CHAPTER 1461: CHAPTER 1461: IT BEGINS

"You..." Minister Cheng was furious but suddenly laughed and said, "Minister Jie makes a good point. It’s just that the current situation doesn’t seem to be as you imagined, Minister Jie. Haha, Minister Jie, thirty years east and thirty years west, let’s hope your Jie Family can always stay loyal to the ’Emperor’!"

He emphasized the word "Emperor," implying that the emperor he referred to was not Jin Moning.

Oh, Minister Cheng, it seems someone must have emboldened you.

Minister Cheng laughed heartily and turned around, pretending to perform a play with a few ministers he had previously discussed this with.

"Gentlemen, I have obtained some evidence from the case of the Ducal Residence back then, which proves that the death of Huguo Gong was suspicious. He was most likely murdered by the plan of the First Prince, and those charges were false accusations by the First Prince.

Huguo Gong was a minister for three dynasties, and he died inexplicably, along with the wrongful deaths of hundreds in the Ducal Residence. Even as an outsider, I cannot stand it. I am willing to use my useful body to clear Huguo Gong’s name and seek justice for the wrongful souls of the Ducal Residence’s people. Is anyone willing to join me in petitioning the Emperor?"

Someone immediately said, "That’s right, Huguo Gong cannot just die so inexplicably. The Emperor has been deceived by the First Prince, and we must reveal the truth to the world."

"Count me in."

"Minister Cheng, count this old man in."

"And me, Minister Cheng, and me..."

A dozen ministers stood up, as they had agreed beforehand. Seeing so many people stepping forward and speaking with righteousness, numerous fence-sitters began to waver.

Minister Cheng laughed loudly and said, "Good, I did not expect that there would still be so many righteous people willing to stand up against tyranny. I thank all the ministers here for Huguo Gong. Who else would like to follow me?"

Minister Cheng looked at Prime Minister Zhang, who had been silent, and said, "Prime Minister Zhang, you always had a good relationship with Huguo Gong when he was alive, but now..."

Prime Minister Zhang waved his hand repeatedly to stop him from continuing, saying, "No, no, I am old, and my family is in chaos. I am powerless to help. Minister Cheng, gentlemen, this Prime Minister wishes you all great success."

Minister Cheng did not seem disappointed, raised his hand to salute Prime Minister Zhang, and said, "Thank you, Prime Minister Zhang."

Prime Minister Zhang smirked and stepped aside, acting as if he were invisible.

Thinking to himself: This court is about to be overturned. It seems I need to feign a serious illness to escape this disaster. Yes, I’ll call for the Imperial Physician tomorrow and have a serious illness.

Both sides cursed the old fox.

Minister Cheng proudly glanced over at Minister Jie, Minister Lin, and others who were loyal only to the Emperor, and led those willing to clear Huguo Gong’s name proudly past them, heading to Renshou Palace to kneel before the Emperor.

Minister Jie narrowed his eyes coldly, watching them leave.

Jie Zhonglin whispered, "Father, what should we do now?"

Lin Xingyi sighed and said, "As ministers, they are going to see the Emperor. Apart from the Emperor himself, who can stop them?"

"But the Emperor..." He lowered his voice and said, "Isn’t it said that the sick one is the Emperor? If the Emperor could suppress them, he would have come to court long ago."

"Yes!" Minister Jie also sighed deeply, "But what can we do? Minister Lin is right; they are asking to see the Emperor, and we cannot prevent them from meeting the Emperor. And it’s such a significant matter of clearing Huguo Gong’s name!"