บท 29: Fall of Prime Minister Yao Part 2
Prime Minister Yao let go of the cell bars and placed his hands behind his back. "Who's trying to get rid of me? And why are you helping that person?' he didn't believe that she; a 17 year old girl could single-handedly put him behind bars. Da Ying returned a very bright smile. "Why does Prime Minister Yao think that I am helping someone? I can tell you right now, I am more than capable of killing you with one hand," she warned him with a very haughty and confident tone.
"Hmph, I am one of the nation's greatest official, I don't believe that I would lose to the likes of you. You better confess now, who is the mastermind?" Da Ying took two slow steps towards his cell. "Whether you believe it or not, I don't care. I did not come here to have idle chats with you. Like I said, I am here to give you two options…"
"One, I let your three generations of Yao accompany you to hell or two... give me all the names of the people who were involved in my mother's case….and drag your precious daughter Consort Yao down with you," Hearing her words, he wasn't flustered at all. He let out a very loud and arrogant laugh as if he was untouchable. "And how do you plan on doing that? The evidence that Sheriff Wu Tan has is only enough to put me to death. Where do you get the confidence to say those ridiculous words to me? When you've actually gotten something worth mentioning, come find me," he joked. All he knew was that Wu Tan held three of the four secret accounting books. Without the last book, there was no way Wu Tan could do anything more. His only crime was embezzlement, he believed that the empress, who he was loyal to, would come to his aid. It was only a matter of time before he was freed. Sadly that day would never come to him.
Da Ying didn't say anything; she only kept her cold eyes on Prime Minister Yao. "Third day of the eight month, the day before the moon festival five years ago…100,000 gold taels were taken out from your place. It so happens to line up with the day Empress Mei Yun had funds transferred to her. Is that correct, Prime Minister Yao?" Da Ying gave him a meaningful look, as if waiting for him to confirm it. His face turned two shades darker, of course he knew what that day was. It was the day he had his people secretly hide the funds in Empress Mei Yun's courtyard. "You…you…how did you find it? Where is the book?" he spoke, trying to hide the nervousness in his voice. It's been five years…he's been looking for that secret fourth book…yet it was now in the hand of his enemy's daughter? "That backstabbing wench is still alive? If I had known she was going to betray me that year, I would have killed her right then and there," he put his hands in a tight fist, gnashing his teeth from anger. The woman he was talking about was none other than Mama Wu, the head leader of all the servant/maid departments that year. "It doesn't matter who or where I got the book from, I am only waiting on your answer."
"Hahaha…I will not make a choice. I am one of the Empress's people; I don't believe she won't save me." Da Ying also let out a small laugh. "Prime Minister Yao is too foolish. Once a pawn is useless, what use is it. The only way out is to get rid of it. Do you honestly believe the Empress would risk her title for someone like you?" Out of rage, he dashed forward and tried to grab her neck. She was already prepared and moved a step back. In his heart, he already knew that the Empress would not save him; he just wasn't sure Da Ying would have already assessed that much too. "If I leave this room tonight without your answer, I will have no choice but to bring your Yao family down," Da Ying warned him in a friendly tone before proceeding to leave the room. "Wait!" Once she heard him eagerly call out to her, a smile left her lips. "As long as you promise to spare my Yao family, I will tell you,"
"I give you my words…now tell me who was involved?" Prime Minister Yao hesitated for a moment. "General Ming, Deputy Sheriff Lou and Grand Duke Lui," After carefully thinking about the current situation he was in now, he dared not lie to her. If she knew about the plot to dethrone Empress Mei Yun and his involvement already, surely she also had clues about the other officials who were involved. Da Ying's brows wrinkled as she was lost in thoughts for a moment. The Grand Duke? Prime Minister Yao, General Ming and Deputy Lou were on the rise of power 5 years ago but they didn't have enough influence in the court. That meant someone of high ranking and power were aiding them. That was the person she had been trying to find this whole time…but what part did the Grand Duke play? Da Ying wasn't even sure herself. Not once in the last 5 years did she question the Grand Duke's loyalty.
