Chapter 63: Unleashing Power
In Gao An’s eyes, his own prince was certainly perceptive.
This princess merely suggested that he go to the Imperial Court to expose the murder case of the He and Zhang Families, and he had already silently thought of this layer.
But Yue Tang saw through Yan Bei’s thoughts in just a moment, and also thoroughly analyzed all the pros and cons for him to hear—more remarkably, all of this initial planning came from her!
He suppressed his myriad thoughts and bowed at the waist: “Thank you, Princess, for the clarification! I will go and handle it immediately!”
Yan Bei watched Gao An leave with a beaming smile, not very pleased: “Why do I feel that he is more respectful to you than to me?”
“Stop being so suspicious. Let’s continue with the main matter.” Yue Tang moved the empty teacup and teapot on the tea table aside, “I want to ask you something.
“The Shen, Mu, and Chu Families—I know that the Shen Family and the Chu Family originally had a blood feud and do not associate.
“The Mu Family and the Shen Family are political rivals, which I also know.
“But why did a grudge also arise between the Mu Family and the Chu Family?”
……
It was rare for the two of them to have so many topics now; three years ago, this had never happened.
Yan Bei did not send anyone to pick up A Li, anyway, there would be plenty of time in the future.
He had the main banquet reset, and under the autumn leaves, in the gentle breeze, he told everything he knew.
Yue Tang also told him some old stories about old people in Prince Duan’s Mansion.
This meal lasted nearly an hour.
At this time, Gao An also returned, bringing back the result from the Du Family side.
At first, Shen Li insisted that the Du Family had murderous intent and insisted on reporting to the officials. After Gao An went, he smoothed things over and suggested that the Du Family bow their head and admit fault.
The Shen Family naturally refused.
Gao An then brought up Prince Jingyang’s name, saying that the Shen Family had only caught a few people and had no evidence of their assassination, asking if Shen Li wanted the prince to personally step in to plead.
Shen Li could not choose to confront head-on and finally said something about giving face to the prince, then left with a sullen face.
Yue Tang said: “The Shen Family also knows that the Du Family does not dare to assassinate, but they still harbor suspicions in their hearts. They will most likely still suspect that the prince’s mansion instructed the Du Family to watch them.
“So tomorrow, this dose of medicine must be administered even more fiercely.”
“Got it.”
Yan Bei finished the last sip of wine in his cup.
When he came out, A Li, who had been playing nearby with Lan Qin, was already looking eagerly.
Yue Tang bent down to pick him up, let him point to the places he usually liked to play, followed and walked around. She also went to see his “hee hee ha ha,” finally played with sand for a while, then went to the lake to catch fish and shrimp for the ducks’ dinner.
Yan Bei initially stood watching from afar, then A Li called him to get the small shovel, then called him to carry the small bucket, and later followed behind them mother and son all the way, specifically doing tasks like rolling up sleeves and feeding bait.
Unknowingly, the sky turned red in the distance, and the evening glow had risen. A Li probably also knew that Mother was about to leave, clutching Yue Tang’s sleeve tightly and refusing to let go.
Yue Tang then took him to swing on the swing for a while longer.
Although she was reluctant in her heart, at this time she understood even more clearly how to proceed next for the long term.
Fortunately, the child was tired after being excited all day, and after just a few swings, he drooped his head and stopped making a sound.
Yue Tang carried the nearly sleeping him back to bed, tucked in the quilt, watched him for a while longer until his little belly rose and fell evenly with steady breathing, then returned to the Xu Family with Lan Qin.
Yan Bei saw them off to the side gate.
As he put it, to fulfill the duties of the host.
Only after the horse carriage had gone far did he withdraw his gaze from the twilight.
When Yue Tang returned to the Xu Family, the moonlight had already deepened.
As soon as she entered the door, she felt the atmosphere was even more comfortable than before. Even the Fu Shi people peeking outside the door were gone.
After Wei Zhang came over and inquired, she learned that after Yan Bei’s visit, not only was Xu He thoroughly subdued, but his mind had also cleared up a lot. As soon as he returned from the Imperial Secretariat, he immediately instructed inside and out that no one and no matter should interfere with Yue Tang’s side anymore.
“Even the kitchen side proactively asked about us sending vegetables.”
Lan Qin happened to come in and, hearing this, smiled and continued.
After coming to the Xu Family, all food and drink were paid for by Yue Tang’s side, with a kitchen set up in their courtyard. Anyway, there were few people, so the space did not need to be large.
Knowing that Xu He had seen hope in front of Yan Bei, Yue Tang lit a stick of incense and said: “Accept it, then. The fish sees the bait and will stare tightly at the hook. He also needs some hope, so he won’t be fickle.”
“Understood.”
Lan Qin smiled and went out.
