized, immediately tidying her appearance.
"Ye Nu, do you think it's feasible for me to plead with Sister Sijing? Although she is not favored, the Lou family's status is still very high. If she is willing to speak a word, perhaps Father can escape death."