Somehow, the Luo Family didnât hold a grudge against the Deng Family, but rather blamed Chu Heng.
Actually, they had some reason to resent Chu Heng.
Chu Heng, to some extent, utilized Minister Qiâs interest in opposing Grand Tutor Deng. Now that Grand Tutor Deng lost a bit of favor, Emperor Xuanmingâs tolerance for him naturally decreased.
Of course, "lost favor" was more like a warning.
Emperor Xuanming might soon be appeased by Grand Tutor Deng again.
But Chu Heng didnât mind. He had already resolved Emperor Xuanmingâs dissatisfaction with him, so he proceeded more cautiously and wouldnât give Grand Tutor Deng another chance.
If Grand Tutor Deng tried using the previous reasons to accuse Chu Heng in front of Emperor Xuanming, truthfully, it would hardly work.
What Chu Heng didnât anticipate was this.
Upon learning that Ye Muyu wanted to buy the Luo Familyâs store, Grand Tutor Deng not only sent people to acquire the store at a low price but also entered the palace to slander Chu Heng to Emperor Xuanming, once again reminding him of Chu Hengâs disloyalty.
He said that Chu Heng opened so many stores and earned so much silver, he surely intended to secretly cultivate his own forces.
Emperor Xuanming listened, put down the memorial in his hand, and oh-ed with indiscernible meaning, "Has Minister Deng discovered something?"
"Indeed, I have heard that Lord Chu has a group of exceptionally skilled guards by his side. Moreover, all the people in Lord Chuâs stores are reportedly raised by him. It is said that many of these people have no background, and a good number are orphans."
"Are there contracts? Or some other method to control these people?" Emperor Xuanming squinted his eyes, slapping his hand on the table with a loud thud, his expression looking a bit unpleasant.
Grand Tutor Deng was not frightened by Emperor Xuanmingâs demeanor; instead, he was delighted. Just this issue could make all of Chu Hengâs painstaking clarifications turn to dust, couldnât it?
Grand Tutor Deng was smug, but he didnât notice that Emperor Xuanmingâs expression didnât look good.
"There certainly are." Grand Tutor Deng judged others by himself and didnât believe for a second that Chu Heng was genuinely doing good deeds.
"Oh? So, it means there is no evidence yet?" Emperor Xuanming leaned back, staring at him sharply.
Grand Tutor Dengâs face shifted, and then, recalling something, he hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, until recently Lord Chu had a good relationship with that treasonous rebel King of Huainan. He must also have some drugs from the Southern Border. I have also heard that the Sacred Girl of Southern Border is very fond of Lord Chu, so it must be easy for Lord Chu to acquire drugs from the Southern Border." Grand Tutor Deng was malicious, knowing what Emperor Xuanming taboos, he deliberately spoke of it.
Regardless of whether Chu Heng had done such a thing.
Emperor Xuanming would feel resentment.
Once suspicion and doubt had been sown, Chu Heng would be easy to handle!
Grand Tutor Deng squinted his eyes thinking.
Suddenly.
With a bang.
Emperor Xuanming swung his hand, sending a stack of memorials crashing onto Grand Tutor Dengâs forehead.
Grand Tutor Deng instantly got a big bump on his forehead.
Embarrassed and yet to react, he pleaded, "Your Majesty, I..."
"Take a good look at these things. You accuse Chu Heng of disloyal intentions with no evidence, while he presents solid evidence of your recent actions." Emperor Xuanmingâs presence was imposing, and he coldly chuckled, "Tutor, do you think that I have lost my senses, fully swayed by your words?"
Grand Tutor Dengâs face instantly turned pale, and with a thud, he knelt down, "Your Majesty, I deserve death."
As he spoke, he began to slap himself.
Within moments, his face was swollen and red.
Emperor Xuanming looked down upon him, his eyes devoid of any warmth, as if staring at a dying insect.
It was only then that Grand Tutor Deng felt truly afraid.