Chapter 14: Prime Minister Hu, This Is Slander and Defamation!
As soon as Hu Weiyong finished speaking, the soldiers outside swiftly surrounded the Treasury Office in multiple layers.
It was rare for the Treasury Office to witness such a grand scene. The people outside the treasury were filled with panic, while the officials inside wore bitter expressions.
“Let the palace nobles quarrel all they want, but can they please not involve innocent people?” Hu Weiyong clenched his fists tightly, staring coldly at Qin Feng, grinding his teeth as he hissed, “You, Qin Feng! It is a capital offense to lead troops in looting the treasury, and you even assaulted the son of a court official! I will report today’s events directly to His Majesty. Just wait for the imperial judgment!”
Qin Feng looked at Hu Weiyong with an innocent expression, feigning fear, “Minister Hu, you wrong me! How could a humble tutor to the crown prince dare to commit such acts?”
At that moment, Qin Feng suddenly pulled Zhu Biao before Hu Weiyong and smiled, “I am here accompanying the crown prince on official business in the treasury.”
Seeing Zhu Biao, Hu Weiyong quickly knelt and bowed, “Your Highness, Minister Hu Weiyong pays respects. Qin Feng, the traitor, shamelessly broke into the treasury and harmed my son. I implore Your Highness to stand up for your servant.”
“Minister Hu! You are slandering and fabricating lies! Where did you see me harm your son? Do you have any evidence?”
Hu Weiyong furiously retorted, “The officials present witnessed it, and even the people outside saw it. Qin Feng, do you still want to deny it?”
Qin Feng revealed a harmless smile and said innocently, “Minister Hu seems intent on forcibly sullying my name. To falsely accuse is easy when one has the words to do so.”
“I also want to ask Minister Hu, why did you bring so many soldiers to the treasury? Are you planning to harm the crown prince?”
Hearing Qin Feng’s words, Zhu Biao and the other princes all looked sternly at Hu Weiyong.
Hu Weiyong knelt with gritted teeth, “Your Highness, do not listen to Qin Feng’s nonsense. I heard my beloved son was injured by Qin Feng, and I came with men only to seek justice. I had no intention of offending Your Highness and hope you can forgive me.”
Qin Feng said, “You offended the crown prince, so his palace soldiers gave your son a beating. Doesn’t that just even things out?”
Zhu Biao and the princes were speechless.
Is that really a fair exchange?
“Minister Hu, you really need to discipline your son properly. When outside, don’t be arrogant and disrespectful. Otherwise, if one day you offend the imperial presence, it will bring ruin to your Hu family.”
Zhu Biao said, “Minister Hu, indeed, Mr. Qin and I came on His Majesty’s orders to the treasury to transport grain for the disaster relief in Huai West. If you have doubts, you may report to His Majesty to verify the truth.”
“As for the injury to your son, I sincerely apologize. My soldiers might have been rough while carrying out the orders. I hope Minister Hu will be understanding.”
Qin Feng secretly rejoiced. Fortunately, the crown prince spoke on his behalf; otherwise, the incident of knocking Hu Weiyong’s son unconscious would have been impossible to clear.
Hu Weiyong’s face darkened upon hearing Zhu Biao’s words. His fingernails dug into his flesh as he clenched his fists.
The crown prince blatantly protected Qin Feng, and Hu Weiyong could not bear the bitterness.
He had been displeased with Qin Feng’s unruly behavior since the morning court session. Now, after his son had been beaten, Qin Feng still tried to evade responsibility?
As a father, even when facing the powerful, he would never bow easily.
He clenched his fists, rose from his kneeling position, and said coldly, “If I do not receive an explanation today, no one is allowed to leave!”
“Qin Feng hurt my son, and I will not let him off easily!”
“Your Highness, I must offend you!”
Zhu Biao and the other princes were all stunned.
Had they really provoked Hu Weiyong enough to make him furious?
He had just been respectfully kneeling before the crown prince, now he was fiercely challenging him head-on?
“Hu Weiyong! You are abusing your official power!”
“What do you intend to do? Are you plotting rebellion?”
“Could it be that you want to strike the crown prince before me?”
As the elder Zhu’s imperial carriage arrived, everyone respectfully knelt to the ground.
Qin Feng, pulled by Zhu Biao, also knelt down.
“Greetings, Your Majesty. Long may you reign with health and prosperity!”
Elder Zhu stepped down from the carriage, his face ashen as he approached Hu Weiyong.
