“Don't worry. There must be a way to make them confess. Don't you know...” Before Xin Zizhao could finish his words, Wei Shuxuan interrupted him.
“I know. The net of heaven has large meshes, but it lets nothing through, right? Justice may be delayed, but it will never be denied.”
Wei Shuxuan looked up with a smile, gazing at Xin Zizhao beside her. Seeing her blooming smile, Xin Zizhao couldn't help being stunned.
“... Well, you're right.”
Xin Zizhao lowered his head, not wanting Wei Shuxuan to see his embarrassed face. Wei Shuxuan asked him, “Then, Xin Zizhao, what do you think we should do next?”
“I think since Nuhachi has already admitted that all these things were done by the princess of Qiangfeng Kingdom, we should strike while the iron is hot. Take this man to the emperor, and invite some prestigious ministers to hear Nuhachi's testimony.”
“Are you saying we can't delay?”
“Yes. The longer we delay, the more likely something unexpected will happen. We don't know when Concubine Jie will show up.”
After thinking carefully, Wei Shuxuan found that Xin Zizhao's words made sense. After all, if those black - clothed men didn't go back to report to Concubine Jie last night, she would surely think that the people she sent had been captured or killed. Then, who knew what she would do? They might be caught off guard.
“I think you're right. When are you going to take Nuhachi to see your father?”
“I plan to go to see the emperor early tomorrow morning to explain the situation. It's too late today. Even Concubine Jie won't disturb the emperor's rest at night.”
“Okay. I'll go with you tomorrow. Remember to wake me up!” Wei Shuxuan reminded Xin Zizhao.
“Are you sure you won't oversleep?” Xin Zizhao couldn't help finding it a bit funny.
“Of course not. Don't worry! You must remember!” Seeing Wei Shuxuan constantly reminding him, Xin Zizhao found it quite interesting.
Xin Zizhao nodded, indicating that she could rest assured.
The morning court began when the sky was just dawning. At this time, the sunlight falling on the earth seemed to be mixed with a faint veil, faintly carrying a sense of haziness.
Xin Zizhao got up very early. When he left his room, Wei Shuxuan was still resting inside. As he passed by her room, a faint smile couldn't help curving on his lips.
He had thought about going in to wake her up, but remembering that both he and she had returned to their rooms very late last night. He was used to getting up early, but he remembered that she didn't seem to like it very much.
This lazy girl. Forget it. I'd better not wake her up.
His steps stopped in front of Wei Shuxuan's room. Xin Zizhao turned around and left, walking towards the main entrance of Fenghe Hall.
“Xin Shang, Wei Wei.”
Soon, Xin Shang and Wei Wei appeared in front of Xin Zizhao. “You two take Nuhachi and Eunuch Luo and follow me. Wei Wei, among my secret guards, your martial arts can match Xin Shang's. I'll trouble you.”
“It's no trouble. I know Miss Wei really hopes to clear the old general's name as soon as possible. What I'm doing is just a small help.”
“Okay. Let's go.”
When Xin Zizhao and his entourage arrived at the Golden Hall where the morning court was held, the morning court had just ended. He asked Xin Shang and Wei Wei to hold Nuhachi and enter the Golden Hall.
Emperor Jinzheng was a bit surprised to see Xin Zizhao bringing people in. Xin Zizhao stopped the ministers who were about to leave. “Dear ministers, could you please wait a moment and listen to what I have to say before leaving this Golden Hall?”
The ministers looked at each other, not knowing whether they should listen to Xin Zizhao. They all looked at Emperor Jinzheng. Emperor Jinzheng didn't know what Xin Zizhao was up to, but he still nodded to let the ministers stay.
“Father, this man I caught tried to assassinate Eunuch Luo last night.”
Emperor Jinzheng knew who Eunuch Luo was. Didn't he ask Wei Shuxuan to find Eunuch Luo just yesterday? How could he hear the news of Eunuch Luo being assassinated today?
However, the ministers didn't know who Eunuch Luo was. So Xin Zizhao explained to them, “Eunuch Luo is the one who sent the informant letter to the emperor before, the one saying that General Wei Tu colluded with Qiangfeng Kingdom.”
At this moment, the ministers couldn't help being in an uproar.
“Eunuch Luo, could you please tell us again who asked you to send the informant letter to my father?” Xin Zizhao walked to Eunuch Luo's side and motioned for him not to be afraid. With him there, no one could hurt him.
So, Eunuch Luo told everyone present the whole story again.
“Then, tell us what the jade pendant you saw looked like?”
“I... I drew a picture for Miss Wei yesterday. According to Miss Wei and the others, it was the national flower of Qiangfeng Kingdom, the phoenix - tail flower.”
“Father, because Wei Shuxuan was worried that Eunuch Luo would be killed if he told them the story, she sent her secret guards to protect him. Unexpectedly, someone really came to assassinate Eunuch Luo at night. Fortunately, I arrived in time and caught the leader of the black - clothed men. It's him. His name is Nuhachi.”
“Nuhachi?” Hearing a name like this, Emperor Jinzheng knew that the man in front of him was not a subject of Yulong Kingdom. “Zizhao, where is this man from?”
“Answer to the emperor. This man is from Qiangfeng Kingdom.” Xin Zizhao looked at Nuhachi. “Tell everyone here what you told us last night.”
Nuhachi hesitated a little. He didn't voluntarily confess last night. Wasn't it that cross - dressing girl who set a trap for him?
“If you don't want to say, you're of no use.”
Xin Zizhao leaned down and whispered in Nuhachi's ear.
That voice, that tone, was like a demon from hell, scaring Nuhachi extremely. He didn't know what this prince of Yulong Kingdom would do to him, but it mustn't be good.
“I'll say. I'll say.”
Afraid that Xin Zizhao would do something to him, Nuhachi quickly answered Xin Zizhao. “Actually, the person who instructed me to do these things is the eldest princess.”
Just as Nuhachi finished speaking, there was a commotion outside the Golden Hall. People in the hall looked out and saw Concubine Jie rushing in. She seemed a bit disheveled, lacking her usual radiance. But without makeup, she looked a bit more pitiful.
“Your Majesty! Please listen to me!” Concubine Jie knelt down as soon as she entered.
“Jie'er, this is the court. Why did you come here!” Emperor Jinzheng looked at her angrily.