This villain has become a ghost

The Grand Marshal did not come to the morning court that day, saying that he was ill at home.

Nangong Qianshang glanced at the ministers who were harboring ulterior motives and said directly:

"In recent days, rumors have been swirling in Dongdu due to Concubine Shu's miscarriage and Boss Jiang's murder."

"However, I am not aware of what He Xi did, and I have no intention of covering it up."

Someone asked respectfully:

"Your Highness Prince Xuan is saying that someone else is behind He Xi's actions and wants to put the blame on you, Your Highness?"

"But...what is this person's purpose?" someone else asked.

In these two cases, the heir to the throne would threaten King Xuan's position, and Jiang Wenjin was Nangong Mingzhu's confidant, so wouldn't he be the one who benefited? They said someone was framing him, but without even mentioning who was doing this to harm others and not benefit themselves, what was the point of blaming him?

Nangong Qianshang said in a deep voice:

"Shake the country and the people."

The officials fell silent, with doubts in their eyes deepening.

But this sounded like empty talk. The officials knew better than him, knowing full well that people would only shake the country for their own interests. Which of them would benefit from this?

In their view, this is simply an impossible thing.

Furthermore, some of Ye Zhaoxi's forces in the dark are fanning the flames. Rumors are scary, and even the most powerful means cannot stop the gossip.

Nangong Qianshang knew this very well, so he added:

"I have now become the regent and am deeply trusted by Your Majesty. Before this, I was also the beloved King Xuan. If I truly wanted to do something, it would be easy and open. I would not be so timid and engage in such despicable actions."

"This king is not afraid of rumors, nor do I care to believe them. I believe you, my dear ministers, are the same."

"However, among you, my dear ministers, some are anxious to create chaos, some are taking advantage of the situation to fan the flames, and some are being exploited by those with ulterior motives..."

"Right now, Yizhou and Liangzhou are in rebellion, the Five Cities are ready to revolt, and Chiyu is invading the border... Daying is already in turmoil. If I were truly the traitor, I wouldn't have chosen this moment to act."

"If the country is no longer a country, how can we talk about our interests?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the ministers who had been discussing the matter fell silent.

yes……

People have been in a panic these days, largely because there has been no good news from the border and Quanzhou.

If the Chiyu people really succeed, how will these people cope with the situation?

The title of "slave of a fallen country" is too unpleasant, and King Xuan would not volunteer to become the king of a fallen country.

Shen Yue saluted and said:

"I am willing to assist the Regent with all my heart to uncover the truth."

Su Shaoran and his father Su Hui looked at each other, took a step forward, and said in unison:

"I, your humble servant, will not be swayed by rumors and will uncover the person who is destabilizing the country!"

Song Haotian also stepped forward and said respectfully:

"Your humble servant is willing to trust the character of His Majesty King Xuan!"

Song Zhiyi followed closely behind:

"I, your humble servant, will obey His Majesty King Xuan's orders and do my utmost to find those who harbor evil intentions."

These people held high positions and had a lot of say in the court. For a time, they shut everyone up and no one dared to say anything more.

-

Ever since Ye Zhaoxi caught a cold last time, she had a reason to hide in her palace to recuperate.

"My Lord, everything is done."

While Ye Zhaoxi was trimming the flowers and plants, he listened to the visitor reporting the progress to him.

The crabapple flowers are bright red like blood, and the branches are winding.

Ye Zhaoxi cut off two flowers and played with them in her small palm.

"Very good," she said with satisfaction, "...Nangong Qianshang isn't that easily fooled, I'll give it another push."

She plucked off the petals.

"one two three four five six seven……"

She stopped when she counted to seven.

What a coincidence.

There are also seven.

-

South Study.

Song Zhiyi said in a deep voice:

"There has been no news from Wancheng and the border yet."

"The troops your royal brother leads are definitely stronger than those in Yi and Liang provinces, and also stronger than those in the other five cities," Nangong Qianshang analyzed. "It's not like there's not even a single report of victory from the border. The newly crowned top scholar went to Quanzhou and Wuzhou, so it stands to reason that there wouldn't be no news at all..."

"So there is only one possibility, that is... all the information from Dongdu has been intercepted."

"I have just handed the Imperial Guards over to Grand Tutor Shen for command," he said, "and he has been ordered to investigate this matter."

Song Zhiyi frowned:

"But there's still no new results from the Dali Temple."

"Lord Su said that the whole thing is airtight, and all the blame points to He Xi."

“When there are no problems at all, that’s the biggest problem.”

Nangong Qianshang sighed and said, "What do you think?"

Song Zhiyi pondered: "There are two possibilities. First, He Xi betrayed you. He did both of these things."

"Secondly, He Xi betrayed you, but he was just a scapegoat used to frame you. The real culprit was someone else."

"I prefer the latter."

Nangong Qianshang nodded and said, "Me too."

"As for who is behind this... maybe it's not just one person, but a group of forces," Song Zhiyi paused and continued, "... but there are two possibilities."

"First, they are Chiyu people, hiding in the Eastern Capital, taking this opportunity to cause unrest and cooperate with Chiyu's army on the border."

"Secondly, they are from the same faction as Liu Zeyin, Min Caizhe, Wei Yanzhi, and Han Wei..."

"I also... prefer the latter."

"That's right," Nangong Qianshang put the reviewed memorial aside and said in a deep voice, "...Now the enemy is in the dark, and I am in the light. I am really passive. I always feel that... time is too late."

"The trap they set is one link after another. We are already in it. It is difficult to escape from it."

Even if they could temporarily control the court, what about the people? Public opinion is already formidable, not to mention that there are people behind the scenes fanning the flames.

Song Zhiyi said:

"We have our reservations, but they have no taboos, so it's naturally difficult."

Protection is difficult, but if you want to harm someone, there are more than a thousand ways to do it...

"In the next few days, I will strengthen the guards of Shuhua Palace," Nangong Qianshang said thoughtfully, "...I always feel that she should be involved."

He suddenly remembered something and sighed deeply:

"...Although I've known for a long time that Luo Tong has close ties with that force, I really hope she didn't do these things."

"I understand," Song Zhiyi said with a wry smile, "...In this world, being a woman is not easy. She has suffered so much, and everything she has done...is just to protect herself."

If she didn't have the blood of good people on her hands, they would all try their best to help her start over.

At this moment, Shi Xing rushed in and reported in shock:

"Your Highness—"

"problem occurs!"

"News from the Grand Marshal's Mansion..."

"Master Qiu Lin... has passed away!"

"Many people have heard the news, and some have already gathered together and started rioting outside the palace!"