klisemfg Chapter 207 Extra (1) Parallel World 12
Chapter 207 Extra (1) Parallel World 12
Chapter 207 Extra (1) Parallel World 12
"This this…"
The usually eloquent Minister of Rites was forced into retreat by Lin Shihe and was rendered speechless.
Emperor Longyun was extremely satisfied with this scene.
Serves you right! Serves you right for always picking on me and opposing me! Heh heh heh, you old scoundrel!
Before he could gloat for long, Emperor Longyun received a subtle eye roll from the "mouth substitute".
Emperor Longyun immediately prepared to return it. But before he could even roll his eyes, another voice came from below.
It is Mu Xiaoguang, the Minister of Justice. I heard that His Highness the Fourth Prince fell in love with his granddaughter at first sight and has been busy trying to win her favor lately.
“Young Master Lin, Minister Han was just a little too hasty and didn’t quite understand. If you want to know why we are defending the Qin family, you should ask me, the Minister of Justice.”
Lin Shihe remained calm and said, "Please."
Mu Xiaoguang stepped forward. “Your Majesty, we are speaking out in defense of the Qin family, not as accomplices. The Qin family’s crimes are well-documented and unforgivable, but Your Majesty has not yet issued an edict for sentencing or a joint trial by the three judicial departments. For the Fifth Prince to preemptively order either slow slicing or beheading is an overreach of authority. We beg Your Majesty to punish him severely.”
As expected of the head of the Ministry of Justice, he grasped the crux of the matter directly.
But Lin Shihe didn't care.
"How does Minister Mu know that His Majesty has not issued an edict? Could it be that Minister Mu has planted someone in the Xuanzheng Hall?"
That was a rather pointed question. But Mu Xiaoguang was from the Ministry of Justice, and he was quite adept at dealing with this kind of psychological pressure. Unlike Minister Han, he wasn't intimidated by Lin Shihe.
He smiled slightly, deftly deflecting the question, "Young Master Lin is joking. How could I, your subject, commit such a treasonous act? It's just that the Ministry of Justice did not receive His Majesty's decree. When the Fifth Prince went to arrest the person, he directly used force to break in, without mentioning His Majesty's oral order."
Therefore, I believe it is only natural that His Highness the Fifth Prince acted without authorization.
"Oh. I see." Lin Shihe remained composed. "It seems I misunderstood Minister Mu."
Mu Xiaoguang seemed very easygoing. "It's a small matter. Just explain it clearly."
Lin Shihe, taking the opportunity to be polite, said, "Then thank you very much, Minister Mu. However—" his tone suddenly changed, "Minister Mu is so tolerant and magnanimous, I suppose he won't mind a thirteen or fourteen-year-old child making a harmless little mistake."
He was still quite young, and upon hearing that he could avenge his brother and vent his anger, he inevitably became a little excited. It's normal that he got carried away with his emotions and only thought about mentioning people.
"What Prince Lin means is—"
"The Fifth Prince has always been upright and disciplined. How could he have done such a great thing without His Majesty's decree? It's just that children have poor memories and he simply forgot to mention it. If you don't believe me, Minister Mu can ask His Majesty if he gave any oral instructions."
Mu Xiaoguang's gentle face froze instantly.
He asked Emperor Longyun?
If Emperor Long Yun doesn't cover up this lie for Lin Shihe, he'll rip his own head off and kick it around like a ball!
"Ahem. Minister Mu," as expected, Emperor Longyun at the head of the table spoke up at the right time, "Fifth Prince is still young after all. This is his first time working for me, so his actions are inevitably a bit hasty and crude. It's nothing serious."
Very well! So the emperor and his ministers are truly in cahoots, fabricating stories on the spot!
To bring someone in without an imperial decree and force your way in—you call that having a bad memory? You really think I'm a fool!
Mu Xiaoguang clenched his teeth, but his face remained perfectly composed.
"So that's how it is." He feigned sudden realization, then became conflicted and troubled. "I can understand, but this matter is against the rules and has caused quite a stir among the people. I'm afraid we must give an explanation to the world."
