Chapter 736 Court Judgment

Madam Li couldn't help but retort, "Lord Zhang, why ask such irrelevant questions? You've been asking these questions from yesterday to today, over and over again. Is this your attitude of seeking justice for Xue'er? The murderer is being held in your Jingzhao Prefecture, and instead of interrogating him rigorously, you're questioning the victim's family. What are you up to? Rumors are circulating that Lord Zhang is close to the Jiang family."

Before the emperor could get angry, Lady Li suddenly bowed in the emperor's direction and said, "This humble woman is illiterate and uneducated. She is just a woman and does not understand any profound principles. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

"I simply cannot understand why the authorities continue to torment us victims when the murderer of Xue'er has already been caught. My husband is devoted to his duties and never slacks off for a moment."

She meant that the murderer was a relative of the Empress, but her husband was also a subject of the Emperor, wholeheartedly devoted to the country and its people. In the end, he couldn't resist the Empress's influence on the Emperor, and the Emperor's failure to punish the murderer fairly would truly chill the hearts of the officials!

Xie Shang could easily understand the underlying meaning. By now, the news had probably spread far and wide that the Empress's brother-in-law had committed murder. Would the Emperor cover it up? If the officials handling the case didn't handle it flawlessly, how could the Emperor and Empress gain the respect of the people?

This case is ostensibly aimed at the Jiang family, but in reality, it's meant to ruin Xie Shang's reputation!

If it really was the Fourth Prince who designed it, then his intentions are truly despicable!

In front of all the civil and military officials, Xie Shang composed himself, his eyes were cold and his aura was majestic. He stared coldly at Madam Li and said in a deep voice, "Madam Li is the wife of the Minister of War. Since she is illiterate, wouldn't it be a laughing stock if word got out?"

Upon hearing this, some officials actually stared in Li Shangshu's direction and laughed. Li Shangshu felt that she had completely disgraced him. He glared at his wife a few times. It was one thing for her to be arrogant in general, but she even dared to speak ill of the emperor in court.

Minister Li was furious but dared not utter a word, only keeping his head slightly lowered.

Xie Shang coldly curled his lips, "My dear ministers, which of your wives is illiterate? Write a memorial and send it to the Ministry of Rites. I will set up schools for you all, so that other countries will not laugh at our Great Zhou Dynasty for having a bunch of stupid ministers in the court."

At this moment, who would dare to stand up and say that their wife can't read or write? Even if she really can't, they'll go home today and personally teach her until she's as talented as a woman.

Lady Li wasn't stupid; she knew the Emperor was calling her husband stupid. She clenched her fists tightly, but in the end, she didn't dare say she was illiterate anymore. Seeing her husband's face turn blue with anger, she thought, "Oh no, I've embarrassed my husband again."

Seeing that the court had become quiet, Xie Shang said, "Minister Li, since your wife is illiterate, take her back to learn more characters and principles before letting her speak. Even a three-year-old child knows the principle that jade cannot become a vessel without being carved, and a person cannot know righteousness without learning. I believe that Madam Li, who is in her forties, will learn better than a child."

Minister Li stepped forward with a stiff upper lip, cupped his hands in greeting to the Emperor, and said, "Your subject obeys the decree."

Xie Shang continued, "Let's get back to the main topic. Magistrate Zhang just said that someone framed Jin Ji for murder. Have you investigated this thoroughly? Do you have any evidence to prove that Jin Ji is innocent?"

Zhang Anyu said directly, "Your Majesty, in addition to the coroner's autopsy results confirming that Madam Li's time of death is inconsistent with the time of the incident, I also have someone who can prove that Li Cheng's testimony just now was a lie."

As soon as Zhang Anyu finished speaking, Li Cheng also became agitated. "How did I lie? Lord Zhang, you're investigating a case, and I'm just cooperating with you! I... what lie did I say?"

People in the court also found it strange, and they started discussing it again. "Just now, Madam Li made a scene and was ridiculed by the Emperor. Now it's Young Master Li's turn to make a scene. What kind of karma has Minister Li accumulated? His wife is illiterate, and his son is lying and giving false testimony."

"He caught the murderer himself, so why did he lie? Could there be something fishy about Madam Li's death?"

"If it wasn't Jin Ji who killed him, then who was? If Li Cheng is really lying, did he kill him?"

Upon hearing this, Minister Li also lost his composure. "Your Majesty, please investigate thoroughly. Even if my son is utterly incompetent, he would not kill his own wife!"

Li Cheng was also dumbfounded and hurriedly said, "I didn't kill Shu Xue, it wasn't me." He was panicked, but dared not tell the truth, so he could only hold back and not say anything more.

Xie Shang noticed his panic. Zhang Anyu hadn't even called out any witnesses yet, and Li Cheng was already flustered. It seemed he really knew a lot.

Zhang Anyu really has a knack for handling cases.

Xie Shang said in a deep voice, "The case hasn't been solved yet, what's all the fuss about?"

The court fell silent again. Even the low-ranking officials waiting outside the Golden Palace were all listening intently, not dozing off. This case had already caused a sensation throughout the city, and it would be difficult to explain if the truth wasn't thoroughly investigated.

Strangely, Shu Lang was unusually quiet today. He didn't make a fuss or mention the grievances of the Shu family's daughter.

Soon, Zhang Anyu presented the Emperor with the testimonies of the servants questioned at the Li residence, explaining, "I have witnesses who testify that from the time Madam Li accompanied Madam Li to the palace banquet on the Lantern Festival until she left the palace and her body was discovered, she never returned to the Li family. Li Cheng and Madam Li did return home after the Lantern Festival banquet, and Li Cheng was drunk that night. Madam Li did not return to the Li family that night. I ask if this is the case for Young Master Li and Madam Li?"

The steward had already informed Li Cheng that Prince Qi had asked the servants some questions at the Li residence.

Li Cheng said, "I did get drunk on the night of the Lantern Festival. I don't remember how I got home afterwards. Xue'er wasn't with me at the time because she went back to her parents' home. What's wrong with that? Didn't I already say that?"

Zhang Anyu smiled faintly, "There's no problem. I'm just asking a routine question. Although I heard it from Young Master Li himself, and from Minister Tang, His Highness Prince Qi, and everyone in the Jingzhao Prefecture, the ministers don't know, so I'm repeating it again."

Li Cheng was furious. "You did this on purpose, didn't you?!"

Zhang Anyu became serious again, his face full of solemnity. "The next question is what time Young Master Li and Young Madam Li went out of the city for a stroll. I remember that the record of the interrogation states that Young Master Li said that he and Young Madam Li went out of the city for a stroll after noon on the day after the Lantern Festival. You picked her up at the Shu family's gate, is that right?"

Li Cheng said coldly, "Lord Zhang has asked this many times already."

“Young Master Li only needs to answer whether this is true or not; there is no need to say anything else,” Zhang Anyu said in a deep voice.

Xie Shang sat on the dragon throne with a serious expression, neither interrupting nor making any suggestive gestures, quietly observing everyone in the hall.

Li Cheng replied, "Yes."

"In other words, from noon on the second day after the Lantern Festival, Young Master Li and Young Madam Li have been together the whole time." Zhang Anyu's voice was cold and deep, pressing him further.