Transmigrating to the Qi Family - Chapter 211

Jiang Miao has a natural talent for storytelling. The long and tedious investigation process might be dull, but when he tells it, it sounds as exciting as the plots of supernatural novels.

It’s a pity that the current emperor has never had the opportunity to enjoy storytelling sessions in teahouses or taverns like common folk. So, when he occasionally gets to listen to one, he finds it utterly fascinating. By the time Jiang Miao speaks until his mouth is dry and finally reaches yesterday’s speculation, Emperor Liangping still wants to hear more.

“So, this is how you arrived at your conclusions. However, I heard you mention that aside from Prince An’s forces, there was another group involved. Who are these people?” Emperor Liangping has been listening carefully and quickly picks out the vague parts to question.

Jiang Miao is surprised. The emperor is quite sharp—he has only been slightly vague, yet it is immediately noticed.

“These… We haven’t identified them yet.” This case involves Consort Xian from the palace, who is said to be quite favored. If they expose her, there is a chance that Emperor Liangping might suppress the matter to protect her. Jiang Miao decides to keep it concealed for the time being.

Emperor Liangping’s expression darkens. “Since there are still unresolved doubts, how did you reach your conclusion? I suppose this person has a deep connection with you, which is why you’re deliberately withholding information.”

“Your Majesty, this matter concerns my parents’ deep-seated grudge. No matter how close I am to someone, I would never cover for them,” Pei Che says.”However, this person holds a special status. While she may have set everything in motion, she was ultimately not the one who carried it out. That is why we chose not to mention her.” 

He also despises that venomous woman, but evidence is necessary in all matters. Other than Zhao Wei, who has eavesdropped on the truth, no one can prove that she has taken action. Even if Zhao Wei steps forward to accuse her, she can always claim he is slandering her out of resentment. Since they can’t convict her, what is the point in mentioning her at all?

“Special status?” Emperor Liangping looks at the two men before him, their heads lowered, and a sense of unease grows in his heart. There are typically two reasons why someone would conceal the truth from an emperor.

One, they have a personal relationship with the individual and are protecting them. Two, the individual has close ties to the royal family, and they fear the emperor will shield them. From their words, it should be the latter.

Logically speaking, since they have deliberately chosen not to mention it, Emperor Liangping should feign ignorance and maintain the illusion of peace. However, he cannot allow anyone around him to act on their own discretion like this. If this person has once secretly harmed the empire’s pillars for him, what is to say they won’t one day harm him for someone else?

Any emperor is bound to be somewhat suspicious. Emperor Liangping immediately decides to get to the bottom of this—he will not allow an unknown force to lurk by his side.

“You may speak freely, no matter how special this person’s status may be,” Emperor Liangping says.

Seeing that neither of them speaks, he emphasizes again, “I will not hold your offense against you. An emperor does not go back on his word.”

Since he has put it this way, Jiang Miao sees no point in hiding anything further. He straightforwardly reveals how Consort Xian has secretly tried to recruit Pei Shijie and his wife, and when she failed, she plotted to have them killed. However, he leaves out Zhao Wei’s relationship with Consort Xian and the fact that she has someone else in her heart.

But even what he does reveal is enough to enrage Emperor Liangping. No matter how he has speculated before, he has never expected the culprit to be one of his own consorts. Since entering his household, Consort Xian has always presented herself as gentle and demure, putting his mind at ease.

However, after the incident with An Rou and Pei Che two years ago, Emperor Liangping had blamed her for failing to maintain order in the palace and ignored her for a long time. Later, when she didn’t complain and even helped An Rou find another good husband, he had let go of his anger.

In addition, Consort Xian has also given birth to his sixth prince and ninth princess. Whenever he visits her palace, it is always a scene of harmony—loving mother, filial children, a peaceful household. And now he is supposed to believe that she has hired a killer to kill someone?

Jiang Miao looks at Emperor Liangping’s shocked, angry, and disbelieving expression and can’t help but sigh. He had said that the emperor wouldn’t believe it, so why did the emperor insist on hearing it?

After a brief moment of shock, Emperor Liangping regains his composure. He has weathered too many storms over the years to lose his sense of reason.

“You claim that Consort Xian was the mastermind behind the other faction from back then. Do you have evidence?”

Jiang Miao shakes his head. “Your Majesty, if you are asking for written proof, we have none. But if you need a witness, the wealthy merchant Zhao Wei from the eastern part of the city is the one. He was the one Consort Xian sent to persuade Pei Che’s father back then. They are maternal cousins.”

“Zhao Wei? Guards! Bring Zhao Wei to the palace immediately! Also, escort the heir’s wife back to the Duke of Zhong’s residence and retrieve all the testimonies. Additionally, summon Prince An to the palace—I have matters to discuss with him.” 

With a single command from Emperor Liangping, the palace attendants swiftly split into three groups, each setting off to carry out his orders.

“Pei Che, come here and play a game with me. What do you say?”

While waiting, Emperor Liangping orders a chessboard to be set up and invites Pei Che to play with him.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Pei Che responds and walks over, only to find that the game set before him is Chinese chess.

“Minister Feng is obsessed with this game, so naturally, many officials in court have taken an interest as well. I grew curious and decided to learn it myself. I must admit, it does have its charms,” Emperor Liangping explains.

Pei Che nods in agreement. His maternal grandfather is indeed fond of Chinese chess. Nowadays, he rarely finds worthy opponents in court, so he sometimes dresses in plain clothes and wanders the streets, looking for elderly men playing under bridges or beneath trees to challenge them.

In the streets, chess games often involve small wagers. Most of the time, his grandfather wins ten or twenty copper coins and uses them to buy tea for everyone. Occasionally, he loses to a masterful move from an opponent. Playing in such an environment is far more enjoyable than the rigid atmosphere of the court.

