A Cutie Spoiled by Her Seven Uncles

Chapter 1210 - 949 There Are Still Plots

"The last Champion Scholar of the former dynasty, Li Hongzhong!"Ji Youze nodded, "It was indeed him!"

The Emperor glanced over and chuckled lightly, "It aligns closely with your predictions!"

Ji Youze nodded.

Lu Zezhong looked towards them.

"Pre... predictions? You... you didn’t even know the identity of the elder of the Li Clan; you were just bluffing me!"

Ji Youzhi glanced over, sneering, "Didn’t I tell you from the beginning, we captured the elder of the Li Clan, but I haven’t interrogated him yet.

To interrogate him, I first needed to get some information from you. It was your own restless mind, frightened by the Gu Insect inside you, that made you confess everything."

Ji Youzhi said this, then casually picked up the Emperor’s teacup, took a sip to moisten his throat, and continued the interrogation.

"What happened next? Since you were already open with each other, surely you did some other dealings, right?"

"Naturally."

At this point, Lu Zezhong had nothing left to hide, so he confessed everything.

"Li Hongzhong revealed his identity to me, not just for a casual chat. When the Prince’s Mansion caught fire, the former Emperor was furious, determined to get to the bottom of it. During morning court, I was so scared I broke out in a cold sweat.

So when I saw him, I wanted him to find a way to close the matter quickly.

He pointed me to a path, saying that soon rumors would spread throughout the Capital City, and I should seize the opportunity to let the newly appointed Governor of Shuntian Prefecture, Liu Yuheng, take over the case. As long as the case is concluded as a natural disaster, there would be no problem."

"Such audacity!"

The Emperor couldn’t help but slam the imperial table.

Ji Youzhi promptly said, "Your Majesty, calm your anger. The covert actions are nearing their end. Please be patient for a little longer. Once we uncover the truth, we can comfort the spirit of the Prince."

The Emperor rubbed his aching temples and then gestured for him to continue the questioning.

Ji Youzhi continued to ask.

"So Liu Yuheng was really dragged onto this treacherous boat by you."

"Yes! The day after the Prince’s Mansion caught fire, rumors spread in the Capital City that the fire might have been set by the former Emperor. It was said he did it because the Prince had treasonous intentions. With such rumors, the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice dared not take the case, all filing excuses like illness or too many cases, and investigating the Princess’s disappearance, thereby pushing the case onto Liu Yuheng.

Later, Liu Yuheng pretended to investigate, presented a pile of evidence of natural disasters to report to the Emperor, and concluded that the Prince’s Mansion fire was accidental.

The matter quickly passed, and I thought nothing more would worry me, but then the elder of the Li Clan came looking for me."

"Isn’t it true that there are always occurrences of natural disasters needing funds throughout the land?"

Ji Youzhi pressed him further.

Lu Zezhong nodded, "That’s right. First, he had me think of a way to keep the County Magistrate of Yunhang, Wu Li, in his position.

Moreover, every time there was a disaster somewhere, he would make sure I allocated funds for relief, even if the National Treasury was depleted, he insisted I provide the full amount, especially for the relief funds for Yunhang — not a penny less!"

Hearing him mention the relief funds for Yunhang, Ji Youzhi could hardly contain his anger.

"Do you know that over the years, the court’s relief funds for every disaster were..."

He didn’t finish the sentence, but by then, he was already clenching his teeth in anger.

"Youzhi! The truth of the investigation is the priority!"

The Emperor wanted to cover his face; many of the relief funds over the years were taken by Ji Youcheng using the name of a wealthy businessman friend.

Ji Youzhi furiously glared at Lu Zezhong.

"Continue!"

"I have nothing more to say. You know everything that happened after. The list is pretty much what the Eighth Prince wrote down. His Majesty, intelligent and perceptive, used you Ji family brothers from a young age, truly impressive!"

"Is there really nothing more to say?"

The Emperor, sitting on the Dragon Throne, slapped the table forcefully, questioning.

Lu Zezhong looked ashen, not saying a word.

"In this state, he indeed has nothing more to say!"

Ji Youzhi finally reported to the Emperor.

Ji Youze also stopped his actions.

Princess Lianchun stood up, stretched her body, and let out a big yawn.

"Since everything has been made clear, let’s close the case! Don’t let it affect the Royal Family’s reputation!"