Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 622 Hypocrisy

Si Yuandao waited at home for two days. During these two days, the morning court session was suspended, and not a single official from the Ministry of Personnel came to his door.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt that he was finished. All his years of hard work had been completely in vain because of Liu Dexiang, whom he had never even met. He had no idea what his fate would be.

On the first day of being guarded, he could barely hold on, but on the second day he fell ill and was bedridden, unable to eat or drink anything.

The turning point came on the third day.

The imperial guards watching over him told him that the cause of Liu Dexiang's death had been determined; he had committed suicide knowing he was guilty of a capital offense, and that the eunuch had also been killed by him. The Minister need not worry.

After he finished speaking, his guards left, and he received the news that the morning court session would proceed as usual the next day.

Si Yuandao knew in his heart that Liu Dexiang could not have committed suicide; he didn't have the guts.

Some people didn't want him to talk and had long been looking for an opportunity to kill him. Unfortunately, the Imperial Guards were keeping a close watch on him along the way, so they couldn't find an opportunity to strike. Therefore, they could only act in the palace, and Si Yuandao was one of them.

The only thing he hadn't expected was that those people would dare to do it so obviously.

Si Yuandao guessed that the emperor must have found out the mastermind behind the murder because he put it down so easily.

After he finished the morning court session, he went to his usual spot to inquire about news from the palace, but the eunuch he was familiar with never showed up.

He eventually arrived at the Ministry of Personnel and heard some news from his subordinates who were close to him.

"Many people in the palace have disappeared, and we can't find out any news from inside."

"Minister Zou has locked up his son, saying that he has offended the Third Prince and will no longer serve him in the palace."

"There's another thing. The female guard who used to serve the Second Princess has gone to a temple to cultivate herself. I've never heard of her believing in Buddhism. This is really a bit strange."

Si Yuandao grew increasingly alarmed as he listened, and asked, "How is the Third Prince?"

"The Third Prince is acting as usual." The subordinate keenly sensed that the Third Prince was probably the source of all the changes. Noticing the subordinate's gaze, Si Yuandao waved him away: "You may leave."

"Yes." The subordinate had only taken two steps back when Si Yuandao stopped him again, "Was Minister Ma at home or in the Ministry of Justice the other day?"

"I hadn't noticed that," the subordinate quickly added. "I'll go and find out now."

The subordinate returned quickly after leaving, saying, "Sir, Minister Ma has been at the Ministry of Justice these past two days. The Ministry has been handling a major case, and everyone from top to bottom will be busy for a while."

Si Yuandao immediately asked, "What major case!"

"Liu Dexiang, the prefect of Liangzhou, has been punished. I heard that Liu Dexiang himself committed suicide out of fear of punishment, his whole family was sentenced to exile in the southwest, his property was confiscated by the national treasury, and his servants were sold off." The subordinate official looked worried. "Sir, if I remember correctly, Liu Dexiang was recommended by you. Now that he has colluded with the Yan Kingdom and poisoned a court official, will it implicate you?"

Si Yuandao maintained a calm demeanor, saying, "Although that person was recommended by me, it was His Majesty who decided to appoint him. If His Majesty were to truly hold a grudge against me, would I still be here unharmed?"

Yes, that makes sense.

Inside the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince's face was grim. He didn't know what had happened in the palace, but someone wanted to use this evil wind to sever his limbs.

It's obvious who's behind it all.

Since our side has suffered losses, the other side shouldn't expect to emerge unscathed either.

Those in positions of power are constantly vying for influence; they have no regard for the lives of those below them.

When the emperor was handling matters, his saying "better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free" made him appear meticulous.

Why should a living person be wrongly killed?

We all come into this world to suffer and toil, and then we are killed for no reason. What kind of life is this?