NFBE Chapter 268 Suffering a Silent Loss
Chapter 268 Suffering a Silent Loss
Yongwang's schemes not only failed to affect Yuji's business, but actually made it even more prosperous in recent days.
The people passed on the events of that day by word of mouth, which indirectly broadened the reputation of Yu Ji.
Many diners come from far and wide, and after tasting the food, they all praise it highly.
For a time, Yu's Hot Pot became the most popular food stall in Shengjing City during the winter.
The story of Prince Yong framing Yu Ji was somehow incorporated into a storybook by a storyteller.
This story became a popular topic in several teahouses in Shengjing.
Although the story doesn't explicitly name Prince Yong, it mentions the two main characters.
Anyone could guess the general idea of the arrogant young master Xuan and the intelligent and decisive shopkeeper Yu just by hearing their names.
This is no different from naming names.
Prince Yong learned of this a few days later.
On that day, during court, the most stubborn and headstrong Imperial Censor Song Bingzhi impeached him in court.
The moment Prince Yong heard Imperial Censor Song impeach him, his face instantly darkened to a grim degree.
In the imperial court, all the princes turned their gazes toward him.
There were doubts, there was observation, and even a hint of schadenfreude.
Imperial Censor Song straightened his back, his face impartial and incorruptible: "Your Majesty, recently some storybooks have been circulating in Shengjing City, which allude to powerful officials abusing their power and attempting to frame honest merchants."
"This matter has spread like wildfire among the people, seriously affecting the atmosphere of our dynasty and the dignity of the court."
The emperor frowned slightly, his gaze falling on Prince Yong. "Prince Yong, are you aware of this matter?"
Prince Yong gritted his teeth inwardly.
Song Bingchun dared to impeach him during court, so he must have already found out everything.
The incident that day caused quite a stir, and the two people Kang and Qian found confessed that they were acting under the orders of the Prince Yong's mansion. It was impossible for him to completely clear himself of the matter.
But he still feigned a look of fear and grievance, quickly stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said urgently with just the right amount of grievance on his face:
"Father, I knew nothing about this!"
"This must be a deliberate fabrication by someone trying to smear my reputation."
The emperor's eyes held a scrutinizing glint as he coldly looked at Song Bingzhi, "Minister Song."
Without hesitation, Imperial Censor Song immediately presented a memorial, his words earnest: "Your Majesty, this is the testimony of the eyewitnesses on that day. Moreover, the murderer was taken away for interrogation by Minister Su of the Court of Judicial Review, and they confessed that the mastermind behind it was Kang Qian, the steward of Prince Yong's mansion."
Su Mu stepped forward, bowed, and echoed, "Your Majesty, this is indeed the case."
Then, he methodically recounted in detail what had happened at Yu's Hot Pot that day.
As Emperor Wenjing listened, his expression grew increasingly grim.
He could usually turn a blind eye to the princes' private misdeeds, but if they lacked the ability to do so and brought the matter to his attention, seriously affecting the atmosphere of the court and the dignity of the royal family, he would never tolerate it.
"Prince Yong, what else do you have to say?" Emperor Wenjing's voice was filled with authority and anger.
Prince Yong cursed Yu Wan countless times in his heart, but on the surface he still looked terrified and knelt down heavily with a "thump".
He reached up and touched the fine beads of sweat on his forehead, urgently crying out, "Father, I have truly been kept in the dark!"
"Perhaps Kangxi and Qianlong had a personal grudge against Yu Ji, which is why they secretly bribed others to frame Yu Ji behind my back."
"Your Majesty, I truly knew nothing about this matter! I beg you to investigate thoroughly!"
At this moment, the Prince of Qi stepped forward, a gentle smile on his face, and said in a calm and unhurried tone: "Father, since my ninth brother was released from confinement, he has been obediently studying with me every day. This matter should have nothing to do with him."
"However, his steward caused such a disturbance, which aroused public outrage and should be severely punished."
"Although Ninth Brother was unaware of the situation, he also failed to properly manage his servants. However, he is still young and unmarried, so it is inevitable that there will be oversights in the household affairs. I hope Father will be lenient in his punishment."
Emperor Wenjing's gaze swept back and forth between the Prince of Qi and the Prince of Yong, and he tapped the armrest of the dragon throne a few times before falling into deep thought.
After a long pause, he slowly spoke in a deep voice, his tone carrying an undeniable authority: "This time, I will deduct a year's salary from your pay. If there is a next time..."
Upon hearing this, Prince Yong felt resentful, but dared not show it in the slightest.
This is already the best result.
He had no choice but to swallow this bitter pill this time!
He hurriedly kowtowed to express his gratitude, "Your subject obeys the decree. Rest assured, Father, there will absolutely be no next time!"
Next time he deals with Yu Wan, he will make sure to be flawless!
Emperor Wenjing stood up with a frown, his eyes full of displeasure. "As for Kang Qian, the steward of the Prince Yong's residence, he dared to commit such illegal and disorderly acts behind his master's back. The Dali Temple is to conduct a thorough interrogation and deal with him according to the law!"
Su Mu immediately accepted the order, "Your subject obeys."
After the court session, Prince Yong's face turned ashen. Without lingering, he went straight back to his palace.
As soon as he entered the courtyard, he angrily kicked a flowerpot next to him.
With a "bang," the flowerpot shattered into pieces, splattering soil everywhere.
He roared at his servants, "Go and summon Kangxi and Qianlong to me!"
A moment later, Kangxi and Qianlong approached tremblingly. Upon seeing the Prince of Yong's grim face, their legs went weak, and they knelt on the ground with a thud, not daring to raise their heads. Their voices trembled as they said, "Your Highness..."
Prince Yong rushed over and kicked him, "You idiot! You're good for nothing but causing trouble! I asked you to do something, and you actually made a scene in the court, causing me to be punished!"
Kang Qian was kicked and fell to the ground, trembling like a leaf. He lay on the ground crying and pleading, "Your Highness, please forgive me! It was my fault for not handling things properly. I never expected things to escalate to this extent."
Prince Yong's eyes were bloodshot as he glared fiercely at the trembling Kangxi and Qianlong Emperors.
Taking a deep breath, she bent down, grabbed his collar, lifted him up, and warned him in a low voice, word by word:
"People from the Dali Temple will be coming to take you away soon. You should know what you should and shouldn't say, right?"
Upon hearing this, Kangxi and Qianlong's faces turned deathly pale, their lips trembled, and countless terrifying thoughts flashed through their minds.
He nodded hurriedly, almost crying as he said, "Your Highness, rest assured, this servant is utterly loyal to you and will absolutely not let this matter involve you!"
A slight smile appeared on Prince Yong's face, but it sent chills down one's spine.
He loosened Kang Qian's collar, smiled and straightened it for him, his tone seemingly gentle but containing a hidden threat: "Go to Dali Temple with peace of mind, I will send people to look after your home."
This isn't a big deal. You'll only be detained for a few days at most, and then you can be reunited with your family. Understand?
Kangxi and Qianlong trembled even more violently, and they kowtowed desperately, their foreheads hitting the ground with a thud.
"Your Highness, rest assured, this servant understands!"
He knew in his heart that Prince Yong was using his family's lives as a warning to him not to say anything he shouldn't at the Dali Temple.
He knew very well that Prince Yong was not referring to the recent framing of Yu Ji, but rather...