Wei Zhang stepped forward, first asked about A Li’s situation, and upon learning all was well, looked at Yue Tang again: “Judging by Master’s expression, things should have been accomplished at the prince’s mansion this time.”
“Accomplished.” Yue Tang showed him the alliance letter she brought back, “On Xu He’s side, Yan Bei will send a guard to watch him closely. This is even better; Xu He will dare less to act rashly.
“And you can free yourself up. After Yan Bei stirs up a disturbance at the Imperial Court tomorrow, you will keep a tight watch on Du Minghuan.”
Wei Zhang nodded. “Between the Chu Family and the Mu Family, what conflict is there?”
“Nothing major.” Yue Tang frowned slightly, “Yan Bei said that it was just at the beginning of the emperor’s ascension, when the two families disagreed politically on a certain matter.”
Wei Zhang frowned: “But both families are great clans; they should not lack such magnanimity.”
“I don’t know the reason.” Yue Tang sat down, “On the surface, that’s how it is for now.”
Wei Zhang nodded. Before new clues, hasty guessing would easily lead astray.
“By the way,” Yue Tang took the herbal medicine brought in by Lan Qin and drank half in one go, “After dinner, go inquire about Prince Duan’s Mansion.
“Since Brother’s anniversary of death is coming up, see what preparations the mansion is making?”
After Prince Duan and Princess Yongjia successively “succeeded” in death, Prince Duan’s Mansion, which was bustling in the early years, now had only Chu Shi, Yue Rong’s wife, guarding the empty house alone.
Although Prince Duan had been rebuked by the former emperor before his death, he was not demoted or punished. After the new emperor ascended, it would not stand to criticize Prince Duan for proposing that the First Prince come to welcome this younger brother.
Moreover, since the mansion still had the Heir Apparent’s Consort Chu Shi, the prince’s mansion and nobility title naturally could not be abolished, and there was no reason to send the imperial clan female relative back to her maternal home.
Full three years after Yue Rong’s death, Chu Shi petitioned for an imperial decree and adopted a child from the already declined imperial collateral branch to continue the bloodline of Prince Duan’s Mansion.
Now that child has been officially enfeoffed as Heir Apparent according to regulations, and following the original trajectory, he can petition to be enfeoffed as prince after turning ten.
Now Chu Yan has been promoted to Prince Duan’s Heir Apparent Consort.
After Yue Tang returned to the capital, she had never contacted anyone from Prince Duan’s Mansion. Only because most of the servants in the mansion knew her.
Once she approached the mansion, anyone who recognized her could not help but leak some news, which would do more harm than good.
Besides, at that time, she did not want to disturb Chu Yan.
But eventually, there would be a day when she could not avoid her.
Wei Zhang agreed and walked toward the doorway.
But he stopped under the door: “Chu Shi already has an adopted son; at that time, our Heir Apparent…”
Yue Tang heard this and continued to lift the medicine bowl to her lips: “A Li already has the Heir status granted by the former emperor; is there any controversy?”
From the day the former emperor allowed Yue Tang to marry into the wife’s family and give birth to a child, the heir of the mansion passed from Yue Rong’s line to Yue Tang’s hands.
Now A Li is still here.
He has the Heir status already granted by the former emperor, so it is only right and proper for him to reclaim his own position.
Moreover, two years after Yue Rong’s death, Yue Tang had her incident.
That is to say, Chu Shi had been widowed for a full two years, and only a year after both Prince Duan and Yue Tang had their incidents did she petition for adoption.
If Chu Yan also had the intent to contend, there should have been signs of wanting to adopt early on.
Wei Zhang was relieved.
As long as little A Li suffers no more grievances, everything is fine.
After he left, Yue Tang touched the balsam flower juice on her index fingernail that A Li had carefully applied to her midway through playing.
When she was little, Chu Yan had also applied balsam flower juice to her.
Because of that upheaval, the Chu Family also quickly expanded its power; they were indeed one of the beneficiaries.
But Chu Yan was a victim under the great mountain of the Chu Family.
She was truly a noble lady of a great family; her grandfather was the Grand Tutor, and her father was already Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites before turning thirty.
This also meant that Chu Yan’s existence, like many noble ladies of the same family status in the current dynasty, was inherently meant to forge interests.
Chu Yan had said then that the greatest fortune of her life was being able to marry Yue Rong, her childhood sweetheart who deeply loved her, as she wished.
But later she lost Yue Rong.
She had once lain on Yue Rong’s body, overcome with grief several times.
Since Chu Yan adopted an adopted son for Yue Rong, she should also prepare well for Yue Rong’s anniversary of death.
……
Morning court.
In Changchun Hall, the ministers came forward in order to report matters.
The young emperor sat at the head, with Prince Jingyang Yan Bei sitting on the left side below, and Chancellor Shen Yi standing beside him. On the other side sat Grand Tutor Mu Chang, with Censor-in-Chief Chu Ying standing.
