The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Chapter 784: Chapter 784: The Despicable Deeds Done by the Remnants

Prime Minister Fan was so enraged by Song Zhiyuan’s sarcastic remarks that he almost collapsed on the spot.

The other courtiers watched the two titans exchange words in silence, like chickens.

Prime Minister Fan, utterly furious, took a deep breath and sneered, ”Since my idea is so awful, perhaps Prime Minister Song could enlighten us with a better one.”

Damn it, if you think you’re so capable, why don’t you do it yourself, instead of just blabbering on.

Song Zhiyuan didn’t directly address Prime Minister Fan’s comment, but simply said, ”I believe that blaming Princess Consort Min for this incident would undermine the Emperor’s wisdom and could provoke backlash and doubt from the Xia clan. I urge the Emperor to consider carefully.”

Prime Minister Fan rolled his eyes where Emperor Chu couldn’t see, thinking, ’Might as well not have said anything, pfft.’

Emperor Chu watched the two, playing with his imperial pen without a word.

”Your Majesty, what Prime Minister Fan and Prime Minister Song said is quite true. This matter still needs thorough investigation to avoid alienating the Xia clan. The urgent task at hand is to quickly console the families of the victims.” The Minister of Personnel stepped forward to offer his advice.

There’s a need for an investigation, but more importantly, we need to console families who have lost members. Console them properly and send people to support them. If not, who knows what rumors they’ll start believing from the outside.

Emperor Chu rubbed his forehead and said, ”Convey my decree. Instruct Prince Xiao to lead several princes to the residences that suffered losses to offer condolences on behalf of the imperial will.”

He issued several directives, instructing those present to carry them out, and only after he finished giving orders did he wave his hand to dismiss them.

”Prime Minister Song, stay behind.”

Prime Minister Fan paused his footsteps, his old face showing a hint of dejection, and he pursed his lips as he withdrew.

Once everyone had left, Emperor Chu asked Song Zhiyuan again, ”What do you think?”

”Remnants did it.”

Emperor Chu: ”...”

He twitched his face a few times and asked him, ”What evidence do you have? If it was them, killing members of the Xia clan doesn’t exactly make them a convincing suspect.”

Song Zhiyuan: ”That’s precisely their method to disgust you. They did it, but you can’t find a reason, because they share the same clan. There’s no reason to kill their own.”

Emperor Chu’s face darkened.

”But, Your Majesty, who says family always means harmony? Even real brothers settle accounts, and brothers do war with each other, let alone clansmen. And this so-called self-directed play can be used by anyone.” Song Zhiyuan remarked, his sleeves neatly gathered, ”You can’t deny that there are twisted minds in this world. If they happen to loathe the Xia clan who surrendered back then, taking their lives to vent their anger while disgusting you and making you take the blame, why wouldn’t they?”

In truth, whether it was him or Prime Minister Fan and the others earlier, they could guess who schemed such wicked deeds, but guessing is one thing; finding them is a whole other matter. What can you do?

The remnants, they can’t be entirely eradicated, hiding like rats in shadows, impossible to find, leaving no way to make them confess.

So, this is a trap, vexing and frustrating as it is.

To solve this trap, unless you catch the perpetrators or the Xia clan clarifies the matter themselves, Emperor Chu will have to bear this accusation, leading to potential doubts over his long-cultivated reputation for benevolence.

Though he owns this realm now, with power strong enough to fear no one, the common folk will only think that if those people had already surrendered and been living quietly, yet you still pursued and slaughtered them completely, then you aren’t really human anymore.

So, if this blame can be passed, it must be passed.

Emperor Chu realized this, struck the dragon table heavily, and gritted his teeth, ”Those wretched bastards.”

”Your Majesty, Prince Xin requests an audience.”

Emperor Chu raised an eyebrow, looked towards Song Zhiyuan, who smiled, ”The one to solve this conundrum has arrived.”