“Speak.”
“May this old minister ask ‘why’?”
Emperor Zhenning glanced at Noble Consort Jiang’s confession lying beside his hand, “My son is still young, and I think it’s better if his studies remain pure.”
“Yes, this old minister understands your teaching.”
Emperor Zhenning waved his hand, telling the Minister of Revenue: “Continue writing the policy proposals. We won’t discuss Jingzhou. Now… with the autumn examination results about to be announced, clear up Hangzhou’s school lands as needed.”
Just then, Hu Xiang announced: “Your Majesty, Vice Minister Zhang has arrived.”
Emperor Zhenning looked up, “You may all leave.”
“We take our leave.”
Bai Huan and Zhang Luo passed by where Noble Consort Jiang was kneeling.
Zhang Luo entered the inner hall, and before he could bow, Emperor Zhenning said: “Come here, take this and read it.”
“Yes.”
“Read it while kneeling.”
“Yes.”
As Zhang Luo unfolded Noble Consort Jiang’s confession, Emperor Zhenning remained silent. Only when Zhang Luo looked up in shock did he say to him: “The Qingbo Pavilion has been sealed for so many days, what have you investigated?”
Zhang Luo bowed, “The people at Qingbo Pavilion confessed that palace servants from the Palace of Diligent Government delivered the ‘Preface’ to be printed at the workshop.”
“If that’s so, why haven’t you questioned the people from the Palace of Diligent Government?”
Zhang Luo straightened up: “In response to Your Majesty, your servant still had doubts.”
“Speak.”
“Consort Ning is in the Banana Garden, guarded by the Imperial Guard. Unless the Palace of Diligent Government had private dealings with the Imperial Guard, it would be impossible to pass out anything from the Consort. Therefore, your servant believed this was a fake ‘Preface.'”
“You thought Yang Lun wrote it?”
“That was your servant’s initial belief.”
“Heh.”
Emperor Zhenning gave a cold laugh, suddenly raising his voice: “And now?”
Zhang Luo kowtowed again, “Your servant will thoroughly investigate this matter!”
Emperor Zhenning shook his head: “I too want to see who I can still trust.”
“Your servant dares not fail Your Majesty.”
Emperor Zhenning looked down at him: “I have approved the Crown Prince’s request to question you about the Qingbo Pavilion matter. After your investigation is complete, go report to him yourself.”