My father ordered me to kill the emperor, but His Majesty bestowed a princess upon me instead.

Qian Rong remained silent for only a moment.

An old fox is indeed an old fox.

If it were Zhou, the person in charge, seeing the private seal against him would probably make his legs go weak.

Qian Rong did not.

He even sighed.

"Lord Shen, Qian Fu is the accountant in my household. It is not surprising that he has the Qian family's private seal."

I said, "It's not surprising."

"If that's the case, how can you prove that I authorized the allocation of these funds?"

Qian Rong looked at me, his tone still gentle.

"Qian Fu's misuse of the seal, alteration of records, and collusion with banks can all be explained. If Lord Shen wants to accuse me, he can't just rely on the word 'money'."

Immediately, some people in the court echoed this sentiment.

"Minister Qian's words make sense."

"It's not uncommon for the accountants in the mansion to embezzle funds and frame their masters."

"Shen An's eagerness to investigate the case is somewhat far-fetched."

I looked down and flipped through the book.

No rush.

Especially in situations like this, it's crucial not to rush.

Qian Rong's current playing style is very clear.

They admitted that there were corrupt people under them, that Qian Fu had problems, and that the Qian family's private seal existed.

However, he denied giving the order.

As long as "Qian's approval" is not directly equivalent to "Qian Rong's instructions," he can still stand firm.

I looked up at the emperor.

"Your Majesty, I have three questions for Minister Qian."

The emperor said, "Ask."

I looked at Qian Rong.

"First, was Qian Fu the accountant of the Qian family?"

Qian Rong said, "Yes."

"Secondly, was Qian Fu responsible for the Qian family's dealings with external banks?"

"Yes. But if he abuses his position for evil, I failed to notice."

"Third, can Qian Fu mobilize the Ministry of Works' treasury funds?"

Qian Rong finally paused for a moment.

"Of course not."

"it is good."

I immediately followed up: "Where did the eight hundred taels of silver deposited into the Ministry of Works' treasury at Yongfeng's three counters come from?"

Qian Rong frowned.

"This matter should be inquired with the Ministry of Works' treasury."

I turned to Wu Zheng, the official in charge of the Ministry of Works.

Wu Zheng looked very unwell.

He probably didn't expect the fire to suddenly spread to him.

I asked, "Lord Wu, does the release of silver from the Ministry of Works' treasury require approval?"

Wu Zheng forced a smile and said, "Yes, it is necessary."

"Who can approve it?"

"According to the amount, the chief clerk, the secretary, and the vice minister shall approve and sign."

"What about eight hundred taels?"

"Requires the approval of the Vice Minister."

"So, Qian Fu can't take eight hundred taels from the Ministry of Works' treasury on his own?"

Wu Zheng's lips moved slightly.

The entire hall was watching him.

He could only say, "No."

I looked at Qian Rong.

"Minister Qian, Qian Fu cannot transfer silver from the Ministry of Works' treasury. However, Yongfeng's three counters received eight hundred taels of silver from the Ministry of Works' treasury, which was then exchanged for sixteen bearer silver notes. Among them, the cashed silver notes flowed to Tao's ironworks, Shunfeng Carriage and Horse Shop, and Lu's Pharmacy on the back street of the Ministry of Justice. Tao's ironworks has copper buckle molds for the gray-clad assassins, Shunfeng Carriage and Horse Shop participated in the clearing of the old warehouse, and Lu's Pharmacy is involved in the poison that Liu Laoqi was poisoned with."

I copied down the ticket number and presented it to you.

"Can Qian Fu, an accountant, really handle all of this?"

Qian Rong said, "Lord Shen, no matter what you say, it is still Qian Fu's fault."

"What about the funding approval?"

"Qian Fu's Private Notes"

"Where's the final copy?"

"Qian Fu kept it privately."

"What about the Locust Blossom Courtyard?"

"Qian Fu borrowed my villa to hide stolen goods."

I looked at him.

"Minister Qian is such a good servant."

Qian Rong's eyes turned slightly cold.

I said, "An accountant can steal silver from the Ministry of Works' treasury, manipulate carriage and horse shops, bribe iron workshops, contact pharmacies on the back street of the Ministry of Justice, hide the review records in the Vice Minister's villa, and even get Pei's chief attendant Ji Qing to settle his accounts."

