A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1185: Sealed

The three elders were completely devoid of their former vigor. Could it be... This was actually true?

Old Master Song and Old Master Rong simultaneously turned their gazes towards Old Master Lian, silently seeking his counsel. However, even Old Master Lian found himself at a loss for what to do.

A deep, subconscious realization whispered to him: it was highly probable indeed! After all, who would dare to impersonate the Emperor under the heavens? Furthermore, this pretender possessed the uncanny ability to shroud the skies with a single hand, leaving no trace of information to escape. None of the imperial envoys he had encountered over the years displayed such a formidable capability.

Therefore, it was a strong possibility that this person was genuinely the Emperor, undertaking an incognito visit amongst the common populace! However, his conscious mind still balked at the thought. To accept this reality would mean the utter ruin of their families! All their prior endeavors would be rendered futile. Yet, refusing to believe seemed to offer no salvation for their lineage either!

"I confess! I confess! I implore your lordship for mercy!" Old Master Rong, unable to bear Old Master Lian's prolonged silence, broke first and confessed.

Confiscation of property, execution of the entire clan! He could face his own demise, but how could he bear the innocent fate of his family? His son, his young grandson, to be put to death? His wife forced into prostitution? No! This was utterly unacceptable! Since death was inevitable one way or another, it was better to confess now and perhaps secure a sliver of hope for them!

Old Master Song, witnessing Old Master Rong's confession, could no longer hold out and followed suit. His admission was more direct, immediately pledging allegiance. "Long live the Emperor!! I confess and beg the Emperor to grant us clemency outside the bounds of the law and spare my family's lives!"

Facing the two men, who were kneeling and kowtowing fervently, Zhao Junyao's expression finally softened slightly.

"If you confess, I shall spare your lives. How about exile to the frontier?" Zhao Junyao raised an eyebrow.

Old Master Rong and Old Master Song hastily nodded in unison. "Yes, yes, yes!" "Thank you, Emperor, for your boundless mercy!" "Thank you, Emperor, for your boundless mercy!"

The two chanted in practiced harmony, leaving Old Master Lian standing apart. Observing their trembling, subservient postures, Old Master Lian closed his eyes in deep sorrow, sighing inwardly. 'The times have changed! The times have truly changed!' 'Master, I have done my utmost, and I shall die without regret!'

Xia Ruqing, noticing his demeanor, couldn't resist stepping forward to taunt. "Old Master Lian, there is a saying... A wise person adapts to the prevailing circumstances!" "And another... A true man bends but does not break!" "Why must you cling so stubbornly to your ways?" "It's merely some silver; you do not bring it with you at birth, nor can you take it with you in death, so why trouble yourself over it?!"

With a sudden movement, Old Master Lian's eyes snapped open, and he spat viciously into the air. "Hmph! You eunuch, what right do you have to lecture me!" "Emperor brat! Even if you are truly the Emperor, I do not fear you!" "Let others confess, but I will never yield, even unto death!" "You usurping dog emperor, what right do you have to claim longevity? Has your heart turned to lard, or have you feasted on wolf and dog liver?" "You and your son are both ungrateful bastards, mere bastards!"

After unleashing his curses with all his might, Old Master Lian abruptly straightened his upper body and violently slammed himself into the corner of the tiger bench. With a resounding thud, a wound split open on his temple, and blood began to gush forth. Zhao Junyao attempted to intervene, but it was too late.

Old Master Lian let out three laughter towards the heavens. "Prince, I remained loyal to you!" With these final words, his body convulsed, blood spewed from his mouth, and he collapsed onto the ground, dead. "Brother Lian!" "Brother Lian!" Rong and Song turned their faces simultaneously.

Tragically, they could only watch as he gradually breathed his last before them, utterly powerless to intervene. Guilt, heartache, and profound sorrow welled up, and they wept bitterly. ...

Zhao Junyao was left somewhat bewildered. "Prince?" "Who is this 'Prince' he spoke of?" Xia Ruqing was also perplexed. "As expected, someone intends to rebel!" "Yes, such vast sums of silver, what else could it be for if not rebellion?" Fortunately! Fortunately, this plot was uncovered; otherwise, another devastating war would have erupted, causing untold suffering to countless innocent citizens.

Xia Ruqing looked at Zhao Junyao. "What do we do now?" Zhao Junyao raised an eyebrow. "Continue the interrogation!" He then glanced at the two men still bound to the tiger bench and spoke coldly. "As long as you confess all the account books, the flow of silver, and reveal the mastermind behind you!" "I promise to ensure your entire families remain safe!"

This offer was incredibly tempting. The two men nearly agreed without a second thought. At this juncture, what other options did they truly possess? Their own deaths held no regret, but what wrong had their families committed to deserve such a fate?

Old Master Rong and Old Master Song exchanged glances.

Everything they knew, big or small, was confessed comprehensively.

However... regarding the mastermind behind it all, they could only shake their heads in professed ignorance!

Zhao Junyao’s gaze turned icy.

"Are you playing games with me??"

Old Master Song frantically waved his hands.

"No, no, no, Your Imperial Majesty! Even if you gave me a hundred and twenty times the courage, I would never dare to trifle with you!"

"The truth is, I truly do not know!"

"My family merely engaged in the silk and tea leaf trade, splitting the profits fifty-fifty with the Lian family!"

"I genuinely have no knowledge of any Prince involved!"

"I implore you, Your Imperial Majesty, it was a moment of greed, my heart clouded by foolishness!"

"Please, Your Imperial Majesty, mete out your punishment!"

Old Master Rong was equally clueless!

Their collusion with the Lian family was simply a mutual scheme to amass wealth together. This was the very reason they confessed so readily, unlike the late Old Master Lian who refused to yield even on the brink of death.

As it turned out...

The deceased Old Master Lian was indeed the crucial link!

Zhao Junyao sensed their words held no falsehood. A wave of frustration washed over him, feeling as though he had hit a dead end.

Observing the Emperor's despondency, Old Master Rong quickly and proactively offered another clue.

"Old Master Lian managed a money shop!"

"Although he is departed, as long as his family remains, traces can still be uncovered!"

"Then, wouldn't it be perfectly clear where the money flowed?!"

Xia Ruqing's eyes lit up.

"Exactly!"

"We can investigate the accounts at the money shop!"

Zhao Junyao nodded, immediately gesturing with his hand.

"Guards, seal the money shop, apprehend the staff, and thoroughly audit all records!"

The subordinates departed with swift, practiced efficiency.

The overwhelming presence of Zhao Junyao, radiating the aura of the True Dragon King, and his subordinates, exhibiting remarkable poise and training, solidified Old Master Song and Old Master Rong’s conviction anew: the person before them was unequivocally the Emperor.

As shrewd businessmen, their judgment of character was exceptionally keen. They could discern quality and bearing, recognizing the unforgeable aura of royalty and nobility.

The individual present was, without a doubt, the Emperor in every aspect.

They exchanged knowing glances, each filled with a sense of relief.

‘Fortunately, we confessed promptly!’

‘Indeed, it was wise to confess, or our entire families would be in grave danger!’

‘However...’

A renewed worry crept into their minds.

Could it be that Old Master Lian wasn’t pursuing wealth in this endeavor? But serving some Prince instead?

How could they have remained oblivious to this?

If all that the late Old Master Lian uttered before his death proved true,

Then uttering curses against the Emperor constituted treason, did it not?

Treason meant the execution of nine generations of kin!

It was no wonder the Emperor had intended to eliminate them from the outset; surely, His Majesty had perceived something amiss much earlier.

That villain, how dare he contemplate rebellion!!