The whole family died tragically? The eldest daughter is the most powerful in the capital after her

"Although the wine shop is my property, all daily affairs are handed over to distant relatives to manage. I only check the accounts every month, and I am not aware of other specific matters."

After hearing this, the emperor's eyes turned slightly cold. He glanced at Zhao Cezhi and said with a hint of distrust: "Oh? You are the owner of a winery, but you know nothing about the activities behind your own winery?"

Zhao Cezhi's heartbeat quickened instantly, but he remained calm on the surface.

He bowed again, with a hint of caution in his voice: "Your Majesty, I am dedicated to serving the court. The wine shop is just for me to support my family. I don't interfere too much in the specific matters. As for the so-called gambling house and loan sharking, if it is true, I am willing to investigate thoroughly and find the real mastermind behind it. Please be clear about it, Your Majesty."

Zhao Cezhi's answer was flawless. He shifted all the blame onto the "relatives" who were not present, in order to temporarily fool people.

The emperor nodded slightly, a trace of thought flashed in his eyes, and then he said coldly to Zhao Cezhi: "In this case, I will trust you for once."

But the emperor was not fooled by Zhao Cezhi's words. He looked calm, but he had already become suspicious in his heart.

After the court session, the emperor summoned Cui Xu, the Shaoqing of the Dali Temple, to the imperial study.

Cui Xu is known for his rigor and is a representative of fairness and impartiality in the court.

The emperor tapped the table with his fingers and stared at Cui Xu. "Mr. Cui, I just listened to Zhao Cezhi's explanation. Although it seems reasonable on the surface, I don't believe his excuse. This matter not only concerns him personally, but also involves the gambling house and loan sharks. You must thoroughly investigate this matter and find out the truth. If it is true, I will punish him severely."

Cui Xu's heart trembled, and he immediately bowed and saluted, and replied in a deep voice: "I will live up to the emperor's trust, investigate thoroughly, and clear everyone's name."

The emperor nodded slightly, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

He added in a deep voice: "Remember, it's not just Zhao Ce. I will never tolerate any official family, whether it's the official himself or his family, as long as they are involved in gambling and lending money at high interest."

Cui Xu's eyes flashed, knowing that the emperor's move was not only to deal with Zhao Cezhi, but also to use it to rectify the court and crack down on all officials.

He bowed again and said, "I understand. I will act as soon as possible. Please rest assured, Your Majesty."

Soon, the news of the emperor's decree to crack down on officials and their families who ran gambling houses and lent money at high interest spread throughout the capital.

This news was like a stone that caused a thousand ripples, and instantly caused an uproar in the capital.

On the surface, the capital city was still calm, the streets were still operating as usual, and the cries of vendors could be heard everywhere.

However, high-ranking officials and lords in the capital have fallen into unprecedented tension.

Although there were not many officials who ran gambling houses, lending money at high interest rates - a highly profitable business - had become one of the sources of income for countless officials and noble families.

Usury has high interest rates, low risks, and is concealed, so many officials are secretly involved in this business.

Now the emperor suddenly launched a powerful attack, making these people feel like they were facing a formidable enemy.

In order to protect themselves, many officials began to recover the money they had lent out, and some even ignored the interest and only wanted to recover the principal as soon as possible.

For a time, undercurrents surged in the capital, and beneath the seemingly calm situation, crises were lurking on all sides.

Cui Xu immediately retrieved all the evidence of the matter.

Cui Xu carefully read over the "evidence" provided by the Jingzhao Yin and Zhang Shun's confession, and then went over the confession word by word, and his doubts gradually deepened.

It is obviously unreasonable that Zhang Shun, a powerless shopkeeper, could become the manipulator behind the entire gambling house and loan sharking.

Cui Xu frowned and tapped the table lightly with his fingers.

Cui Xu put down his confession, a look of determination flashing in his eyes.

He stood up, walked to the window, pushed it open, and brought in a slight cool breeze.

Soon, Cui Xu ordered his men to bring Zhang Shun to the Dali Temple. He planned to interrogate him again personally to see if he could find any flaws.

When Zhang Shun was brought in, he looked a little flustered, but he soon regained his composure and was obviously well prepared.

Cui Xu looked at Zhang Shun and became more certain that all this was just a plot that had been planned long ago.

He said in a deep voice: "Zhang Shun, I have read your confession. Since you admit that you are the boss of the gambling house and the loan shark, then explain clearly how you operate it?"

Zhang Shun hesitated a little, but soon calmed down and whispered, "Sir, I am just the owner of a gambling house. I usually just go to collect debts. I don't run the business you are talking about."

Cui Xu smiled coldly, his eyes were sharp: "You are not making sense. You are the owner of the gambling house. Do you just collect debts on weekdays? Or is there someone behind you who is instructing you to do this?"

Zhang Shun's forehead was slightly sweaty, but he had obviously prepared a set of words, and continued to defend himself: "Sir, I really just went to collect the debt, I don't know anything else, it was all done by those guys. And I am willing to take the blame, I just ask for your forgiveness."

After that, no matter how much Cui Xu asked, Zhang Shun always gave the same answer.

No matter how much I ask, I can't get anything out of it.

This made Cui Xu even more certain that Zhang Shun was just Zhao Cezhi's scapegoat.

Cui Xu said no more and signaled his men to take Zhang Shun away. He knew that continuing to interrogate him would be futile.

Cui Xu reported the investigation results to the emperor truthfully. After listening to it, the emperor's face became gloomy and his brows were furrowed.

The emperor's eyes were cold and his hand holding the memorial tightened slightly, obviously angered by the result.

"In that case, there is indeed something wrong with Zhao Cezhi." The emperor said coldly, his tone revealing unquestionable majesty.

Then the emperor urgently summoned the prince and Gu Nanyuan.

After the two arrived at the Imperial Study, the Emperor showed them Cui Xu's memorial and then asked, "What do you think of Zhao Cezhi's case?"

The prince and Gu Nanyuan looked at each other.

The prince bowed slightly and answered respectfully: "Father, Zhao Cezhi's crimes are obvious, but he is definitely not the only one behind the scenes. If we only deal with Zhao Cezhi in this case, I am afraid it will be difficult to find out the mastermind behind the scenes."

Gu Nanyuan followed up and added, "Your Majesty, Zhao Cezhi's crimes are far-reaching, but to thoroughly investigate, I'm afraid it will take more than just confessions and evidence. I suggest summoning Lord Jingzhao Yin to the palace and asking him will reveal the truth."

The emperor thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Call in Lord Jingzhao Yin."

Soon, Lord Jingzhao Yin was summoned into the imperial study, his face looking slightly nervous.

After he saluted, the emperor said coldly: "You were responsible for investigating Zhao Cezhi's case. Tell me what happened?"

Lord Jingzhao Yin bowed his head and recounted what had happened: "Your Majesty, a few days ago, Prince Ren personally visited me and asked me to shift the blame for Zhao Cezhi's crime to a shopkeeper named Zhang Shun."