This case was led by Lord Zhao of the Supreme Court, so all the criminals were imprisoned in the Supreme Court's jail.
Once Lord Zhao had ensured the prisoners were safely incarcerated, he entered the palace with the others to report to the Emperor.
The Emperor listened to their report without expression, dismissed Lord Zhao and Lord Fang, and kept Yun Yan behind.
The moment they left, Yun Yan dropped to his knees and began answering.
The Emperor asked, "Is Sun Xin's accusation that Prince Lu colluded with the Japanese pirates true?"
Yun Yan lowered his head and replied, "It is true."
"And his collusion with the Northern Hu?"
"That is also true." After a pause, Yun Yan said, "Through Director Wang, this subject learned that Prince Lu has severed his cooperation with the Northern Hu over the past few years. Yet the palace's connection with the Northern Hu has never been cut off."
"You mean Mr. Wang?"
Yun Yan's heart hammered wildly. Keeping his head lowered, he said, "This subject would not dare speak recklessly. I have only discovered that the Northern Hu are in contact with the palace, but do not know who stands behind it."
The Emperor gave a cold laugh and asked, "How has the matter of the Earl of Jingyuan's residence been investigated?"
Yun Yan said, "Sun Xin spoke with absolute certainty. This subject personally interrogated Sun Chao, and he too said he directly approached Wang Tianyi, the clan nephew responsible for handling Wang Ji's family affairs."
"I am asking whether Wang Ji knew about it." The Emperor asked coldly, "Was he like Prince Lu, knowingly opposing me on purpose, or was he like the Earl of Huichang, kept in the dark?"
Yun Yan said, "This matter can only be determined by interrogating Wang Tianyi