The Sickly Beauty Substitute Called It Quits-Chapter 194

The late emperor has passed away. Everything that happened in the past has vanished like smoke and clouds. It is difficult to clarify this question, after all, no one is the late emperor himself, and we cannot know what he truly thought.

Shang Junlin also knew that pondering this question excessively was fruitless, and quickly steered the conversation back. "This Grand Tutor Zeng, I had contact with him. He was a rare, excellent official. Before the late emperor became so decadent, their relationship as ruler and minister was harmonious. Later, when the late emperor trusted sycophants, their relationship gradually grew distant."

"I remember this too. Grand Tutor Zeng had a very good reputation among the common people. After he was killed by treacherous officials, many commoners spontaneously offered sacrifices to him. There were even great scholars who wrote articles saying, 'The last light in the court has been extinguished.'" This matter was widely discussed in the capital. Even though Shen Yu lived secluded in the marquis's mansion, he heard a thing or two.

Later, when Shen Yu had his own forces, he gained a general understanding of major and minor events in the court, and his memory of the Grand Tutor Zeng incident was particularly deep.

"If he did not die back then, then the truth about the murder is open to question. The late emperor did indeed execute many court officials for his sake back then. Among them were sycophants, but also some innocent people."

"What about the records from that year? What do they say?"

"After Fang Jun ascertained the identity of the mastermind, he immediately checked the records. The records say, as I mentioned earlier, Grand Tutor Zeng was already a 'dead man.'"

"No wonder he couldn't be found before. A person who is already 'dead' naturally wouldn't be placed on the list of suspects. When Grand Tutor Zeng 'died,' Your Majesty was already emerging as a prominent figure in the court. Could it be that the late emperor began to harbor suspicions from that time? How did he know who would ultimately ascend the throne?"

Shang Junlin said, "I spent most of my youth at the border, so I didn't have a deep understanding of the late emperor's thoughts. When the Grand Tutor Zeng incident occurred, I was far away at the border. By the time I returned, the matter was already settled. As for these contingencies left by the late emperor, I wasn't initially aware of them. It was only after encountering assassinations later that I slowly uncovered them. The late emperor left far more than I imagined."

Shen Yu: "Following this logic, if he wanted to establish King Yue as the new ruler, he could have simply appointed him Crown Prince in advance, but he didn't. The late emperor never consented to appointing a Crown Prince, from beginning to end."

If another Crown Prince had been appointed, Shang Junlin's ascension would have been much more troublesome. But the late emperor did not do so. Shang Junlin, as the late emperor's only legitimate son, naturally inherited the throne of Great Huan. Not to mention his illustrious military achievements and control over more than half of Great Huan's military power, other princes stood no chance against him.

Regarding Grand Tutor Zeng, why didn't people like Scholar Tan know his true identity? Why did he never reveal his true face before his subordinates? Because he couldn't. A dead man reappearing in the world would inevitably bring many unnecessary troubles.

"How did Official Fang ascertain his true identity? Also, he probably wasn't using his original appearance, was he?" Shen Yu asked. If he had used his own appearance, he should have been recognized immediately upon capture.

Although over a decade had passed, the impression Grand Tutor Zeng left in people's minds was too deep. When Official Fang first entered the court, Grand Tutor Zeng was still active. It is said that Official Fang nearly became a disciple of Grand Tutor Zeng.

"This matter was actually a coincidence. On the very day Fang Jun was interrogating him, an imperial physician happened to be in the prison testing medicines and noticed the traces of medicinal liquids on Grand Tutor Zeng's face. After his appearance was restored, Fang Jun recognized him at a glance."

"Official Fang must have been greatly startled, right?" Anyone seeing a person who should have died many years ago appearing alive before their eyes would be unable to remain calm.

"Indeed. If not for this coincidence, the mastermind's true identity wouldn't have been uncovered so easily."

After the mastermind's true identity was announced, the entire court, both high and low, was shocked.

Those serving as court officials more or less knew something about events from the late emperor's reign, let alone the Grand Tutor Zeng incident that shocked the court at the time.

Who was Grand Tutor Zeng? He was a clear stream in the late period of the late emperor's reign, an excellent official praised by countless scholars and men of letters. Now they were being told that Grand Tutor Zeng was the person behind King Yue, assisting him in rebellion. Many people's first reaction was disbelief.

"This... could there be some misunderstanding?"

"Grand Tutor Zeng was incorruptible his whole life, dedicated heart and soul to Da Huan. After his demotion, he was harmed by villains. Now you're saying he isn't dead?"

"Not only is he not dead, but he has also committed major crimes like assassination and rebellion."

"I find it a bit hard to understand. Why?"

"There isn't some grand 'why.' If you want to know, you can go ask the man himself in the Ministry of Justice prison. Perhaps you can even extract some useful information from him."

Court ministers, including Fang Jun, all harbored deep confusion in their hearts.

Unlike the others, Fang Jun could question the man face-to-face.

In the Ministry of Justice prison, Grand Tutor Zeng was bound to a pillar. Fang Jun sat opposite him, his feelings complicated.

He had once admired the man's character, fantasized that if he hadn't been harmed by villains, perhaps the turmoil in Great Huan could have been lessened. Now this person had truly reappeared before him, but in such a manner.

"Why did the Grand Tutor do this?" Fang Jun used the old form of address.

"Grand Tutor..." Grand Tutor Zeng's expression wavered for a moment. "It's been a long time since anyone called me that. Why do this? It's merely following orders."

"Whose orders?" Fang Jun frowned.

"Who else but the late emperor?" Grand Tutor Zeng laughed softly, his voice hoarse.

