CHAPTER 387: CHAPTER 384: ANGER

Xiao Xingzong’s malicious smile made the hairs on the back of the officials’ necks stand up involuntarily.

Everything happened too suddenly, and for a moment, no one made a sound to stop Xiao Xingzong.

Stopping him was wrong, and not stopping him might also be wrong.

Finally, the military envoy escorting Xiao Xingzong shouted loudly, "Quick...gag him, his reckless words against the Emperor are a grave offense."

Xiao Xingzong suddenly burst into laughter, his voice damaged by drugs, making his laughter particularly eerie: "Regret not completely silencing me? Your job was not done well...letting me speak...you will die with me."

"Stop it...you all fear me exposing the truth."

"Hahahaha."

The military envoy tightly covered Xiao Xingzong’s mouth and nose, using great force, seeing that Xiao Xingzong was about to lose his breath.

An official from the Ministry of Justice looked at the Vice Minister of Justice: "Master, if we don’t intervene, he might die."

The Vice Minister of Justice awoke from his stupor, knowing that no matter what, they couldn’t let Xiao Xingzong die in front of them, otherwise it would be reported that they deliberately killed him to cover up the truth.

Wouldn’t such an act of covering up confirm the Emperor’s guilt?

"Pull him away," the Vice Minister of Justice shouted, "subdue him."

The military envoy’s eyes were full of panic and fear, and he shouted, "Don’t stop me, I’m doing this for your own good, pretend you didn’t see anything, and it was Xiao Xingzong who ended himself..."

The Vice Minister of Justice decisively ordered, "The military envoy has gone mad, take him away to calm down."

The military envoy was finally pulled away, and Xiao Xingzong gasped heavily, laughing as he breathed: "Cough...I just...tasted it for you, death isn’t so scary."

The officials, familiar with Xiao Xingzong’s actions in Liao over the years due to his case, knew him well, but seeing him in person was different.

The current Xiao Xingzong was no longer the Zhao Xingzong of the past.

Xiao Xingzong was completely a madman—intelligent, vicious, fearless of death. If not for Song Xian’s exchange using the Third Prince of Liao, it would be difficult to capture Xiao Xingzong.

Such a person is truly difficult to deal with, and even more challenging are the words Xiao Xingzong just said. In principle, the cases reviewed by both the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Justice require the accused’s statements to be recorded verbatim, sent to the Central Secretariat, reviewed by the Central Secretariat, and finally submitted to the Emperor for observation, with the records stored carefully in the Ministry of Justice for future reference.

The first thing officials entering the Ministry of Justice have to do is read through all the case files from recent years.

That means everything heard today, if recorded by routine, will allow many people to learn about the attack on the eight states back then.

Even if Xiao Xingzong is slandering the Emperor, it doesn’t guarantee rumors won’t spread. What if someone wants to investigate...

Yuan Shaoqing of the Ministry of Justice envied Song Xian and Du Zhuo, who were kept outside, as at least they didn’t have to face such choices.

...

In the duty room, Du Zhuo was not as relaxed as Yuan Shaoqing imagined. He had his men hovering outside the prison to gather news. Song Xian left him here to act as a lookout, didn’t he?

"Master," a trusted aide stepped forward to report softly to Du Zhuo, "there’s some commotion in the prison; it seems Xiao Xingzong can speak."

"What?" Du Zhuo was astonished. The news of Xiao Xingzong’s madness and self-harm had long reached the capital. The current Xiao Xingzong shouldn’t be able to speak, write, or be mentally sound.

Since Xiao Xingzong can speak, his madness is likely feigned. What might Xiao Xingzong say? Perhaps Song Xian knew.

Du Zhuo said, "Immediately inform someone from Song Jiedu about this."

Song Xian had placed people nearby, and this news would quickly reach Song Xian’s ears.

Regardless of Xiao Xingzong’s intentions, precautions were necessary.

Song Xian, dressed in his official uniform, waited in the house. It wasn’t long before Chang An urgently brought the news.

"Master," Chang An inquired to Song Xian, "what should we do?"

It turns out Xiao Xingzong intentionally pretended to be mute. Were those sent to keep Xiao Xingzong in check incompetent, or was this intentional? If the Emperor intended for Xiao Xingzong to be voiceless, he would’ve prepared enough poison in advance.

How could such a significant oversight occur?

Revealing the truth behind Prince Guangyang’s death may indeed be a good thing. It’s like a thorn; those who care about it will be pricked and will see the Emperor’s true colors, also providing a reason for future rebellion.

But there are drawbacks. If someone has malicious intent, this fire could burn them. Liangchen and he aren’t safe.

The current plan demands early preparation, providing a means for Prince Guangyang’s grievances to be addressed in the future, while ensuring temporary civility.

"Deliver a message at the palace gate," Song Xian said, "we must meet the Emperor before the Ministry of Justice announces Xiao Xingzong’s ability to speak."

...

The Emperor was sitting in the grand hall handling official affairs when Du Zheng approached to report softly, "Your Majesty, after Song Jiedu sent Xiao Xingzong to the capital, he changed clothes and now seeks an audience at the palace gate, claiming to have urgent matters to report to Your Majesty."

The Emperor frowned, "Didn’t I ask him to rest? What’s so urgent that it can’t wait until tomorrow?"

Du Zheng said, "Song Jiedu says...it is extremely urgent, and if delayed, it might be too late."

"What urgent matter?" The Emperor put down the pen in his hand, "What does he want to say?"

Du Zheng remained silent.

The Emperor snorted coldly in his heart, most likely related to Xiao Xingzong being poisoned mute and insane. Previously, Song Xian seemed to know his place, but after marrying Princess Jia’an, how did he turn into this?

The Emperor took a deep breath, "Summon him in, I want to see what he intends to say."

Du Zheng responded and withdrew.

In a short while, Song Xian was brought into the hall, and soon his voice resounded, "Your Majesty, I believe there’s more to Xiao Xingzong’s madness than meets the eye."

Before the Emperor could speak, Song Xian continued, "When the Liao people sent Xiao Xingzong, he was perfectly fine. The clerks noted this clearly, and the government officials searched Xiao Xingzong thoroughly, so where did the poison come from? Though Xiao Xingzong survived, the Ministry of Justice couldn’t extract any words from him...I can’t help but think more seeing this situation."

The Emperor finally lifted his head, his gaze full of intimidation, "Think what?"

Song Xian said, "I’m afraid there are co-conspirators of Xiao Xingzong in the court, fearing that once Xiao Xingzong reaches the capital, he might expose them. Thus they bribed someone to act against him."

The veins on the Emperor’s forehead throbbed heavily.

Song Xian continued, "This person harbors ill intentions, and letting them escape will inevitably become a scourge for Daqi. I humbly request Your Majesty to order a thorough investigation, imprison all those involved in escorting Xiao Xingzong, and send related personnel to the Ministry of Justice for interrogation, investigating thoroughly."

The Emperor gazed deeply at Song Xian, the immense pressure made the Palace Attendants bow their heads.

The Emperor’s anger seemed barely contained. Who was Song Xian referring to in his statements? Who would become the scourge of Daqi?