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Eunuch Fu’s expression remained unchanged, but Eunuch Quan, seeing that the Consort Xian was displeased, glared furiously at the two.
Wei Ting's expression remained as composed as ever, with a cold glint flashing deep in his eyes.
"Your Majesty, please begin the interrogation."
Consort Xian urged coquettishly, unable to bear the foul odor emanating from the two any longer.
Emperor Jingxuan cast a profound gaze toward Wei Ting.
"Wei Ting, I already gave you a chance."
"Your Majesty!"
Consort Xian pressed impatiently.
The witnesses have been brought forth! We must not give Wei Ting any opportunity to admit his fault!
The military power of the Qin and Su families belongs to her son, so how dare a mere youngest son of the Wei family compete with her son for it?
How ridiculous!
Emperor Jingxuan’s relatively mild gaze fell upon Old Mr. Su and Su Dalang.
"What are your names, and where do you come from?"
This was none other than the supreme ruler. The emperor’s aura was so overwhelming that the two could barely catch their breath.
Old Mr. Su kowtowed again and replied tremblingly, "I… this humble commoner… is Su Gu. He is my eldest grandson… Dalang… Su Dalang… We are from Xinghua Village in Qingzhou."
"From the same village as Su Cheng?" Emperor Jingxuan asked.
Old Mr. Su had heard Su Cheng’s name his entire life.
In the past, he had felt nothing but contempt for it, but now he realized it was beyond his reach.
Trembling with fear, Old Mr. Su answered, "Yes…… we used to live in the same village… Later… they moved to the capital…"
Emperor Jingxuan said, "Do you know someone named Wei Ting?"
Old Mr. Su forgot etiquette again, raising his head in a daze.
"You mean… Gentleman Wei? He’s the only one in the village with that surname."
The Chief Eunuch frowned and signaled with his eyes, Stop staring at His Majesty! How ill-mannered!
Emperor Jingxuan, however, did not seem to mind.
He valued court etiquette, but that depended on the person.
For court officials to know the rules yet disregard them was a sign of disrespect, but how could these simple, rustic farmers possibly understand such formalities?
Emperor Jingxuan thought for a moment and said, "Yes, him. Tell me about his situation."
Old Mr. Su stammered, "He... he’s the live-in son-in-law of the other Su family, which is Su Cheng’s household!"
Emperor Jingxuan motioned for Old Mr. Su to continue.
Old Mr. Su went on, "Gentleman Wei isn’t from our village... The first time I saw him was... in the early month of winter. He was lingering at the village entrance, and I asked who he was looking for. He asked me if there was a family named Su in the village. I said that was me. But he said that it wasn’t me, it was someone who moved here over a decade ago, around thirty years old. When I heard he was asking about the other Su family, I didn’t look too kindly on him."
Emperor Jingxuan asked, "Why?"
Old Mr. Su replied, "The Su family had a bad reputation in the village. Su Cheng had worked as an escort and knew a lot of people. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but who would have thought that a month later, he would become the Su family’s live-in son-in-law."
A thoughtful glint flickered in Emperor Jingxuan’s eyes:
"Are you saying... that Wei Ting first inquired about the Su family and then later became their live-in son-in-law?"
Old Mr. Su hurriedly explained, "Gentleman Wei didn’t go to them on his own, he was injured and was picked up by Su Cheng. And as it happened, Su Daya had just been rejected by her fiancé, so Su Cheng made him marry his daughter."
Consort Xian seized the opportunity to interject, "Your Majesty! Listen! Wei Ting truly had ulterior motives!"
Emperor Jingxuan frowned and said to the grandfather and grandson, "Lift your heads."
Old Mr. Su and Su Dalang tremblingly raised their heads, their eyes filled with panic.
Emperor Jingxuan narrowed his eyes, "You are lying!"
The two shuddered violently.
Emperor Jingxuan said coldly, "Guards, drag them out and administer a hundred strokes. Continue until they are willing to tell the truth!"
Four powerfully built eunuchs immediately entered and, without a word, seized and dragged them out.
Old Mr. Su screamed in terror, "Your Majesty, please spare us… Your Majesty, have mercy… I was forced—"