CHAPTER 1491: CHAPTER 1498: CONFRONTATION (6)

Exonerating Li Kaifeng was one of his subordinates who had always been utterly loyal to him—his loyalty to Li Kaifeng far surpassed his loyalty to the Emperor. Thus, during this critical moment, he dared to stand up and speak for Li Kaifeng.

With one person speaking up for him, naturally, there came a second and a third.

"Your Majesty, you say the Great General colluded with the abolished prince, do you have any evidence? Could it be that Your Majesty has misunderstood the Great General? The Great General surrounded the palace only because he mistakenly thought that Your Majesty was harmed. He was merely showing his loyalty. Please, Your Majesty, do not be misled by slander and hurt the heart of a loyal minister!"

"Your Majesty, the Great General has been sincerely loyal to you for decades in the court. Please examine this matter carefully and restore the Great General’s innocence.

"Your Majesty, when the abolished prince forced the palace, the Great General stood by your side and fought for his life against him. Have you forgotten this in just a few months? Or do you plan to abandon the used bow and cook the loyal dogs after the cunning hare is killed..."

Li Kaifeng, having been influential in the court for many years and with many parties under him, had countless people speaking up for him. These ministers started respectfully, but as they spoke, they became indignant, comparing the Emperor and Li Kaifeng to a cunning hare and hunting dogs, in a very disrespectful tone!

Seeing this, Cai Wei quietly instructed Brother Parrot and let it out.

Nangong Yi, frowning, watched these emotionally charged ministers and waited for them to calm down a bit before coldly saying: "Nangong Shi has confessed to colluding with Li Kaifeng himself, not just him but all of you who speak for him are involved!"

This statement immediately stirred up these already indignant ministers even more, raising their voices, condemning Nangong Yi for not understanding the situation or distinguishing right from wrong, even comparing him to the monarchs of fallen dynasties, showing no respect for Nangong Yi.

"Your Majesty, I would rather die than accept the accusation of treason and colluding with the enemy. Since Your Majesty accuses me of being a spy, please produce evidence, otherwise, I am willing to kneel to death right here!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, if you cannot produce solid evidence that I colluded with the abolished prince, I will collide myself to death in this Royal Study today to prove my innocence!"

"Please, Your Majesty, present the evidence..."

"Please, Your Majesty, present the evidence..."

As they spoke, they all knelt down, looking righteous and dignified.

Seeing that they did not take Nangong Yi seriously, Cai Wei became both angry and sympathetic towards the men, thus she coldly laughed and said: "You rebels and traitors, thinking that with Li Kaifeng controlling the 300,000 Imperial Guards in and out of the Capital, you can act recklessly without regard for the Emperor?"

A loyal subordinate of Li Kaifeng shouted, "Empress Dowager, please return to the Imperial Harem to avoid this, as traditionally in Great Jin Dynasty the harem should not interfere in politics. Not only are you not avoiding this discussion between the Emperor and his ministers, but you are also interfering without permission. Is this really modeling your behavior on all under Heaven?"

Cai Wei angrily said: "The Emperor and I are husband and wife as one; you disregard the Emperor so arrogantly, and as his wife, naturally, I cannot stand by idly. Since you claim to be wronged, very well, I shall show you the evidence and convince you thoroughly."

As she was speaking, a green parrot flew in from outside, carrying several letters in its beak.

After Brother Parrot returned, it handed over the letters to Cai Wei and landed on her shoulder. Cai Wei took the letters and instructed Brother Parrot with her thought, and it flew out again flapping its wings.

"What is this?"