CHAPTER 260: CHAPTER 260: CONFRONTATION IN THE GOLDEN HALL

Hmm?

Admit your mistakes, but refuse to change?

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the court looked at Li Qingmu as if he were a dead man.

Facing the Emperor’s questioning, others would do everything to align with the Emperor’s will, yet you dare to say you resolutely refuse to change?

This is a challenge to the Emperor, is there doubt and dissatisfaction in your heart?

You are doomed!

If a person is bent on seeking death, no one can save them, hahaha!

Pang Wenzheng lowered his head, unable to conceal the curve of his lips as his body lightly trembled with excitement.

Everyone was shocked by Li Qingmu’s response, so they didn’t notice Pang Wenzheng’s unusual demeanor.

Qi Yun was also taken aback, seemingly stunned by Li Qingmu’s answer, and after a long pause, he suddenly burst into laughter.

"Bang!" He slammed his hand on the Dragon Throne, shouting angrily, "Li Qingmu, how dare you! Out of consideration for your youth and impulsiveness, I gave you a chance to survive, yet you are ungrateful! What is it, are you dissatisfied with my previous punishment, hmm?"

"Emperor, your previous punishment, I accept willingly without a complaint!" Li Qingmu said seriously, "As for why I won’t change, does the Emperor forget that all we grow on our estate is medicinal herbs!"

"Hmph, this matter was brought up at court before, but your glib tongue talked your way out of it. What, you want to say it’s related to those herbs?"

Qi Yun coldly sneered, thinking not a word this brat says is trustworthy!

But he did not understand why he would listen to such nonsense?

Li Qingmu nodded, "Yes, Emperor, some of those herbs have matured and are ready to be harvested, but Wang Dazhi came at this time to burn the fields. It is truly detestable!"

Speaking to this point, Li Qingmu’s face was full of anger, and his voice was raised significantly.

"Has the Emperor forgotten? Seven winters ago, an epidemic broke out in the Capital City, claiming over six thousand lives. At that time, all the medicine in the pharmacies was sold out, and even the stock of neighboring cities was depleted, yet the city was still in dire need! Thirteen years ago, an epidemic broke out in Longxi, killing over two thousand; likewise, medicinal supplies were tight!

Medicinal herbs are of great benefit to the country and people, yet Wang Dazhi does such a heinous thing. I broke his leg not out of momentary anger, and even given a second chance, I would still do it! Therefore, I resolutely refuse to change!"

"You..."

Qi Yun stood up sharply, pointing at Li Qingmu; the prior part of the statement seemed reasonable, but the last sentence was too infuriating!

He was about to scold him, but a familiar scene flashed in his mind—a young boy stubbornly raising his head, saying to his mother: Mother, I admit my mistake, but I resolutely refuse to change!

Qi Yun paused slightly; that was when he was seven or eight, causing trouble and being punished by his mother, he always said this, which angered her so much that she chased him all over the Imperial Garden.

Now, his mother had passed away, and his most beloved wife and child were nowhere to be found, bringing a sense of melancholy to Qi Yun’s heart.

But as an Emperor, he absolutely cannot show any weakness, otherwise the ministers under his rule might harbor rebellious thoughts.

He looked up, carefully observing this young man, not yet twenty, and suddenly asked softly, "How old are you this year?"

Li Qingmu was startled, what does the Emperor mean by this? Why ask about his age out of nowhere?

Li Qingmu felt a little flustered inside but had to maintain a calm facade.

"Minister, this year I am nineteen."

Although he didn’t understand what the Emperor was thinking, Li Qingmu dared not lie.

One’s age is easy to verify, no need for the Yulong Pavilion, just check the household registry and it’s clear, lying about this is really asking for trouble.

"Nineteen?"

Qi Yun paused slightly, he had never paid attention to Li Qingmu’s age, unexpectedly he was nineteen, the same age as his seventeenth royal son...

Looking at Li Qingmu, Qi Yun’s gaze softened, "This young lad is so bold for his age, alright, there is some sense in your words. Farmlands are the foundation of the people, they cannot be destroyed easily, especially medicine fields...

Very well, Wang Dazhi’s malicious intent to burn the fields is his own fault, let this matter drop!"

The ministers had been waiting for Qi Yun to erupt with rage, yet he did not get angry, and instead, merely sniffed at his age and became amiable?

What is going on?

The ministers looked puzzled, while Pang Wenzheng beside them showed an even more astonished expression.

This Emperor really doesn’t act according to common sense!

"Emperor, although Wang Dazhi was wrong for attempting to burn the fields, the way Li Qingmu mistreated him was excessive, letting this go is hard to explain to the people!"

Cui Yuanhe is indeed Iron Head Brother, he is too straightforward, the Emperor has said to let this go, but he still wants to argue.

Qi Yun’s face immediately turned grim.

"If I say let it go, then let it go. The gold-clad words of the Emperor, could they be rescinded?"

"But Emperor, you said yourself that the livelihood of the people is crucial, and this must be addressed!"

Iron Head is still Iron Head; even if the Emperor is angry, he holds on to his beliefs.

Qi Yun looked at Cui Yuanhe with icy eyes, his hand pressed on the Dragon Throne, almost crushing the armrest!

This old thing, if it weren’t for seeing that he had no personal motives and was a senior official through three dynasties, he’d have dealt with him long ago!

At this moment, Li Qingmu quickly spoke up, "Emperor, I only broke his leg, did not mistreat him. As for why Wang Dazhi is so injured, it’s absolutely not my doing! If the Emperor has doubts, bring Wang Dazhi here, and let’s confront each other!"

"No need..." Qi Yun just wanted to wave his hand away, but Cui Yuanhe insisted, "Emperor, please let Wang Dazhi come to court, to get to the bottom of this case!"

Qi Yun resisted the urge to slap Cui Yuanhe to death, and said coldly, "Go!"

Eunuch Chen immediately ran out.

The Capital Governor Mansion is not far from the Imperial Palace, after two sticks of incense time, Wang Dazhi was carried on a stretcher into the Golden Hall.

He was just an ordinary rural villager, how could he have seen such a grand scene? Let alone the supreme ninety-five, he was so scared he was trembling all over.

"Prime Minister Cui, you ask!"

Qi Yun leaned back, entrusting this matter to Cui Yuanhe, since he proposed it, it was appropriate for him to judge.

Cui Yuanhe knew he was already in the Emperor’s black book, but he was fearless, because that was his nature, being stringent in everything.

Cui Yuanhe spoke in a stern yet kind tone, "Wang Dazhi, this is the Golden Hall, the Emperor is here. If you have any grievances, speak freely, the Emperor will deliver justice for you!"

"O-oh, I... I had my leg broken by him... them, my lord. They beat me up and dragged me, then threw me down the mountain. I’m covered in abrasions, even my bones were ground. I barely crawled to the streets to be rescued. Please, my lord, right the injustices for me..."

Wang Dazhi forced out a stream of tears, crying his heart out. Several officials shook their heads at his miserable appearance, tightly wrapped in bandages.

Li Qingmu slowly stepped forward, squatted down, and looked at him, "Wang Dazhi, you claim we broke your leg? This I confess, but you say we assaulted you? Such baseless accusations, I do not acknowledge!"

"B-but, you... did..."

"Is that so? Then I must ask, if we really assaulted you, do you still have the strength to crawl from the mountain to the street? Even if you managed to get to the street, do you have the strength to cry out? To cry so all on the street can hear? Wang Dazhi, this is before the throne; should you dare utter a single lie, it is an act of deceit! Deceiving the Emperor... is punishable by death upon nine clans..."

Wang Dazhi’s body shivered violently.