Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
In an instant, the entire yamen was submerged in a freezing silence.
The imperial officials did not expect anyone to call out Elder Helian.
When Elder Helian heard his name, his tightly clasped the chair handle, trying his best to seem unbothered by the person’s accusation.
However, he knew very well that he would be infallible.
At this point, even if someone denounced him, there would not be any significant repercussions if there was no conclusive evidence.
Still, everything would be ruined if he panicked.
The wise Retired Emperor seemed placid as though he was unperturbed by the news. He casually turned his head around and asked, “Elder Yun, do you want to say anything?”
“Your Highness, ever since I became the elder, I have been slandered countless times. The family has become so large, I can no longer control what everyone does.” Elder Helian slowly continued, “Some people are too gullible, blindly believing the gossip if my name is mentioned. Thus, the crooks used this chance to fabricate rumors about me. Now that something has happened, some people would inevitably cast doubt on me. After all, I do have a relationship with the Liao family. Therefore, I must ask this person. You claimed that I am the one who is actually operating the Bayview Restaurant, do you have any evidence?”
When the person heard his question, he anxiously looked at his peers who were kneeling beside him.
However, they simply shook their heads at him.
It was clear as day that Elder Helian already knew the answer to his question.
After all, all the discussions were made at the dining table.
There were no written records that documented their words.
Elder Helian also received the profits of Bayview Seafood Restaurant through indirect methods. If someone could immediately get the financial records of Bayview Seafood Restaurant and the yamen, it might be possible to find out that the money that was missing from the yamen was in the restaurant. However, as the money was hidden safely away from peering eyes, it would be impossible.
“You have nothing more to say, right?” Elder Helian sneered, “I knew that this would be the result.” Having said that, he turned his head around and looked at Baili Jia Jue, ranting, “Your Highness, I will admit it if I have done anything wrong. It’s indeed my fault for not teaching my people properly. However, I will never cause harm to the public for mere wealth. I don’t know the rules of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs very well, but people who accused me should have evidence. This lord has none, yet he believed the rumors and tried to accuse me. He has severely besmirched my reputation, I hope Your Highness can punish him for me!”
When the person heard it, he yelled agitatedly, “You’re lying! Your Highness! Please don’t listen to him, he’s lying! What I’m telling is true! When I came to the provincial capital, I too wanted to become a good imperial official. However, the roots of corruption in the provincial capital are too deep. I couldn’t afford to mess with them, so I had no choice but to join in! Elder Helian even personally promised us at Bayview Seafood Restaurant. As long as we don’t reveal the secrets of the restaurant, our future in the government would be smooth-sailing!”
“This lord, I have to acknowledge that you’ve put in your greatest efforts in trying to escape your punishment.” Elder Helian eyed the surrounding crowd, taunting, “If I did threaten all of you at Bayview Seafood Restaurant as you said, why are you the only one who is calling me out?”
The person hastily looked around and asked the man on his left, “Lord Li, say something. At that time, you were there too, right?”
“I, I…” Lord Li was nervously eyeing around, but he looked away when he saw Elder Helian’s expression, and mumbled, “Lord Zhang, did you remember it correctly? Elder Helian did come that day, but I drank too much and had forgotten everything. Elder Helian probably… didn’t say such a thing.”
Lord Zhang was dumbfounded, retorting, “You obviously responded at that time, how can you be drunk?”
“I really don’t remember that,” Lord Li professed, hanging his head down in shame.
Elder Helian’s smile grew maliciously cold as he arrogantly said, “Lord Zhang, we’re not close yet you tried to frame me for no reason. The others said that there’s no such thing, but you still forced them to lie with you. It would benefit everyone if a vile and evil person like you are dead!”
“You!” Imperial Official Zhang did not pay any attention to Elder Helian’s words, he merely pulled at Imperial Official Li’s collar and yelled, “Why don’t you tell the truth? Why! We’re already at this point, we won’t be able to live anyway! We should just drag the people who tortured us with us, isn’t that good?”
As mentioned by Imperial Official Zhang, he had also thought of becoming a good imperial official.
However, sometimes, it simply could not be helped. Once he was roped in, he would sink further and further.
Now, he wanted to do something right before he died. Nonetheless, he still found it incredibly difficult.
The noble families wielded too much influence on the imperial officials, they were simply unstoppable.
Imperial Official Li raised his head and looked at him, his eyes filled with regret.
He could only say so in order to save his life.
He wanted to advise Imperial Official Zhang to think about it carefully. After all, there was a reason that everyone did not speak up.
If they were only guilty of corruption, they would at most be exiled to the rural areas near the border.
However, if they messed with Elder Helian without providing any solid evidence, their fate would be set in stone. He would likely not receive any severe consequences, but the people accusing him would simply be throwing their lives away.
The more favorable outcome was simply glaringly obvious.
All the imperial officials were still kneeling on the ground, even though they could stand up to testify for Lord Zhang.
Yet, no one was willing to stir up a hornet’s nest.
Elder Helian was greatly satisfied with their obedience.
Of course, there were also some defiant individuals.
Elder Helian menacingly stared at him and said, “That’s enough, Lord Zhang. You are testing my patience if you continue with this act.”
Imperial Official Zhang clenched his fists tightly and violently punched the ground in anger.
Elder Helian mockingly laughed in his heart, while wearing an expression of being greatly wronged, saying, “Your Highness, the decision is yours to make.”
Baili Jia Jue’s eyes narrowed when they met with Elder Helian’s.
However, Elder Helian did not flinch at all, he knew Baili Jia Jue’s methods very well. Baili Jia Jue could only get so far with his methods alone. Without truly understanding the people’s hearts and the ways of politics, he too would be helpless before him.
Baili Jia Jue stared fixedly at him for three seconds, before calmly opening his mouth, “Shadow, put Lord Zhang into jail, I will interrogate him later.”
“Yes,” Shadow replied respectfully, obeying his orders.
Elder Helian smirked as he gloatingly glanced at Imperial Official Zhang.
He seemed completely dispirited and despondent.
The others thought to themselves. Sure enough, things have turned out like this. Fortunately, we are not as st*pid as that Zhang person, who jumped at the chance and accused Elder Helian!
However, everyone’s expression drastically changed when they heard what Baili Jia Jue said next.
He uttered, “He may not have the evidence, but I do.”
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