Chapter 788: Chapter 624: Not Worth Worrying About
Does Father really intend to ignore such a large matter involving the Military Equipment Bureau, and instead manage his own trivial concerns? Truly naive!
"Is the Prince trying to delay the matter?"
Huo Huai Zhong also knew that because of the Third Princeās matter, the extermination case was considered closed.
If he did not come forward to say something to divert the Emperorās anger, the Third Prince would likely bear all of his wrath.
"I have already said, I will exert all efforts to investigate this matter. Furthermore, the supervision of criminal cases is the duty of the Imperial Censor, the Ministry of Justice only reviews the cases. When did it become my responsibility to solve cases?"
The Eldest Prince sneered, as if to say the Third Prince truly had no other skills to pull off.
"Then let us not discuss this matter for now, let us talk about the previous bandit case and Wan Xue Nianās case. Doesnāt the Prince know the truth in his heart?
As soon as these words were said, silence fell upon the hall.
The Eldest Prince gritted his teeth, with a fierce gaze directed at Huo Huai Zhong.
The Emperorās complexion was even darker than before, he knew the inside story, yet the Eldest Prince had carried out this matter for him.
He had already let this issue slide over, yet Huo Huai Zhong dared to bring it up again; such audacity!
"What? Does Huo Aiqing think there is more behind Wan Xue Nianās case?"
The Emperorās eyes seemed to contain a terrifying flame, making Huo Huai Zhong shiver uncontrollably.
Huo Huai Zhong was also grasping at straws in desperation, the extermination case is nothing compared to the Third Princeās mistakes.
He was anxious, thus revisiting this old issue.
But looking at the Emperorās face, which was slightly ferocious, Huo Huai Zhong only felt dizzy.
He hadnāt expected the Emperor to care so much about this matter, previously it was said it was related to the Eldest Prince, and now it seemed undeniably true.
Only he hadnāt anticipated the Emperor would shield the Eldest Prince to such a degree, mentioning this matter had incited such fury in the Emperor.
How could Huo Huai Zhong know the hidden facts within this?
If he knew the silver robbed by the Eldest Prince was handed to the Emperor, he wouldnāt dare say anything even if given a hundred additional guts!
The Third Prince inwardly cursed the fool, Father had strictly forbidden this matter to be mentioned again.
This Huo Huai Zhong was courting death and trying to drag him down with him.
Huo Huai Zhongās legs weakened and he fell to his knees.
"To the Emperor! Your servant had no such intentions, my words were unguarded and nonsensical. Please forgive my offense, Your Majesty."
"I see you are dissatisfied with the treatment of the Wan Family, is that not true?"
The Emperor slapped the armrest, startling the ministers in the hall.
"Emperor! This servant dares not, truly does not dare!"
At this moment, Huo Huai Zhongās regret turned his intestines blue; he had really brought upon disaster with his words today.
"Wan Xue Nian was a criminal, do you think I wrongly accused him and intend to overturn the case?"
The Emperor was furious, first interrogating, then without waiting for Huo Huai Zhong to confess and plead, began to berate him loudly.
The Third Prince and his faction were frightened to the point of turning pale, each pretending to be quails.
Hu Maoshen shook his head and sighed, was Huo Huai Zhong crazy? He was one of the insiders of this matter.
Although it was unclear where the silver ended up exactly, since the Emperor was willing to cover for the Eldest Prince and did not investigate, there was certainly foul play.
And the reason behind Wan Xue Nian and Song Shuqingās death, the Emperor naturally knew.
By exposing this matter, wasnāt Huo Huai Zhong pointing at the Emperorās nose and calling him a foolish ruler? This was truly a slap to the Emperorās face!
The Emperor panted heavily, Deāan worriedly wondered if the Emperorās health could endure such anger.
Afraid the Emperor would blame him, Huo Huai Zhong quickly pleaded, with tears and snot streaming, bringing up his years of toil.
The Fourth Prince curled his lips slightly into a smile, very well! Itās dogs biting dogs, and covered in fur, let them stir things up! This will make for a good show.
Xia Qing glanced at Huo Huai Zhong, shook his head in pity.
This old thing chose the wrong master, the useless master pushed Huo Huai Zhong the loyal old minister to this state.
Yet, who could blame Huo Huai Zhong for admiring the Third Prince, and promising his well-born granddaughter to the Third Prince as a concubine.
Who could have foreseen the Wan Xue Nian matter would arise, and many officials under the Third Prince left; Huo Huai Zhong, however, was tied to the Third Prince, unable to break free!
"Huo Huai Zhong, you seem to have reached the end of being the Vice Minister of Ministry of Justice."
The Emperor was already extremely displeased today, and now Huo Huai Zhong had come to provoke him; he could not be blamed for his actions.
If not punished, wouldnāt this mean anyone could challenge the Royal Familyās dignity? He is the True Dragon Emperor, how dare these people challenge his authority?
Upon hearing this, Huo Huai Zhong understood the Emperorās intentions? This was to revoke his official position?
His entire body weakened, lips trembling as he tried to plead for leniency from the Emperor, yet was unable to speak.
The Third Prince was naturally anxious, Huo Huai Zhong was extremely important to him.
This was a third-rank official, if his Father stripped him of the position, wouldnāt he be effectively cutting off an arm?
He looked back, but found his usual loyal officials were all silent, and he felt resentment.
"Father..." The Third Prince had no choice but to plead himself.
But he had only just spoken when he felt a cold gaze towards him. Even though he hadnāt raised his head, he knew it was from his Father.
Startled, he remembered the Military Equipment Bureauās matter was yet unresolved, and his Father had certainly noted it!
Now opening his mouth to plead would only redirect his Fatherās wrath towards himself!
Huo Huai Zhong, upon hearing the Third Prince speak, thought the Third Prince would plead for him.
But the Third Prince faltered as soon as he spoke, and a sense of despair rose within him.
The officials who had originally followed the Third Prince also felt a chill; they had long known the Third Prince was always self-preserving, but didnāt expect him to be so heartless.
Huo Huai Zhong stood up for the Third Prince today, yet the Third Prince did not care for him at all.
And what about them in the future? Would their fate be the same as Huo Huai Zhongās?
The Eldest Princeās eyes flashed with ridicule, the Third Prince was timid as a mouse, always prioritizing self-preservation, how could one expect him to save Huo Huai Zhong?
The Third Prince was unsuited for great responsibility, always retreating swiftly when personal interests were involved.
How can officials serving him be devoted with peace of mind?
Previously due to Wan Xue Nianās suicide, half of the officials attached to him had left.
And now, by making such a decision, surely even more will depart.
The Eldest Prince disagreed with the Third Princeās approach.
Even if unable to change Fatherās decision, a few words of pleading would still be possible, right?
Using someone and then kicking them aside will only chill peopleās hearts.
Without support, it will be difficult to ascend the throne.
The Third Prince is no longer a threat to concern.
The Second Prince frowned, considering that Huo Huai Zhong is indeed an old minister, diligent in his duties, without known faults.
If truly stripped of his position, it would be a pity.
But Huo Huai Zhong is part of the Third Princeās faction, which makes him hesitate.