Chapter 104 Exposing the Truth

The Qiao family patriarch, who was nearby, felt a jolt in his heart and quickly asked, "What's wrong?"

The Qiao family heir said慌慌张张, "Father, something terrible has happened!"

"That wealthy merchant's grave was dug up a day ago by He Fengkui, the Jiangnan Regional Commander, who led his troops there!"

"What?!"

The Qiao family head was greatly alarmed, "Wasn't it Shi Ping?"

The Qiao family heir was also very confused at this time, unable to understand why He Fengkui would interfere.

The Qiao family head quickly figured out the reason and slapped his thigh.

"Not good! We've fallen for His Majesty's trick!"

"Father, why do you say that?" The Qiao family heir quickly asked.

"His Majesty used Shi Ping to lull us, making us think we had plenty of time, but then secretly sent a message to He Fengkui, telling him to take the lead!"

The Qiao family heir trembled upon hearing this, his forehead ice-cold, "Father, do you mean that His Majesty already knows it was us?"

The Qiao family head thought for a moment, then shook his head.

"Not necessarily! His Majesty may just be preventing any unexpected situations! It might not be aimed at us."

As he said this, the Qiao family head thought of something and quickly asked, "Does the wealthy merchant's son know that we were behind it?"

The Qiao family heir quickly said, "No, I arranged for someone with an unfamiliar face."

The Qiao family head breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good."

Then, a fierce glint flashed in the old eyes of the Qiao family head, "That person can no longer be allowed to live!"

The Qiao family heir nodded heavily upon hearing this, "Don't worry, Father, I'll arrange it right away!"

"Also, tell your sister to behave herself recently, and not give His Majesty any ammunition!" The Qiao family head added.

Three days later, Shi Ping brought the wealthy merchant's corpse back to the capital, having received it from He Fengkui.

Jiang Chen immediately ordered the Ministry of Justice and the Imperial Medical Office, together with the Censorate, to jointly supervise the investigation.

Soon, the true cause of the wealthy merchant's death was discovered: he had died from an overdose of arsenic.

Qianqing Palace Hall.

Jiang Chen coldly stared at the wealthy merchant's son kneeling below, without saying a word.

The wealthy merchant's son couldn't withstand such immense pressure and was sweating profusely.

Soon, his mind collapsed completely.

"Your Majesty, someone told me to do it! He said that if I did this, I would not only get the family property but also receive a large sum of money!"

"哗——" (Hua - sound of an uproar)

The hall erupted in an uproar.

No one had expected this result.

It turned out that the son had murdered his father!

Censor-in-chief Ma Ren stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, this man is insane and has completely lost his humanity. I implore Your Majesty to execute this man!"

This proposal was immediately endorsed by all the ministers.

Jiang Chen nodded, but he wasn't in a hurry to close the case.

"You said someone told you to do this, who was it?"

The wealthy merchant's son looked somewhat blank and shook his head, "I don't know him. His accent wasn't from our area, but more like the Beijing dialect."

哗—— (Hua - sound of an uproar)

The hall once again erupted in an uproar.

A person with a Beijing accent traveled thousands of miles to Yicheng just to help an unfilial son murder his father? And promised to give him extra money?

This was definitely not right!

Everyone's eyes immediately fell on the composed physician standing to the side.

This wealthy merchant had no connection with the capital, and the only one with connections to the capital was this physician.

A few ministers immediately thought of Consort Le through the physician's identity and couldn't help but feel shocked.

This matter actually involved the competition for the Empress's position!

Jiang Chen instantly confirmed the truth behind this matter, and his gaze turned cold.

To dare to play tricks on him was truly audacious!

"Wu Zuo, take him down and interrogate him thoroughly. You must find the person he spoke of!"

After the court session, Jiang Chen returned to the Qin Zheng Hall.

After thinking for a moment, he called for Jing Yue.

"Have the Shadow Guards investigate any recent unusual movements among the relatives of my consorts."

After giving these instructions, Jiang Chen began reviewing the memorials as usual.

At this time, Feng Jin came to report, "Your Majesty, the Wise Imperial Noble Consort and Consort Le are both here to request an audience."

Jiang Chen paused his brush, a trace of understanding flashing in his eyes.

The Wise Imperial Noble Consort?

She had not come for the past few days, but now she had resumed her visits. This clearly had a reason.

These thoughts flashed through his mind, and Jiang Chen said calmly, "Summon the Wise Imperial Noble Consort first."

The Wise Imperial Noble Consort quickly walked in gracefully, a smile on her face, but her eyes fixed on Jiang Chen's expression.

Jiang Chen said with a smile, "Consort said she was feeling unwell these past few days, is she feeling better today?"

The Wise Imperial Noble Consort was stunned, then quickly smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am much better today."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chen knew that the accusation against Consort Le's senior brother was inextricably linked to the Qiao family.

What he had just said about feeling unwell was just something he had said casually.

But the Wise Imperial Noble Consort had admitted to it, obviously because something had happened that made her panic and forget whether she had said it or not.

Unaware that Jiang Chen had already tested her, the Wise Imperial Noble Consort said, "Now that my body is slightly better, I hurried over to report to Your Majesty on the operation of the Charity Foundation."

As she spoke, the Wise Imperial Noble Consort took out an account book, preparing to introduce it to Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen reached out and pressed down on the Wise Imperial Noble Consort's hand, smiling and saying, "Consort is already several months pregnant, don't overwork yourself so much. You should rest more."

The Wise Imperial Noble Consort was instantly overjoyed.

His Majesty was so concerned about her!

It seemed that he had not become suspicious!

That's great!

Thinking of this, the Wise Imperial Noble Consort smiled sweetly, "Since Your Majesty has said so, then I will definitely do as you say."

"That's obedient."

Jiang Chen nodded and then said, "Feng Jin, send the Wise Imperial Noble Consort back to her palace, and tell the imperial physicians to pay close attention to the Wise Imperial Noble Consort's health at all times!"

"Yes!"

After the Wise Imperial Noble Consort left, Jiang Chen had Consort Le summoned in again.

Consort Le's face was full of smiles today, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for clearing my senior brother and father's names!"

Jiang Chen smiled and said, "Right and wrong will be judged fairly."

Consort Le nodded repeatedly and then said, "Your Majesty, I heard that the person who made the false accusation said that he was instructed to do so?"

Jiang Chen nodded, "That's right."

Consort Le knelt on the ground and said, "Please, Your Majesty, be sure to find out who is behind this, so as to prevent more people from being harmed!"

The smile on Jiang Chen's face faded away, "Rest assured, Consort, I will."

In the evening of that day, Jing Yue had the results of the investigation.

"Your Majesty, there have been considerable movements in five families recently."

"The Li family has bought up a residential area in the east of the city, the Hu family's heir has gone north to expand business... and the Qiao family has exchanged a large amount of silver at the money house."

After hearing this, Jiang Chen combined it with the actions of the Wise Imperial Noble Consort and had a certain guess in his mind.

"Alright, I understand."

Jiang Chen sighed.

The Wise Imperial Noble Consort was very clever, and the Qiao family's methods were also good.