Chapter 183 Whether to kill or not depends on His Majesty's will

"Yes, that's the person your heartless father wanted to marry you off to."

That man is now the husband of your younger sister, Song Zhiqing.

Wu Jiande had some military achievements to his name.

However, three years ago, he somehow got involved with the Prince of Zhao, and every time he went to the capital, he would send gifts to the Prince of Zhao's and the Prince of Wu's residences.

What I found out this time is that the batch of grain that your third uncle was escorting was to be taken over by him.

But something went wrong during this takeover process.

Song Zhimian, the trial of Lord Shangguan's case is about to begin in the capital. There is still some time before the new account books from the north are sent over.

Even after Prime Minister Lin finishes his trial and sends the memorial to His Majesty, it will still take some time.

"I'm sure I can find out the truth within this timeframe," Ye Yunshu said with a smile.

Song Zhimian did not smile.

It's already quite an achievement that the King of Wu was forced into this predicament.

What happens next...

"My lord, based on the evidence we have now, even if His Majesty grants him mercy, the Prince of Wu can only save one life."

Whether or not he can be killed depends entirely on His Majesty's decision.

No matter how much you search, the result will be the same.

As for the King of Zhao... how much he can be involved depends entirely on His Majesty's decision.

My lord, everyone knows your identity. There are some things that are better left for His Majesty to investigate himself rather than you investigating them yourself.

Your Majesty is in the North; it should be easy for you to investigate things there.

Many things depend on whether His Majesty wants to investigate.

Why don't you send all the clues you've found to the North and hand them over to His Majesty?

Whether to investigate or not, whether to punish or not, is entirely up to His Majesty's will.

After all, the Weiyuan Army is currently conquering foreign lands, and what they can and cannot do is entirely up to His Majesty.

Even if Your Majesty doesn't investigate now, this matter has already been filed with you, and Your Majesty will still need to investigate it later.

Therefore, we now hand the initiative over to Your Majesty.

Regardless of the reasons, the first one to be pushed forward would be the King of Wu.

"My lord, let His Majesty investigate the matter himself!" Song Zhimian said earnestly.

Ye Yunshu hummed in agreement.

Indeed, given her status, if everything were thoroughly investigated and sent to the North, it would easily make others think that she was forcing His Majesty into a corner.

Although that person might not think so, public opinion can be a powerful force.

She wasn't very clear about the situation in the north, nor did she know what precautions she should take.

The only one who can handle things perfectly is His Majesty.

"Song Zhimian, don't worry, even if His Majesty punishes Prince Zhao this time, I will keep an eye on this case."

"I refuse to believe that His Majesty will be away on campaigns forever and never return!" Ye Yunshu said solemnly.

Song Zhimian hummed in agreement.

This time, the King of Wu is finished.

If it is found that someone in the Weiyuan Army has connections with the King of Wu and the King of Zhao, His Majesty will have to take it seriously.

Furthermore, in order to protect the King of Zhao who had accompanied him on his personal campaign, the King of Wu had to severely punish him.

His Majesty should know about this soon.

As for Lao Qi... Song Zhimian, write a letter and tell him what exactly happened.

"He's in the southwest, it's good for him to know a little about these things!" Ye Yunshu instructed.

Song Zhimian quickly agreed.

However, Song Zhimian was a little curious. Qi Wang Xiao Huaijin had been in the southwest for so long, but apart from taking over those three villages at the beginning, he hadn't made any major progress since.

It's as if they're waiting for some opportunity.

"My lord, do you know when His Highness Prince Qi and the young prince will return?" Song Zhimian asked in a low voice.

Ye Yunshu glanced at Song Zhimian, then looked outside.

"It's impossible in the short term."

My guess is that His Majesty will return to the capital first, and then the Seventh Prince will come back after some time.

His Majesty led his civil and military officials to greet them.

"How well the seventh brother can fight during this period depends on his abilities," Ye Yunshu said softly.

Song Zhimian felt a chill run down her spine.

It turns out that Xiao Huaijin was the one His Majesty truly valued.

No matter how many merits the King of Zhao has made in the north, people will only say that he achieved such military exploits under the leadership of His Majesty.

As for Xiao Huaijin in the southwest, all the real credit belongs to him.

...

The sixth day since Lord Shangguan left.

Early in the morning, the guards at the city gate were startled by two groups of carriages rushing towards them.

There were nearly twenty carriages, each carrying dozens of students.

The black car belonged to students from Wutong Academy, while the brown car belonged to students from Nanqing Academy.

Whether male or female, they were all dressed in plain clothes, with mourning ornaments around their waists and on their heads.

After the students entered the city, they all got off the carriage when it was still two streets away from the Shangguan Mansion.

After straightening their clothes, all the students walked towards the Shangguan Mansion with their hands clasped together and raised high above their heads.

When they entered the alley leading to Shangguan Mansion, the onlookers were stunned.

All the students still clasped their hands above their heads, kneeling with each step...

"Wei Yanyi of Wutong Academy kowtows to his revered teacher!" shouted the leading young student from Wutong Academy.

"Ye Mingmin of Nanqing Academy kowtows to his revered teacher!" The leading student from Nanqing Academy shouted loudly.

All the students behind the two men clasped their hands above their heads and followed suit, kneeling with each step.

"The student kowtows to his revered teacher!"

...

After paying their respects to Lord Shangguan and offering incense, the students of the academy sat down at the entrance of the Ministry of Justice.

They didn't say anything, they just sat there quietly.

Everyone's eyes were red as they stared at the gate of the Ministry of Justice.

Everyone knows that the students of the two academies have only one demand: that the murderer be severely punished.

Minister Ye of the Ministry of Justice rushed out after receiving the news.

"Don't worry, everyone. The Ministry of Justice will give you an explanation after it has investigated the matter thoroughly, and it will also comfort the spirit of Lord Shangguan in heaven."

The students didn't speak; they just sat there quietly.

They won't leave until the case is heard!

Minister Ye was so anxious he almost jumped up and down. He walked over to Ye Mingmin's side.

"Min-jie..."

"Please, Your Excellency, handle this case as soon as possible, so as to comfort the spirit of Lord Shangguan in heaven!" Ye Mingmin interrupted Minister Ye.

Minister Ye knew that the students had come here expecting a result.

Just as the students had been sitting in silence in front of the Ministry of Justice for half a day, news arrived from the north.

"His Majesty has decreed that Minister Lin and Minister Ye shall investigate the case of the murder of Lord Shangguan."

We urge the two officials to handle this matter impartially and to investigate the truth.

Regardless of who is involved, they will be dealt with according to the law.

"Even princes are subject to the same laws as commoners!"

An imperial edict was delivered to Prime Minister Lin.

Lin Xiang breathed a long sigh of relief; this case could finally be closed...

"This case will be heard tomorrow at 9:00 AM!"