Greed and embezzlement to fill the holes. These words were simply fatal.

Qiu Shiyi Niang’s face turned pale, and she glanced at Yu Qingwu with extreme guilt. “Yu Liangdi, you… you must not speak nonsense!”

“Don’t think of dragging others down with you just because you’re not clean yourself.”

Qiu Shiyi Niang’s eyes contained anger, and she deliberately raised her voice, as if a loud voice would make her seem more reasonable.

Emperor Wei Jing was already dissatisfied with Qiu Shiyi Niang, and seeing that she still wanted to loudly protest her innocence, he immediately scolded her, “Qiu shi, what are you making such a fuss about? Do you know where you are?”

After speaking, he looked at Yu Qingwu again and asked coldly, “Yu Liangdi, you say that the Shen and Qiu families killed people and seized their wealth to fill the holes of their embezzlement, but do you have evidence? Do you know that slandering court officials is a serious crime!”

Of course, she knew that slandering court officials was a serious crime, but now that she had reached a dead end, she had to fight to the death…

Yu Qingwu pursed her lips and did not answer, but turned to look at Xie Jin Yan.

Since Xie Jin Yan dared to use this matter to threaten Qiu shi, he must have some evidence in his hands.

Peach blossom eyes rippled with helplessness, gazing at the man hopefully.

In her heart, there was some apprehension, and also a bit of fear.

Seeing her expression, Emperor Wei Jing naturally understood something, his eyes turned cold, and he asked Xie Jin Yan in a deep voice, “Lao Wu, do you have anything to say?”

Hearing this, Xie Qiyun and Qiu Shiyi Niang also turned their gazes to Xie Jin Yan.

A flicker of something flashed in both of their eyes, especially Qiu Shiyi Niang, her palms were clenched tightly, and even some sweat was breaking out on her forehead.

Xie Jin Yan cast a mocking glance at her damp forehead, slowly walked in front of Emperor Wei Jing, looked at Xie Qiyun with feigned difficulty, and said, “Replying to Father Emperor, this son does have some evidence in hand, but…”

“But what?” Seeing Xie Jin Yan hesitating, Emperor Wei Jing impatiently pressed him.

Originally, it was just an apprentice who was disobedient and killed his master out of hatred, but now it had developed into officials embezzling and exterminating entire families to fill the holes.

Daring to do such a thing right under his nose, what great胆!

Emperor Wei Jing’s face was gloomy, and anger spread in his eyes. While suspecting the Qiu and Shen families, he couldn’t help but question Wang shi, who was testifying.

Seeing the unkind look in Emperor Wei Jing’s eyes, Wang shi felt a chill in her heart and hurriedly lowered her head in fright.

Emperor Wei Jing ignored her and urged Xie Jin Yan again, “Lao Wu, say what you have to say. If the Qiu and Shen families really became moths of the court and did such outrageous things, I will never spare them.”

These words were said to Qiu Shiyi Niang.

Qiu Shiyi Niang was already a little uneasy, and Emperor Wei Jing’s words made her even more afraid. Although everything had been discussed with her father, she was still afraid that something would go wrong.

Especially when she met Xie Jin Yan’s eyes, which contained a cold smile, cold sweat broke out on her back without her noticing.

Xie Jin Yan looked at her coldly for a moment, then withdrew his gaze, cupped his hands, and replied to Emperor Wei Jing with extreme seriousness, “Father Emperor, this matter, this son initially heard about it from A-Wu. Thinking of venting some anger for A-Wu, I investigated, and indeed found a lot of evidence of embezzlement by the Shen and Qiu families, but this evidence is not yet complete, so this son has not reported it to you…”

“Most importantly… this matter… concerns Eldest Brother…”

Xie Jin Yan raised his eyes to look at Xie Qiyun, and did not continue speaking.

But these few words alone were enough for Emperor Wei Jing to understand the reason for his hesitation just now.

It was nothing more than considering the face of the royal family because there were still outsiders present, and also considering the brotherly affection to some extent.