"So the late emperor also ordered you to overthrow Da Huan's rule? Why would he do that?" Fang Jun was puzzled.

"Who knows? He was the ruler, I was the minister. I had to obey his commands, didn't I? Just like now, whatever Shang Junlin orders you to do, no matter how absurd it is, no matter how unwilling you are in your heart, you can only comply." Grand Tutor Zeng's expression was strange, as if smiling, yet also as if mocking something.

Fang Jun's expression turned stern. "His Majesty is His Majesty. He would not do anything to harm Da Huan. Right now, it is I, an official, interrogating you. Do not drag unrelated matters into this. What exactly were the orders the late emperor gave you?"

"Don't you already know? Assist King Yue in ascending the throne," Grand Tutor Zeng's mocking smile widened. "Why must Official Fang ask the same question over and over? I tell you, yet you don't believe. So tell me, what charges does your emperor want to pin on me? What confession does he want me to make?"

Fang Jun was not provoked; his voice remained steady. "Was the He family also your people?"

"You mean that He family foolish enough to send their entire clan to prison?" Grand Tutor Zeng sneered. "A stupid dog, that's all."

"Why target the Noble Consort?" Fang Jun glanced at him without emotion. "Don't tell me this was also the late emperor's order."

"You've said everything there is to say, Official Fang. What more do you want me to say?"

One interrogation session—it seemed to have yielded a lot of information, but in reality, very little of it was truly useful.

After organizing the confession and the interrogation record, Fang Jun delivered them to the imperial palace.

Imperial Study.

Fang Jun knelt on the floor. Meng - gonggong took the confession from his hands and respectfully presented it to Shang Junlin.

Shang Junlin picked up the confession, unfolded it, and finished reading it in one swift glance, his gaze darkening. "Make arrangements. I wish to see him in person."

"Your Majesty?" Fang Jun raised his head in astonishment.

Shang Junlin rubbed the confession in his hand, his voice devoid of any emotion. "There are some matters I wish to confirm personally."

Fang Jun knew that once Shang Junlin resolved to do something, he would not be swayed by others. Words of dissuasion reached his lips only to be swallowed back down. "Your servant obeys the command."

Fang Jun arrived at the Ministry of Justice in advance to make arrangements. The Minister of Justice walked beside him, rather perplexed. "Why does His Majesty suddenly wish to come?"

"His Majesty's actions are not for us, as his ministers, to question," Fang Jun replied without turning his head, continuing with the arrangements.

"No, it's not that," the Minister of Justice said urgently. "This man is the one who masterminded the attempted rebellion. What if, your humble servant is saying what if, something happens to His Majesty? Could you and I bear the responsibility?"

"Therefore, we must make arrangements beforehand, nip any potential danger in the bud."

"Doesn't Official Fang think that if His Majesty simply doesn't come, we can eliminate all danger at the source?" the Minister of Justice remarked with a faint, pointed tone.

Fang Jun stopped walking. "Then why don't you submit a memorial advising His Majesty?"

"Never mind. We'd better make proper arrangements." The Minister of Justice wiped his face and joined Fang Jun's efforts.

The Ministry of Justice fell into a flurry of activity in preparation for the imminent imperial visit.

"I always feel there is something overlooked in this matter. I intend to see Grand Tutor Zeng in person," Shang Junlin said in Yuzhang Palace, informing Shen Yu of his plan.

"King Yue is also imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice, isn't he?" Shen Yu poured a cup of tea for Shang Junlin. "Your Majesty, please taste this. It's the newly delivered spring tea."

Shang Junlin took the teacup and drank a sip. "He is. Why does Ah Yu suddenly ask about him?"

"With the mastermind captured, shouldn't Your Majesty deal with King Yue?" Shen Yu's hand holding the teacup tightened slightly.

"Yes. The only reason he was kept alive was to draw out the mastermind. Now that the person is caught, Shang Junyue no longer needs to be kept." Shang Junlin felt no fondness whatsoever for King Yue.

After hearing Shang Junlin's words, Shen Yu fell silent.

Noticing his unusual demeanor, Shang Junlin set down his teacup, lifted Shen Yu's chin, his voice carrying a dangerous edge. "Is Ah Yu displeased?"

Shen Yu shook his head. "It just feels like things have gone too smoothly."

Having taken so long to capture the man, calling it smooth was hardly accurate. Shen Yu knew this too, but he felt a sense of unease.

"Don't think too much. I certainly won't let anyone escape a second time," Shang Junlin released his hand and stood up. "According to reports from the Ministry of Justice, Shang Junyue is not in good condition now. If Ah Yu is truly concerned, accompany me."

"When does Your Majesty plan to go?"

"Within the next two days."

Shen Yu stood up and walked to Shang Junlin's side. "Does King Yue know that the one who has been supporting him all along is Grand Tutor Zeng?"

Shang Junlin: "It seems he does not. He only knows that the late emperor left him many things. But so far, of these things, only a very small portion has reached his hands. Judging from his confession, one could say he was 'forced' into this rebellion. Among the troops that were suppressed, less than one-tenth acted on his orders."

Shen Yu: "Looking at it this way, it seems less like King Yue's rebellion and more like the people behind him were using his name to raise troops. If so, Grand Tutor Zeng's true purpose is open to question. Was everything he did truly just to place King Yue on the throne?"

"Certainly not," Shang Junlin never easily believed what anyone said. "Perhaps initially he was simply obeying the late emperor's orders, taking the opportunity to assist King Yue in ascending the throne. But after holding power for so many years, no one can guarantee that his inner thoughts haven't changed."

Power is the thing most capable of altering a person's true nature.