Chapter 192: Du Ruhui: I

At the same time, in the familiar cell of the Dali Temple Prison, Du Ruhui wore a sullen face, a single prison robe, and stared gloomily at the embarrassed Li Shimin outside.

"His Majesty, I've grown weary of saying the word 'wronged'; when will you finally release me?"

How could Li Shimin not be clear about Du Ruhui's injustice?

But he had no choice; when he learned of tax corruption involving private boats in Weinan County, he, in a rage, ordered Wushe and Li Junxian to conduct a strict investigation, and the next day he lost his temper in the Court, unsettling the people.

As a result, after the Jinwu Guard in Weinan County captured the suspects and sent them to Chang'an, the leader of the Axe Gang bluntly admitted that behind it was the Junior Prefect of Jingzhao, Zhang Wenbo.

He said that ninety percent of the money seized from the common people went to Zhang Wenbo.

Then Zhang Wenbo insisted that Du Ruhui had helped cover it up, yet inexplicably Du Ruhui's household suddenly possessed a great amount of wealth, including many lands and properties.

Most importantly, the reason Zhang Wenbo, a man of humble origin, could become the Junior Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture was that Du Ruhui had promoted him.

Many people still remember this incident; it is as solid as iron evidence.

Under these circumstances, even though Li Shimin knows Du Ruhui is wronged, pressured as he is, he can only temporarily imprison Du Ruhui.

"Ahem, Ke Ming, I understand your grievance, but you also know the evidence is ironclad; I truly have no way out," the emperor said.

Li Shimin quickly replied, "Rest assured, I have already had Guanyin Maid discreetly communicate with Madam Xiao, and the bailiffs are also our own people; they even looked after Zi An before."

"Stay here peacefully for a few days; once I finish investigating this matter, I will release you."

Du Ruhui: "......"

The very people who saw ghosts also looked after Zi An.

Well, they have experience, right?

But he doesn't need it, okay!!

Du Ruhui, holding his breath, felt inexplicably aggrieved: "His Majesty, that Zhang Wenbo has nothing to do with me at all."

"Wasn't it you who ordered me to propose his appointment as Junior Prefect of Jingzhao?"

"Moreover, I have no idea what those money and properties are, where they came from; you must clear my name."

Li Shimin rubbed his temples, waved his hand, "I understand everything you say; I will find a way to release you as soon as possible."

"But you too, your household suddenly acquired so much wealth and property, and you claim you know nothing; you… sigh, even your imprisonment isn't unjust."

Du Ruhui: "......"

He could not refute this.

Because, in a sense, Li Shimin was not wrong.

Yet Du Ruhui still felt wronged.

Damn it.

With his status, does he still need such despicable means to amass wealth?

Simply stating a straightforward attitude would cause countless people to try every means to give him money.

Is it necessary to resort to those vile tactics?

Honestly, Du Ruhui was truly disgusted.

The harm is minimal, but the insult is extreme.

"It's like sitting at home while the pot falls from the sky."

"Sigh~" Du Ruhui said helplessly, "His Majesty, since it is so, I will say nothing more."

"I only ask that His Majesty not disclose my situation to Gou Er, lest he rush back from Weinan County at any cost."

Li Shimin silently nodded and agreed.

Later, the two chatted a few more sentences; Li Shimin asked Du Ruhui about certain matters, but unfortunately Du Ruhui knew nothing.

If it weren't for Zhang Wenbo suddenly stepping forward to point him out, he would have almost forgotten such a person existed.

Having no choice, Li Shimin had to return first.

On the road, Li Shimin let out a long sigh, weary, and said, "Go, first have someone investigate where the sudden wealth in Ke Ming's household came from."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Wushe bowed and replied.

After that, Li Shimin sat alone in Ganlu Hall for a good half hour, staring blankly at a memorial in his hand.

Until dusk, Empress Changsun brought a meal, reminding him to eat, and only then did he regain his composure.

"Er Lang, are you thinking about Cai Duke's matter?"

Li Shimin's expression darkened, "This time it was my oversight; had I not caused such a commotion, Ke Ming would not have been forced into prison."

He referred to the outburst on the next day's Court, which turned a matter known only to a few into a palace‑wide scandal, raising its impact by more than one level.

Thus, with Du Ruhui being identified and evidence present, he was forced to order Du Ruhui's imprisonment.

Now, looking back, Li Shimin also feels deep regret.

Empress Changsun shook her head silently; in fact, after the Jinwu Guard reported the news that day, she had already reminded Li Shimin that night to investigate privately.

But Li Shimin has a flaw: when angry, he tends to act impulsively.

Often, after doing something irrational, he himself feels regret.

Regarding this, Empress Changsun could do nothing.

However, as an observer, she had a slightly different perspective on the matter.

"Er Lang, have you ever considered that even if you don't cause a big scene, others will?"

"If you hadn't lost your temper, perhaps someone would have immediately stepped forward claiming to have discovered the chaotic tax corruption in Weinan County?"

Li Shimin: "It is precisely because I thought of this that I regret it."

"If I had restrained my temper then, and seen who would step forward, perhaps I could have caught those people in the act."

"What a pity, what a pity."

Empress Changsun thought for a moment and said, "Could it be that someone wants to use this chance to bring down Lord Du and gain some benefit?"

Li Shimin was startled, then denied, "Impossible, absolutely impossible."

"What is Ke Ming's status? One of the chancellors—could a petty Zhang Wenbo drag him down with some slander?"

"If Ke Ming can be unseated so easily, wouldn't the Court fall into chaos?"

"Such a simple principle, the people behind it wouldn't not understand."

Empress Changsun listened silently, did not interrupt, and only after Li Shimin finished speaking did she whisper, "But Cai Duke currently holds no office."

"Moreover, if this matter cannot be uncovered, then even if it can be proven that the extra wealth in Cai Duke's household is unrelated to him—someone else framed him—Cai Duke's status would become delicate, and when he returns to the Court he may face considerable resistance."

"After all, Zhang Wenbo was promoted in Cai Duke's name."

Hearing that, Li Shimin furrowed his brows deeply.

It must be said, the situation Empress Changsun described could indeed occur.

But he always felt the matter wasn't that simple, with oddities everywhere.

No matter what, trying to topple the current chancellor relying on a single Zhang Wenbo and some mysterious funds.

Hmm, not easy to evaluate.

Just as Li Shimin was pondering, Wushe suddenly rushed in anxiously, landing with a thud and kneeling, "Your Majesty, not… it's not good."

"Zhang Wenbo…"

"What happened to Zhang Wenbo?" Li Shimin sprang to his feet and asked.

"Zhang… Zhang Wenbo and the others are all dead." Wushe pressed his head hard against the ground, cold sweat streaming, his heart in agony.

Li Shimin slowly sat back down, his expression growing increasingly grim.

".... …"