Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 415 The emperor is angry

When Wang Yan said that, Shen Zhongzhen came to his senses. He was so grief-stricken that he almost let Xia Mengxian take advantage of the situation.

Regardless of whether Xia Mengxian had any connection with the demonic cult, he could not escape his guilt.

"Minister Xia," the Emperor suddenly spoke again at this moment, "is Minister Wang's statement correct?"

Xia Mengxian didn't know how to answer.

"I ask you, is what Minister Wang said correct?"

The Emperor suddenly raised his voice and rose from his throne, startling Xia Mengxian, who was standing. The Emperor was always kind and rarely showed strong emotions.

Today is clearly different.

At this moment, the emperor no longer had a calm and profound expression, but rather an indignant face, with two flames burning in his eyes, and his cheeks were abnormally flushed.

"I have always believed that I am not incompetent as the emperor, and I am quite receptive to advice in court. I am afraid of being labeled as a dictator."

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhongzhen and Xia Mengxian immediately knelt down.

The Emperor suddenly sneered, “I value the Censorate and allow you to argue with me about right and wrong. You can speak out on hearsay and impeach anyone who hears something.”

"It was all for the purpose of rectifying the court and cleaning up corruption among officials."

"I thought that even if I could not present a prosperous era during my reign, I could at least have a clear and just society. But I never expected that right under my nose, the Ministry of Justice would dare to tamper with documents, distort the truth, and fabricate charges."

"All of this was done in just a few hours. An honest and upright official was imprisoned, while a bloodthirsty criminal was still regarded as a 'great virtue'."

"Is it that your consciences have gone bad, or do you think I'm blind?"

Xia Mengxian trembled and immediately prostrated himself on the ground, saying, "Your Majesty, I am ashamed."

The Emperor pointed at Xia Mengxian: "You have failed me, you have betrayed my trust, you have used the power I gave you to do whatever you want, you have caused the court to lose its dignity, and I to lose face, but that doesn't matter... You have failed the people of the world, and you have failed the innocent souls who died unjustly."

When the words "wrongfully died" were mentioned, Shen Zhongzhen's eyes reddened even more.

The two nuns in the main hall were already paralyzed with fear.

"I have no face to see my ancestors."

These were harsh words, and everyone knelt down.

The Emperor turned his back, unwilling to look at Xia Mengxian again, and said, "You all say that I don't need to personally review memorials or do everything myself, fine..."

"Leave this person and this case to the Central Secretariat, let them discuss it and come to a conclusion, and give the people an explanation."

The official seemed to have exhausted all his strength, and his life force was drained in an instant. He wanted to leave like this, but then he stopped.

"Let me think about it now," the Emperor said calmly, turning his head again and looking at Xia Mengxian. "How much is left?"

This time, Xia Mengxian swayed and almost couldn't hold on.

When the official said "how many more are there?", he meant how many more similar incidents there were.

These words subtly warned countless people. Everything that happened in the palace tonight will surely spread, and many officials will be sleepless all night. Even if these officials choose to protect themselves, they will not speak up for him in court.

Cold sweat dripped down Xia Mengxian's forehead. Moreover, everyone knew that the Emperor's decision to hand over this case to the Secretariat-Chancellery was not a genuine abandonment, but rather an attempt to see how the ministers would render their judgment.

If the emperor is not satisfied, the current political situation may change.

The ministers have always opposed the emperor personally approving government affairs. If they cannot do their own job well, what face do they have to advise the emperor?
Therefore, he will definitely be severely punished in this case. Even if he has nothing to do with the demonic sect, he will lose his position as Minister of Justice and his career will be ruined.

Xia Mengxian closed his eyes and took a deep breath. It was only after the Emperor had been gone for a long time that he managed to get up from the ground, but he immediately met Shen Chongzhen's sharp gaze. "Minister Xia was so afraid his son would suffer that he went to great lengths to get him out of prison," Shen Chongzhen said. "I can understand; after all, he's his own flesh and blood."

“I’m envious too,” Shen Zhongzhen said, taking a few steps forward to Xia Mengxian’s side. “How does it feel to protect your own children? I’d like to try it too.”

Xia Mengxian looked at Shen Zhongzhen, wanting to say something, but under that gaze, he couldn't open his mouth.

How would Shen Chongzhen protect his children? Naturally, he would do everything in his power to clear his daughter's name and comfort their souls in heaven. He not only had to punish the culprits, but also deal with the man who almost suppressed the case.

In extreme terror, Xia Mengxian began to speak: "I really don't know if this case is related to the disappearance of Lady Shen." He immediately regretted it after saying that.

This statement is tantamount to admitting that he knew everything Weng Yi had done.

Shen Chongzhen suddenly smiled, then stopped talking and quickly walked out of the hall.

After Wang Yan finished organizing the documents, he was about to leave the main hall when he brushed past Xia Mengxian. Suddenly, Xia Mengxian asked, "Was that you?"

This case came out of nowhere. Whether it was intentionally targeting him or not, at least there were arrangements made against him from the beginning.

Such meticulous thinking is beyond Xu Huaiyi's capabilities.

It was precisely because Xu Huaiyi was handling the case that Xia Mengxian was careless and handed it over directly to Weng Yi. Xu Huaiyi was skilled at solving cases, but knew nothing else, so he was not difficult to deal with.

Someone clearly took all of this into account.

Wang Yan and Xia Mengxian exchanged glances, but Wang Yan only looked at Xia Mengxian for a moment before looking away, clearly not wanting to waste any more energy.

Xia Mengxian felt as if a rag had been stuffed into his chest, making it impossible for him to breathe. He wanted to catch up with Wang Yan and continue to interrogate him, but he stumbled and took several steps back before regaining his footing.

The vast Chuigong Hall was eerily silent, as if no one had noticed him.

Xia Mengxian rested for a moment before struggling to step out of the palace gate. As he left, he couldn't help but turn back and look around, wondering when he would be able to return here.

……

In Cining Palace.

The women of the Shen family did not leave the palace and continued to wait for news with the Empress Dowager.

When they learned that Xia Mengxian's case had been handed over to the Secretariat by the Emperor, the women of the Shen family breathed a sigh of relief, while the Empress Dowager remained calm, clearly having expected this outcome.

"The Emperor will give Fourth Sister justice."

Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, the women of the Shen family all rose and bowed to her.

"Get up, all of you," the Empress Dowager said. "Now that there is a result, you can go back and wait with peace of mind. After the case is closed, make sure to properly handle Fourth Sister's funeral arrangements."

Speaking of this, Madam Gao raised her reddened eyes: "Your Majesty, do you think what that nun said is true?"

She didn't finish her sentence, but the Empress Dowager knew what Lady Gao was referring to.

Consort De, standing beside her, was slightly nervous, fearing that her mother's words might displease the Empress Dowager. She could roughly guess what her mother was about to do.

The Empress Dowager said, "You say that Fourth Sister was able to clear her name because of Buddha's protection?"

Madam Gao nodded: "The nun explained it clearly. She first saw a reliquary, and then she remembered nothing. When she came to her senses again, she was in the Sutra Repository."

"Logically speaking, Fourth Sister's remains were dug up by that nun, so how could she not remember? And where is the reliquary?"

Oh well, I tried my best, but I couldn't get to the Empress Dowager. I'll try again tomorrow.