Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 439 - 275: Discussing Countermeasures
"Lord Wan!" Kuang Zhao Ying entered the Heavenly Prison and first went to the cell holding Wan Xue Nian.
Compared to Wan Xue Nian, Song Shuqing was only involved in the examination scandal, accepting bribes. Although serious, compared to Wan Xue Nian, it was like a minor evil facing a greater one.
At this moment, Wan Xue Nian had already been stripped of his official’s hat, detained in the Heavenly Prison. His appearance was meticulous, only his expression showed slight panic as he paced back and forth in the prison.
"Lord Kuang!" Upon seeing Kuang Zhao Ying’s expression, Wan Xue Nian knew that his Wan Mansion was finished. Since these people were already planning to frame him, the mansion would surely be found with incriminating evidence.
A sense of desolation arose in his heart. He naturally understood the consequences of an examination scandal. It would affect the whole clan, with the male members executed immediately, and the females either exiled a thousand miles as military prostitutes or sent to the Music Bureau.
At this time, Wan Xue Nian still didn’t know that other evidence had been found at the Wan Mansion. He thought of the Third Prince. Being the Third Prince’s maternal grandfather, if he fell, the Third Prince would find it difficult to make any progress in the palace. The Third Prince would surely try to save him.
"Lord Wan! I am here on the Emperor’s orders to thoroughly investigate this case. It has been found at the Wan Mansion that you were bribed before the examination, and it’s also related to the bandits roving through the various provinces in the past. Lord Wan, the Third Prince has already been ordered by the Emperor to be confined. It’s best that you come clean about where the two hundred thousand taels of dirty silver are?"
Kuang Zhao Ying sat at the interrogation table, with two subordinates recording the interrogation.
Wan Xue Nian was utterly panic-stricken, "Impossible, how could I be involved in the bandits’ case? Who is framing me? What does two hundred million taels of silver mean? I have not seen the Silver."
Wan Xue Nian’s eyes widened in disbelief. He hadn’t anticipated that this matter would be linked to the bandit case. If he were truly charged with such a crime, the Wan Family would likely face execution of the Nine Families.
He quickly threw himself against the iron bars of the prison cell, "Lord Kuang, I must see the Emperor! I’m wronged! Someone must be framing me with these false charges. I deny all the crimes you listed. Just basing on a few letters to convict me, I can’t accept it."
Regarding the two matters, Wan Xue Nian had not committed either, so how could he confess? And that two hundred million taels of silver, he hadn’t seen a single coin! Surely, someone wanted to take down the Third Prince and implicated the Wan Mansion in the process!
Seeing that Wan Xue Nian was still stubbornly denying, Kuang Zhao Ying snorted coldly, "Wan Xue Nian, do you think you can still see the Emperor? Only when you see the coffin will you shed tears. Come! Apply the torture!"
Once inside the Dali Temple, even if they had served as colleagues before, Kuang Zhao Ying would show no mercy.
"Young Master, the officials have finished the court session, and Lord Yin is on his way back to the mansion."
Gu Chengyu was about to meet with Guo Shi when Ming Mo reported that Yin Kun had returned.
Sun Xian and his companion saw that Gu Chengyu had matters to attend to and quickly stood up to leave, knowing their assistance would be of no help.
"Chengyu! If there’s anything we can do, just let us know."
"Yes, we only hope to contribute in any small way." Ye Zhiqiu also knew that Gu Chengyu was very anxious, with the examination rankings still unpublished, and uncertain of his results. But he was confident in passing, though worried about being implicated.
Gu Chengyu saw their sincere expressions, not feigned, and felt somewhat moved. At this difficult time, it was clear who truly supported him. He wondered if his other two senior brothers would help him when he needed them.
Gu Chengyu nodded, feeling that too many words of thanks were unnecessary. He tidied his robe, instructed Ming Mo and the others to watch over Guo Shi, and then went to the Yin Mansion.
