"Nobody?"
Eunuch Ma looked at the minister in red and said coldly, "Sir Ren, in our Hidden Dragon Pavilion, Chen Ke has never been an unknown person."
"Without him, would we have been able to uncover the demon clan's spy case in Shuzhou? Without him, would we have been able to learn of the demon clan's plot to assassinate His Royal Highness the King of Shu? Without him, His Royal Highness the King of Shu would have met with an unforeseen disaster during his first assassination attempt. Without him, the Haotian Academy, one of the three great academies of the empire, would have suffered unprecedented heavy losses."
Eunuch Ma's eyes flashed with brilliance: "You think this guy is a nobody?!"
The ministers couldn't help but buzz about it. Most of them didn't know about these things, or had never paid attention to them. Naturally, they were a little surprised when they heard it.
I really didn't expect that this second-generation ancestor of the Chen family had quietly made so many contributions in Shuzhou.
No wonder he was first conferred the title of fifth-class viscount and then promoted to third-class viscount.
It was because he was Chen Ke that he suffered some suppression.
If it were anyone else, any powerful and wealthy kid would have no problem getting the title of earl based on these great achievements!
Minister of Rites Ren Bufan avoided Eunuch Ma's gaze and snorted again, "What Eunuch Ma said was merely an account of the connection between Chen Ke and your Hidden Dragon Pavilion, and all of it happened in Shu Province. But just based on that, does he have the power to disregard the laws of the land and do whatever he wants in the capital?!"
Eunuch Ma said coldly, "How does Lord Ren know that Chen Ke isn't investigating a case?"
Investigate a case?
Ren Bufan smiled ridiculously. Even a fool could see that Chen Ke was seeking revenge, or using the token of Hidden Dragon Pavilion to settle a personal grudge. What did this have to do with investigating the case?
Of course, he wouldn't be stupid enough to argue with Eunuch Ma about this, because if he did, he would fall into the trap.
Once an argument begins, it's time to get to the root of the matter.
If we go back to the root of the problem, it was those powerful people who were at fault first. They were the ones who used their power to oppress others and seize the Chen family's property.
After Chen Ke filed the complaint, the various government offices did nothing and even ignored Chen Ke's complaint.
Since Chen Ke is to be punished, should we also punish those powerful people who made mistakes first, and those who are in charge of various government offices?
If the Hidden Dragon Pavilion is really allowed to investigate this matter from the beginning, who among us will be able to escape?
Whoever takes the lead will offend a large number of people.
Of course, the ministers in the hall were not stupid. They knew that Eunuch Ma was making unreasonable arguments and did not argue.
Eunuch Ma was defending Chen Ke in every word and action, and they also had to consider the significance of this.
King Xia Yuncheng was high above, watching this scene coldly, feeling both comforted and conflicted.
The original intention of establishing the Hidden Dragon Pavilion was to restrain court officials. Now it seems that this check and balance still exists and is very effective.
But after all, Eunuch Ma is not his close friend, so how can he not be conflicted?
Since everyone is pretending to be confused, I will pretend to be confused too.
Who doesn't pretend to be confused?
Xia Yuncheng coughed and followed up on Eunuch Ma's words, asking, "Is Chen Ke really investigating the case?"
Eunuch Ma bowed and said, "Your Majesty, we have already found out that the spy who intercepted the note was none other than Chen Ke!"
Note?
That note?!
Xia Yuncheng was shocked. He just asked casually, but it turned out that Chen Ke might really be investigating the case.
His face grew solemn, and he said in a deep voice, "Eunuch Ma, this is a serious matter. Please explain it in detail."
"yes!"
Eunuch Ma raised his head and said solemnly, "A few days ago, we received a mysterious box containing a dead carrier pigeon and an unsent note."
"What note?" someone couldn't help but ask.
"A note ordering the killing of the Qin princess!"
What?!
The ministers were in an uproar, and several dozing generals suddenly opened their eyes, the murderous intent in their eyes disappearing in an instant.
