flstandardbreds Chapter 350 Song Siyao is surrounded!
Chapter 350 Song Siyao is surrounded!
The officials remained silent.
Emperor Changlong questioned again, "Didn't you all have a lot to say just now? Why have you all become mute now?"
The officials bowed their heads, lowered their eyes, and remained silent.
“Your Majesty, the sandstorm is urgent. Let’s summon the Crown Princess first,” Xiao Jianshan said.
"Announce the Crown Princess!"
When Eunuch Wang went to see Song Siyao, Song Siyao had already received news of the Fengshadu riot.
On the way to the palace, Eunuch Wang told Song Siyao everything that had happened at the morning court session.
"Your Highness, I have a feeling that something is amiss with this matter. You must be extra careful."
"Thank you for the reminder, Father-in-law."
While the two were talking, Song Siyao had already arrived at the main hall.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty." Song Siyao bowed.
"Yaoyao, take a look at this." Emperor Changlong handed Song Siyao a memorial delivered by an official with urgent dispatches.
Song Siyao glanced casually at the memorial; the information she received was far more serious than what was written on it.
"Your Majesty, I am willing to lead troops to suppress the riots," Song Siyao volunteered.
"Very well!" Emperor Changlong said, "Crown Princess, obey my command!"
"My son is here!"
"I hereby order you to lead 50,000 troops to Fengshadu immediately to suppress the riot!" Emperor Changlong commanded.
"Your subject obeys!" Song Siyao received the military tally and left the palace.
At the same time, the officials dispersed from court.
"Crown Princess," Prime Minister Jiang called out to Song Siyao, probing, "the riot at Fengsha Ferry has nothing to do with you, does it?"
"If Lord Jiang's brain is useless, just cut it off to save food," Song Siyao said sarcastically.
"The Crown Princess is already angry? Is she feeling guilty?" Prime Minister Jiang continued to probe.
"Who is behind the riot? The answer will come once I quell the riot. But I would like to remind Lord Jiang to keep your true colors hidden, or you'll be exposed!" Song Siyao's smile was somewhat sinister.
Jiang Xiang was stunned for a moment, and by the time he came to his senses, Song Siyao had already walked far away.
"Song Siyao, just how much do you know?!"
Jiang Xiang stared at Song Siyao's retreating figure, a cruel look in his eyes.
Song Siyao, no matter how much you know, this time, I will make sure you never return!
Late at night in Beijing.
A carriage drove out of the city gate and finally stopped in front of a courtyard on the outskirts.
A person got off the carriage, and the carriage quickly drove away.
The man knocked on the courtyard gate, entered the house, and finally arrived at the underground palace.
He removed his mask, revealing his face; he was Yang Qian from Qingyun Academy.
The underground palace was luxurious and brightly lit, in no way inferior to the palace above ground.
"I've met the master."
Yang Qian bowed to the man in black sitting on the dragon throne.
The man in black wore a black bamboo hat, his entire being shrouded in darkness. "No need for formalities."
"My lord, your plan is truly flawless. Prime Minister Jiang thinks his scheme has succeeded, but little does he know that his scheme is only part of your plan," Yang Qian flattered.
The man in black sneered, "They're all trash, easily manipulated by me. In the Great Zhou, the only one who can be called smart is Song Siyao. What a pity."
"My lord, the Crown Princess will no longer hinder your plans. She will surely die on this journey to Fengsha Ferry." Yang Qian's smile was sinister, completely devoid of his usual gentle demeanor at the academy.
"With Song Siyao dead, Jiang Zhen will definitely take action. When that happens, you will lend him a hand!" the man in black instructed.
"Yes, Master," Yang Qian replied.
"You did a great job in establishing the poetry collection at the academy," the man in black said.
Yang Qian's face lit up with joy. "Thank you for the praise, Master. It's all thanks to your excellent guidance."
“The emperor trusts Song Siyao, so naturally he won’t believe there’s anything wrong with her poems. But the emperor won’t trust anyone else like that. Do you know what to do?” the man in black asked.
"I know, I'll nitpick at all those who are loyal to the emperor, I'll find fault with their writings, and label them as remnants of the previous dynasty. Then they'll be dead if they don't die." Yang Qian's eyes flashed with a fierce light.
"Be careful, don't expose yourself. Let Jiang Zhen handle the public matters. Jiang Zhen is ruthless; he'll kill them all." The man in black spoke indifferently, as if killing someone was as easy as crushing an ant.
"I obey, little one!"
When Yang Qian came out of the underground palace, the carriage was already waiting for him at the gate of the courtyard.
Three days later.
Overnight, five officials were brutally murdered in their homes.
The next day, morning.
"Your Majesty, the remnants of the previous dynasty that you previously ordered me to thoroughly investigate have been found. I have located their people who were lurking in the court and executed them last night. This is the evidence. Please take a look, Your Majesty."
Jiang Xiang presented the evidence to Emperor Changlong, who, upon examining it, found it to be irrefutable.
But the five people who were executed were all important officials in the court and were extremely loyal to him. How could these five people be remnants of the previous dynasty?
"Prime Minister Jiang, you're really fast! Very good!" Emperor Changlong grabbed the evidence, trying his best to suppress his anger, and uttered a few cold words.
"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. It is my duty to share Your Majesty's burdens," Prime Minister Jiang said with a smile.
He used the poetry collection established by the academy to eliminate his opponents.
These men were loyal ministers of Emperor Changlong and also worked for Shen Pei; they often opposed him.
Now, he has eliminated his biggest threat.
As for those little harlots, he didn't take them seriously. Moreover, by killing those five as a warning to others, the remaining ones dared not cause any more trouble.
Sure enough, with Song Siyao and Shen Pei not in the capital, he was able to get things done very smoothly.
When they come back...
Do not!
Song Siyao is gone forever!
"Do any of you ministers have important matters to report? If not, the court is adjourned!"
"Your Majesty, we respectfully see you off!"
Emperor Changlong dragged the evidence back to his study, and by the time he sat down again, the evidence in his hand had become crumpled and tattered.
"Wang Fu, how credible is this evidence?" Emperor Changlong showed the evidence to Eunuch Wang.
Eunuch Wang said, "Your Majesty, this servant doesn't understand. But this servant feels that since this evidence has already reached Your Majesty's hands, whether it is true or false, it has become true. Besides, now that the dead are gone, there is no way to verify it."
“You’re right. Since the evidence is presented to me, it must be flawless so that I can’t find any flaws,” Emperor Changlong said.
"Your Majesty, the Prime Minister killed five high-ranking officials without hesitation, and even did so without consulting you first. He has no regard for you at all."
Eunuch Wang poured Emperor Changlong a cup of tea, saying, "Even the Crown Princess has never overstepped her bounds."
"Let him be arrogant!" Emperor Changlong asked, "Has there been any news from the Crown Prince?"
"His Highness the Crown Prince has sent word that he will be back soon," Eunuch Wang replied.
"Wang Fu, send some more men to meet the Crown Prince." Emperor Changlong felt uneasy.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Eunuch Wang walked out of the palace gate, and Emperor Changlong fell into deep thought.
Early June.
When Song Siyao arrived at Fengsha Ferry, she realized she had been tricked.
"Your Highness, we've entered an ambush! We're surrounded!"