"You have one last task to do, make sure to take your daughter Consort Yao with you on your journey," Da Ying left silently.
While she was making a deal with Prime Minister Yao, in the Golden Palace was a crying and pleading Consort Yao. "Your highness, you must help my father," Consort Yao had lost all composure as she was on her knees with her hair disheveled. "Consort Yao, I've already sent people to investigate the case. There is nothing I can do for Prime Minister Yao. The secret accounting books are already in the hands of Wu Tan. I can only try to reason with the Emperor to spare his life,"
"I will forever be grateful to your highness," The empress tried to hide the suspicion and anger on her face when facing Consort Yao. There was something she wasn't telling her. "But…you must tell me what you know. Who was it?" Consort Yao who was on the verge of breaking decided to speak everything she knew. By the night, Empress Mei Wu had already figured out it was Da Ying who plotted against Prime Minister Yao. "Bring Mama Zhou back to the palace secretly," was her last command to Tao Mei. Mama Zhou had accompanied Da Ying back to the palace but was quickly sent away by the empress the day afterwards. At this time, Mama Zhou was nowhere near the palace. She did not think that she would need to see Mama Zhou ever again.
All night, Da Ying could not sleep. Even in the morning, her mind was on the Grand Duke. Her silent morning was quickly ruined by the irrational and crazy Consort Yao barging into her room. "Sheriff Wu Tan should be making his way over here already, make sure to lead him to this room immediately," Da Ying whispered to Ban Shiang and Bai Zhi. "Da Ying! Have everyone leave, I need to talk to you," Consort Yao spoke in an unrefined and rude manner. "All of you may leave," Consort Yao waited until everyone left to start going wild. "You gave me your word that you wouldn't send the books to Sheriff Wu Tan? Why did you go back on your words?" she raised her voice.
"Your father's fate was in your hands. I wouldn't have laid a finger on him so fast if it wasn't for your impulsive actions to try to get rid of me,"
"You…what are you talking about?" Even at this point, Consort Yao was not willing to admit her fault. "Don't worry, I won't blame you for attempting to kill me twice, it would not be satisfying enough. I would rather have your father turn you in," Da Ying who was still sitting down, looked up at Consort Yao full of amusement. "What are you talking about?"
"You'll find out soon enough," Consort Yao shook her head in denial. She didn't know what Da Ying was planning but that look on her face; it was the same as when she forced her to replace Jie You with her in the political marriage. "Da Ying, you vile woman, if I must die, I will take you with me," In a split second, she pulled out a small dagger from her sleeves and pointed it at Da Ying. Her whole purpose for the visit was to kill Da Ying. Da Ying stood up and dodged the blade coming straight at her. Consort Yao made a second attempt, charging forward. Da Ying swiftly dodged it and kicked her in the shin. Consort Yao lost her balance but was quickly saved by leaning forward on the table. Da Ying didn't use any of her martial arts on Consort Yao, she simply played defense for a few minutes.
At last, she let Consort Yao's blade slice her arm as she fell onto the ground, looking helpless. Consort Yao let out an eerie laugh, "Da Ying, time for you to die," she raised the dagger in her hand and prepared to make a deep jab into Da Ying's heart when the door to the room was kicked open. Consort Yao lost concentration for a moment. This was her last chance; she turned back to Da Ying and proceeded to attack but was interrupted by Wu Tan himself. He threw his dagger and it hit the handle of Consort Yao's. The dagger hit the ground; Da Ying used this chance to kick Consort Yao once more. She fell to the ground and was quickly captured by two imperial guards. "Xiaojie," Bai Zhi and Ban Shiang quickly went over to Da Ying.
Wu Tan on the other hand, took large strides towards Consort Yao. "Sheriff Wu Tan greets Consort Yao. Pardon my rudeness but you under arrest for aiding Prime Minister Yao. Please come with us,"
"My arrest? What's going on?" Consort Yao shook her head confused. "My father would never…"
"Prime Minister Yao has already admitted everything, please come with us or else…forgive me for my impoliteness,"
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