102 Deception Before Emperor (1/2)
Chapter 102: Deception Before Emperor
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Hearing His Majesty raise his voice made the officials nervous; they had rarely seen him get this angry, and it was even rarer for His Majesty to be so harsh towards Director Chen. Chen Pingping, however, wasn’t fazed in the slightest, explaining, ”On the way back to the capital, someone in the Imperial court tried to take Si Lili away; the spy from Northern Qi who has connections with the assassination attempt on Fan Xian. Because of that, I was forced to take a detour, which took more time.”
”Oh, I see. Then it’s fine,” the emperor said lightly. He had brought the topic to such attention, and he had now put it back to rest just as simply..
The other officials initially feared that Director Chen had fallen out of favor of the emperor. But after later developments, they understood the reason for Chen Pingping’s lateness and the fact His Majesty was trying to clear the department. However, at the mention of Si Lili, the officials were shocked; it was their first time hearing about an abduction attempt on an escorted prisoner. Perhaps there really was someone in the Imperial court collaborating with Northern Qi to inflict chaos onto the political system.
”Put Si Lili aside for now and focus on solving the case of the prime minister’s son first.” the emperor stared at Chen Pingping coldly.
Cheng Pingping stretched his body. He took a look at Lin Ruofu, before smiling in reply, ”Those two cases… are actually one and the same.”
”How so?” Not only the emperor, but all the other officials became intrigued by what Director Chen just said. Only Lin Ruofu thought of something and appeared uneasy.
”The prime minister had just lost his son, and so there is something that would be inappropriate to say now. But I also wouldn’t dare hide anything from Your Majesty, so please pardon my insolence.”
The emperor frowned. ”Speak.”
Clenching his dried-out hand into a fist, Chen Pingping raised it to his mouth and coughed, as if to get rid of all the phlegm from his lungs. Finishing, he said, ”When the second son was killed, he was with Wu Bo’an.”
”And who is this Wu Boan? Be clear.”
Wu Bo’an was quite well-known among the political circles in the capital. The officials present all heard of him. However, they always thought he only hung around the crown prince and the second prince; for him to be with the son of the prime minister had been unexpected. They started to get worried. After all, everyone here were civil officials; if that rabid dog Cheng Pingping exposed something, it would be a blow to all of their dignity.
Lin Ruofu still sat on the round stool. His eyes were still red, but otherwise he didn’t look worried.
”During the current investigation, Si Lili confessed that the one conspiring with Northern Qi was none other than Wu Bo’an. The one who let the archers into the capital was the leader of the city patrol, Fang Daren. The raiders we encountered outside Cangzhou City were led by a subordinate of Fang Daren’s distant cousin Fang Xiu… from the look of this, Wu Bo’an was the planner, while Fang Xiu and Fang Daren carried out the plan. As for why the bodies of the archers were cremated with such haste, that remains a mystery.
”What are you trying to say.”
”Nothing else other than curiosity as to why the prime minister’s second son would meet up with the main culprit of the Fan Xian assassination case at the manor beneath the mountains.”
The other officials gasped upon hearing this. Guo Youzhi, the director of the Board of Rites, was the first to speak on the prime minister’s behalf, ”More like that Si Lili couldn’t handle torture and threw out a name as a scapegoat, even if Wo Bo’an was connected with the previous case.” Turning to the emperor, he said, ”Please forgive my act of impulse. I genuinely do not believe it was suspicious in the slightest for the second son to be with Wu Bo’an. After all, Wu Bo’an was a high-achieving scholar from twenty years ago with many connections in the capital. For Director Chen to make such baseless accusations despite the prime minister’s pain is too… unbearable! Unbearable!”
Lin Ruofu stood up and bowed to His Majesty. He spoke in a pained voice, ”My son was not the most-disciplined and unpredictable. But to accuse him of anything traitorous, I refuse to believe it no matter what.” He then added, ”I have met that Wu Bo’an. He was indeed a man of talents. I traveled with him before to visit the various sights of the capital. Should he have a mortal enemy, wouldn’t I too be likely targeted?”
”Indeed.” Another official shook his head. ”I too have met him. The man appeared proper and formal. If he really turns out to be an absolute scoundrel, why would it concern the second son? Director Chen should be more mindful about his words.”
Lin Ruofu was suddenly moved. ”Should I have any connections with this incident, may I be damned! Damned!” Seeing the prime minister make such a serious statement, the officials knelt together. Seeing them, the emperor gave Chen Pingping a look, his eyes showing his amusement. Suddenly, His Majesty’s expression turned icy. He gave the officials the permission to rise and said, ”Chen Pingping had already asked for pardon. Furthermore, he’s not yet finished. Please allow him to continue.”
Chen Pingping had always dominated the Imperial court alone, while the other officials huddled together. Chen Pingping glanced at Lin Ruofu and said, ”I beg your pardon, prime minister. I merely don’t understand. The Overwatch Council could not find Wu Bo’an after days of searching, but your son was able to chat with him over alcohol. It’s natural to want to know what’s going on.”