The atmosphere inside the hall was deadly silent.
Yan Peizhi had a stunned expression, his eyes full of confusion.
The term "Barbarian Tribe" was taboo in Great Yuan.
Years ago, when demons wreaked havoc and the world was in turmoil, the Southern Barbarians took the opportunity to invade, causing the borders to collapse, and the flames of war once reached Qing Province!
They burnt, killed, and looted rampantly, the common people suffered immensely, blood and corpses floated for miles, resembling a drawing of hell!
During this national crisis, the Three Great Holy Sects took action, expelled the eerie demons, and restored peace and order to the world, henceforth solidifying their unshakable status.
Later, Princess proved her might through martial prowess, taking the nation's powerful artifact, the Heavenly Decree Seal, and personally led the troops to suppress the Southern Barbarians.
She massacred across a thousand miles, slaughtering over ten thousand from the Barbarian Tribe, as an offering to the capital!
To this day, the Princess still remains in the Southern Border, guarding our nation's soil!
One could say, the enmity between Great Yuan and the Barbarian Tribe is as deep as the ocean, a matter of life and death!
"Your Highness, why would you say such a thing?"
"As an old official, I detest the Barbarians deeply, wishing I could devour their flesh; how could I possibly collude with them?"
Yan Peizhi's words were earnest, then suddenly realizing something, he exclaimed, "It must be because I thoroughly investigated the corruption case in the Ministry of Revenue, touching upon some people's interests, thus they schemed to frame me, Your Highness, please do not lightly believe the slander of others!"
"Framed?"
Behind the screen, the Empress let out a soft chuckle, her tone cool, "But how did I hear that your nephew has been harboring a Barbarian Slave, carrying out secret transactions, caught red-handed, and is now detained in the Imperial Prison?"
Boom!
It felt like a thunderclap to Yan Peizhi, his pupils shook violently!
He had no knowledge of this matter, but since the Empress herself mentioned it, it must be no joking matter!
"This damned fool!"
As a collateral member of the Yan Family, Yan Liang often misused his influence for personal gains.
Yan Peizhi turned a blind eye as he still needed their support to control the movements of the Sky Scale Guard.
However, he never expected these two to be so bold as to get involved with the Barbarians!
And at such a crucial moment!
"Your Highness, I was completely unaware of this, please discern the truth!"
Yan Peizhi steadied his spirits and spoke solemnly.
"Lord Yan, are you sure you can withstand an investigation?"
The Empress spoke indifferently.
"This official..."
Yan Peizhi was at a loss for words.
Indeed, could he withstand an investigation?
Having held office for many years and been in high positions, who could guarantee their hands were clean?
He knew the methods of the Imperial Prison better than anyone… just like the Ministry of Revenue corruption case, those three officials could implicate five ministers, how many could Yan Liang and Yan Xun implicate?
Nobody cares about the process, the outcome is what matters most!
One could predict, if he dared to pursue it further, he would definitely face fierce retaliation from the Imperial Consort Faction!
The testimony had already been submitted to the Empress, he couldn't admit to false evidence now...
Yan Peizhi felt like he was caught between a rock and a hard place, sweating bullets.
The Empress seemed to see through his thoughts and said coldly:
"The crime of corruption is evident."
"As for the other implicated ministers... I find this testimony far-fetched and insufficient for a conviction."
"Perhaps Lord Yan should go back and scrutinize it further, to see if those three deliberately implicated others to reduce their own culpability."
Whoosh!
The testimony was thrown out from behind the screen, fluttering to the ground.
"This humble official obeys."
Yan Peizhi shuddered, bowing to the ground deeply.
The Empress's intention was clear, prioritize the bigger picture!
To preserve his black gauze hat, this case must end here!
"I am weary, you may leave."
The Empress's tone was cold.
"This humble official takes his leave."
Yan Peizhi picked up the testimony, bowed, and exited, his figure slightly flustered.
Initially a well-played move, it unexpectedly went awry, and after this event, his standing in the Empress's eyes had probably plummeted tremendously.
He could not have anticipated the boomerang to return this quickly...
...
"Yan Peizhi was too impatient, he wanted to win big with a small gamble, he underestimated Yu Youhan."
The Empress sighed softly.
"Your Highness, the timing too coincidental, just last night... Is Consort Yu's luck really that good?"
Beside her, an old eunuch in a Python Robe voiced his doubts.
"It's not luck, but rather she has capable people around her."
"Chen Mo... go investigate."
The Empress pondered.
"Yes."
The old eunuch responded.
...
Sky Scale Guard, Imperial Prison.
The cell was deep underground, cold and damp, without daylight.
The security here was extremely tight, and a Break Demon Array enveloped it, rendering all True Yuan and magic ineffective.
Inside the cell, Yan Liang was in prisoner clothes, his shoulder blades pierced by iron chains, hanging high, like a piece of wind-dried meat.
"Why?"
Yan Liang couldn't figure it out no matter how hard he thought.
He had always acted cautiously, personally handling even the deliveries, never through another person.
Why was he suddenly exposed?
Chen Mo seemed to have foreseen this, just waiting for him to walk into the trap...
"Sir."
At that moment, the voice of a prison guard outside the cell.
Footsteps approached, a tall figure entered the cell.
"General, we meet again."
"Chen Mo!!"
Seeing that handsome face, Yan Liang's eyes shot flames, his hatred could not be washed away by the waters of the Three Rivers and Five Lakes!
The prison guard brought over a chair and placed it six feet in front of Yan Liang.
Chen Mo smoothed his clothes and sat down, crossing his legs, enjoying his twisted expression.
"You plotted against me!"
"From beginning to end, it was all your scheming!"
Yan Liang shouted hoarsely.
Chen Mo picked at his ear, saying, "General, your voice is too loud, it would be bad to disturb the neighboring prisoners..."
Before he finished speaking, the prison guard beside him grabbed an iron rod and fiercely struck Yan Liang's mouth!
Bang!
Bang! Bang!
Blood spurted from Yan Liang's nose and mouth, teeth scattered all over the floor.
"Don't litter."
Chen Mo frowned.
The prison guard, understanding the hint, picked up the teeth from the ground and stuffed them back into Yan Liang's mouth, forcefully pushing them down with the iron rod!