The Double

This old minister must have had a good relationship with Xue Huaiyuan back in the day. Seeing an old friend, he shared in detail why Xue Huaiyuan resigned. Having ambitions that can’t be realized is truly stifling. Everyone listening couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion and pity.

Emperor Hongxiao said, "Such a talented person, yet falsely accused and imprisoned as a criminal, and now he has met such a wretched fate. This is my fault, as well as a loss for Northern Yan."

All the ministers knelt down.

Jiang Li’s mind stirred; Xue Huaiyuan’s past being revealed was just the help she needed at the moment. Without thinking, she said, "Your Majesty, Xue Huaiyuan’s downfall was entirely Feng Yutang’s doing, out of personal vengeance. This female servant requests severe punishment for Feng Yutang!"

"Of course, severe punishment!" Emperor Hongxiao snorted coldly, "I did not know that there could be such a brazen person beneath the heavens, framing the loyal and good!"

"Lord Feng certainly has some nerve," Jiang Li said, "Not only did he frame a loyal official, but he also mined privately on Dongshan Mountain of Tongxiang. The imperial court banned private mining many years ago. Private mining is akin to treason and should be punished with death!"

Feng Yutang was already sweating profusely, and nearly fainted.

"However, it’s quite odd. Even though Lord Feng has amassed untold wealth in Tongxiang, he still desired more gold. His greed is insatiable and his audacity knows no bounds. This female servant found a letter in the Feng Residence, and the letter directly demands the torture of Xue Huaiyuan. However, the owner of the letter is quite strange..." Jiang Li smiled slightly, "The official seal on that letter belongs to Princess Yongning of our dynasty!"

After performing this play for so long, she had finally reached the climax!

"How dare you!" Prince Cheng’s face turned ashen, "Slandering a princess of the state, do you realize what kind of crime this is? It could cost you your head!"