The Prime Minister, as the head of all officials, was most adept at playing word games.
He knew that as long as he acknowledged the existence of the Lan family's treason, and with Emperor Gengshi in a coma, it would be perfectly logical for Si Fengming, as the Crown Prince, to preside over court affairs.
Therefore, he not only denied the Lan family's treason but even intended to shift the blame for the rebellion onto Si Fengming and his brother Feng Xiwu.
With none of the Lan family present, and the women not in the Zichen Palace, the truth of the matter was whatever one argued it to be.
He could only hope that Lan An could control the situation before Feng Xiwu and Si Fengming presented irrefutable evidence in public.
After hearing Feng Xiwu's resonant words, he adopted an upright demeanor and said, "Prince Qin, your words are misguided.
While the Tiger Leopard Battalion is indeed under the command of Lan Huajing, it is impossible to guarantee that no malicious individuals would exploit it to cause unrest.
Furthermore, to catch a thief, one must seize them with the loot. Prince Qin accuses the Lan family of treason but has not apprehended a single member of the Lan family. Does the matter of who is rebelling, or whether they are rebelling, rest solely on your word?"
In the imperial court of Great Qin, everyone knew of the discord between Grand Tutor Lan and Prime Minister Fan. Therefore, when Prime Minister Fan refuted Feng Xiwu's words, the officials merely believed that Prime Minister Fan was acting for the sake of the greater good.
Seeing this, Feng Xiwu coldly stated, "Whether the Lan family is committing treason is indeed not for me to say.
However, Prime Minister Fan's eagerness to speak for his nominal adversary, does it mean that you believe my brother, the Crown Prince, and I are still unaware of the truth behind Ming Ji's death by the Emperor's decree?"
As soon as Feng Xiwu uttered these words, all the officials perked up their ears.
An astute individual who grasped the key points immediately inquired, "What do you mean by 'nominal adversary'?"
"Indeed, and what does Ming Ji's death by the Emperor's decree have to do with the Prime Minister?"
Seeing that the curiosity of the crowd was sufficiently piqued, Feng Xiwu raised his voice and called out, "Ru Yue."
A graceful figure hurried from the side hall, "Your Highness, what is your command?"
Feng Xiwu directly stated, "Since Prime Minister Fan insists on pretending ignorance, you shall assist him in remembering whether he was aware of the Lan family's treason."
Fan Jiang instantly became vigilant, his gaze darting between Feng Xiwu and Ru Yue, and he questioned in a sharp voice, "Prince Qin, what do you intend to do?"
"Prime Minister Fan, do not be anxious. As long as you have nothing to hide, I will not do anything to you."
As soon as he finished speaking, Ru Yue stepped forward and skillfully administered an injection into Prime Minister Fan's neck.
At this very moment, from amidst the crowd, several figures suddenly rushed out towards Ru Yue, as if to rescue Prime Minister Fan.
Feng Xiwu would not allow these individuals to succeed. He drew his soft sword and struck without mercy, causing two Imperial Guards who charged forward to fall to the ground.
Feng Xiwu did not stop there. His soft sword weaved like a serpent, subduing several inner guards who had their hands on their sword hilts, stirring restlessly.
He then seized several military officers of the fourth and fifth rank and threw them before Prime Minister Fan.
"Prime Minister Fan has quite a few friends, doesn't he? I haven't even made a move yet, and so many dared to act within the Zichen Palace to rescue you."
As he spoke these words, his gaze swept across the civil and military officials within the Zichen Palace.
Upon seeing this, everyone's expression varied.
Imperial Censor Yan Lihang, seeing the situation, stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and then slowly spoke, "Your Highness Prince Qin, while these guards and these few generals acting in the Zichen Palace is indeed against the rules.
However, the Prime Minister is, after all, the head of all officials. For you to have the Princess's maid lay hands on him, should you not at least offer an explanation to the officials?"
Compared to Fan Jiang's nonsensical arguments, Imperial Censor Yan's words were indeed somewhat reasonable and garnered the agreement of many officials.
Feng Xiwu, who could see that Imperial Censor Yan was using this opportunity to provide himself with a graceful exit, did not refuse the man's gesture.
He went along with the flow and said, "Imperial Censor, please do not be hasty. I have merely administered a medicine to Prime Minister Fan that will help him speak the truth.
Many matters, when spoken by my brother, the Crown Prince, and myself, always seem suspicious. If Prime Minister Fan speaks them, perhaps you all will find them more acceptable."
"A medicine that makes people speak the truth?"
The ministers exchanged glances. "Does such a medicine truly exist in this world?"
Feng Xiwu did not elaborate further. He stepped aside and said, "To avoid anyone suspecting me of distorting the facts, you may ask whatever you wish to know yourselves."
He glanced back at Prime Minister Fan and then bowed to Si Fengming, who was seated at the head. "Imperial Brother, we may begin."
Si Fengming shook his head. "Since we are to avoid suspicion, let us be thorough. I shall not ask. Any of the ministers who have questions may ask.
Leave me some time, and I will ask a few questions at the end."
The ministers exchanged glances, none daring to believe that such a medicine truly existed, nor daring to ask Prime Minister Fan those questions in front of Feng Xiwu and Lu Qingwan.
Seeing this, Gu Xingzhi stepped forward, bowed to Si Fengming and Feng Xiwu, and then dropped a bombshell, "Prime Minister Fan, the Lan family's treason today, were you aware of it?"
This single sentence stunned the officials into silence.
Someone attempted to question Gu Xingzhi, but a stern look from Feng Xiwu silenced them.
Before they could devise further means to stop him, Prime Minister Fan slowly replied, "I was aware."
These two short words fell upon the ears of the ministers like a ladle of cold water poured into boiling oil, causing an uproar throughout the hall.
Although it was only two words, they not only admitted the Lan family's treason but also acknowledged that Prime Minister Fan knew about it.
Imperial Censor Yan, startled, forgot the gentlemanly etiquette of not interrupting others and exclaimed, "Prime Minister Fan and the Lan family have always been at odds. How could you have known about the Lan family's treason?
Since you knew, why did you feign ignorance and question the Crown Prince and Prince Qin before the officials, pretending to be unaware?"
Imperial Censor Yan, as one of the Three Excellencies alongside Lan An and Fan Jiang, had indeed hit upon the most pressing question for everyone.
As soon as Imperial Censor Yan finished speaking, Prime Minister Fan slowly replied, "The Fan family and the Lan family were originally hereditary friends for centuries.
If Si Hongru had not been intent on playing a game of balance, taking noble ladies from both families as consorts and bearing imperial princes, would our two families have been forced to feign discord to avoid his suspicion?
Yet, despite our caution, he still discovered it.
Without regard for our families' loyalty in guarding his empire for twenty-three years, he sought to eliminate us."
The fact that the Fan and Lan families were old allies was not unfamiliar to the ministers in court.
After a brief moment of surprise, Imperial Censor Yan asked with a hint of leading the witness, "How did His Majesty discover that the discord between your two families was a mere facade? And what did you do when you were discovered?"
Fan Jiang, under the influence of the truth serum, spoke with a remarkable lack of emotion, yet his candor made one marvel at the medicine's efficacy.
He said, "Ming Ji was sent to His Majesty by Lan Huajing through the Empress.
Since entering the palace, she used the pretense of the Lan and Fan families being at odds to transmit His Majesty's movements to the Fan family, which the Fan and Lan families shared.
As it was widely known that the Lan and Fan families were estranged, there were no issues for years.
However, a few days ago, a carrier pigeon carrying a letter from Ming Ji to the Fan family was intercepted by the Imperial Guards, which led His Majesty to discover the truth."