novelAbuy Chapter 62 Shangguan Haitang, what else do you have to say!
Chapter 62 Shangguan Haitang, what else do you have to say!
"Let him in and give me the letter."
Zhu Houzhao pointed to the secret letter in Zhuge Zhengwo's hand.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After Liu Jin took the secret letter from Zhuge Zhengwo and gave it to Zhu Houzhao, he quietly left the warm pavilion.
While Zhu Houzhao was reading the secret letter, Shen Lian entered the room.
"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty!"
"No need for formalities. Speak, what brings you here?"
"Your Majesty, I have discovered that the fireworks that lit up the roof of the Qianqing Palace were sent into the palace by the people of the Number One Manor in the World."
"Those followers of the White Lotus Sect also said that their entry into the capital was sponsored by the Number One Manor in the World, and they used the travel permit issued by the Number One Manor in the World."
"The Number One Manor Under Heaven belongs to the Dragon Guard Manor. I suspect that the Dragon Guard Manor is behind this..."
"Don't make things up without evidence."
Zhu Houzhao put down the secret letter with a gloomy expression, his mood sinking to the bottom.
Shen Lian realized he had spoken out of turn and quickly lowered his head, not daring to say anything more: "Yes, Your Majesty."
After some thought, Zhu Houzhao ordered, "Go and bring Shangguan Haitang to me."
"Tell her to come here immediately; I'll be waiting for her right here!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Upon receiving the order, Shen Lian immediately notified the Vermilion Bird Guards to summon Shangguan Haitang to the palace for an audience with the Emperor.
Since taking up her position at the Daming Salt Estate, Shangguan Haitang has been active in Tongzhou, a suburb of Beijing.
Because the Jingtong Granary in Tongzhou was a warehouse specifically for storing grain, the Daming Salt Estate was also located there.
Tongzhou and the capital are not far apart, and Shangguan Haitang is a martial arts master with remarkable lightness skills.
In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Shangguan Haitang, drenched in sweat and slightly out of breath, knelt before Zhu Houzhao.
"Your humble servant, Shangguan Haitang, greets Your Majesty."
Zhu Houzhao sat on the soft couch, looking down at Shangguan Haitang's pretty face with a blank expression, his eyes filled with a strong sense of scrutiny.
"Shangguan Haitang, are you aware of the attack I suffered during the Lantern Festival?"
Shangguan Haitang was startled and quickly replied, "This subordinate knows, but the capital is under martial law after the Lantern Festival, and no one may enter the capital without being summoned."
"This humble servant was unable to enter the palace to pay his respects to His Majesty immediately."
Shangguan Haitang was filled with unease, wondering what Zhu Houzhao meant by summoning her for questioning at this moment.
Zhu Houzhao stared at Shangguan Haitang and slowly said, "The Six Doors have already investigated and found that the people who attacked me that night were the Four Devils of Xiangxi."
"These four men look familiar, don't they? They are the personal bodyguards of Wan Sanqian, the patron of your number one manor!"
"The people of the most powerful clan in the land burned down my palace and openly attempted to assassinate me within the imperial palace!"
"Shangguan Haitang, you are the head of the number one manor in the world, what else do you have to say?!"
"What?!"
Shangguan Haitang immediately raised her head, her face filled with horror.
She shook her head repeatedly, her face filled with shock and disbelief.
"Impossible, this can't be..."
"The Number One Manor under Heaven is an institution of the imperial court, utterly loyal to His Majesty. How could they possibly plot against him?!"
Zhu Houzhao spoke coldly: "So you mean to say that I have wronged your number one manor in the world?"
"The evidence is right in front of you, and you still won't admit it?!"
"Speak! Was the assassination of me your order, or Zhu Wushi's order?!"
"No...no...no...that's not how it is..."
Shangguan Haitang's eyes were vacant as she shook her head repeatedly, tears streaming uncontrollably from her eyes.
Shangguan Haitang was filled with mixed emotions, gripped by the panic of the assassination attempt on the emperor, the shock of hearing the news, the grievance of being misunderstood by Zhu Houzhao, and the urgency to explain herself...
In an instant, they all surged into my heart.
"Your Majesty, my loyalty to you is as clear as day and night. If Your Majesty harbors any doubts about me, I am willing to die to prove my innocence!"
After saying that, Shangguan Haitang suddenly channeled her inner strength into her hands and was about to strike her own heart!
Zhu Houzhao slammed his hand on the table: "Stop her!"
No sooner said than done, Zhuge Zhengwo swiftly struck out, slapping Shangguan Haitang's hand and dispersing her internal energy.
At the same time, he swiftly struck, striking Shangguan Haitang's acupoints and using his internal force to seal the flow of her internal energy.
As a result, Shangguan Haitang was unable to use her internal energy for three hours.
Shangguan Haitang attempted suicide but was stopped. She collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down her face, crying, "Your Majesty..."
Zhu Houzhao coldly looked at Shangguan Haitang: "You are my person, and your life belongs to me!"
"I didn't order your death, so you can't even die, understand?!"
"Yes, Your Majesty..."
Shangguan Haitang lowered her head, her whole body trembling uncontrollably: "But since His Majesty no longer trusts me, what use is my life?"
Zhu Houzhao stared at Shangguan Haitang, not answering her question, but coldly ordered, "Guards, take Shangguan Haitang to Renshou Palace. Without my order, no one is allowed to enter or leave!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Liu Jin approached Shangguan Haitang and said, "Please, Lord Shangguan."
After silently kowtowing to Zhu Houzhao, Shangguan Haitang lowered her head and followed Liu Jin out of Cining Palace.
Shangguan Haitang's reaction didn't seem fake; perhaps this wasn't an assassination she had planned.
So, is it Zhu Wushi?
Thinking of this imperial uncle, Zhu Houzhao's mood inevitably became heavy.
After so many years of development, Hulong Manor has become a force to be reckoned with.
To touch Zhu Wushi, even Zhu Houzhao, would have to pay a considerable price.
However, hesitation will only lead to more trouble. If Zhu Wushi truly harbors rebellious intentions, then no matter the cost, Zhu Houzhao will have to completely eliminate the Dragon Guard Manor!
Zhu Houzhao was not an indecisive person. After weighing the pros and cons, he already had a plan in mind.
Zhu Houzhao looked at the dragon desk, on which were piled several memorials pleading for Cao Zhengchun and Yu Huatian.
In recent days, high-ranking officials in the court have successively submitted petitions to plead for leniency for these two governors.
This included Jiao Fang, Liu Zhong, and Wang Shouren in the cabinet.
In addition, ministers such as Wang Hua, Li Mengyang, Han Zhi, and Cong Lan also submitted memorials requesting the release of Cao Zhengchun and Yu Huatian.
There were only about thirty or forty officials who pleaded for leniency, but these were all officials that Zhu Houzhao would pay close attention to in the future.
Their willingness to plead for the supervisors of the Eastern and Western Depots either demonstrates that these people are intelligent, or it proves that these officials are not of one mind with the civil service.
Whether they were loyal and upright officials or clever people, they were all talents that Zhu Houzhao needed.
Zhu Houzhao looked at Shen Lian and ordered, "Go to the Eastern and Western Depots and find Cao Zhengchun and Yu Huatian. If their injuries have healed, get over here now!"
Shen Lian felt a chill run down his spine, knowing that the supervisors of the East and West Depots, after being imprisoned for so long, were finally about to return to the scene!
With the two factory supervisors released from prison, another bloodbath is sure to ensue!
"Yes, Your Majesty!"