Ning Dao Covered with Snow

Chapter 397 House Arrest
The emperor said calmly, "You have followed me for many years and have always been loyal. Among all the civil and military officials, you are the one I trust the most, so I have never doubted you."

Fu Zheng lifted his robe and knelt on one knee, declaring firmly, "Your Majesty, I swear to Heaven that I have never harbored any disloyalty towards you. Otherwise, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death!"

The emperor raised his hand, gesturing for him to stand up and speak.

"You don't need to be so agitated. The reason I called you here is to clarify things with you so as to avoid further misunderstandings."

"Although I occasionally meet and drink with old friends from the Shence Army, I have never interfered in the affairs of the Shence Army through them. As for whether there are any traitors in the Shence Army, I really have no idea!"

The emperor slowly asked, "Then how did the remains of your father and son suddenly appear in the Crown Prince's mausoleum? When the people from the Dali Temple went to your house to investigate, not a single person knew when the two remains disappeared. The person who could steal the two remains right under your nose without anyone noticing must not only be highly skilled in martial arts, but also have an extremely good understanding of the terrain of your house. There are not many people who can perfectly meet these two conditions, and you are one of them."

"Your Majesty, I am innocent! I only have my current position because of you. Even if the whole world betrays you, I would never betray you!" Fu Zheng was filled with grievance and anger, but he could not show his emotions in front of the emperor. He could only clench his fists and try his best to suppress them. "If Your Majesty does not believe me, you can send someone to investigate. Last night, I stayed in my bedroom to rest and did not step out of the door."

"I have said that I trust you, but I do not trust the people around you. Just in case, let the Imperial Guard check your residence."

Fu Zheng suppressed his resentment and bowed his head, replying, "Your Majesty, I have a clear conscience. As long as you can clear my name, Your Majesty can investigate however you wish."

The emperor ordered someone to summon Si Buping.

Si Buping's back was a bloody mess, a truly horrifying sight, yet he seemed oblivious to the pain, striding into the Sizheng Hall and bowing respectfully to the emperor.

"I pay my respects to Your Majesty."

The emperor ordered, "Take some men to Fu Zheng's residence and see if the people around him are secretly colluding with Jiang Qiuyu."

"Yes."

Si Buping and Fu Zheng left the Sizheng Hall together.

At this moment, Fu Zheng's expression was even more unpleasant than Si Buping's. The eunuch personally held an umbrella for him and respectfully said, "General, let this servant escort you out of the palace."

Fu Zheng walked down the steps and looked back at the gate of the Hall of Political Thought.

He had followed Li Baizhou for over twenty years and knew Li Baizhou's temperament very well. Li Baizhou was sensitive and prone to overthinking when he was young. After becoming emperor, his mind did not become more open, but rather he became more and more suspicious.

Li Baizhou must have suspected him just now. The reason Li Baizhou didn't take action against him is because he is still useful.

When he's no longer useful, Li Baizhou will definitely get rid of him without hesitation, just like he got rid of Chao Yuanzhi.

Si Buping went to the Imperial Hospital to have his wound treated briefly, and then led the guards to Fu Zheng's residence.

The rain was still falling, and the air was very damp and cold. Fu Zheng stood under the corridor, watching the guards go back and forth in the mansion. All the servants in the mansion had been searched, and every place had been searched.

The steward draped a robe over Fu Zheng's shoulders and advised, "It's cold outside, General, please come inside and rest."

Fu Zheng didn't move; he was recalling his experiences over the years.

Since he became the Left General of the Valiant Guard, he has been second only to the emperor in the court, and his power and status have almost reached the pinnacle. The only way to go above that is to be granted the title of king.

But he knew that Li Baizhou would not allow the Daye Dynasty to have a second king of a different surname.

—The first king of a different surname was the King of Xizhou.

The King of Xizhou was already enough of a headache for Li Baizhou; he would never add to his troubles.

The best outcome for Fu Zheng would be to be granted a title of nobility, and then, when he reached a certain age, he would resign from his official post and retire to his hometown to enjoy his later years.

But it's difficult. Because he knows too much.

Fu Zheng had already come to terms with it. He had already planned his own ending. When the King of Xizhou raised an army, he would lead his troops to quell the rebellion and then die on the battlefield, his body wrapped in a horse's hide.

For a military general, the battlefield is his ultimate destiny.

"found it!"

A startled cry brought Fu Zheng back to his senses. He looked in the direction of the sound and saw an inner guard carrying something and rushing off to find Si Buping.

Soon Si Buping appeared in front of Fu Zheng.

"General Fu, we found this in your residence."

As Si Buping spoke, he raised his right hand and revealed a white jade Buddha amulet.

Fu Zheng frowned: "What is this?"

"This is a relic of Prince Renxian."

Fu Zheng's expression changed: "This is not mine. I have never seen it before. How could it be in my residence? Someone must have framed me. I have been wronged!"

"I apologize, but General Fu, please come with us back to the Inner Guard Commandery."

Fu Zheng knew what the Inner Guard Bureau was like, and that once he went in, it would be difficult for him to come out unscathed. Without hesitation, he loudly refused, "I will not go with you. I want to go to the palace to see the Emperor!"

Si Buping didn't make things difficult for him and replied, "Alright, I'll accompany you to the palace."

The two braved the heavy rain to enter the palace again.

When they finally met the emperor, it was already night, and both of them were soaked by the rain and looked quite disheveled.

The emperor asked, "Why have you come again?"

Si Buping recounted what had happened, then handed over the white jade Buddha amulet with both hands.

The emperor took the Buddha amulet, examined it, and then turned to Fu Zheng, wanting to hear his explanation.

Fu Zheng knelt on both knees: "Someone secretly stole the remains of my father and son, deliberately sent them to the Crown Prince's mausoleum, and then used Jiang Qiuyu to make a big fuss about it. They also hid this Buddhist amulet in my residence. This whole thing was a trap. Their purpose was to frame me. I beg Your Majesty to thoroughly investigate this case and clear my name!"

His voice was powerful and resonant, like metal striking stone, making one's eardrums vibrate.

The emperor stroked the white jade Buddha amulet in his hand and slowly said, "I have always believed in you, but investigations require evidence. Now that the Imperial Guards have found the belongings of Crown Prince Renxian in your residence, you must provide evidence to prove that these items have nothing to do with you."

Fu Zheng looked up at him: "Your Majesty should know better than anyone that this humble subject would never pledge allegiance to Crown Prince Renxian!"

"Of course, this matter is indeed strange and the Imperial Guard should investigate it thoroughly. Here's what we'll do: you should go back and rest well for now and not go out, lest you fall into someone else's trap."

Fu Zheng's heart sank; the emperor was about to place him under house arrest.

The emperor entrusted the task of investigating the case to Si Buping.

"I hope you can redeem yourself this time and not disappoint me again."

"Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to uncover the truth and give you a satisfactory explanation!"