The two of them play back and forth without much deliberation, simply following their instincts and making moves as they come to mind.

“Check!” Pei Che moves his cannon behind the knight. Though Emperor Liangping still has many pieces on the board, it is of no use.

Emperor Liangping laughs heartily. “I’ve gone many days without meeting a worthy opponent, yet today you’ve beaten me with ease!”

Pei Che only smiles in silence. The reason for that— isn’t it obvious to everyone?

As their game concludes, the people they were waiting for arrive. Emperor Liangping orders the chessboard to be cleared and returns to his seat of authority. Then, he summons Zhao Wei inside.

“You are Zhao Wei?”

With a loud thud, Zhao Wei drops to his knees and kowtows firmly. “In response to Your Majesty, this humble commoner is Zhao Wei.”

“I hear you have an old connection with Consort Xian—you are her maternal cousin?”

Trembling, Zhao Wei nods and replies, “My mother is indeed the biological sister of Her Highness’s father.”

“Since you are family, stand up and speak. There is no need to be so formal.” Emperor Liangping’s expression is warm, as if his previous anger has completely dissipated.

Zhao Wei hurriedly says, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace, but this humble one dares not.”

“What is there to fear? Stand and answer.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Zhao Wei scrambles to his feet, lowering his head and standing still, looking utterly weak and pitiful.

“Do you know why I summoned you to the palace today?”

Zhao Wei first shakes his head, then nods.

“Oh? With such a reaction, do you know or not?”

Zhao Wei replies, “In response to Your Majesty, this humble one… originally did not know. But upon seeing the young lord Pei standing here, I… I understood.” He steals a glance at Pei Che, who stands not far away with an expression as cold as still water. Guessing that Pei Che must have uncovered some evidence and reported the matter to the emperor, Zhao Wei braces himself.

“In that case, tell this emperor everything about what happened back then—leave nothing out.”

Zhao Wei swallows nervously. When he confessed to Pei Che last time, he had already anticipated this moment. He just hadn’t expected that it would be the emperor himself questioning him. Gathering his composure, he repeats everything he had previously told Pei Che.

“Outrageous!!” Emperor Liangping slams his hand against the table. Only now, after hearing Zhao Wei’s account, does he realize that Jiang Miao has hidden parts of the truth earlier. Consort Xian did not act for his sake when she tried to recruit Pei Shijie—she did it purely for her own wealth and status. She was willing to go to such ruthless lengths, even against someone she had once admired in the past.

Zhao Wei trembles in fear, thinking the emperor’s fury is directed at him. He immediately collapses to his knees, his entire body shaking. “This humble one is guilty of a crime punishable by death. I beg Your Majesty for mercy!”

“Enough! Take him away for now!” Emperor Liangping still isn’t sure how to deal with Zhao Wei, but at this moment, he has no desire to see him any longer.

Jiang Miao has been waiting outside the hall for his summons when he suddenly sees someone being escorted out. Looking closely, he realizes it is Zhao Wei. Zhao Wei seems oblivious to everything around him, his eyes vacant as he is led away.

Hearing the eunuch call for him, Jiang Miao hurries inside. As soon as he enters, he presents the statements he has gathered. Emperor Liangping flips through them, his face dark and unreadable. When he reaches the final page, he lets out a long sigh. “So there was still so much hidden about that incident back then. But after looking through everything, I see no statement that directly names Prince An as the mastermind. What is the meaning of this?”

“Your Majesty, in this case, Cheng Kaihua is a key figure. However, his hometown is thousands of miles from Liangjing, making it difficult to verify things quickly. As for Prince An’s maternal family, the Wu clan, they have all been exiled, leaving no one to question. The only person who truly knows the details of this case is Prince An himself,” Pei Che explains. Given that Prince An is already like a caged bird, there is no risk of alerting him unnecessarily. In fact, Pei Che hopes to provoke him—if driven into a corner, he might act recklessly, providing them with the evidence they need.

Emperor Liangping hesitates. The case lacks definitive proof, and if he rashly summons Prince An for questioning, it could be perceived as an attempt to eliminate political rivals by any means necessary. It would be wiser to follow Pei Che’s suggestion and let him investigate further before making a final decision.

However, Prince An is already waiting in the side hall. If he simply sends him away now, there is no telling what rumors might spread by tomorrow.

Seeing Emperor Liangping lost in thought, Pei Che quickly grasps his concerns. Stepping forward, he says, “Your Majesty, please allow me to confront Prince An directly. I will take full responsibility for any consequences.”

“Even if someone accuses you of false charges, it doesn’t matter?”

“As long as the truth about what happened back then is brought to light, what does it matter if I am accused? Even if I lose my official position and title, I will accept it.”

“Very well. In that case, I grant you permission to confront Prince An.”

As Emperor Liangping looks at Pei Che standing before him, he can’t help but recall another figure from his past—both equally handsome, both equally upright.

Prince An has been sitting in the side hall for a long time, nearly finishing his cup of tea, yet the emperor has not summoned him. This strikes him as a little strange.

Since early morning, his eyelids have been twitching incessantly, and a sense of unease has settled over him, as if something significant is about to happen. To calm himself, he has ordered ink to be ground and paper to be laid out, but before he can complete his calligraphy, someone bursts into the room, announcing that the emperor has summoned him to the palace.

The sudden movement has ruined what would have been a fine piece of calligraphy with a misplaced stroke, but strangely, Prince An feels a sense of calm. The worst has already happened—worrying is pointless. It is better to face it head-on. After all, at such an unexpected time, a summons from the emperor can hardly be for anything good.

“Your Highness, Prince An, please follow me. His Majesty is waiting for you,”  a eunuch announces.

Prince An sets down his teacup, stands up, and dusts off his robes.

“Let’s go.”