Chapter 157 Reversal

From the moment Lord Shangguan followed Prince Wu's carriage to the Ministry of Justice, the scholars who were attending the banquet and flower viewing at Shangguan's residence had already dispersed to spread the word about everything that had happened inside.

This is a big deal, something they witnessed firsthand. No matter what, it's better to spread the word first.

Furthermore, if the Ministry of Justice dares to detain the old man, they should unite everyone to stage a sit-in at the entrance of the Ministry of Justice as soon as possible.

When the people learned that King Wu and the Ministry of Justice had actually taken Lord Shangguan to the Ministry of Justice, they all looked up at the sky in unison.

Wait a minute, the sun is shining outside today, not the moon!

It's daytime now, not nighttime!

Nothing strange or unusual happened!

What nonsense are these people talking about!

"You've all had too much to drink and are having a fit of hysteria!"

Lord Shangguan is involved in the case of privately making dragon robes and has been taken away for questioning by Prince Wu and the Ministry of Justice.

Let me tell you, I'd rather believe the old sow on my farm gave birth to a monkey than believe this!

"That's right, who is Lord Shangguan?"

He was a veteran of three reigns and almost became an imperial tutor.

The Shangguan family has been known for its integrity and uprightness for generations; how could they possibly be involved in such a matter?

"If you're going to spout nonsense, at least say something we believe!"

"That's right! What nonsense are you spouting in broad daylight! That's absolutely impossible! I'd rather believe I can have children than believe that Lord Shangguan would do such a thing!"

"That's not necessarily true!"

Isn't it said that you can know a person's face but not their heart?

The Shangguan family has produced a Crown Princess! If everything goes smoothly, she could be the future Empress!

For the sake of the family's interests, something must be done...

"Why did you hit me?" The person who wanted to say something different got hit on the head by the lid of a teacup.

"Shut your stinking mouth! Do you think Lord Shangguan is like those pigs and dogs in your family?!"

"If you dare say another bad word about Lord Shangguan, I'll knock your front teeth out!"

...

Nobody believed it.

Are the people in the Ministry of Justice idiots? How dare they arrest Lord Shangguan?

From any perspective, Lord Shangguan is not to be arrested.

Unless the people in the Ministry of Justice are possessed by a demon...

Soon, other news also spread.

It seems that Lord Shangguan has been imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice's jail, and I heard he even went in wearing his official robes.

Oh, and there's one more thing: the people who arrested Lord Shangguan weren't all from the Ministry of Justice, but rather from the King of Wu's men.

The Minister of Justice is ill, and the imperial physician has been summoned to see him.

The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice also injured his leg last night when his carriage overturned and he is recuperating at home!

This means that arresting Lord Shangguan was not the idea of ​​the Ministry of Justice, nor was it the intention of the Minister of Justice.

People in Beijing are far more politically astute than people in other places.

If people from other places knew about this, they would at most say a few words, "They must have arrested the wrong person!"

Investigate the case thoroughly, and don't wrong an innocent person!

What's wrong with the brains of people in Beijing?!

The recent explosion, which also implicated the case of illegally made dragon robes, has led everyone to focus their attention on the Crown Prince's residence.

Now, they've suddenly arrested Lord Shangguan. There must be something going on here!

Think about it again. The Minister of Justice and the Vice Minister of the Left have both gone into hiding. Isn't that a clear indication to everyone that this is not my intention?

They're the ones who want to arrest people; it has nothing to do with me.

But since the man was a prince, His Majesty was not in the capital, and the Crown Prince had to avoid suspicion, they couldn't afford to offend him, so they could only feign illness.

No matter what, if you want to criticize, criticize the King of Wu and the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, don't come and criticize me...

...

"It is said to be Yang Zhengtong, the Grand Tutor who was bitten out of the Crown Prince's residence by the one who was not killed in the explosion."

Yang Zhengtong couldn't withstand the torture and implicated Lord Shangguan! Someone said, sharing what they knew.

"Isn't this ridiculous? Relying on someone else's words alone!"

Should we believe everything others say?

This requires evidence, such as letters or other witness testimonies.

If arresting people based solely on what others say is possible, wouldn't that create chaos?

If we ever have a fight in the future, I'll do something illegal, and then I'll implicate you and get you out of jail.

"You told me to do it! Is that alright with you?"

"Exactly! How can we arrest people just based on what others say!"

"Actually, it's not like they're arresting people, just asking questions. Doesn't the law in Da Yu stipulate that all cases must be investigated?"

"You can't just send someone directly to the Ministry of Justice's prison after questioning them!"

I think there's definitely something fishy going on here.

It's probably just a power struggle among the princes for that position.

"Ah, now you're right, this is definitely not a simple case!"

However, I have a feeling something's not quite right about this!

"Something's not right."

"What a coincidence that the King of Wu, while arresting suspects, discovered the privately made dragon robe."

Everyone else was killed in the explosion, leaving only one person connected to the Crown Prince's Chamberlain.

If the Crown Prince really had any ideas, he would have to do them secretly, and it would definitely be his most trusted confidants who would do them!

Why would anyone let a gambling addict do these things?

"You mean this was actually a scheme set up by that... prince to frame the crown prince?"

“I didn’t say anything.”

Anyway, my feeling is that the Crown Prince is a good person. He loves the people like his own children and always considers their needs in everything he does.

As for the others...

Alright, let's drink tea! Let's drink tea!

"Yes! Let's have some tea! We'll just wait for Lord Shangguan to come out."

Lord Shangguan will definitely be alright!

Teahouses and restaurants throughout the capital have become bustling. Who says only the north and southwest are lively? The capital is just as lively now!

...

Song Zhimian sat in a private room at the Chunbuwan Teahouse.

She could hear almost everything being said outside.

Indeed, previously it was almost unanimously believed that the Crown Prince had orchestrated this for his own future plans, but now it has shifted to the view that it was a conspiracy against the Crown Prince.

Song Zhimian took a sip of tea and looked at Princess Yongxin across from her.

Princess Yongxin was also holding a teacup and listening to the commotion outside.

Most of the people who caused various discussions outside were arranged by Princess Yongxin.

"This farce should be over soon."

"The King of Wu's methods are still not up to par!" Princess Yongxin laughed.

Song Zhimian smiled and was about to speak when one of Princess Yongxin's maids gently knocked on the door.

She handed a note to Princess Yongxin and then stood respectfully to the side.

Princess Yongxin opened the note and glanced at it.

"Go and spread the news that Yang Zhengtong died suddenly in prison. Remember! He died suddenly just after the old master entered the prison."

Also, remind those people not to be one-sided.

If the other side loses momentum, you should offer appropriate encouragement to help them regain their spirits.

"A fight like this is only truly exciting when the two sides are evenly matched!" Princess Yongxin said with a smile.

Song Zhimian looked at Princess Yongxin with admiration.

Look, this princess is really adept at this kind of thing. Lord Ye was right about her!