"Senior Brother!" Gu Chengyu faced no obstruction entering the Yin Mansion; everything seemed as usual.
"Come in quickly, I was just about to send for you." As soon as Yin Kun returned to the mansion and saw Gu Chengyu arriving, he wasn’t surprised, as Gu Chengyu must have already heard about the scandal.
"You’ve heard, haven’t you? This matter is quite troublesome. At today’s court session, the Emperor was extremely furious, as Wan Xue Nian was not only involved in the scandal but also..." Yin Kun intended to recount the events of the court to Gu Chengyu.
Gu Chengyu hurriedly interrupted, since he already knew these things, there was no need to hear them again. Now was the time to save time and think of a strategy.
"Senior Brother, don’t rush. I already know what you’ve said. Have you had time to read the letter I sent? I have something urgent to discuss with you, so let’s keep it brief."
Yin Kun was somewhat surprised; how did Gu Chengyu know what happened in the court? However, he did not ask, as Gu Chengyu had his own methods.
His attention was completely drawn to Gu Chengyu’s subsequent words, while a storm brewed in his heart.
"You mean to say that this incident was very likely a framed setup by the Eldest Prince? And that the bandit case was also orchestrated by the Eldest Prince?"
Yin Kun found it incredible that the Eldest Prince would create such an elaborate trap to ensnare the Third Prince.
After the initial shock, Yin Kun began to ponder deeply.
"According to you, how do you explain Song Shuqing’s involvement? Why would the Eldest Prince pull Song Shuqing down? Song Shuqing should be aligned with the Eldest Prince’s faction, as his eldest daughter is betrothed as a concubine to the Eldest Prince. Moreover, Song Shuqing is the Right Imperial Censor, a Standard Second Rank, highly regarded by the Emperor."
Yin Kun felt this explanation was illogical.
Gu Chengyu voiced his speculation, "Wouldn’t that further prove that this matter is not related to the Eldest Prince? Besides, who knows whom Song Shuqing might be secretly colluding with? Perhaps the Eldest Prince also wants to take the opportunity to deal with Song Shuqing, and this is the perfect chance. Of course, this is just my guess."
Yin Kun pondered for a moment, feeling it wasn’t without reason. The evidence found suggested the case was related to the Eldest Prince.
"Do you have any strategies to deal with this? Since it’s a scandal, there must be a list of bribery and payoffs. If the two lords are innocent, there won’t be any list. By then, who knows if they’ll randomly blame someone else. After all, once in Dali Temple, with both being aged, whether they can withstand the torture is doubtful."
Yin Kun feared that if Gu Chengyu ranked highly, the two could be forced to confess under duress and randomly name people.
The sons of aristocratic families need not worry, but Gu Chengyu, without roots and with personal enterprises and plenty of Silver Coin, would be the prime target.
"Isn’t that why I came to seek guidance from Senior Brother? If I end up in prison, I can’t withstand the beatings! I might confess, who knows?" Gu Chengyu smiled wryly, mocking himself.
Yin Kun gave him a side glance, wondering how he could joke at a time like this.
"I plan to start with Hu Maoshen. He has always been investigating the Eldest Prince’s crimes. If it’s proven that this incident is a setup by the Eldest Prince, the examination scandal will collapse on its own."
Gu Chengyu hesitated earlier but refrained from mentioning the matter of kidnapping Guo Shi. Yin Kun, his Senior Brother, wasn’t suitable to step forward; handing Guo Shi to Hu Maoqing was the safest bet.
Yin Kun thought of Hu Maoqing, who had remained silent at the court today, and frowned.
"If Hu Maoshen had evidence, he would have presented it to the Emperor long ago and wouldn’t have dragged it out until today. Seeking him out might not be advisable."
Gu Chengyu understood this, but wasn’t Guo Shi still a factor? If the Eldest Prince wanted Guo Shi dead, then Guo Shi must know quite a lot.
