Chapter 109 Injuring Someone on Horseback, Shen Chu Heads to Dali Temple

Shen Chu rolled her eyes. "And you still say you don't want to be a mediator?"

He Zhengxiang chuckled, then realized something. "Wait a minute, His Majesty already decreed that the Sixth Prince's Flying Eagle Guards would accompany you on the patrol. The person you want to invite certainly isn't the Sixth Prince. Tell me quickly, who is it?"

"It is Young Master Li Chengxuan."

This was a thought that only came to her yesterday.

Li Chengxuan was the only son of the Duke of Huguo's family. The Grand Princess of Chengyang and his aunts did not want him to become a military general; they only hoped that he would live a happy and peaceful life.

But she could tell that Li Chengxuan didn't want to be a playboy who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun. Otherwise, he wouldn't have fought so hard to win the dragon boat race last time for a red-tasseled spear.

The Grand Princess of Chengyang forbade him to become a military general, so she decided to let him try being a civil official first.

Last night, as the banquet was drawing to a close, she specifically asked Li Chengxuan what he thought.

Li Chengxuan immediately agreed, and said with a smile, "Of course I'm willing to work with Achu. I'll go home and ask my grandmother to ask His Majesty to allow me to enter the Censorate."

With the Grand Princess of Chengyang around, it would be a piece of cake for Li Chengxuan to become an official in the Censorate.

However, He Zhengxiang is now the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, and Shen Chu felt that it was better to report to him first.

Having served as an official for half his life, He Zhengxiang was well aware that this was Shen Chu's way of showing him respect. He chuckled and said, "Young Master, you come from the Duke of Huguo's mansion. You can do whatever you want in the capital."

With him around, I doubt anyone in any department would dare to openly make things difficult for you.

Shen Chu smiled and said, "Since the lord agrees, then I will have him report to the Inspectorate this afternoon."

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.

As soon as she finished speaking, Li Chengxuan's anxious voice rang out from outside, "Achu, are you there?"

Chen Chu hurriedly went out to greet her, "Why are you here now? What happened?"

Li Chengxuan was covered in sweat and slightly out of breath, clearly having run all the way here.

“Ah Jun is in trouble, can you help him think of a solution?”

"Zhou Jun? Don't rush, tell me slowly."

Li Chengxuan took a breath. "Here's what happened. After the banquet last night, Ah Jun and I rode back together."

As they reached the corner of Liuer Hutong, they bumped into someone, who was accidentally stepped on in the abdomen by a horse's hoof.

Ah Jun was terrified. We took him to a clinic to treat his injuries, got medicine, paid compensation, and then sent him home.

This morning, someone came to the Zhou family and said that the person who was stepped on by Ah Jun last night had died, and the deceased's family filed a lawsuit with the Dali Temple.

When I arrived, the Dali Temple had already come to arrest me.

Ah Chu, what should we do? Will Ah Jun be sentenced to prison?

Shen Chu frowned. "If someone is injured and killed by a horse, the punishment is exile at best, and beheading at worst."

Li Chengxuan's expression changed, and he stomped his foot in frustration.

"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have let him drink so much last night, and I shouldn't have suggested riding a horse home."

Ah Jun didn't intentionally step on anyone to hurt them, so... will they consider giving him a lighter sentence when sentencing him?

Looking into his pleading eyes, Shen Chu remained silent for a moment before softly saying, "It won't be much lighter."

Li Chengxuan was devastated, "What should we do? Ah Chu, please help Ah Jun think of a solution."

I was there last night too. The person wasn't seriously injured at all, so how could he have died?

Ah Chu, would you come with me to the Dali Temple to ask about the situation?

Seeing that he was so anxious that he lost his composure, Shen Chu said, "Okay."

Dali Temple.

Princess Qinghe is negotiating with Geng Huaiyi, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, hoping to see her son.

Geng Huaiyi sternly refused, saying, "Your son trampled someone to death with his horse and is currently on trial. Family members are not allowed to visit him."