Hu Weiyong did not dare to raise his head, trembling as he said, “I… I implore Your Majesty to judge this matter!”
“My son, Hu Nanwang, has loyally guarded the treasury and would never leave his post without permission.”
“But the rebel Qin Feng led soldiers into the treasury and severely injured my son! I beg Your Majesty to investigate!”
Elder Zhu put his hands on his hips and shot a fierce glare at Qin Feng, who was still grinning cheekily.
Damn Qin Feng!
Causing such a huge mess and now expecting me to clean it up.
“Hu Weiyong! This is not Qin Feng’s fault; it was truly my decree.”
“But your son was also loyal to his duty. The blame lies with me for failing to inform Qin Feng of the treasury’s rules beforehand.”
“I was negligent, and I feel deeply pained that your son suffered such harm. Rest assured, I will find the best imperial physician to treat him.”
Hu Weiyong’s face turned beet red upon hearing Elder Zhu’s words.
He wanted to argue but lacked the courage; he wanted to vent but was helpless.
He could only endure silently, allowing the favored Qin Feng to trample over him like a dog.
He pressed his palms hard against the ground, wishing he could scrape the earth apart.
Not only had he suffered such humiliation, but with the emperor’s backing, Qin Feng had become even more hateful in his heart.
“Wang Jinghong! Find the best physician to attend to Minister Hu’s son at the residence.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Hu Weiyong spoke each word carefully, “I thank Your Majesty for your great kindness!”
For now, he had to swallow his pride, keep this matter in mind, and wait for the day when Qin Feng slipped up, so he could destroy him utterly.
Elder Zhu said, “Hu Weiyong, the treasury will still need someone to manage it. Since your son was seriously injured, let him rest at home for now. He need not trouble himself with treasury affairs.”
“I will express my gratitude on behalf of my son,” Hu Weiyong replied.
“Then you should withdraw quickly. Your son is gravely injured; take him home for treatment.”
“I take my leave.”
Hu Weiyong’s clothes were soaked through, his face gloomy as he dragged the injured Hu Nanwang and the soldiers away from the treasury, unwilling but resigned.
Damn traitor Qin Feng!
I will never let today’s matter rest peacefully!
After Hu Weiyong left in a huff, Qin Feng stood and smiled, “Fortunately, His Majesty arrived just in time. Otherwise, Hu Weiyong might have made a move against the crown prince.”
Elder Zhu placed his hands on his hips, glaring fiercely at Qin Feng, anger boiling over, “Qin Feng! What have you done? You expect me to clean up your mess?”
“I was acting according to His Majesty’s orders! Minister Hu’s son defied the decree; how could I allow disrespect to His Majesty’s authority?”
Elder Zhu was nearly fainting with rage. Pointing at Zhu Biao and the other princes, he demanded, “And what about them? What’s going on? I told you to teach them, but you let them skip school? How do you explain that?”
“Your Majesty, I am wronged! You can ask the princes; they begged me to take them along because they wanted to assist Your Majesty in this task. Their willingness to share the burden shows Your Majesty’s grand authority!”
Zhu Biao and the other princes were dumbfounded by Qin Feng’s eloquence.
Their tutor’s quick wit made their father no match.
Elder Zhu was about to explode in anger.
At that moment, Zhu Biao said, “Father, Mr. Qin is right. We all wanted to contribute to the relief efforts for the Huai West disaster victims.”
Hearing this, Elder Zhu felt somewhat comforted.
“Qin Feng, how is your mission progressing?”
Just then, a palace soldier reported at the door, “Your Highness, the treasury’s grain has been fully moved.”
Upon hearing this, Elder Zhu immediately sensed something was wrong and glanced toward the treasury.
The treasury was completely empty; not a grain of grain remained!
“Qin Feng! You actually emptied my treasury!”
Elder Zhu grabbed a shoe sole and chased after Qin Feng.
Qin Feng hurriedly ducked, clutching his head as he ran around the Treasury Office, shouting, “Your Majesty, please calm your anger! This was approved by Your Majesty! You said I could use the treasury’s grain but never specified how much!”
Zhu Biao and the other princes watched the chase and laughed uncontrollably.
“Big brother, do you think Father is losing his mind? Promising the treasury’s grain but not saying how much?”
“Not just losing his mind—he’s completely forgetful, even of the treasury’s rules, and yet he let our tutor move the grain.”
Zhu Biao’s face turned serious as he said solemnly, “Enough! Father is not someone you can casually criticize. But truly, Mr. Qin is our father’s nemesis.”