"So, my minister, you do not know who set the fire?"
Liu Xie raised an eyebrow as he asked.
Fa Zheng nodded, but after a moment's hesitation, he added, "However, according to the Embroidered-Clothes Envoy protecting me, he saw people sneak into the post station that night and pour tung oil around."
"He later saw those same people at the Zhen Clan's residence... they seemed to be members of the Zhen Clan."
For a moment, silence fell over the great hall.
Jia Xu stepped forward and asked, "Your Majesty, shall we summon that Embroidered-Clothes Envoy? He is waiting outside the hall."
He had already learned what had happened on the night of the fire, so Fa Zheng's revelation did not surprise him.
The Zhen Clan had set the fire, and Qingzhu was the eyewitness.
Liu Xie's expression remained calm. At this, he said mildly, "There is no need. Summon Zhen Yi to the palace for an audience. I have questions for him... Xiaozhi, you may withdraw."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Fa Zheng naturally raised no objection and quietly withdrew.
Soon, Gao Lan led Zhen Yi into the hall.
Upon entering, Zhen Yi went to the center and knelt, bowing his head deeply to Liu Xie above him. "Your guilty subject, Zhen Yi, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"
At this, Liu Xie lifted his eyes slightly toward Zhen Yi. After watching him for a while, he asked, "My guilty subject? Minister Zhen, why do you say that?" Zhen Yi dared not raise his head. His voice heavy, he said, "Your Majesty sent an imperial envoy to Wuji County to audit the accounts, but your guilty subject failed to protect him, causing him to perish in a sea of flames. This was my fault."
"I have come expressly to beg Your Majesty's