Xie Jin Yan’s understanding made Xie Qiyun, who was already resentful of seducing Qiu Shiyi Niang, even more resentful.

Seeing that his Father Emperor seemed to have the intention of blaming him, Xie Qiyun hurriedly retorted, angrily saying to Xie Jin Yan, “Fifth Brother, don’t slander me! When the Yu family had their accident, I was only twelve or thirteen years old, and I didn’t have an official position in hand. Even if I wanted to embezzle, there would be no way.”

No way?

That’s right, Xie Qiyun was born dull and was enlightened later than the other brothers. When he was twelve or thirteen years old, others were already helping Father Emperor handle government affairs, but Xie Qiyun was still climbing trees to steal bird nests.

However, not having done it at twelve or thirteen years old does not mean that he didn’t do it later.

Xie Jin Yan looked up at Xie Qiyun’s self-righteous face, a trace of sarcasm flashed in his eyes, frowned, and chuckled, “Eldest Brother, I didn’t say that the Yu family’s extermination was related to you, why are you in such a hurry to explain? What I’m saying is, during the snow disaster a while ago, a large number of refugees poured into the city from outside. Didn’t I ask you to provide disaster relief? But Eldest Brother, why are those refugees still causing trouble outside the city, and even… a few days ago, there was an incident of refugees robbing and injuring people due to lack of food. I have always wanted to ask Eldest Brother, the silver taels were clearly enough, why did such a vicious incident still occur?”

Xie Jin Yan questioned repeatedly, and Xie Qiyun’s face turned pale.

He subconsciously looked at Emperor Wei Jing, stammering to argue, “Fifth Brother, you really don’t know how expensive firewood and rice are when you’re not in charge of a household. Those silver taels only briefly solved the immediate problem and cannot completely cure the disaster.”

“Speaking of this, I have been thinking about asking you for another sum of silver taels these few days.”

Xie Qiyun said seriously, but his eyes were erratic.

Especially when he saw Xie Jin Yan sizing him up, his eyes flickered even more.

Xie Jin Yan stared at him coldly for a moment, and did not waste any more words with him, but turned to Emperor Wei Jing and continued, “Father Emperor, since this son dares to say it, naturally I have evidence. Previously, I was only concerned about brotherly affection, and I have not reported it to Father Emperor. Originally, I thought that this son would take out some silver taels to cover for Eldest Brother, and this matter would be over, but now this Shen family and Qiu family are embezzling and harming people themselves, and they still want to force this son’s wife to death. This son cannot stand by and watch his wife being bullied, so I have no choice but to involve Eldest Brother as well.”

“In a while, this son will have someone present the small tickets for Eldest Brother’s purchase of grain and the account books he recorded to Father Emperor. As long as a comparison is made, it will naturally be clear whether Eldest Brother has embezzled.”

Xie Qiyun, who was still trying his best to refute just now, instantly turned ashen-faced after hearing Xie Jin Yan’s words.

Emperor Wei Jing pinched the jade band on his thumb and looked at Xie Qiyun coldly, the anger in his eyes growing stronger and stronger.

With a snap!

He slammed the teacup heavily on Xie Qiyun’s forehead again, gnashing his teeth and scolding, “You wicked thing! You even dare to embezzle disaster relief money! I think you’re tired of living!”

“Lao Wu, you, immediately bring the account books up.”

Emperor Wei Jing was furious and wanted to kill Xie Qiyun immediately.

Xie Qiyun was so frightened that he knelt on the ground, and Qiu Shiyi Niang beside him was also dumbfounded. Wasn’t this about Yu Qingwu killing someone? How did it turn into interrogating Xie Qiyun?

Seeing this scene, Wang shi was also dumbfounded. She looked at Yu Qingwu, then at Emperor Wei Jing, and timidly interjected, “Your Majesty, embezzlement is one thing, may I ask how Yu Liangdi should be dealt with for killing a relative of this commoner?”