Chapter 65: Wei Zhongxian Cries Injustice

At this point, the matter had reached a stage where there was no retreat. If he interrogated Yao Zongwen and the others under torture, what would he become? Wei Zhongxian was still watching—that was absolutely impermissible. But if he did not interrogate Yao Zongwen and the others, he would have no way to account for himself. How would His Majesty view him?

Why not simply overturn the table? By protecting Yao Zongwen and the others, he would earn a good reputation. At the very least, he could go lecture at the Donglin Academy and mentor the younger generation.

With this thought, Yang Lian raised his head, looked at Zou Yuanbiao, and nodded directly. "In that case, let's handle it this way."

Seeing Yang Lian agree, Zou Yuanbiao's mood improved considerably. He smiled and said, "This time we are eliminating traitors for the state—a great undertaking. I will invite loyal and upright men from the court to join in this grand endeavor. Once Wei Zhongxian is removed and the court is stable, you will surely be reinstated. When you return bearing a spotless reputation, your name will resound across the realm."

Yang Lian nodded and said with a smile, "This journey is to eliminate traitors for the state—naturally, I must prepare well. I shall return and write a routine memorial."

Having said this, Yang Lian clasped his fists, turned, and left with his head held high.

Watching Yang Lian's retreating figure, the smile on Zou Yuanbiao's face slowly faded. He hoped that this time, he could guide His Majesty back onto the proper path.

The Forbidden City, Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Youxiao was eating noodles.

After these days of recuperation, his health had improved considerably—his appetite had grown these past days. Abstaining from women, being young, and not troubling himself over state affairs, Zhu Youxiao's body had recovered quite well.

Today he suddenly craved noodles, so Zhu Youxiao had someone make him a large bowl.

Eating noodles with garlic, Zhu Youxiao ate until he was drenched in sweat, thoroughly enjoying himself. He picked up a chopstickful of braised pork and sent it into his mouth, feeling utterly satisfied.

The imperial chefs were truly skilled—even a big bowl of noodles could be made so delicious. Setting down the large bowl, Zhu Youxiao patted his belly with contentment. Wonderful.

"Alright, clear it away!" Zhu Youxiao waved his hand.

Chen Hong had long grown accustomed to this.

His Majesty had been like this all these days—no rules when it came to food, basically eating whatever he wanted. The key point was that he didn't want many dishes either; four dishes per meal was enough. His clothing was also simple, basically just a comfortable outfit. His Majesty hated fuss.

In Chen Hong's view, His Majesty was frugal—truly a good emperor.

In fact, Zhu Youxiao simply found it annoying. As for four dishes, Zhu Youxiao felt that was sufficient. What was the use of having so many? Empress Dowager Cixi ate over a hundred dishes per meal—could she even finish them?

Zhu Youxiao felt it was entirely unnecessary. In a few days, he would find Xu Guangqi and get some chili peppers or something, see about making hotpot, or maybe some skewers.

Just as Zhu Youxiao was pondering food, Chen Hong hurried in from outside again, coming to his side and saying, "Your Majesty, Wei Zhongxian has arrived."

Wei Zhongxian is here? What is he doing here?

"Let him in!" Zhu Youxiao thought for a moment, then said directly.

Before long, Wei Zhongxian walked in from outside, his face bearing an anxious expression, along with fear.

Upon seeing Zhu Youxiao, Wei Zhongxian dropped to his knees with a thud and said in an urgent voice, "Your Majesty, something has happened! Those people, those people are colluding."

Zhu Youxiao was taken aback. Colluding? To do what?

A conspiracy to rebel? Attempting to overthrow his rule? Who would be so bold?

"Who is colluding? Colluding about what?" Zhu Youxiao looked at Wei Zhongxian and asked.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it's those people from the Donglin Faction—they are colluding." Wei Zhongxian said hurriedly, while a glint of cunning and malice flashed through his eyes.

He had long wanted to brand these people as forming cliques for private gain, and now the opportunity had finally come. Or rather, these people had finally given him the chance. Wei Zhongxian's heart was trembling with excitement, yet his face still wore a worried and urgent expression.

The Donglin Faction?

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Wei Zhongxian. Was he preparing to compile a Donglin roll of honor?

"What do they intend to do?" Zhu Youxiao looked at Wei Zhongxian and asked in a deep voice.

"They say Yao Zongwen and the others were all framed by this slave. They want to overturn the case for Yao Zongwen and the others, and impeach your servant." Saying this, Wei Zhongxian pressed his head to the ground, his face full of terror as he said, "Your Majesty, this slave is utterly loyal and has never done such a thing. They are confounding black and white—they are bullying this slave!"

Looking at Wei Zhongxian's pitiful appearance, Zhu Youxiao's heart remained utterly unmoved, because he knew Wei Zhongxian was putting on an act.

At this very moment, Wei Zhongxian was probably so happy he could jump for joy. But Zhu Youxiao also knew what Wei Zhongxian was performing this show for.

Plainly put, it was to provoke the Emperor's wrath, to make him, Zhu Youxiao, believe that these people were indeed forming cliques for private gain.

What "bullying Wei Zhongxian"? What Wei Zhongxian really meant was that these people were actually bullying the Emperor himself.

"Outrageous!" Zhu Youxiao slammed the table violently and bellowed, "These people are this audacious? This is forming a clique—this is forming a clique!"

Seeing Zhu Youxiao's anger, Wei Zhongxian was overjoyed. Sure enough, His Majesty was angry. Just wait and see how I deal with you all this time.

"Go back and wait. I want to see what they intend to do." Zhu Youxiao looked at Wei Zhongxian and said loudly.

"This slave takes his leave." Wei Zhongxian acknowledged, then bowed and retreated.

Zhu Youxiao watched Wei Zhongxian's retreating figure, his expression slowly calming. He turned to look at Chen Hong and asked with a smile, "Chen Hong, what do you think Wei Zhongxian means by this?"

Chen Hong shuddered and hastily said, "Th-this slave does not know."

Zhu Youxiao smiled even more. In truth, the act Wei Zhongxian was putting on—or rather, this whole performance—was never intended to deceive the Emperor. That is to say, he didn't think these words could fool or provoke the Emperor. He was simply telling the Emperor: this is how guileless I am; even if I have some cunning, this is the extent of it.

Being stupid won't do, and being cunning won't do either. But being stupid with a bit of scheming—that works. If your schemes are so foolish that the Emperor can see through them at a glance, then the Emperor will feel he can control you.

This is also a way of concealing one's abilities. Moreover, what you're doing is taking the blame for the Emperor, so the Emperor will naturally go along with it, while also deriving the pleasure of controlling you.

Zhu Youxiao had to admit—Wei Zhongxian was indeed clever!

"Make a fuss then—the bigger the fuss, the better." Zhu Youxiao said softly with an expressionless face.

He wasn't afraid of the commotion now. The bigger it got, the better.

The court needed to be purged anyway, and the Donglin Faction needed to be purged too. This was the perfect opportunity to see who could be used and who was worth using.

Zhu Youxiao continued to skip court sessions, but outside, there was a feeling of wind gathering and storms brewing.

Everyone knew that what had been hidden for so long was finally about to explode. Everyone was waiting, all eyes fixed on the situation.

At this moment, Yang Lian entered the palace.