It is not that I am deliberately making things difficult for you, Princess. You also know that His Majesty wants to clean up the court and has specially ordered Lord Shen to inspect the various departments, focusing on whether there are any dereliction of duty.

How could I, your humble servant, dare to do anything for the princess at this time?

Princess Qinghe was led out in a daze. Thinking of her husband who had been bedridden for many years and her only son who had now become a murderer, she was overcome with grief and tears streamed down her face.

"Princess."

Just as she was realizing this, a clear and pleasant voice suddenly rang in her ears, "Has the princess come to visit Ah Jun?"

Princess Qinghe looked up, her eyes blurry with tears, and saw a figure in lake blue walking towards her.

She wiped away her tears and finally saw the person in front of her clearly: a young man in a lake-blue official robe, with red lips and white teeth, gentle and refined as jade—it was Shen Chu.

"Young Master Shen, please help Ah Jun. He didn't mean to step on anyone. Please help him."

Princess Qinghe's eyes were filled with the despair and helplessness of a mother. She clung to Chen Chu's sleeve and pleaded desperately, as if grasping at a straw in her despair.

Shen Chu felt a heavy weight in her heart, but dared not give her any assurances, since she did not yet know the full picture.

"I came here to find out what happened and see if I can help Ah Jun."

The case is still pending, so the princess will certainly not be allowed to see Ah Jun. It would be better if the princess returned to her residence first. I will have Brother Chengxuan inform you of any news promptly.”

Li Chengxuan helped Princess Qinghe up, "Yes, Princess, please go back first. Ah Jun is my best brother, and I will definitely find a way to help him."

Princess Qinghe wiped away her tears, suppressing her anxiety, "Alright, I'll listen to you. I'm entrusting Ah Jun's matter to you."

If you have any news, be sure to tell me. Tell me what you need me to do, even if it costs money….

“Princess, please be careful with your words.” Shen Chu bowed slightly, interrupting her.

Princess Qinghe recalled that Shen Chu was now on behalf of the Emperor, inspecting various departments, and realized that her words had been inappropriate. "I misspoke, please forgive me, Lord Shen."

Watching Princess Qinghe board the carriage and leave, Li Chengxuan whispered, "Princess Qinghe's father was the late emperor's cousin. He was granted the title of Prince Kang for his meritorious service in supporting the late emperor, and his only daughter was also granted the title of princess."

In the late years of the late emperor, several princes were vying fiercely for power. Prince Kang did not support the current emperor and even tried his best to recommend another prince to the late emperor.

"After His Majesty ascended the throne, Prince Kang passed away. His Majesty likely harbors resentment and does not favor the Qinghe Princess's family."

Shen Chu glanced at him sideways, "Don't say things like 'Does His Majesty like or dislike anyone?'"

Li Chengxuan scratched his head, "It's just the two of us. You're my brother, what are you afraid of?"

Chen Chu sighed helplessly, "Let's go in and see Lord Geng."

When Geng Huaiyi saw Shen Chu, he smiled broadly and asked, "What wind blew Lord Shen to our Dali Temple?"

Shen Chu smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, "This humble official has come to inquire about the progress of the case concerning Zhou Jun's horseback riding incident and injury."

Geng Huaiyi stroked his mustache, his voice drawn out, "Regarding the case of Zhou Jun injuring someone on horseback, I wonder if Lord Shen is inquiring as an Imperial Censor from the Censorate, or as His Majesty's special envoy?"

Shen Chu remained calm and asked, "What's the difference?"

Geng Huaiyi said, "If we consider Zhou Jun's status as an imperial censor of the Censorate, his drunken horseback riding that resulted in injury and death falls under the jurisdiction of the Court of Judicial Review. Moreover, it is not considered a serious case and does not require a joint trial by the Censorate. Therefore, I have no comment on the progress of the case."

He slowly sipped his tea and continued, "If Lord Shen inquires in his capacity as His Majesty's special envoy, even though it violates the principles of our Dali Temple's case-handling, I dare not disobey His Majesty's decree and can only tell you the truth."

He looked at Shen Chu with a smile, "Young Master Shen, you should think carefully about which identity to use when you ask the question before you answer."