I paused for a moment.

"I am somewhat envious."

Someone in the hall couldn't help but chuckle softly, then immediately suppressed it.

Qian Rong's expression finally turned ugly.

"Shen An, refrain from engaging in idle talk in the imperial court!"

"I am not just spouting nonsense," I said. "I just feel that if Qian Fu is really that capable, then Minister Qian should not have made him his accountant."

The emperor glanced at me.

That look seemed to be reminding me not to go too far.

I stopped immediately.

If it goes any further, it'll sound like a storyteller.

I continued flipping through the bottom book.

"My lords, please take a look. The quantity of Yongning stone, the construction period, and the number of craftsmen in the bottom register are nearly half different from the official register of the Ministry of Works. If this register is fake, the forger must also know the official register of the Ministry of Works, the old warehouse transfer, the inner warehouse material room, the Guangchu Gate entrance and exit, Yongfeng silver notes, the Qian Mansion private seal, the carriage and horse company night carriage, and the copper buckle mold of the Tao family iron workshop."

I looked up.

"Does Minister Qian believe that all of this was fabricated by me overnight?"

Qian Rong did not answer immediately.

I added, "If I had this ability, I wouldn't be a seventh-rank censor."

Some people in the court frowned.

I added, "At the very least, he should work as an accountant in the Ministry of Works."

Even Wei Zhi's lips twitched slightly this time.

Qian Rong, however, remained calm.

"Shen An, the authenticity of the register can be verified by the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Censorate. I am not afraid of investigation."

That's a well-said statement.

Because he knew that the review process would take time.

As time goes on, Liu Laoqi may die, Qian Fu may recant his testimony, Ji Qing may disappear, and Yongfeng Banknotes may be wiped out.

The old official is the best at stalling.

Drag it out until the witness dies, until the passion cools, until the emperor loses patience.

Just as I was about to speak, Qian Rong suddenly stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I also have a question."

The emperor said calmly, "Speak."

Qian Rong turned to look at me.

"Lord Shen, since this original document is so important, why are the last few pages missing?"

My heart sank.

finally come.

Qian Rong saw it.

Or rather, he knew all along that a page was missing.

Qian Rong continued, "I have heard that the last half-line before the missing page reads 'Old accounts in the southwest, eleventh year of Chengxi.' The Yongning River case is merely a recent river repair project by the Ministry of Works. Why would it involve old accounts in the southwest?"

The atmosphere in the hall changed.

The word "southwest" is a sensitive topic in the Liang Dynasty court.

Because there were rebel forces in the southwest.

Because of Shen Lie.

I lowered my eyes.

Qian Rong's move was ruthless.

He no longer clung to the Yongning case, but instead brought out the missing pages of the original register, making everyone realize:

The record book in Shen An's possession was incomplete.

If it's incomplete, it might have been tampered with.

Even more critically, the missing pages involve the Southwest region.

Someone in the court immediately said, "Your Majesty, the old camp in the southwest is related to the rebel army; it cannot be taken lightly!"

Another person looked at me.

"Shen An, why did you conceal the missing pages?"

I looked up.

"I have not concealed anything."

"Then why didn't you report it first?"

"I just managed to snatch the original document from the fire, and Vice Minister Qian has already entered the palace with his memorial. If you gentlemen would be willing to give me a meal, a cup of tea, and a moment's sleep, I might be able to write in more detail."

That's not a polite way of putting it.

But I'm really angry.

From last night until now, I've been either at the fire scene, on the road, interrogating people, or being interrogated.

I'm already being very generous to Daliang by not collapsing.

Qian Rong said calmly, "I know you've worked hard, Lord Shen. However, the bottom page of the register is missing, and it involves old grievances in the Southwest, which indicates that the register's origin is complicated. What if someone uses the Yongning case as a pretext to smuggle in old cases of rebels in the Southwest, frame court officials, and destabilize the court?"

it is good.

The knife has finally come full circle.

He was implying that I had connections to the Southwest.

He may not know who I am.

But he knew that those few words were enough to arouse the emperor's suspicion and to silence the court officials.

I looked at the emperor.

