He Chenge?
Everyone turned to look at the civil officials side. There, behind the minister of works stood his deputy, He Chenge. He was 32 years old and a part of the 5th prince's faction and a strong support for the 5th prince in the court.
The ministry of works was responsible for the creation of roads, buildings, canals etc. The manufacturing and provision of government equipment fell under them. Hu Chenge was promoted as a deputy an year ago and he was a staunch supporter for the 5th prince's cause.
The other supporters of the 5th prince in court had their hands and feet turned cold, making them feel like they were stepping on needles.
'He Chenge is involved, that means the 5th prince is involved too?'
Many people had these thoughts, but those at the top automatically denied it. None of the people caught before belonged to any factions, except a few whose factions recognised them as traitors as soon as they supported that assassin's faction.
Those at the top realised that this He Chenge was also a sidekick planted at the 5th prince side to deal a fatal blow. They slowly realised the vast network which was laid down around them and they had no idea till today's showdown. This was six ministries! Which directly came under the department of state affairs!
They felt afraid. Even the emperor gripped the handrest of the dragon throne so hard that his knuckles turned white. He looked gravely at He Chenge who was sidelined by all near him and stared by the entire court.
"Hu Chenge, what do you have to say for yourself?"
Hu Chenge turned to face the emperor as he clasped his fists and bowed.
"This servant thanks his majesty for your grace!"
"What do you!!"
*Blegh* *Bang*
His words didn't sound right to Yang Jian and before he could properly respond to it, He Chenge vomited blood and collapsed, his eyes closing forever as he drifted to eternal sleep.
It merely took 5 seconds and the deputy minister of the ministry of works was no more.
*Gulp*
Many people gulped as others' leg started shaking. Even the other high rank officials had their eyes glued to this scene. No one could grasp with their sane mind as to how a fit and healthy person would suddenly vomit blood and kick the bucket.
*Bang*
The emperor stomped furiously, gnashing his teeth inwardly but keeping a stoic face outside. As an emperor, he can't wear his emotions on his face otherwise, where would his majesty go? But now, he had been slapped on his face, thoroughly slapped in front of the entire court.
He realised that he had been played into a trap and even a rank 4 official like Hu Chenge was a sacrificial pawn. He thought that the hidden force was in his palm, only to realise it was just it's shell.
'If shell is this big, how big the real mastermind is. But, how did he die immediately? He didn't bit his tongue since it takes a while to suffocate to death. I need to understand what happened.'
He stood up from the throne and the rest of the officials kneeled immediately.
"Hmph, he thinks he can escape so easily by suicide? Tell the imperial doctors to find out the cause of his death and report to me. After that, chop his body into pieces and feed it to the dogs! Hang his head on the gates of the capital for everyone to see. Execute his 3 clans immediately and send the women to the bright moon palace!"
"Prime minister Lu Wuming, follow me. The court is dismissed!"
After the court was over, the matter spread out in a very short time. The capital shook again, this time the news of consort Su's attack and prince Tian's injury being overshadowed by the mass of officials being impeached and caught for different crimes. The common people of the capital were lamenting the fate of prince Tian, some even wishing for his well being after having pity for an infant.
While the higher ups, officials or anyone slightly in power marveled the move of the emperor while also discussing about the slap on his face by Hu Chenge, whose head could be seen hanging at the southern gate of the capital.
At the end of the day, the matter permeated in every corner of the city and was being discussed among various people. Scholars and literatis composed poems and judged Hu Chenge as a villian, who chose to die of guilty conscience and prince Tian as a poor mortal who was caught between heaven and earth.
Lu Wuming himself was contacted by various people about what transpired when the emperor called him, but he chose to remain silent, letting the matter shroud in a veil of mystery.
Meanwhile, at night, the study.
The emperor finished reviewing the memorial for today as he stretched and drank the cold tea to moisten his throat. He said to eunuch while sipping.
"Whose the concubine arranged for today?"
"Your majesty, it's concubine 'minor side character'."
"Cancel it, and lead me to the state preceptor."
"This slave obeys, your majesty."
After a while, in a pavillion behind the imperial palace, the state preceptor and the emperor sat. Surrounded by a lake with two passages, the pavillion was completely white, unblemished just like a work of art.
Each of them was sipping tea, after a while, the emperor put down his tea cup and asked "What do you think?"
The state preceptor Yang Wuzhu, who was also known as the grand imperial tutor, was an elder of the Yang dynasty with the same seniority as the Grand Empress Dowager or Ancestor Yang Hua. He was 75 years old, with wrinkles and long beard, with his eyebrows dropping down to his cheek bones from the sides. But none of which could hide his wise eyes filled with vicissitudes of time. He also put down his tea cup and replied.
"Your majesty, according to this old man, the mysterious force this time isn't as powerful as it seems to be."
"Why do you say so?"
"They seemed to have infiltrated deep, having many people among the officials. They even had someone as the deputy minister of works, which may make the force seem even more mysterious, but in fact, that was most of their force if not all."
The emperor pondered over his words, which seemed to make sense.
"Hmm, you are right elder Wu. If they were so powerful, they would've taken over the court already or the other factions would've already noticed and suppressed them."
"No your majesty, their focus isn't the court, but you."
The emperor was stunned by preceptor Yang's words, he thought for a moment as he nodded "please continue."