Soon, over a dozen n in black, covered in blood from being beaten, were brought in by Long Rui’s subordinates.
These n in black had disheveled hair, faces full of blood, and their clothes were torn in places. They walked with a limp, looking miserable.
Among them were so who were blinded, stumbling as they walked.
When the Pri Minister saw them, his face changed dramatically. These n in black were all his subordinates. He never dread that Long Rui would bring them to Taihe Hall.
"Kneel down."
The guard fiercely kicked the knee of the man in black.
"Thud."
The n in black all knelt on the ground.
In fact, without the guards’ kick, inside Taihe Hall, not only was it splendid and magnificent, but also heavily guarded, as the saying goes, guards every five steps, sentries every three.
With so many civil and military officials standing in the center of the hall to pay obeisance to the Emperor, the n in black had long been so frightened that their legs weakened. Their knees naturally fell to the ground, and the kick from the guards only added to their pain.
The Emperor furrowed his brows and asked, "Who are those kneeling below?"
Long Rui coldly replied, "Reporting to the Emperor, they are the n in black who attacked the War Prince’s Mansion that night. According to their confession, the Pri Minister is the mastermind behind it. I beseech the Emperor to deliver justice for ."
Although Long Rui spoke of beseeching, his tone was extrely arrogant, not at all like soone begging. The Emperor gritted his teeth in anger, yet could do nothing about him. Looking at the situation, not only could he not deal with the War Prince, but he might also have to help him confront the Pri Minister.
At this mont, the Emperor felt a blockage in his heart. With both The Petition of the People and several living witnesses, if he continued to favor the Pri Minister, his imperial authority would be gone, and the common people would scorn him.
Thus, the Emperor had no choice but to pin his hopes on the n in black, hoping they wouldn’t admit the Pri Minister to be the mastermind.
"Listen carefully, prisoners below, I have questions for you. You must answer truthfully. If there is any injustice or anyone has coerced you, speak out, and I will ensure your safety."
This segnt from the Emperor was full of implied aning, suggesting that if the War Prince had coerced them into falsely incriminating the Pri Minister, now was the ti to speak, and he would stand by them.
The n in black looked at each other in panic, failing to understand the Emperor’s aning.
"Spare us, Your Majesty; we acted under orders. The attack on the War Prince’s Mansion was all under the instructions of the Pri Minister. We had no choice but to comply. We plead for rcy, spare our lives!"
The Pri Minister heard with his own ears the words of betrayal from his subordinates, and his face turned pale. These subordinates were ticulously selected by him, rigorously trained to beco his lethal weapons. He originally believed they were loyal and wouldn’t easily betray him, but he was one move short. Truly, success and failure both due to Xiao He.
The Pri Minister felt as though he wanted to cry but had no tears.
The Emperor’s face changed slightly, thinking to himself, how could the Pri Minister’s subordinates have no backbone whatsoever, being scared by the War Prince to the point of betraying their master, truly useless.
The Emperor looked at the Pri Minister and asked, "Pri Minister, step forward and take a good look. Are these n yours?"
"Yes."
Having navigated the Imperial Court for decades, the Pri Minister, despite being frightened, appeared very calm on the surface and didn’t seem unnerved by these witnesses.
He stepped forward, circled the n in black several tis, and after carefully examining them, said, "Reporting to the Emperor, I do not recognize them."
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