Chapter 317: Ordering Guo Wei to Conduct the Interrogation

Inside the temporary palace in Changshe city, the atmosphere had grown noticeably tenser. No extra guards had been added, no patrols increased, yet the defensive posture looked unusually grim. Ever since Liu Chengyou's return, the scene had been like this—everyone around was sharp-witted and knew something major had happened. Even the guards and attendants walked with lighter, more cautious steps.

Zhang Dejun carefully withdrew from before the imperial presence, wiped the sweat from his brow, fixed his direction, and hurried away.

Turning a corner, he nearly collided with the elder Lady Fu, who was approaching with small steps attended by two palace maids. He quickly stepped forward to pay his respects: "I pay my respects to Your Majesty."

"Not attending His Majesty—where are you off to?" the elder Lady Fu asked in a low voice.

"His Majesty is hungry and has ordered me to summon the meal," Zhang Dejun replied.

Gazing toward the end of the corridor, the elder Lady Fu asked, "How goes the situation?"

"This..." Facing the Empress's question, Zhang Dejun's words faltered, his manner betraying hesitation and wariness.

Seeing this, the elder Lady Fu smiled faintly, her pair of clear, water-cool eyes making the eunuch deeply uncomfortable: "What, has His Majesty given instructions that make it inconvenient to speak?"

"No, not at all." Zhang Dejun wore a servile expression, answering carefully: "It's just..."

The elder Lady Fu raised a delicate brow, her pointed chin tilting slightly: "The Empress Dowager misses His Majesty and sent me here to inquire what the situation is before the throne!"

He dared not look the Empress in the eye any longer, burying his head low. Zhang Dejun said respectfully, "His Majesty is brooding in silence. All the accompanying ministers are present—for a full hour now, not a word has been spoken. He just sits there."

"Just sits there?" The elder Lady Fu's phoenix eyes held a thoughtful gleam as she murmured to herself, then asked, "And the Imperial Uncle?"

Zhang Dejun: "The Imperial Uncle and that censor Zhao Li are kneeling in the courtyard corridor, awaiting disposition."

Nodding, the elder Lady Fu did not press further. She gestured to Zhang Dejun: "Go summon the meal. Don't let His Majesty go hungry!"

"Yes!"

"Let us return as well!" Standing there, she pondered briefly, then departed slowly with a graceful bearing.

"Your Majesty, if we simply return like this, how will we answer to the Empress Dowager?" The female attendant beside the elder Lady Fu, a woman of considerable charm and poise, asked in a low voice.

The elder Lady Fu said leisurely, "Have I not already made my inquiry?"

"But, Your Majesty, do you not intend to see His Majesty?"

"His Majesty is busy with weighty matters!" The elder Lady Fu's eyes seemed to flash with keen intelligence, her manner one of perfect understanding. She sighed softly: "With outside ministers all present, we of the inner palace should not disturb them!"

This temporary palace had been prepared by the Xuzhou prefectural office, and Liu Xin had indeed put some thought into it, the furnishings luxurious throughout. When the meal was served, Liu Chengyou did not eat alone but shared it with his ministers, and only after they had taken the edge off their hunger did the atmosphere in the hall become slightly more lively.

"We've been here long enough—there ought to be some resolution now!" Picking up a square of cotton cloth and slowly wiping his mouth, Liu Chengyou swept his gaze over the ministers, who were also dabbing at their lips, and asked.

He rose from the imperial seat and began to pace. Seeing this, the others also stood. Liu Chengyou waved a hand directly: "All of you, sit! I'm tired of sitting. If you're also tired of sitting, you may rise and walk with me—that's fine too!"

Since Liu Chengyou had said as much, the ministers present obediently remained seated.

"Censor Zhao Li has impeached the Military Governor of Xuzhou with ten counts of wrongdoing. Let all of you share your views!" Scanning the room, Liu Chengyou asked with a solemn expression.

Though it was the same question, the tone was different—everyone understood that this time an answer was mandatory.

Murong Yanchao directly cupped his hands and spoke forcefully in Liu Xin's defense: "Your Majesty, Zhao Li is sowing discord among the imperial kin and driving a wedge between ruler and minister—he should be punished!"

"The Imperial Uncle certainly speaks his mind without reservation!"

Su Yugui opened his mouth and let out an old, weary breath: "Your Majesty, the Military Governor of Xuzhou is, after all, the Imperial Uncle. This concerns the dignity of the imperial house..."