"Minister Mu is indeed thoughtful and thorough." Emperor Longyun leaned forward, resting lightly on the table. "However, the Crown Prince has already taken care of this matter. After returning and clarifying the situation that day, the Crown Prince had already given the Fifth Prince the punishment of caning, which is already done."
Is this matter just being swept under the rug?
No way! Lu Yuxu immediately winked at Emperor Longyun.
Father, you're absolutely right! Tone it down a bit, or the Fifth Prince will be exonerated and innocent, and he'll be waiting to be banished from the capital!
Unfortunately, Emperor Longyun didn't see it. He was busy continuing his own power struggle with his subjects.
"However, if you ministers believe that this beating is insufficient to atone for the Fifth Prince's negligence, we, the sovereign and his subjects, can discuss it further. As you all know, I have always been tolerant of all opinions!"
…What's there to discuss?
You could have just said you were going to cover it up, it's really kind of you to go through all this trouble! And you call yourself "all-encompassing," but a belly full of evil is the only true characteristic of Emperor Longyun!
Mu Xiaoguang was seething with rage, but his face remained calm.
"In that case, I have no further questions."
After speaking, Mu Xiaoguang bowed and returned to his original position.
Those who remained standing there looked at each other, unsure of what to do next.
Seeing this, Emperor Longyun smiled enigmatically, "What, do you all still have questions?"
Emperor Longyun clearly intended to protect Lu Yuxi, and the Qin family was, after all, a criminal guilty of treason. Getting involved in the matter to suppress the Fifth Prince was obviously a losing proposition and not worth it.
But today is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Having finally found a weakness in the Fifth Prince, they are unwilling to let it go easily.
After exchanging veiled glances, the Minister of Rites, who had been forced back by Lin Shihe's words, gritted his teeth and stepped forward again.
"Your Majesty, this old minister still has questions!"
Emperor Longyun tossed the string of beads in his hand onto the table and sneered, "Speak."
Minister Han closed his eyes, trying to suppress the panic in his heart.
"Your Majesty, this old minister just impeached the Fifth Prince for not only overstepping his imperial authority but also for being disobedient and unfilial. The matter of overstepping his imperial authority has just been clarified. However, it is an undeniable fact that His Highness the Fifth Prince's actions were so outrageous that they caused the Empress Dowager to have a seizure and fall ill. His Highness the Fifth Prince will certainly not be able to shirk or refute this crime!"
Emperor Longyun's expression was inscrutable. "Is it a done deal?"
"Exactly!" Minister Han was determined this time and went all out. "Upon learning that the Empress Dowager was unwell, my wife, as is customary, went to the palace to visit her. The Empress Dowager herself said in front of all the noblewomen, 'The Fifth Prince is cruel and tyrannical, and I am filled with fear and grief, which has caused me great distress and made me unwell.'"
"The Empress Dowager's words are law; the Fifth Prince's illness of his grandmother is irrefutable evidence, constituting filial impiety. We urge Your Majesty to punish him severely!"
These words were forceful and brought the conflict between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor into the open, into the court.
The Qin family was executed by Lu Yuxi for assassinating the Crown Prince, and the Empress Dowager publicly blamed Lu Yuxi for the Qin family's downfall. Ignoring the Qin family's crimes and focusing solely on punishing Lu Yuxi, it's clear the Empress Dowager's intentions were as clear as day.
The Qin family has been destroyed, and the third prince born to the Qin clan in the harem has absolutely no chance of ascending the throne.
Now that the Qin family faction has collapsed in an instant, all Empress Dowager Qin can do is to relentlessly attack Lu Yuxi. She has truly abandoned all pretense of civility.
Emperor Longyun had long wanted to break off relations with her.
"Are you saying that the Empress Dowager disregards the law and, for the sake of a treasonous minister, intends to punish her grandson who acted in accordance with the law? And that I, too, should, based on the Empress Dowager's words alone, punish a prince who has done nothing wrong?"
"The Qin family is, after all, the Empress Dowager's maternal family..."
Emperor Longyun abruptly interrupted him, speaking in a resounding voice: "But she is now the Empress Dowager! Every word and action she takes should uphold the dignity of the royal family and set an example for the world!"
"Who does the Qin family think they are, to act as if they can lord it over the royal family in the eyes of the Empress Dowager?!"