In the Imperial Study, Xia Siheng told the emperor about the Happy Powder.
And about the clues that had led him to suspect the Xie family.
The emperor narrowed his eyes slightly. "It seems Minister Liu's kidnapping twenty years ago was no coincidence. Perhaps he'd caught wind of something, which was why he volunteered to rescue the Eldest Princess from Xu Family Village. Minister Liu might have been his real target!"
"That is why I suspect Xie Jian is inextricably linked to the Happy Powder. His actions back then stopped Minister Liu while keeping himself safe, and even made Minister Liu owe him a favor. Had he truly executed the Xu Family back then, the Eldest Princess might even have been grateful to him."
"Unfortunately, he was too greedy."
Xia Siheng sat beside the emperor and analyzed each point.
The emperor could not help feeling sorry for Minister Liu's family. "Back then, Imperial Father docked Minister Liu's salary for failing to act in time. Being kidnapped was bad enough, but he also ended up owing someone his life, and his daughter was sent straight into a pit of fire."
In this whole affair, a world in which Minister Liu alone suffered had somehow come to pass.
"Now that the truth is out, I shall issue a decree shortly to offer Minister Liu some comfort and compensation." The emperor made his decision.
"A wise decision, Imperial Brother. However, we should refrain from making any rash moves regarding the Happy Powder," Xia Siheng said.
"Why?" The familiar deep furrows appeared between the emperor's brows.
"Liu Wan went over the Xie family's accounts with me. The Imperial Court hasn't intensified its crackdown over the past few years, yet the deficits in their books are staggering. If Xie Jian really is doing this sort