12dz Chapter 152: I have a grievance to appeal
Chapter 152: I have a grievance to appeal
Just as Ling Mohui was about to say something, Ling Zhiyun was one step ahead of her and knelt on the ground. With a bang, the sound echoed throughout the empty hall.
"I beg Your Majesty to have mercy! All the faults are mine, and I am willing to bear all the punishment for my sister. My sister was just flustered for a moment, and her words were not sincere."
Emperor Wuzong's gaze lingered on Ling Zhiyun, and his tone was not without a hint of amusement: "Your sister is really worried about you. Ling Mohui, it's okay that you are arrogant on weekdays, but who would have thought that you would even use the official seal as a bargaining chip in order to protect yourself. It really brings shame to the General's Mansion!"
Facing the criticism, Fu Yansheng quickly spoke to ease the situation: "Your Majesty, please calm down. There must be a misunderstanding!"
He turned his head, looked at Ling Mohui eagerly, and whispered, "Tell me, what is going on?"
Ling Mohui's fingertips tightly grasped the letter in her sleeves, her lips moved slightly, but she finally chose to remain silent, as if under a tremendous pressure, everything seemed so pale and powerless.
"What else can you say? She is just afraid of death and betrays trust in order to protect herself. Prime Minister Fu, you really shouldn't favor her."
When Emperor Wuzong saw that Ling Mohui said nothing, his judgment became more certain.
"Ling Zhiyun, I want to ask you, before Lu Fei was arrested, did he ever try to assassinate you?"
Emperor Wuzong's questions were direct and sharp.
“It did happen.”
Ling Zhiyun spoke frankly, without any evasion in her eyes, and greeted everything that was about to come with an open mind.
"So, has Lu Fei ever asked you for a token of love?"
Emperor Wuzong's eyes were sharp, and his words revealed unquestionable majesty. He pressed the issue further, causing the atmosphere in the hall to instantly become solemn.
Ling Zhiyun felt the pressure, her fingertips trembled slightly, but she still held the corner of her clothes tightly, with a firm light flashing in her eyes: "Indeed!"
Her voice was soft, but it was as firm as a rock.
"Did you give it to him?"
Emperor Wuzong's questioning was like a chilly wind that made people shiver.
"Never."
Ling Zhiyun's answer was clear and concise, and her refusal was firm, like a proud plum blossom in winter that would not be broken by frost or snow.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Wuzong sneered and quickly said, "Look, the right and wrong are immediately clear! Ling Mohui, do you have anything else to say?"
His words were full of confidence, as if everything had been settled.
"Your Majesty, I have a grievance to appeal!"
Ling Mohui was neither humble nor arrogant, her voice was clear and firm.
Emperor Wuzong snorted coldly, with a playful smile on his face: "You still want to cry injustice? Well, tell me, I want to see how you can quibble!"
There was a hint of provocation in his eyes, as if he did not completely believe what Ling Mo said.
Ling Mohui was not in a hurry. She slowly and calmly pulled out another letter from her sleeve. Her movements were elegant but decisive. "Your Majesty, this is the real official seal letter. The one in your hand is just a rubbing!"
There was an unquestionable certainty in her words, as if she had lifted a corner of the fog.
Emperor Wuzong's expression changed, a hint of surprise and solemnity flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and immediately ordered someone to present the newly appeared letter.
At this moment, the entire hall seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the truth to be revealed.
When the truth came to light, there was an uproar in the hall.
"How dare you, Ling Mohui, to tease me!"
Emperor Wuzong was furious, his voice echoed in the hall, shaking everyone's heart.
However, seeing the tense situation, Fu Yansheng quickly spoke to mediate: "Your Majesty, calm down. Mo Hui's move must have a deep meaning."
His voice was gentle yet powerful, trying to ease the tense atmosphere.
Ling Mohui's face was calm, and her tone was calm but a little helpless: "How could I have known that the emperor would send people to search my room? He left this rubbing behind in order to lure out the mastermind, but I never expected that it would directly alarm the emperor."
There was a hint of wry smile in her words, and she seemed a little surprised by this sudden turn of events.
"You are so brave!"
Emperor Wuzong seemed a little stunned. He was somewhat embarrassed by Ling Mohui's words and his face showed awkwardness.
Seeing this, Fu Yansheng hurried forward to remedy the situation, his words full of protection: "Your Majesty, Madam has always acted decisively. If there is any slip of the tongue or inconsideration, please consider the overall situation and be magnanimous."
His words were both a support to Ling Mohui and a reminder to Emperor Wuzong, hoping to calm the storm.
Emperor Wuzong was clear in his mind, and had heard of Ling Mohui's reputation: "Forget it, why did you make a copy?"
Although his tone was still stern, it was mixed with a hint of inquiry.
"That day, I was held hostage by Lu Fei and accidentally found this letter. The word 'pass' was already written on it, ready for some ill-gotten use."
Ling Mohui recalled that thrilling experience, her tone unable to conceal her nervousness and relief.
"After Lu Fei captured me, he was eager to escape. How could he have the time to find someone to imitate Fu Yansheng's handwriting to write this letter? Therefore, there is only one possibility, that he had obtained this letter before he captured me."
Her logic is rigorous and her analysis is very logical, making it difficult to refute.
Emperor Wuzong listened carefully, his brows gradually relaxed: "Go on."
Ling Mohui continued, "I thought carefully at the time and felt that someone had used my husband's official seal without permission. This matter was serious and could not be left unresolved. The person who could easily obtain the official seal was likely hiding inside the Fu family, living with us day and night, waiting for an opportunity to act."
Her voice was calm, but revealed her deep concern for her family's safety.
"So, I decided to take the initiative and ordered someone to secretly copy a letter and deliberately set a trap, hoping to lure out the hidden enemy and see who would reveal his true colors first driven by interests. But I never expected that it would eventually attract the attention of Your Majesty..."
Ling Mohui paused here, raised her eyes slightly, and gave Emperor Wuzong a complicated look, which showed both apology and helplessness.
Emperor Wuzong noticed the subtle change in the atmosphere, his face darkened, and he coughed lightly to hide his embarrassment: "Are you blaming me for being nosy?"
Ling Mohui quickly bowed and saluted, her tone respectful but fearful: "I dare not! Your Majesty is wise, everything I do is for the Fu family and for the peace of the court, I have no complaints at all."
Her attitude was sincere, and every word she said revealed her awe for the emperor and her sense of responsibility for her country.
"Well, it seems that I have misread your intentions. Prime Minister Fu, since such a betrayal has occurred in the mansion, you must act immediately to clear the fog and see the blue sky. Do not let your innocent wife continue to bear the heavy burden of this unjust accusation!"
Emperor Wuzong's words revealed unquestionable majesty, but his eyes were mixed with a barely perceptible warmth.
Ling Mohui raised her eyebrows slightly, secretly sighing in her heart that the royal family's mind was as unpredictable as the weather in June. The previous moment he was giving a thunderous rebuke, but in the next moment he had a fatherly expression. This sudden change of emotion made her feel a little subtle.