Chapter 36 Joint Trial by the Three Courts
"Don't take such risks in the future." Rong Yu seemed to be still in shock and spoke in a serious tone.
Ye Chenyin did not answer, but his eyes moved slightly, with a smile on the corner of his lips. He leaned over, picked up the person, and walked straight to the bed.
"You still need to recuperate, go to bed early."
The next morning at court, Ye Chenyin impeached King Ye Chenming of Xiang for killing innocent people, disregarding lives, abusing his power for personal gain, bribing officials for his own use, and breaking the law knowingly.
Emperor Gan looked worried, suppressing his anger: "Prince Jing, do you have any evidence to support your impeachment of Prince Xiang?"
"Of course." Ye Chenyin had expected this and answered calmly.
Before he finished speaking, Song Mei'an, Junior Secretary of the Dali Temple, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty! The Prince of Xiang protected Li Luotian, extorted the people, arbitrarily imposed taxes, and then silenced him. This is abusing power for personal gain and disregarding human life!"
"He protected the son of the Minister of Personnel and abducted a woman, then raped her and killed her. This is the indiscriminate killing of innocent people!"
"He bribed the Vice Minister of Justice Xie Chong to abuse his power in private punishment, and bribed the supervising executioner to disregard the 15:30 rule and execute the prisoner early. This is bribery of officials and abuse of power for personal gain! All of these actions constitute knowingly breaking the law. Your Majesty, please investigate!"
Song Mei'an submitted a petition, which was very frank and pointed out the key points, prompting many officials to join in the proposal and request a thorough investigation.
Emperor Gan's face was gloomy, and he hesitated to speak. He knew Ye Chenming well, and he had his own plans. He glanced at Ye Chenyuan and saw that he also nodded in agreement with the investigation. He wondered if it was to fight for the throne, or was it for justice?
Now that things have come to this, and everyone is watching, it is difficult to suppress them.
"Your Majesty, I implore you to issue an order and have the three courts jointly try this case in order to ensure fairness and strictness!" Ye Chenyin suddenly raised his voice and proposed.
Emperor Gan was about to convict Ye Chenming directly, but when Ye Chenyin said this, Song Mei'an immediately seconded the proposal, followed by Prime Minister Wen, Grand Tutor Qiu, Duke of Ying and other important officials.
Ye Chenyin knew very well that if he did not give Ye Chenming a chance to convict, Emperor Gan would raise him high and then put him down lightly.
Only a joint trial by the three judges can completely cut off his chance of survival.
Ye Chenming was responsible for more than just these two murders. If he dug deeper, he would definitely be implicated in more. He didn't want Ye Chenming to be brought to justice, but to be condemned to eternal damnation!
After the court was dismissed, Ye Chenyuan went to Fengyi Palace to have breakfast with Queen Xu Yingying.
During the meal, he mentioned the turmoil in the court today. When he mentioned Song Mei'an, he seemed to be thinking: "Mother, I see that the look in your eyes when your father looks at Lord Song seems to have deep hatred...even...murderous intent?" He pondered for a moment before uttering the last two words.
The spoon in Xu Yingying's hand made a slight clang and almost slipped out of her hand.
"Mother?" Ye Chenyuan noticed something was wrong.
Xu Yingying calmed down and forced a smile: "Lord Song has been upright all his life. How could Your Majesty want to kill him? Don't talk nonsense."
Ye Chenyuan shook his head. "Father is known for his decisiveness and deep suspicion. If Lord Song had truly angered the Emperor, Father would have certainly not remained silent. But today in the palace, Father seemed to be venting his anger but not daring to speak. This is something I have never seen before. What could have happened that could make a monarch so wary of a minister?"
Xu Yingying looked gloomy and fell into deep thought.
It's good that he doesn't dare to kill him, at least he can still be alive.
Seeing that his mother was concentrating, Ye Chenyuan did not disturb her, but just stayed with her quietly.
After breakfast, mother and son played a game of chess and they were evenly matched.
Finally, Ye Chenyuan put down the chess piece and said solemnly: "Mother, I have decided to fight for the throne."
Xu Yingying's eyes were filled with tenderness: "Is it because of the child named Rongyu?"
A few days ago, Rong Yu was sentenced to death. Ye Chenyuan was extremely anxious and repeatedly begged her to save him. At that time, she guessed some of his feelings. Later, when she heard that Rong Yu was being tortured in prison and saw his eyes were red, she was even more convinced.
