The Regent's Estate
Xue Wenjie looked at the subservient Minister of Justice, Zhu Keyu, his expression impossibly cold. "Are you telling me you failed to capture Zhou Zheng tong?"
His voice was a chilling frost.
Zhu Keyu couldn't help but shiver and quickly knelt, begging for mercy. "Your Highness, please forgive me. I was absolutely certain I could capture the man, but the Prime Minister appeared halfway and this subordinate… was truly powerless."
Upon hearing this, Xue Wenjie almost gritted his teeth, spitting out the words, "Hua Yunjin, you truly oppose me at every turn."
"Your Highness, you know I am no match for the Prime Minister, neither in official rank nor in other respects. I…"
"Get out…" Xue Wenjie roared.
Zhu Keyu dared not delay any further and quickly retreated.
Jin Ming, who had remained silent, stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, Zhou Zheng tong is of little help to you. You don't need to be so angry."
Xue Wenjie replied coldly, "I am not angry because I couldn't catch Zhou Zheng tong, but because Hua Yunjin opposes me in everything. I have tolerated him for a long time."
Now it was even more impossible to deal with Hua Yunjin, especially with the Empress's appointed Feng Yin by his side.
With Feng Yin in hand, who could get close?
Jin Ming said, "Your Highness, there is no need to rush. I recently received news that the Hua family head went to Hua Mansion."
Xue Wenjie looked at Jin Ming. "What does this have to do with me?"
Jin Ming smiled meaningfully. "Your Highness may not know, but the Hua family head once expelled the widowed Madam Hua and Hua Yunjin from the Hua family."
Xue Wenjie narrowed his eyes. "Are you suggesting I use this to my advantage?"
Jin Ming's lips curved upwards, his tone unfathomably mysterious. "If the Hua family head were to die in the capital, what do you think would happen to the Hua family, Your Highness?"
Xue Wenjie's displeasure dissipated considerably upon hearing this. "Handle this matter, and I will reward you handsomely."
"Yes, Your Highness. I shall make arrangements immediately." Jin Ming retreated.
Xue Wenjie sneered, gazing into the distance. "Hua Yunjin, how will you escape my grasp this time?"
Hua Zhengxian was drowning his sorrows in a tavern. He had been driven out of the Hua Mansion.
After another drink, he sighed. If he had known Hua Yunjin would reach the position of Prime Minister, how could he have treated the Hua family mother and son that way?
But there was no regret medicine in the world. He had already made his choices. The Hua family in Binzhou was declining day by day. For the Hua family to regain its former glory, its disciples needed to participate in the imperial examinations in the capital. However, with no acquaintances in the capital, they would inevitably be controlled everywhere. He had come to Hua Mansion this time hoping Hua Yunjin would help, given they were both from the Hua family.
Unfortunately, before he could finish speaking, Hua Yunjin had assumed he was sent with ulterior motives.
How would he face the Hua family members upon his return?
Hua Zhengxian felt a pang of regret.
Just then, someone approached and sat opposite him, asking, "Are you Hua Zhengxian? The Hua family head?"
Hua Zhengxian looked up. Upon seeing the person before him, he was utterly astonished. "You… you are…"
"Hua family head, might you accompany me?" the newcomer asked calmly.
After his initial surprise, Hua Zhengxian nodded.
After the two departed, someone else entered, donned Hua Zhengxian's clothes, and resumed Hua Zhengxian's previous seat.
A quarter of an hour later, an individual entered from outside and asked the white-haired elder seated there, "Are you Hua Zhengxian, the Hua family head?"
"Who are you…"
Hua Mansion
Hua Yunjin glanced at the soldiers surrounding the mansion and narrowed his eyes. He looked at Zhu Keyu standing at the entrance and asked coldly, "Lord Zhu, what is the meaning of this?"
Zhu Keyu felt he had never been able to look at the man he once had to bow to with such arrogance. "Prime Minister, you are involved in a murder case and need to cooperate and accompany us to the Ministry of Justice."
"A murder case?" Hua Yunjin sneered. "Lord Zhu, have you lost your mind, throwing any dirt at me?"
Zhu Keyu smiled meaningfully. "Prime Minister, please do not be agitated. This subordinate would not dare to slander you. It's just that this murder case might involve you."
Hua Yunjin's gaze remained cold as he asked, "What murder case?"
Zhu Keyu stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "The Hua family head, Hua Zhengxian. I presume Prime Minister is not unfamiliar with him."
Hua Yunjin's gaze flickered, and he said coldly, "I don't know what Lord Zhu is talking about."
Zhu Keyu's lips curved into a devilish smile. "It's alright if Prime Minister doesn't know what I'm talking about. You'll find out once we visit the Ministry of Justice."
With that, Zhu Keyu gestured, and the soldiers stepped forward to take Hua Yunjin away.
Just then, two people appeared out of nowhere and sent those attempting to touch Hua Yunjin flying.
Zhu Keyu looked at the two figures, who seemed like divine generals, with utter astonishment. After a moment, he regained his composure. Could these two be the legendary Feng Yin?
The appearance of Feng Yin prevented anyone from daring to approach.
Seeing this, Zhu Keyu did not want to let such a good opportunity slip away. He said coldly, "Prime Minister, if you have nothing to hide, why do you fear accompanying us to the Ministry of Justice?"
Hua Yunjin sneered in response, "False accusations are easy to make. Why should I fear? I merely fear you acting in the shadows. I wish to meet His Majesty personally."
Hua Yunjin believed Zhu Keyu merely intended to eliminate him with baseless charges and that he must not fall into this trap.
However, to his surprise, Zhu Keyu was unafraid. "Very well. This subordinate will accompany Prime Minister to the palace."
Hua Yunjin narrowed his eyes, a sense of unease stirring within him.
The Imperial Study
Zhu Keyu looked up at the Empress seated on the throne. He had only watched her from afar before. Now, being so close, he realized how slender and delicate the Empress was.
She was still like a naive young girl.
But he knew this girl was no ordinary maiden. She was the Empress of Huangze, the one the Regent had been plotting to replace.
Xue Zining cast a faint glance at Zhu Keyu. "Lord Zhu says the Prime Minister is involved in a murder case. Could you explain the entire sequence of events?"
The girl's voice was clear and pleasant to hear. Zhu Keyu snapped back to attention. "Yes."
As Zhu Keyu narrated, Hua Yunjin's gaze gradually grew colder.
He knew that what Zhu Keyu said might be true.
"Your Majesty, the body of the Hua family head is currently lying in the Ministry of Justice," Zhu Keyu stated confidently.
The young Empress looked troubled. She gazed at Hua Yunjin and said, "Prime Minister, if you are truly involved in this matter, I…"
Hua Yunjin closed his eyes, then opened them, his gaze clear. "Your subject will accept his guilt."
The Empress's gaze deepened. She looked at Zhu Keyu and said, "Lord Zhu, this matter is of great importance and requires careful consideration. What do you think?"
Zhu Keyu, thinking that the monk could run but the temple could not, was about to nod when a cold voice from outside was heard, "Your Majesty, are you intending to shield the Prime Minister?"