Chapter 385 - I Am Not His Weakness
The Imperial Court resumed later in the evening. The Court Ministers had taken their positions. All were waiting for the Crown Princess to come. The Court Ministers were whispering with each other. "Your Majesty, the Crown Princess has already taken a lot of time in the Court," asserted the Minister of Rites.
"What can we expect when a woman tries to intrude in the matters of politics and the court?" The other said.
"Please be patient," Nianzu pacified the ministers. Han Wenji's eyes were fixed at the door. 'Why is the Crown Princess late?' Han Wenji wondered. The ten minutes passed but the Crown Princess did not show up in the Court.
"Your Majesty, even the First Prince is nowhere to be seen. Is it possibly because the First Prince accepted his mistake?" A whisper was heard.
"The Ministers are forgetting that disgracing the Royal Family members is a crime. Be in limits," Han Wenji said with a stern expression. The whispers died out and the wait for the Crown Princess continued.
"Brother Nianzu, have you seen the First Brother? At least he would have come here," Rong Zemin whispered in his ear.
"I do not know, Brother Zemin," Nianzu humbly replied.
Finally the Crown Princess entered the Court with the First Prince. They both apologized to the Emperor for being late.
"It's alright," Han Wenji stated. "Hopefully, the Crown Princess has found the evidence," he added. Ying Lili, who had bowed down, raised her head up.
"Your Majesty, the real culprit is Tan Gengxin," Ying Lili announced.
Everyone was shocked while the Court Ministers were confused. "Can the Crown Princess clarify who Tan Gengxin is?" The Prime Minister urged the Crown Princess.
"Yes, Prime Minister. Tan Gengxin is the son of his majesty's friend, who is no longer alive. Tan Gengxin's right hand man, Su Feng did this, who was caught by General Xiao and Commander Yang in the evening," asserted Ying Lili.
Xiao Zhan and Commander Yang entered the court. Behind them four soldiers brought Su Feng, whose hands and feet were tied with shackles. They stopped in the middle and greeted the Emperor first, followed by the Crown Princess and the Princes.
Su Feng, who had worn dark blue robes, was on his knees. Ying Lili walked to him and told him to tell the truth to the Emperor. "Your master will not come here to save you, so speak the truth only. Even the network of your spies has been caught by our commanders and soldiers. If you will ask for death, that will not be granted," Ying Lili reminded him beforehand, to remind him about the might of the Han Military.
Su Feng's mouth was bleeding while there were blue marks in his face, showing a combat fight broke out while they were catching him.
"I wanted to know about the location of the Crown Prince. I thought if I do this, we would be able to conquer the H-Han Empire," Su Feng revealed the truth. The Court Ministers and the Princes except the First Prince were utterly shocked to learn about the truth.
"So, you have planned the assassination of the Crown Prince?" The Prime Minister queried.
"Yes," Su Feng lowered his eyes.
"How come you know about the Palace? It is like someone from the Palace helped you," The Prime Minister asked another question.
"The Former Empress Weng Wei helped us," Su Feng replied.
Jian Guozhi lowered his eyes because now it was evident that harsh remarks from the Court Ministers would come his way.
"The Wei Family is plotting against the Han Empire? It is such a shameful act by the Former Empress. She first killed the mother of the Crown Prince and now this. The entire Wei Family needs to be punished, your majesty," Gu Zhenya proclaimed. The other few Ministers supported him.
"Be clear Su Feng. Why was Princess Consort Xue Yu-Yan dragged into all this? She is also the daughter of the Wei Family, however, she was intentionally dragged into this megaplan of yours," stated Ying Lili, ignoring the remarks against the Wei Family.
"B-because I thought that would benefit me," Su Feng replied.
Ying Lili did not fully agree with him. "Then, why did you not use the name of the other Consorts or Princes or Princesses? Why only Princess Consort Xue Yu-Yan?" Ying Lili demanded the answers from him.
"The Former Empress truth when came upfront, you thought she would tell us about Tan Gengxin. Isn't this the reason, you thought, to eliminate the Wei Family, who can betray your master? Or your master ordered this?" Ying Lili put forward two situations in front of him.
Su Feng was silent when he heard the Emperor. "Your life will be spared if you tell the truth," Han Wenji announced.
"I planned all this. My master has no involvement in this," Su Feng stated. "Since the Former Empress was caught so, I had the fear that she would probably tell the Crown Prince. Since she betrayed us, that's why I thought about killing her entire family. I thought by turning the Royalty and the Ministers against the Wei Family, I could avenge the betrayal she gave us," Su Feng proclaimed.
"How are you sure that the Former Empress betrayed you and your master?" Ying Lili asked him another question.
"Because the Crown Prince suddenly left the Capital. I thought by doing so I will be able to create turmoil in the capital and...and make the Crown Princess surrender. My master would be happy knowing this," Su Feng answered.
"How could you think that I would surrender? I am not his weakness with whom you can play easily. Unfortunately, you made a weak plan, Su Feng," Ying Lili affirmed.
"Where is Tan Gengxin at this moment?" Han Wenji asked him.
"The Northern Province," Su Feng replied.
"How can we agree with this betrayer? Maybe he is lying to us to deviate us from the truth? What if this is all part of the Wei Family, which is skilled in making plans?" Gu Zhenya raised the suspicions.
"Minister Gu, Su Feng is telling the truth. The Former Empress had indeed told the truth to the Crown Prince that's why he had left for the Northern Province. This truth is hidden from all of you because of his safety and safe execution of the plan," Ying Lili clarified the doubts of Gu Zhenya, who nodded his head.
Ying Lili turned to the Emperor and said, "He has accepted his crimes. I request his majesty to release Princess Consort Xue from prison." She bowed in front of Han Wenji, who passed the order to release Xue Yu-Yan.
"Thank you, your majesty." She lifted her head and looked at him.
"Your Majesty, I want you to hand their punishment case to me. I might sound rude, but I have a few more investigations to run on him and the network of his spies," Ying Lili requested the Emperor.
"I do agree with the Crown Princess. I think his majesty shall hand over the matter to the Crown Princess," the Prime Minister supported her, followed by the Minister of Law and Justice and also some other high rank ministers.
The Emperor, seeing the majority wanted the Crown Princess to handle the matter, accepted the request and granted her the permission.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for showing faith and trust in me." Ying Lili expressed her gratitude.
"It is clear now. I hope the ministers will not judge my son and his wife based on their family background. Next time, I will consider it as profanity against me and the minister, who will do so be removed from his position," Han Wenji delivered the decision.. Everyone bowed, acknowledging the decision of the Emperor.