Sitting on the dragon throne, Xia Yuncheng said gloomily, "The Hidden Dragon Pavilion has verified that when Guoguo decided to travel west to worship her ancestors, the news leaked out of the palace. If the note hadn't been intercepted beforehand, I'm afraid it would have fallen into the hands of the assassins the night before Guoguo left."
The ministers were in an uproar again, and several generals secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, this order was intercepted. Otherwise, if the killers received the order and made assassination arrangements in advance, what would happen?
Princess Qin is the apple of the eye of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor Retired. If something happens to her, who can guarantee that the Emperor Retired will not take any extreme action?
The status of the Qin princess was very special. To a certain extent, her existence greatly eased the conflicts between the Great Xia Dynasty and its vassal states, as well as the exiled dignitaries.
If something happens to the Princess of Qin, the fragile balance of the court will be broken, and the consequences will be unimaginable!
Eunuch Ma bowed towards the dragon throne and said, "Your Majesty, based on the clues provided by Chen Ke, we have already apprehended more than a dozen suspects, and we will have results soon."
Xia Yuncheng nodded grimly: "Did Guoguo send more people?"
"Your Majesty, please rest assured." Eunuch Ma said little, but his words were extremely powerful.
Ren Bufan couldn't help but ask, "Eunuch Ma, I don't mean anything else. Are you really sure that the person who intercepted the killer's information was Chen Ke?"
The others also looked puzzled. According to the news they received, Chen Ke caused a big commotion at the Daxia Academy as soon as he entered the capital. How could he have the time to do these things?
Eunuch Ma nodded. "In the small mountain town outside the city, the man in black who delivered the message was murdered. Chen Ke was there at the time. He was also there when the princess's convoy just left the city, and he also beat up the young marquis of Ningguo Mansion. This old servant can only guess that Chen Ke did not reveal his identity out of some concern."
The ministers suddenly understood again and no longer had any doubts in their minds.
They didn't know about other things, but the common people knew that the young marquis of Ningguo's Mansion was beaten. How could they not know about this?
For this reason, the Marquis of Ningguo even submitted a special memorial to the Yinlong Pavilion.
Unexpectedly, the person who beat people up was Chen Ke.
Well, the young marquis's plan to be beaten to death was in vain.
This Chen Ke, it turns out he has a history of taking personal revenge on public officials!
Eunuch Ma bowed again and said, "Your Majesty, on the night His Royal Highness the Prince of Shu was assassinated, it was Chen Ke's timely assistance that saved His Royal Highness from danger."
Xia Yuncheng, who knew the situation, nodded again, and the ministers were surprised again.
The news that the King of Shu survived the assassination attempt had not yet spread, so not many people knew about it.
The court officials only knew the general idea, but not many knew the details.
It seems that Chen Ke is quite powerful. He can't be an unknown person no matter how you look at it.
Many people secretly thought that it was a close call, as Eunuch Ma had no choice but to reveal Chen Ke's background today.
Otherwise, they would have been kept in the dark until now, thinking that Chen Ke was an unlearned and idle student as the rumors said.
It seems that we should be friendlier to the Chen family in the future. Chen Baiwang gave birth to a good son!
Eunuch Ma continued, "Chen Ke's behavior is indeed somewhat absurd and irrelevant. Perhaps it is because of this that he has repeatedly seen through the demon clan's plots. Your Majesty, I am not defending Chen Ke, but I think it is inappropriate to make a premature conclusion before the truth is revealed."
Xia Yuncheng looked around at the ministers: "What do you think, my dear ministers?"
Several generals stepped forward at the same time and pleaded, "Your Majesty, the safety of the Princess of Qin is paramount!"
The ministers also put aside their own thoughts and bowed at the same time, saying: "The safety of the Princess of Qin and the safety of the empire are the most important!"
Xia Yuncheng nodded, stood up, and said solemnly,
"I hereby decree that Third Class Viscount Chen Ke, for his frivolous and absurd behavior, be fined six months' salary and have his rank reduced by one level. Tell him that if he dares to kill anyone, I will not forgive him!"