Liang Quanbin was stunned by the news.
He had thought his arrival in the capital was a secret operation, intending to catch the Duke of Wei completely off guard.
Otherwise, if he had turned the tables and held the lives of the entire family in his hands, he would have lost his bargaining chip.
The young madam of the Liang family was pregnant!
His Liang family had an heir. It should have been a joyous occasion, but at this moment, it felt like a hand gripping the throat of fate, pressing down on Liang Quanbin, making it impossible for him to breathe.
Consort Liang, it seemed his daughter had also fallen into their hands.
In an instant, Liang Quanbin's mind was in turmoil.
How had the Wei family discovered their arrival in the capital?
Their influence in Jinling City had already been dismantled and scattered, so how could they still send news!
He had underestimated the Duke of Wei's capabilities.
He didn't need any news at all; he could guess seven or eight parts of what was happening in Jinling City.
As for the evidence held by Feng Jinlin, it was merely superficial. As long as Liang Quanbin turned against them, all evidence would naturally become an unsolved mystery.
His goal was simply to sway Liang Quanbin, the most crucial pawn.
People, as long as they have desires and fears, are easily manipulated.
From the time the palace servant left the side hall to Liang Quanbin entering the main hall to report, less than fifteen minutes had passed.
The situation had undergone a complete reversal.
Liang Quanbin, who had been ready to fight, now drooped his head like a defeated rooster.
He didn't know how many spies the Duke of Wei had in the palace. He assumed their conversation in the hall would be relayed to him word for word.
Therefore, playing tricks was impossible.
But after working so hard to reach this point, should he really take the gamble?
What if he lost?
The lives of his entire family would be forfeit!
This was the outcome he feared most.
The Wei family's mole had tried to commit suicide all the way here. Fortunately, General Meng had kept a close watch. The person was still alive, but as soon as his jaw recovered, he would try to end his life again.
Therefore, he dared not restore it rashly, waiting only for the Emperor's command.
One was a mole desperately seeking death, and the other was a logical and clear-headed official. Emperor Qi naturally addressed Liang Quanbin first.
The mole stopped struggling and stared intently at Liang Quanbin, his eyes filled with threats.
It was as if if Liang Quanbin said anything that threatened the Wei family, he would leap up and kill him the next second.
"My dear minister, you have worked hard. I heard you have handed over the evidence of the Wei family's corruption."
Hearing this, Liang Quanbin was truly at a loss for how to respond.
If he answered affirmatively, everyone above and below would likely be silenced.
But if he answered negatively, he would have no way out either.
Gritting his teeth and remaining silent, Emperor Qi grew impatient seeing his demeanor.
He wasn't a fool. By handing over the evidence, Liang Quanbin naturally intended to clear himself.
However, given the relationship between the Wei and Liang families, to say they had no connection would not be believed even by a three-year-old child.
Therefore, Emperor Qi's plan was to have Liang Quanbin executed after he confessed everything.
As for his family, a sentence of exile would be considered a reward for his meritorious reporting.
Unexpectedly, with the words on the tip of his tongue, the man still refused to speak.
General Meng, standing beside him, grew anxious.
He had captured the mole from the Duke of Wei's mansion, putting him at odds with the Wei family. If Liang Quanbin didn't bring them down this time, it would be troublesome when the Wei family recovered.
He urged, "Lord Liang, His Majesty is asking you a question, why aren't you answering? If you have any concerns, tell His Majesty."
This sentence enlightened Liang Quanbin. Even if the Wei family wanted to act, it would likely take some time. If he used this to seek the Emperor's help, there might still be a chance!
Thus, he tearfully recounted the threats made by the palace servant.
As expected, Emperor Qi was furious.
Someone in his imperial palace was working for the Duke of Wei!
And he had been completely kept in the dark. He glanced at Eunuch Wang and said to him, "Investigate! Investigate for me! Find that palace servant and have him beaten to death immediately! I want to see how many more are not afraid of death and leak secrets."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Eunuch Wang, having managed the palace servants for many years, found this task quite simple.
He quickly apprehended the young palace servant who had delivered the message. The servant had not yet had time to send the news out of the palace.
He had gambled that Liang Quanbin would not disregard his family's lives, but who knew he would implicate himself.
Before he could even utter a word of explanation, he was immediately beaten to death with a court staff.
The surrounding palace servants trembled in fear. Even if they harbored ill intentions, they would have to consider who was truly the master of this world.
Hearing the sound of the boards striking flesh outside, Liang Quanbin finally felt a sense of relief.
He glanced at General Meng with gratitude.
If not for his reminder, wouldn't he have fallen straight into the Duke of Wei's trap?
He then glared fiercely at the mole and, straightening his back, began to pour out the corruption within the Grain Transport Department like a bamboo tube.
Of course, the matters he had personally handled were deliberately omitted.
At the height of his emotion, he even revealed his scars to Emperor Qi, showing how the Duke of Wei intended to silence him.
The more he listened, the more furious Emperor Qi became.
Liang Quanbin spoke eloquently, eager to nail the Duke of Wei for corruption.
After he finished speaking, Emperor Qi remained silent.
Liang Quanbin had expected him to be furious and immediately order the Wei family's mansion to be surrounded. Instead, he turned to General Meng and said, "We know what we need to know. Drag them out and have them beheaded."
Liang Quanbin was stunned. He thought Emperor Qi was referring to the mole, but his gaze was fixed on him.
It was then that Liang Quanbin truly panicked.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I have rendered meritorious service by reporting the Duke of Wei! Why do you want to kill me?"
Seeing his plea for mercy, the mole felt a surge of joy.
Although he was just a servant, he knew that betraying one's master for personal gain would not end well.
Did Liang Quanbin think everyone was a fool?
Couldn't they see through his little trick?
Although General Meng was surprised by Emperor Qi's order, he stepped forward to carry it out.
Liang Quanbin was injured, but in the face of imminent death, his will to survive suddenly gave him great strength.
General Meng couldn't hold him back, and Liang Quanbin almost lunged at Emperor Qi to beg for mercy.
His eyes deepened. Was this not an attempt to frame him?
He stepped forward and broke Liang Quanbin's arms, causing him to wail in pain.
Then, the guards outside entered and dragged both of them out.
With a swift stroke of the blade, both men quickly lost their lives.
This time, Liang Quanbin was not so fortunate. The blade sliced through his throat. He looked towards the main hall, still trying to struggle and say something, but the only lasting impression left for him was a blur of red.