Happy Spring Every Year

Chapter 220 A thorough investigation

The next day, morning.

The atmosphere was as solemn as usual, but Emperor Sheng's words were like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a thousand waves.

The imperial tutor Lin Wanting was accused of forming a clique for personal gain, involving the two imperial examinations in the second and eighth years of Yongzhao, the tribute students of the Imperial College for several years, and officials of Jifu City. He has now been imprisoned and awaits investigation.

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the hall was shocked, and then there were gasps of shock one after another.

"Your Majesty!"

Almost immediately, a court official stood up and said:

"The Imperial Tutor has always been loyal and respectable. His virtue is highly respected and known to everyone in the government and the country. It is absolutely impossible for him to form a clique and engage in such a thing for personal gain!"

As soon as these words were spoken, someone immediately followed up, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Tutor has lived a life of integrity and has made remarkable achievements. This time, I'm afraid he's been framed by treacherous individuals. I hope Your Majesty will conduct a thorough investigation and not allow this good minister to suffer injustice!"

There was a buzz of agreement in the hall. Emperor Sheng lowered his eyes and saw that almost half of the court officials were pleading for Elder Lin.

Emperor Sheng had a calm expression, and his mood was unrecognizable. His eyes shifted between Zhao Huailang and Cui Daoyuan.

At this moment, Cui Daoyuan bowed and saluted with the other ministers, and was also pleading for Mr. Lin.

However, when his eyes fell on the green jade brick in front of him, a flash of joy passed through his eyes.

Last night's guess turned out to be true. The emperor announced the matter to the court early this morning, which shows that he has made up his mind.

Now that Lin Wanting has been imprisoned, I'm afraid... he will never have a chance to come out.

It’s a pity that Jiang Xun is still on his wedding leave, so I can’t see his expression.

Cui Daoyuan was thinking this when Emperor Sheng suddenly called out his name: "Minister Cui."

Cui Daoyuan immediately took a step forward.

Emperor Sheng raised the corner of his mouth slightly, and then asked calmly: "The Ministry of Personnel is in charge of the appointment, dismissal and promotion of officials on my behalf. Let me ask you, have you noticed anything about this matter?"

Cui Daoyuan had already prepared himself mentally. If the emperor wanted to convict Lin Wanting, he, as the Minister of Personnel, would have to make some "sacrifices" and take the blame for negligence.

Therefore, he did not panic at this moment, and said respectfully:

"Your Majesty, I have worked with the Imperial Tutor for many years and have a good understanding of him. Forming a clique for personal gain is hardly consistent with his past behavior."

"I have earned your Majesty's trust and have always worked diligently, not slacking off in the slightest, striving to select the virtuous and capable and eliminate the treacherous and corrupt."

"This incident happened suddenly. Your Majesty, will you allow me to investigate the truth? If I am truly responsible for any negligence, I will accept the punishment without complaint. I only hope that Your Majesty will temporarily calm your wrath."

These words are very beautiful.

If it is really as Cui Daoyuan thought, this matter was set up by Emperor Sheng, and they are in agreement, then Old Lin will never be able to escape.

Sitting on the dragon throne, Emperor Sheng nodded slightly, "It is indeed time to investigate thoroughly."

Cui Daoyuan's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he was about to bow to receive the order, but Emperor Sheng suddenly changed the subject and said in a deep voice:

"Where is Zhang Xian?"

Censor Zhang Xian is fifty-six years old this year. Before Jiang Xun came to prominence, he was recognized in the court as the most upright and outspoken person who would rather break than bend.

He had experienced ups and downs in his official career due to his repeated criticisms against the emperor. In recent years, Jiang Xun had shown his talent and taken the lead, which gave Censor Zhang a break.

"Wei Chen is here."

Censor Zhang stood up. Cui Daoyuan still kept his head down, but his expression suddenly changed.

The cold voice of Emperor Sheng echoed in the hall, brooking no room for argument:

"Zhang Xian, listen to my orders. I command you to immediately lead the officials of the Censorate to thoroughly investigate this case. Make sure to get to the bottom of all the hidden secrets and those involved."