Below were Marquis of Guangling and the other civil and military officials.
Almost all major and minor reports were first reviewed by the four at the head, decided upon, and then passed to the emperor.
But strictly speaking, only those three families spoke; Yan Bei rarely said anything.
Everyone was used to it, knowing that after asking him, his silence usually meant acquiescence. They collected the memorials and planned to adjourn as usual.
But then the lid of a tea bowl lightly clinked, and Yan Bei slowly rested his left hand holding the tea on his knee.
The recently relaxed atmosphere immediately tensed again, and all eyes turned to him.
“A few days ago, this prince heard of a major event.” Yan Bei’s gaze swept over everyone in the hall, “Imperial City Department Deputy Envoy He Jianzhong’s entire family was brutally exterminated. Three days later, his in-law, Zhang Shaode, also a Deputy Envoy in the Imperial City Department, was stabbed to death at Fei Yun Temple by He Jianzhong’s sole surviving son.
“Have none of you heard?”
Everyone exchanged glances, except Marquis of Guangling, whose face turned pale.
“This shouldn’t be,” Yan Bei picked up a stack of memorials from beside him and waved them, “Trivial matters like thefts in the city or fights between two villages outside are all reported, but a major case with over ten lives before and after is invisible?”
The people below exchanging glances also paled, and Du Minghuan’s face turned even whiter!
Yan Bei shifted his gaze and looked at them one by one: “Supreme Court, Ministry of Justice, Censorate, are you all mute?”
Shen Yi beside him looked at him, then glanced at Du Minghuan.
Representatives from the three named departments stepped forward: “In response to Your Highness, this matter, this subordinate has indeed heard a little, but it is said to be caused by family conflicts…”
“It is said?” Yan Bei looked at the speaker, rubbed his forehead, and laughed, “This prince did not know that the august judicial yamens, upon encountering a matter, do not investigate facts or seek evidence, but rely on two words: ‘it is said’?”
He stood up and slowly walked to the man: “He Jianzhong and Zhang Shaode are both court officials. They are full fourth-rank generals. Holding key positions in the Imperial City Department.
“To die like this without reason, do you believe it is family conflict?”
The official no longer dared to look at him: “This subordinate, this subordinate did not receive any report from below…”
“No report received, so no need to inquire?” Yan Bei turned to the Shuntian Prefecture Magistrate: “Such a big case, why did Shuntian Prefecture not report it upward?”
The Shuntian Prefecture Magistrate shuddered: “This subordinate, this subordinate has not yet found anything improper!”
“If you can’t investigate, you can’t eat this bowl of rice. If you can’t eat this bowl of rice, why occupy this position?”
The Shuntian Prefecture Magistrate knelt with a thud: “Your Highness, spare me! Your Highness, mercy!…”
The officials did not even dare to breathe.
Everyone knew Prince Jingyang held high position and great authority, with a bad temper. But no one had seen him unleash like this in public.
Some officials who had heard of this case but forgotten it over time now all perked up and listened intently.
The emperor at the head, seeing this, also snorted coldly: “You still dare to beg for mercy? Come, drag him down!”
The Shuntian Prefecture Magistrate had indeed taken benefits from the Du Family, so Du Minghuan had to step forward: “Your Majesty, Your Highness! The He Family case does have something fishy, but from beginning to end, the logic is tight with no loopholes; perhaps the magistrate is not lying!”
“Really?” Yan Bei glanced at him.
Du Minghuan met his gaze and immediately fell silent.
Yan Bei picked up a volume of case files from the tea table: “He Jianzhong and Zhang Shaode died almost at the same time.
“Coincidentally, three years ago, they were promoted to Deputy Envoys of the Imperial City Department and generals almost simultaneously, and even their family fortunes doubled around then. Though the two families’ blood cases are shocking, you should investigate what exactly happened three years ago to verify whether Marquis of Guangling’s ‘tight logic’ holds true!”
Even the slowest in the three judicial departments now reacted: “This subordinate will surely investigate this case to the bottom and give an account to Your Majesty!”
The emperor frowned: “Rise. Everything follows Prince Jingyang’s arrangements; getting the matter done is more important than anything.”
He then turned to Yan Bei: “Does my minister have any further instructions?”
Yan Bei nodded slightly, looking at the crowd below: “Both He and Zhang are from the Imperial City Department. For the needs of the investigation, this minister proposes to transfer Imperial City Department Deputy Envoy Dou Yun, effective immediately, to the Supreme Court to assist in handling the case.”
A mid-forties official at the end of the crowd suddenly looked up in shock, gazed at Yan Bei whose eyes precisely landed on him, froze in place for two breaths, then quickly stepped out of the ranks: “Dou Yun here!”
The emperor glanced at him and nodded: “Approved.”
