Chapter 123: Treason 4 (1/2)
The Emperor's Study, Northern Wei
Prime Minister Shi, Minister Zhu and Minister Sheng stood next to the table by the Empress right, listening to Mu Yitze give a detailed report of the previous Questioning of the Lu brothers.
”Your majesty, this official has been unable to find evidence of General Lu Yaozhu's treason_”
Minister Sheng dived in immediately, without waiting for him to finish. He pointed at the kneeling Mu Yitze with a sour expression, ”What? How difficult is it to find evidence of his treacherous act or is it because you are in league with him? Mu Yitze, you had better remember who is the Emperor of Northern Wei because his surname isn't Lu!”
Prime Minister Shi glanced at the shorter male next to him and shook his head, You could take a man out of a village but you couldn't take the village out of the man. This fishmonger's Son still hasn't learned to be tactful and behave like one in his station.
Even after decades in high society, this man was a good example of why these low born peasants shouldn't be allowed to take the Imperial exams. Such opportunities should be left only for people of noble birth.
He grabbed the arm of the little fool by his did pulled him back and walked forward.
”Ah_” Minister Sheng turned to his side when he felt a hand wrap around his arm and pull him backwards. He met Prime Minister Shi's cold expression and kept quiet. He didn't like this old geezer but after his grandson made a full of himself mouths ago at the royal banquet, his daughter had lost the Emperor's favour.
Minister Sheng had just joined the ranks of the nobility and didn't have a solid backing like Prime Minister Shi. He was forced to depend on Prime Minister Shi, who was too full of himself. He always liked to treat him like a slave just because he wasn't born into an old noble family. Minister Sheng bit his lip as the Prime minister stepped forward.
Mu Yitze frown stretched out his hands higher and bowed, ”Your Majesty this lowly official has no ulterior motives but is trying to follow all standard procedures to avoid punishing the innocent”
Minister Sheng said angrily while pointing at him with his index finger ”The innocent ... You_ Your Majesty I request that Mu Yitze be removed from the case. He is sympathetic to the criminals_”
Prime Minister Shi couldn't longer hold out his anger for this blatant full, ”Minister Sheng!”
Minister Sheng jerk back sharply and looked at Prime Minister Shi with bulging eyes, his most opened and close a few times before he turned around and looked down at his bit silently.
Prime Minister Shi glared at him until he turned around and gazed down at his foot. He sneered and then turned around to Mu Yitze, he came forward and said
”Chief investigator Mu Yitze, When you requested that the evidence from Deputy Sun be dismissed, his Majesty accepted your request because you promised you would get to the bottom of the case. Yet here you are a week later reporting that you found no evidence. Do you know how suspicious that seems, I can not help but question your capabilities or is it because you are co-conspirators?”
Mu Yitze looked at the older man with narrowed eyes, was his trying to threaten with treason? He knew that the prime minister was corrupt but to say something like this and in the presence of the Emperor. Prime Minister Shi has grown too big in his position, he glanced at Minister Zhu who remained silent till now and received a nod.
Mu Yitze kowtowed, ”Your Majesty, or is not my intention to set a criminal free but if Prime Minister doubts my sincerely. I am willing to step back from the investigation”.
Emperor Zhong nodded, ”this must be a misunderstanding. We understand that loyal officials like you are difficult to find. Chief investigator Mu, shouldn't take the Prime Ministers's words to heart. Treason is a capital offence to commit and must be handled swiftly to prevent other officials from getting ideas. You have worked hard, investigator. Leave the rest of the investigation to Prime Minister Shi and Minister Shi”
”Yes, Your Majesty” Mu Yitze replied bowing. The Emperor said a few more words before dismissing them.
Minister Zhu didn't say anything throughout the meeting and just watched the two men like monkeys in a circuit show. Prime Minister Shi and Minister Sheng's lack of patient would be their undoing. He had suspected that they had a hand in the Lu Yaozhu and Duke Wu's treason charges but never found any clues to that until now.
It seems that the Emperor had joined hands with these two to do this without informing him. He didn't like that thought but there was nothing he could do about that.
Minister Sheng chased after the Prime Minister as he walked down the stone stairs leading down the Imperial study, ”Prime Minister Shi! Hold on_”
Prime Minister Shi heard him but didn't pay him any mind. He walked quickly to catch up with Minister Zhu who was up ahead. Minister Zhu had gotten down from the last stair when he finally caught up with him
Below the stone stairs a short distance away from the open doors of the Emperor's study. Prime Minister Shi hastened up his steps and finally caught up to Minister Zhu.