"Minister Cui, the Ministry of Personnel must fully cooperate with the Censorate and provide all requests truthfully. No prevarication or evasion is allowed. If anyone obstructs or fails to cooperate, I will hold you, the Ministry of Personnel, accountable!"

After the majestic voice fell, Censor Zhang looked stern and immediately accepted the order.

Cui Daoyuan's heart suddenly shook, as if struck by lightning.

His lips trembled unconsciously for a few times, then he pursed them tightly and squeezed out four words:

"Your Majesty... obeys your order."

At this moment, Cui Daoyuan could hardly hide his shock. After responding, he couldn't help but look up at the emperor sitting on the high throne.

But in a flash, he lowered his eyes.

The turbulent waves in his heart made this old minister who had been in the court for a long time turn pale.

He was wrong.

Cui Daoyuan realized that he had guessed wrong!

I originally thought that this situation was set up by the emperor in order to get rid of Lin Wanting.

But the emperor directly ordered the Censorate to take over the entire matter. The person being investigated was not Lin Wanting, but the Ministry of Personnel, and it was Cui Daoyuan!

Could it be that the Emperor, Lin Wanting, and Jiang Xun had teamed up to set up a trap to put the entire Cui family to death?!

Thinking of this, Cui Daoyuan's figure swayed slightly, but he tried his best to hide his shock under his loose official robe.

He had been the Minister of Personnel for more than 20 years and could not withstand investigation at all.

Especially since the emperor had clearly promised to make Lang'er the crown prince, but he broke his promise in the blink of an eye.

For the sake of Lang'er and the future of the Cui family, he had already begun to make plans and had deeply rooted the Cui family in the court.

If the emperor ordered someone else to investigate today, he could still maneuver around. Even if he couldn't escape unscathed, the worst that could happen was that he would sacrifice the car to save the driver and find a scapegoat.

But it was Zhang Xian!

This stubborn man who refuses to give in to even the emperor's warnings, if he is asked to dig deeper, the consequences will be disastrous...

Cui Daoyuan didn't hear a word of what was said in the hall at the back.

When the eunuch beside him shouted "dismiss the court", Cui Daoyuan no longer showed any sign of panic.

He turned around and winked obscurely in several directions.

Cui Daoyuan has seen all kinds of storms.

The Censorate... He also has people he can use. It's still not too late to delay the time!

Zhao Huailang was also walking out, his brows furrowed, with a solemn look in his eyes.

He subconsciously touched his chest, where there was a letter. He had originally planned to wait for an opportunity to act, but he had not expected the situation to be contrary to what they had predicted last night!

Zhao Huailang naturally believed in his grandfather. Although this incident happened suddenly, with his grandfather's ability, there must be room for maneuver.

However, they were caught off guard by Mr. Lin in the end, and the trump cards that were originally used for offense could now only be relied upon for defense.

He needs to think carefully about when is the best time to take action!

......

On the other side, just as Cui Daoyuan stepped out of the hall, Censor Zhang followed him and said calmly:

"Minister Cui, may I accompany you?"

Cui Daoyuan frowned, but replied calmly, "Censor Zhang is indeed anxious."

Zhang Xian was not one to flatter others. Upon hearing this, he bowed and said, "The emperor has issued an order, and I dare not neglect it. Minister Cui, please..."

Cui Daoyuan nodded, "As it should be, please—"

At the same time, the people who received Cui Daoyuan's signal had already quickly spread the news and rushed to the Ministry of Personnel.

However, what they didn't expect was that the people from the Censorate had gotten the news at some point and had already been waiting outside the Ministry of Personnel, just in time to stop them.

At this moment, a carriage was parked at the corner of the street outside the Ministry of Personnel.

His slender fingers lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, looking at the noisy scene in front of the Ministry of Personnel.

The man in the car was handsome, but at this moment he pursed his lips, revealing a sense of coldness.

It was Jiang Xun.