Liu Chengyou showed no courtesy whatsoever, unwilling to hear such empty platitudes. He rebuked flatly: "The dignity of the imperial house? When he committed wicked deeds, why was there no concern for it then? If one's conduct is upright, what need is there to cling to the word 'dignity'?"

Having been snubbed, Su Yugui's old brows twitched, and he fell silent.

"Your Majesty, what Zhao Li has alleged is all plausible yet unproven, still awaiting verification. In my humble opinion, we should deliberate at length!" Li Tao also rose to speak.

"Deliberate at length..." Liu Chengyou's expression was unreadable. He took a few steps, then pointed outside the hall and demanded, "We have been in Xuzhou for several days now. You are all senior ministers of the court, with sharp ears and clear eyes—have you truly seen nothing, heard nothing?"

After Liu Chengyou's speech, the ministers fell silent. Dou Zhengu, who had been about to speak, shut his mouth as well. Liu Xin's matter was extraordinarily thorny—no matter how it was handled, obstacles abounded. And the Son of Heaven was like this too: one moment demanding your opinion, the next dissatisfied with what you said. His attitude was worth pondering...

"Chancellor Guo, you speak!" Seeing the ministers' silence, Liu Chengyou called him out by name.

Guo Wei's expression did not change. He too paused for a moment before rising and bowing with clasped hands: "I await Your Majesty's wise decision!"

That Guo Wei—when he wanted to be slippery, he truly wouldn't touch anything, tossing the problem straight back to Liu Chengyou.

Liu Chengyou did not press him, merely shaking his head.

"Your Majesty!" At this moment, Wang Qiwu spoke up on his own initiative, with the air of youthful vigor: "The state has its own laws and statutes. Censor Zhao's words are emphatic, while the Imperial Uncle flatly denies them. Since this is so, in accordance with state regulations, dispatch a capable minister to conduct an interrogation. Take what Zhao Li has alleged, investigate deeply and examine closely, verifying each point. If false, then punish Zhao Li for false accusation; if true, then handle the Imperial Uncle according to law."

"Minister Wang's suggestion is certainly simple and clear!" Liu Chengyou gave a lukewarm evaluation, then waved a hand:

"Have Liu Xin and Zhao Li come in!"

Following Zhang Dejun's announcement, Liu Xin and Zhao Li entered one after the other to pay their respects, both looking somewhat disheveled.

"Kneeling this long—your legs must ache!" Glancing at the two, Liu Chengyou extended a hand: "I am presently agitated and have no mind to hear more from you. Right and wrong, black and white—once the interrogation is concluded, justice will be served!"

"Someone, take the Duke of Cai into custody for questioning!"

"Your Majesty wants to interrogate me?" Liu Xin raised his head and asked Liu Chengyou, seemingly unable to believe it.

"An upright man fears no crooked shadows! The Duke of Cai says Zhao Li speaks nonsense—then he should have no fear of a little examination!"

"Ha!" Seeing Liu Chengyou's solemn expression, Liu Xin wasted no more words. He snorted through his nose and spread his hands: "Should I change into prison clothes and put on a cangue?"

Before the throne, that bearing of defiance even at the moment of reckoning—it truly earned Liu Chengyou's "admiration." He did not quibble with him, merely waving for someone to take him away.

After Liu Xin was led off, Liu Chengyou withdrew his gaze, lowered his head slightly, and slowly resumed pacing: "Among you ministers, who can try this case?"

One by one, those before the throne bowed their heads. Clearly, no one was willing to wade into this murky water. Wang Qiwu was eager to try, but he knew well enough that he lacked the standing.

Having anticipated this reaction, Liu Chengyou did not delay further and directly named his man: "Minister Guo, I will say no more. This case is yours to preside over. I trust that with your abilities, you will surely handle it impartially!"

Guo Wei clearly wished to refuse, but seeing Liu Chengyou's expression, he ultimately submitted obediently.

"All of you, withdraw!"

"Yes!"

"His Majesty has entrusted you with a weighty task—a clear sign of his trust. Congratulations to Chancellor Guo! We lesser ones are truly envious!" Exiting the temporary palace, Li Tao deliberately walked alongside Guo Wei and flattered him.

Guo Wei's face had been grim, but hearing this, his expression softened. He cupped his hands: "If Chancellor Li is interested, the two of us can return together before His Majesty and request that this duty be transferred to you?"

Having been snubbed, Li Tao immediately laughed it off: "This old man would never dare seize another's merit!"