The Crown Prince, oblivious to the disdain he’d earned from Fu Yue with his opening words, was eager to win him over. Not only did he personally help Fu Yue to his feet, but his words were warm and ingratiating.
Fu Yue, however, stepped back, shaking off the sleeve the Crown Prince had touched with clear disgust and shooting an irritated glance at Xiao Yan.
This is the Crown Prince you chose?
Xiao Yan pretended not to notice, turning to the Crown Prince and saying, “General Fu’s rewards can be discussed later. For now, the priority is to calm the capital and resolve the chaos outside as quickly as possible. We must ensure stability in the capital region, lest the regional vassal kings mistake the situation for imperial instability and seize the chance to stir trouble.”
The Crown Prince nodded. “Supervisor Xiao is right. I’ll arrange it immediately.”
“There’s one more thing,” Xiao Yan said, glancing at the assembled courtiers. “Tonight’s chaos all stemmed from troublemakers at the palace banquet. I request Your Highness to order the apprehension of those who caused the disturbance, to quell the anger of the court officials and allow the souls of the Forbidden Army, Black Armor Guards, and fallen city defenders to rest in peace.”
The courtiers in the hall fell silent.
They had indeed been frightened, and lives had been lost outside.
But wasn’t the real culprit Xiao Yan himself?
Yet, with Xiao Yan now holding military power, it was clear that the “troublemakers in the palace” he referred to could not possibly be himself.
All eyes turned to Cui Lin, with a few glancing at the pale-faced Lady Xuan. Within a ten-foot radius of the two, aside from the equally ashen-faced Cui family heir and his wife, and the unavoidable Xuan family members, not a single soul remained, everyone else had scattered.
The Crown Prince, naturally siding with Xiao Yan, declared, “Supervisor Xiao is correct. Cui Lin colluded with Lady Xuan Qin, deceiving the emperor and disrupting the court, attempting to pin the death of the deposed empress on a key minister. Guards, seize them both!”
This settling of scores came so swiftly that Cui Lin’s vision darkened.
“This old minister is wronged!”
“Wronged?” Qian Baokun spat, practically sneering in his face. “Lady Xuan admitted herself to an affair with Minister Cui. Minister Cui, still sharp in his old age, traded his charm for tonight’s grand spectacle, nearly destroying the Wei dynasty’s court. And you dare cry injustice?”
“You…”
Cui Lin trembled with rage, about to retort, when Xiao Yan spoke coldly.
“Whether you’re wronged will be determined by the Three Judicial Offices. All evidence and witnesses from tonight will be handed over to the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review. They will also revisit the case from twenty years ago in a joint trial. No one will be unjustly accused.”
Xiao Yan’s gaze locked onto Cui Lin.
“Of course, if Minister Cui finds the Three Judicial Offices unfair, you’re welcome to face the Privy Council. I wouldn’t mind personally overseeing your trial.”
Cui Lin’s face twitched, and all his words caught in his throat.
“Father…” The Cui family’s daughter-in-law, pale-faced, whispered, “The Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review are fair. Minister He and the others would never wrong anyone. The case from twenty years ago has nothing to do with you, and tonight’s palace incident was just a moment of confusion. You’ve committed no grave errors otherwise.”
“Trust in Minister He and the others. They’ll handle tonight’s matter justly and uncover the truth about the southern case from twenty years ago, ensuring justice for all.”
“You!” Cui Lin glared at her.
The Cui family heir was incredulous. “What nonsense are you spouting?!”
That was his father, how could she send him to the Ministry of Justice’s prison?!
The Cui daughter-in-law stumbled as her husband yanked her, her knee striking a table corner, the pain draining all color from her lips.
Yet she only shook off her husband’s grip, lowering her eyes and saying softly, “I’m only thinking of Father’s best interests.”
“Father, in a moment of anger and misled by rumors, believed the deposed empress’s death was tied to Supervisor Xiao, leading to his misguided actions. Others exploited this to cause the subsequent chaos. But he never conspired to rebel, nor was he involved with the Dragon Court Guards.”
“Though His Majesty is gravely ill, the Crown Prince is wise and will surely uncover the truth. Besides, the Privy Council is a critical institution with more pressing matters to handle.”
“Father, trust in Minister He and the others. They will handle tonight’s events fairly and uncover the truth about the southern case, delivering justice to all.”
“You!”
The Cui heir, furious, was about to curse when Liang Guangyi interrupted, “Young Lady Cui is right. Since Minister Cui has committed offenses, he should face a strict trial by the Three Judicial Offices. Minister Cui, don’t you agree?”
Cui Lin’s face was ashen, but his trembling lips finally muttered, “This old minister was momentarily confused and is willing to face trial…”
“Father!” The Cui heir was both anxious and panicked.
Xiao Yan gave Liang Guangyi a meaningful look before waving his hand. “Guards, escort Minister Cui and Lady Xuan to the Ministry of Justice.”
As guards stepped forward to take them away, Xiao Yan turned to the Minister of War, Xi Weifang. “Your Highness, Xi Weifang is implicated in corruption within the Ministry of War and selling official positions. The Ministry of Justice alone may not suffice to investigate thoroughly…”
The Crown Prince, ever cooperative, declared, “Such a vile traitor should naturally be handed to the Privy Council for trial.”
“Your Highness is wise,” Xiao Yan said casually before turning to the hall. “Canglang, take Xi Weifang. Seal off the Xi household, imprison all male members, confine the female members to the residence, and send men to search the Xi estate. Also, dispatch someone to the Ministry of War.”
His gaze swept across the courtiers.
“Vice-Minister Yuan?”
Yuan Jiren, the newly appointed Vice-Minister of War, who had replaced the previous official tied to the Lu family just four months ago, hurriedly stepped forward, trembling. “Supervisor Xiao, rest assured, I will fully cooperate with the Privy Council’s investigation of the Ministry of War.”
Xiao Yan said gently, “Thank you for your efforts, Vice-Minister Yuan.”
Xi Weifang, elderly and frail, stumbled and fell as Canglang and his men approached, crying out “injustice” and claiming “the southern case has nothing to do with me.” But no one paid him any mind, and he was practically dragged out by the Black Armor Guards, still struggling.
The hall still bore traces of blood, and with two ministers “taken away,” the others couldn’t help but tremble as Xiao Yan settled old scores.
The Xiao Yan of today was no longer the restrained eunuch of the past. He was a scion of the He family, the confirmed Marquis of Xuanyi, with military power in his grasp and an ambiguous connection to the Dragon Court Guards. With Emperor An incapacitated by illness, the court had been “entrusted” to the Crown Prince.
The aristocratic courtiers were on edge, fearing Xiao Yan would call their names next. But to their surprise, Xiao Yan softened his previously aggressive demeanor, bowing respectfully to the Crown Prince and saying gently, “It’s late, and I must still handle matters outside. His Majesty’s condition in the palace is uncertain, Your Highness?”
The Crown Prince snapped to attention, quickly addressing the hall. “Minister He, Lord Chen, and Duke Cao, I entrust the cases of Cui Lin and the southern incident to you three. You must uncover the truth and provide an explanation to the realm.”
Minister of Justice He Cheng, Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review Chen Yu, and Cao Dejiang stepped forward. “We obey Your Highness’s command.”
“General Yin, you’re familiar with military affairs. I ask you to assist Supervisor Xiao in handling military matters and calming the capital as soon as possible.”
“This old minister obeys,” General Yin replied.=================
You can read ahead to chapterr 670 (100+ extra chapters) here
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