Chapter 268

268 The Three Strongest Minister

Qiu Zedong, who was heading to the imperial court, stopped as he encountered Kang Xi.

“May I have a few words with His Majesty?” Kang Xi requested Qiu Zedong.

“Currently, I have an important matter to discuss in the court. It has already been delayed for an hour today,” Qiu Zedong stated. “The Prime Minister can meet me after the court session is over,” he opined.

Kang Xi could not let Qiu Zedong head to the imperial court. He wanted to convince the King not to discuss the matter related to Kang Huijuan.

Best

In the morning, when the messenger gave Kang Huijuan the summon message from the King, Kang Xi rushed to the palace and found out what Lóng Wei had done. He not only revealed the truth about Lianying but also dragged the Kang family, especially his son, into all this.

“Your Majesty, I have no idea why Prince Lóng Wei involved the Kang Family merely because my late father sent Eunuch Lianying when he was young. Then, Prince Lóng Wei falsely accused my son,” Kang Xi expressed his opinion.

Qiu Zedong scrunched his brows. “If you are here to tell me not to discuss the matter in the court, then you are wrong, my friend,” he affirmed. He recalled Li Hua’s and Mingquan’s words. Kang Huijuan lied to them while, as a King, Qiu Zedong indeed did injustice to his son. He would rectify his mistake today by investigating the matter properly.

“But, Your Majesty-” He paused as Qiu Zedong showed him his hand.

“Kang Xi, whatever the truth is, it will be revealed today,” Qiu Zedong said and walked ahead.

.....

Kang Xi lowered his head as the King walked past him.

In the imperial court, everyone turned quiet and stood straight as the King entered from the front door. Then, Xiaoming rose up on his feet and bowed as the King sat down on the throne. Xiaoming sat down after him while the princes and the ministers lifted their respective heads. Kang Xi had also stood at his place.

Qiu Zedong looked at the stack of sheets before him and checked them.

He pulled his hand back and rested it on the armrest of the throne. “A very unfortunate matter happened in the morning. Eunuch Lianying, who served this royal family for more than 25 years, tried to take the life of the Crown Prince. He planned an attack on the Crown Prince merely because he refused to marry the daughter of the Prime Minister,” Qiu Zedong said while looking at his ministers.

General Hei was present in the imperial court too. Behind him was Qiu Mu and Huang Xi, standing on either side of Lianying, who was on his knees, chained in shackles.

“Your Majesty, does it mean this attack was planned by the Kang family?” The Commandant of Justice, Minister Li Zixuan, asked.

“The Kang family has nothing to do with it. We have already accepted the decision of His Majesty and the Crown Prince,” Kang Xi promptly answered. He never asked Lianying to do something like this, and he glanced at him.

“Eunuch Lianying was indeed a gift from my late father to the former late King of the Qiu Kingdom, but the attack on the Crown Prince has nothing to do with us,” Kang Xi affirmed, “your Majesty,” he turned his gaze back at the King.

“Your Majesty, Eunuch Lianying has admitted the charges and said that the Kang family was not involved in this. He planned this attack on the Crown Prince because he didn’t like it when the Crown Prince refused the marriage proposal,” Hei Chengxi informed the King.

Qiu Zedong looked at Eunuch Lianying and asked him if it’s true.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Lianying said in a low voice.

“Then, the decision is as clear as the water. Eunuch Lianying will get the death sentence,” Qiu Zedong announced his decision. None of the ministers opposed his decision and agreed with him.

Huang Xi grasped Lianying’s arm to take him away when he yanked it away and went to the front.

Hei Chengxi took out his sword when Lianying asked, “I would like to ask the King why he didn’t punish Lóng Wei to death, who killed with his own hands His Majesty’s late concubine.”

“Lianying, you are not supposed to bring it to the imperial court when it has nothing to do with this matter,” Xiaoming said, furrowing his brows.

“Isn’t it an injustice? I didn’t kill the Crown Prince, yet I have been given a death sentence while Lóng Wei, who killed a person from the royal family, roams freely,” Lianying’s voice roared in the court.

Hei Chengxi put his sword on Lianying’s neck and asked him to be quiet. He gestured to the soldiers to drag Lianying out of the court. However, Lianying kept shouting.

“Yuze and Lóng Wei are planning to overthrow the current King!” He shouted many times before he was dragged out. Huang Xi left with the soldiers as he asked his father to stay behind.

“Eunuch Lianying lost his mind after his truth came to light,” Xiaoming said as he rolled his eyes in frustration.

“Eunuch Lianying didn’t say that Monk Yuze and Prince Lóng Wei are scheming to overthrow the King,” Fei Shu, another court minister said. Several ministers came to his support and requested the King to not neglect Eunuch Lianying’s warning.

“A traitor can never be trusted,” Kang Xi said. He decided to defend Lóng Wei despite his inner voice having told him to make everyone agree in the court to punish Lóng Wei too.

However, since his son’s life was at stake, he decided to take Lóng Wei’s side.

“Your Majesty, Eunuch Lianying, is no less than a traitor who wants to split the royal family. The matter of Prince Lóng Wei’s has already ended the year he committed such a sin. The Prince has already been punished for it. Moreover, Monk Yuze has been with the former King too. If he had to plan anything against the King, he would have done it a long time ago. A snake and a traitor can never be trusted,” Kang Xi pronounced.

“I strongly agree with the Prime Minister’s words. Eunuch Lianying got caught and that’s why he thought of Prince Lóng Wei’s downfall,” Li Zixuan said.

Hei Chengxi glanced at Kang Xi. “I also agree with the words of the Prime Minister. Prince Lóng Wei’s past has nothing to do with his present. Eunuch Lianying tried to create turmoil in the royal family,” Hei Chengxi pronounced.

Seeing the three strongest ministers supported Prince Lóng Wei and ruled out the accusations laid by Lianying. The ministers who had earlier raised their voices turned quiet.

“Prince Lóng Wei is no longer the old Prince. He has changed since his marriage and tries not to cause any problems for anyone in the area.Also, Monk Yuze’s loyalty is unquestionable,” Qiu Zedong stated.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty,” Fei Shu apologized and bowed.

“Your Majesty, I would like to propose something,” Hei Chengxi said, “If His Majesty allows, then can I speak about it?” He asked for permission first.

Qiu Zedong allowed him.

“After what Eunuch Lianying did, I feel there should be a strict investigation into all the servants’ activities in the imperial palace,” Hei Chengxi pronounced.

“Your Majesty, Eunuch Lianying’s act has proven that there might be more enemies hidden in the royal palace,” Xiaoming supported the suggestion of Hei Chengxi.

“Since it’s for the safety of the regal family members, I allow General Hei,” Qiu Zedong permitted Hei Chengxi to check servants’ activities. He thanked the King and bowed.

Kang Xi was a little scared because soon his son’s matter would be discussed. He wanted to meet Lóng Wei and apologize on his son’s behalf to him, but he didn’t know how.