"He found out that his family members back then were exiled, but were all killed on the way, with not a single survivor. Do you think he'd be willing to let it go? I believe that with his current influence, it's just a matter of time before he figures out what happened back then."
"Oh, right. I forgot to tell you. Ruan Ming is now the newly - appointed General Protecting the Nation by the new emperor. He's exempt from all kneeling ceremonies and can enter the palace with his sword. With such a great privilege, do you think those who plotted with you back then will expose you?"
Old Master Yang's legs trembled as he knelt down. He never expected that there was still a survivor from the Ruan family back then, let alone that this person would achieve such a high status today. Suddenly, Old Master Yang seemed to think of something.
"You said you could spare my life... What do you want me to do? Just tell me... I'll definitely help you, as long as you can spare my life."
"Good. Then tell me what was the relationship between the Ruan family and Lou Mingkou of the Qin Dynasty back then?"
Old Master Yang was stunned for a moment. This was what he wanted to know? "You... Who are you...?"
Suddenly, Old Master Yang seemed to think of something and stood up excitedly.
"Old Master Yang, I believe you're a smart man. You know what to say and what not to say."
"Yes, yes, yes. I understand, I understand. I'll go get those letters right away."
"Back then, the Ruan family only contacted Lou Mingkou after listening to the prime minister of the current dynasty. Originally, the Ruan family didn't want to do it. But the prime minister said that if the Qin Dynasty won that battle, their country would face destruction.
"At that time, the Ruan family would be the first to suffer. If they didn't agree, all their clan members on the battlefield would be sent to the Qin Dynasty. Just think about it. How many people from the Ruan family were on the battlefield, and how many people from the Qin Dynasty did they kill?
"I'm here for your own good this time. If you don't agree, there's no need to wait to be captured. I can send them to the main camp of the Qin Dynasty right now."
"Back then, Old Master Ruan was threatened. He did resist at first, but the prime minister's power was too great. In just seven days, three members of the Ruan family died on the battlefield.
"So, the Ruan family had no choice but to agree?"
"That's right. These are all the letters exchanged between the Ruan family and Lou Mingkou."
Jing Xunchao opened the letters and found that the contents could match the events back then. It was indeed Lou Mingkou's handwriting, but there was no seal. Without the seal, it was all in vain.
If he showed these letters, Lou Mingkou might claim that it was slander and that the handwriting was imitated. He would never admit to such a thing.
Jing Xunchao put away the letters. Although they were useless for now, they might come in handy in the future.
"Then why was the Ruan family annihilated back then?" Jing Xunchao glanced at the door imperceptibly.
"Back then, the empress found out about the Ruan family's affairs and ordered their property to be confiscated and the family to be exiled to the border. But the prime minister was afraid of trouble, so he found me and asked me to kill them all to avoid any further problems."
"So you killed all the members of the Ruan family?" An angry voice came from outside the door.
Old Master Yang looked at the person walking in from outside the door in horror. He recognized him. It was Ruan Ming, the survivor of the Ruan family.
"Save me... Save me. You said you'd spare my life." Old Master Yang tried to shrink behind Jing Xunchao desperately.
"I did say I'd spare your life, but what I meant was that I wouldn't kill you. It doesn't mean others won't. You're on your own." With that, Jing Xunchao lifted his foot and walked out.
"Thank you. Also, I saw Miss Mu in the capital of Nanqing, but I don't know the exact location. That's all I know." This was his way of repaying Jing Xunchao for helping him find out the truth behind the Ruan family's annihilation.
Jing Xunchao paused when he passed by Ruan Ming. "Thank you."
Since Qier was still in the capital of Nanqing, she must be able to receive news from the outside world. He had to prove his innocence and bring Qier back.
When Jing Xunchao left, he didn't say how to deal with the prime minister because he knew that Ruan Ming would definitely tell Jiang Yanqin about the prime minister's affairs. He didn't need to worry about it.
He just said one thing before leaving, "Tell me the whole story after the prime minister has confessed."
"Okay."
Old Master Yang watched the people leave and knew that he couldn't escape today.
Ruan Ming didn't kill him on the spot. Instead, he took him to the palace and handed him over to Jiang Yanqin. At this moment, Jiang Yanqin had a headache because Lord Chen was arguing with him.
"Lord Chen, I won't agree. Just give up."
"Your Majesty, I'm already fifty - three years old. It's time for me to retire to my hometown."
"Lord Chen, I just ascended the throne, and you want to resign. Do you think it's appropriate? People who don't know might think I'm mistreating you."
He was just dealing with official business properly when a eunuch reported that Lord Chen had come. After bringing the person in, Lord Chen knelt down and said he wanted to resign. Jiang Yanqin was not happy.
"Lord Chen, you're still young. You can still fight against all the officials in the court. I can't do without you."
"Your Majesty! I..."
"Your Majesty, General Ruan requests an audience."
My savior! "Quickly summon him!"
"Lord Chen, General Ruan is here. Please wait aside for a while."
"Your Majesty, Lord Chen."
"General Ruan, what brings you here?"
Ruan Ming told everything that Old Master Yang had said in detail. "Young Master Jing said to tell him the whole story after the prime minister's matter is settled."
"That prime minister is really bold! What about the people of the Yang family?"
"I've taken the liberty of putting them in prison."
"Well done, General Ruan. Please make another trip and bring the people from the prime minister's family to the palace."
"I obey the order."
After watching Ruan Ming leave, Jiang Yanqin looked at Lord Chen with a smile. For some reason, Lord Chen felt that something bad was going to happen. Maybe today wasn't a good day to resign. He'd do it next time.
"Your Majesty..."
"Lord Chen, what do you think the punishment for the prime minister should be?"
"I think the prime minister colluded with a foreign country. He should be executed..."
"Good! Just do as Lord Chen said."
"Little Douzi, draft an imperial edict. The prime minister colluded with a foreign country. He should be executed, his family property confiscated, and all his family members exiled to the border.
"Also, confer the title of First - Rank Prime Minister on Lord Chen, and confer the title of First - Rank Lady on Lady Chen. Lord Chen, or should I say, Prime Minister, receive the edict."
Jiang Yanqin was smiling like a fox. The news brought by Ruan Ming was really timely.
At this moment, Lord Chen was reluctant in his heart, but the imperial edict had already been drafted. If he refused, it would be an act of defying the imperial order.
"I thank Your Majesty for your kindness."
Alas, it's another day when he just wants to get off work. When will he be able to resign and go home to retire?
Jiang Yanqin watched Lord Chen's back as he left and showed a victorious smile.