Xiao Jingheng sat on the throne, his expression calm.

She remained calm, as if she had known Qian Rong would ask that question.

I suddenly understood why the emperor only gave me three days.

Because he wanted more than just me to investigate Qian Rong.

He also wanted to see if the people behind Qian Rong would play the "old grudges in the Southwest" card.

Now, they've fought.

I took a deep breath.

"Your Majesty, I request that the original register be sealed in the palace and verified by one person each from the Censorate, the Imperial Guard, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Works. I will not shirk my responsibility to investigate the missing pages."

Qian Rong said, "Until the matter is clarified, shouldn't Lord Shen be suspended from his duties to avoid suspicion?"

Some people immediately echoed this.

"I second that opinion."

"The bottom book involves old accounts from the Southwest, and Shen An is investigating the case privately at night. He should indeed avoid suspicion."

"Your Majesty, please temporarily revoke Shen An's authority to investigate the case."

Voices gradually rose from inside the hall.

I stood still, my fingers slightly clenched.

In this round, Qian Rong did not refute all the evidence.

But he seized on the missing page and dragged me into the quagmire of avoiding suspicion.

If I am suspended from my post, who will review the records, who will examine the witnesses, who will interrogate Qian Fu, and who will save Liu Laoqi? Everything will have to change.

This is a counterattack.

I won't kill you with one blow.

It means you should get out of this case.

The emperor finally spoke.

"Shen An".

"Your subject is here."

"What did you say?"

I looked up at him.

"I will not avoid suspicion."

The whole hall fell silent.

I continued, "If I were to avoid suspicion, Qian Fu would die tonight, Liu Laoqi would die tomorrow, and Ji Qing would be able to change his name the day after tomorrow. The bottom register would become thinner and thinner with each verification, until finally only an empty register remained."

Qian Rong said coldly, "Lord Shen is slandering a court official!"

I looked at him.

"Minister Qian, if I had wanted to avoid suspicion last night, the records would have already been burned."

Qian Rong choked.

I turned to the emperor, knelt down, and said:

"Your Majesty, I am willing to sign a military pledge."

The court was in uproar.

The emperor's eyes finally moved.

"What military order?"

"Your Majesty, please grant me twenty-four hours."

I said, word by word, "Within twenty-four hours, I will investigate the Yongfeng silver notes, Qian Fu's confession, and the three lines of Qian's approvals, and produce sufficient evidence to arrest Qian Rong and impeach Ji Qing."

"If I cannot produce it, I request to be imprisoned."

The hall fell completely silent.

Qian Rong looked at me, and his eyes finally changed.

It was the first time I truly felt that I was more than just a young censor who could audit accounts.

He's a reckless madman.

The emperor remained silent for a moment.

Then, he slowly said:

"allow."

My heart is broken.

The other half is still hanging there.

The emperor continued:

"Twenty-four hours."

"If they can't find anything, you'll be in jail."

"You have been able to investigate. I hereby grant you permission to review the Yongning case in the imperial court."

I kowtowed.

"Your subject obeys the decree."

When I got up, my vision went black.

It's not fear.

It's because I haven't slept for too long.

I steadied myself by holding onto the long table.

Qian Rong looked at me and whispered:

"Lord Shen, you will regret this."

I smiled.

"Minister Qian, you said those words before."

I picked up the bottom volume and turned to walk out of the hall.

Behind them, the emperor's voice rang out again.

"Shen An".

I stopped.

"Your subject is here."

Xiao Jingheng said calmly:

"If you lose another witness in these twenty-four hours, I will remove you from your post right now, without waiting until tomorrow."

I closed my eyes.

very nice.

Add another knife.

I bowed and said, "Your subject obeys the decree."

As I walked out of the Golden Temple, the sunlight stung my eyes.

Ah Liu was waiting for me outside the hall, holding three hot pancakes in his hands.

As soon as he saw me, he jogged over.

"Young master, did you win?"

I took the hot pancake and took a bite.

Hot.

Really fragrant.

"We didn't win."

Ah Liu's face turned pale.

"You lost?"

"We didn't lose either."

"What does that count for?"

I looked towards the palace gate.

"That means I've lived for another twenty-four hours."