Chapter 263 Zhao Yingluo’s secret plan Weng Yanguo knelt on the ground, looking anxious but pretending to be innocent. He knew that his crime had attracted the attention of Her Royal Highness the Princess, but at this moment he still wanted to fight to the death, trying to use sweet words to get through. He raised his head, looked at Zhao Yingluo, and said in a trembling voice: "Your Royal Highness, the official has always been loyal to the king and the country. He has worked hard in his duties and has never dared to slack off. I asked myself that I have not broken any national laws. I don't know why the princess is treated like this. Subordinate?” Zhao Yingluo looked at Weng Yanguo with a sneer, her eyes piercing Weng Yanguo's heart like a sharp sword. She said slowly: "Weng Yanguo, do you really think that I am a three-year-old child? Your crimes of embezzlement, bribery, and bullying of the people have already made people and gods outraged! The relief money issued by the Third Division of the Palace was originally to give students from poor families a chance to study. , Where has the relief money gone now? Please explain everything to me!" Weng Yanguo was shocked. He didn't expect that Zhao Yingluo already knew about Jiyin's relief. Although he was panicking in his heart, he still pretended to be calm on the surface and said: "Her Royal Highness the Princess is aware that all the relief funds have been distributed to poor students, and she will never dare to commit any corruption." Zhao Yingluo sneered even more when she heard this. She looked at Weng Yanguo's hypocritical face, and her heart was filled with disgust. She knew that Weng Yanguo was lying, and that he was lying so poorly. She slammed the table and shouted: "Weng Yanguo, you still dare to quibble! Do you think your crimes can be hidden from my eyes? I have already obtained conclusive evidence. The relief money you embezzled has not been released at all." It’s for a poor student, but you’ve enriched your own pockets!” Weng Yanguo was shocked by Zhao Yingluo's majesty. He trembled all over and sweat poured from his forehead. Although he was frightened in his heart, he still wanted to continue to quibble.
He kowtowed and begged for mercy: "Your Highness Princess, please spare your life! I am really unjust! I have already distributed all the relief money, and I will never dare to commit any corruption!" Zhao Yingluo knew that Weng Yanguo would not die until he reached the Yellow River, and the brothel was not the place to interrogate him. She took a deep breath, forced down the anger in her heart, and said coldly: "Weng Yanguo, do you think you can get away with pretending to be innocent here? I tell you, your crime has been completely exposed! Someone, Take him down and take him back to the government office for interrogation!” Wen Boyuan took a step forward after hearing this. He grabbed Weng Yanguo by the collar and lifted him up from the ground. Weng Yanguo was scared out of his mind at this moment. He struggled and shouted: "Your Highness, please spare your life! This official is really unjust!" However, his shouts were no longer heeded. Wen Boyuan escorted Weng Yanguo out of the brothel, followed by Zhao Yingluo. When they walked out of the brothel's gate, the people who were watching the excitement outside the brothel moved out of the way. After arriving at Pingjiang Government Office, Weng Yanguo's expression gradually calmed down. He knew that the crisis at this moment had not yet been resolved, but in this government office, he was the leader of one party after all, so he had some confidence. He immediately winked at the master next to him, Fan Qing, and motioned for him to take out the relief account book. Master Fan Qing understood and quickly took a thick account book from the back hall and handed it to Weng Yanguo. Weng Yanguo took the account book and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. This account book records in detail the amount of relief money distributed by Pingjiang Prefecture to various counties in the past six months. Every transaction is clear and impeccable. He believed that as long as Her Royal Highness the Princess reads this account book, she will definitely believe in his innocence. Weng Yanguo presented the account book to Zhao Yingluo and said respectfully: "Your Royal Highness, this is the relief bank expenditure account book distributed by Pingjiang Prefecture to various counties in the past six months. Please take a look at it." Zhao Yingluo took the account book and opened the first page. Her eyes swept over the rows of numbers, but she was secretly calculating in her heart. She saw that the total amount of relief silver given to Pingjiang Prefecture alone exceeded 50,000 taels. From the records, it seemed that all of it was distributed to all counties without any problems. However, she knew very well that Weng Yanguo was cunning and greedy, and would never let go of any clue so easily. Weng Yanguo couldn't help but feel proud when he saw Zhao Yingluo looking at her seriously.
He took the opportunity to say: "Her Royal Highness the Princess is very aware of everything. The official has always been considerate of the people, especially those students from poor families. Therefore, as soon as the relief money arrived at Pingjiang Mansion, the official immediately arranged for people to distribute it. There will never be any delay or corruption." Zhao Yingluo closed the account book and looked up at Weng Yanguo. She took a deep breath and tried to sound calmer. She said: "Master Weng, it seems that I have misunderstood you. The records in this account book are clear. It seems that you really distributed the relief money truthfully." Weng Yanguo was overjoyed when he heard this. He hurriedly kowtowed and said, "Thank you, Princess, for knowing everything! I have been loyally serving the court and benefiting the people! I will never dare to cheat or corrupt in the slightest!" Zhao Yingluo nodded slightly to signal him to get up, and then said: "In this case, I am rash." When Weng Yanguo saw that Zhao Yingluo believed his innocence and was about to leave, he immediately stood up and saw off Zhao Yingluo with a smile on his face. While sending Zhao Yingluo out, he said flatteringly: "It's your honor for Your Highness the Princess to come to Pingjiang Mansion for inspection! Your Highness will definitely do a good job, serve the court and benefit the people! Your Highness has already arranged the best arrangements for Your Highness the Princess." A good place to stay, and a banquet was held to entertain Her Royal Highness the Princess and all your lords.” Zhao Yingluo smiled slightly, nodded and said, "Then there is Lord Lao Weng." But she was thinking to herself: Weng Yanguo, Weng Yanguo, do you think you can get away with this? This palace will definitely reveal your true colors! In order to secretly monitor Zhao Yingluo's every move at all times, Weng Yanguo spent all his efforts. He specially arranged Zhao Yingluo to live in Jiangnan Residence, which is closely related to him. The environment here is elegant, the layout is exquisite, and every detail reveals the charm of the Jiangnan water town. Weng Yanguo believed that in such an environment, Zhao Yingluo would definitely let down her guard and show her flaws. However, he did not know that when he arranged for his subordinates to rush out of the city to report the news to the subordinate counties, Zhao Yingluo had already taken control of those county magistrates before him. As soon as the man sent by Weng Yanguo to deliver the message left the city, he was caught by Wen Boyuan's people. These people are all elites carefully selected by Wen Boyuan. They lurk at the gate of the city and closely watch everyone entering and leaving the city. When the men sent by Weng Yanguo appeared, they acted immediately and captured them in one fell swoop. Weng Yanguo was still anxiously waiting for news from the subordinate counties in the government office, but he didn't know that his plan had completely failed. Sometimes he walked to the window and looked at the scenery outside the window, his heart full of uneasiness and anxiety; sometimes he sat at the table, drinking boring tea, frowning. He didn't know what Zhao Yingluo was doing and why his plan was disrupted so easily.