"I, the legitimate son, have been so lazy that I have made no achievements at court. I have watched my friends suffer injustice, yet I am helpless to do anything. I have informed you today, Your Majesty. I am afraid that I will have to trouble you in the future."
"I never expected you to take that position. If you've made up your mind, then just go for it. Queen Mother will always be your support." Xu Yingying said softly, then changed the subject, "But the road ahead is difficult. Whether it's the supreme position or that person, you must think carefully."
Ye Chenyuan lowered his eyes. How could he not know that this path was difficult to navigate? But human hearts were hard to control, and he'd always have to choose between the two. He wasn't sure about Rongyu, but he still had a chance of winning that position. Moreover, without real power, moving forward in Tianjing City was truly impossible. He didn't want to experience the despair of having no one to turn to.
"Don't worry, Mother. Father has ordered me to preside over the joint trial of the Three Courts. This is a golden opportunity to make a public appearance. I will do my utmost to make the right impression on the court officials."
He wanted to let everyone see that Ye Chenming was not the only dragon son.
Xu Yingying looked at her son with relief, he had finally grown up.
Chaoyun Palace
Wang Ruomu used the excuse that the poison had not yet been cleared to repeatedly refuse Emperor Gan's visit, and in recent days he even closed the door to visitors.
Since Rong and Ye Chenyin returned from danger, he has been too busy to deal with other matters, and only today did he have time to come and pay his respects.
Chaoyun Palace was as cold and silent as ever. Wang Ruomu sat on a warm couch, his fingertips turning the pages of a Buddhist scripture, his face as cold as ice.
"Mother." Ye Chenyin bowed respectfully.
Wang Ruomu didn't raise his eyelids and just nodded.
"Is mother feeling better?"
"Much better." She kept fingering, obviously not wanting to talk more.
Ye Chenyin had long since grown accustomed to this scene. Every time he came, he was met with the same cold reception. The faint hope he held within him was worn away by the silence day after day, leaving only inertia. Even so, he couldn't help but yearn for a glimmer of warmth.
"Your son has joined the fight for the throne." He said in a deep voice, looking at his mother with burning eyes.
If Ye Chenming fell, the attention of the government and the public would surely focus on him and Ye Chenyuan. Even if he didn't want to fight, there were people behind the scenes pushing him. Rather than being passive, it would be better to speak frankly.
He also wanted to see his mother's attitude. After all, he wanted to know whether his mother would stand behind him.
Wang Ruomu paused at the sound of the words "seize the throne" and her fingertips paused, her movements froze for a moment, so fast it was hard to detect. Then, she said calmly, "I understand."
This answer was completely within Ye Chenyin's expectations. He had been prepared for this, but the expected coldness still pierced his heart, and he couldn't hide his disappointment.
He stood there silently for a long time, but in the end no words came from him.
"Please take good care of me, mother. I'll take my leave now." After saying this, he turned and left, his back looking desolate.
After the footsteps faded away, Wang Ruomu put down the Buddhist scriptures and looked out the window. An indescribable complexity flashed across his eyes: "After all, he is his son."
Pei'er, who was standing by, couldn't help but whisper, "Your Majesty has been too cold to His Royal Highness Prince Jing over the years."
She had seen all the grievances the little prince had endured since childhood. If it weren't for the Empress' strict orders not to interfere, how could she have had the heart to...
"The world is inherently cold, especially in the imperial family. Get used to it sooner rather than later, and you won't have any more delusions." Wang Ruomu's voice was colder than the frost and snow outside the window. If she hadn't still felt a lingering attachment to that man, she would have been free long ago. Why would she continue to linger in this disgusting, hypocritical world? Facing that utterly hypocritical person day in and day out was a life worse than death.
"Pass the word on. I am still poisoned and need to rest. No one is allowed to disturb me, including Your Majesty and King Jing."
The chill emanating from her body seemed to freeze the entire palace. Pei'er looked at her master's resolute back and could only sigh softly before quietly retreating.
Courtyard of Prince Jing's Mansion
A spring breeze caressed the threshold, and the cherry blossoms in the garden burst into full bloom, their pink and white petals drifting down in the breeze. Beneath the tree, a young man lazily lounged in a rocking chair, his eyes closed as he basked in the warm sunshine, reveling in this rare spring tranquility.
Not far away, Ye Chenyuan stood quietly, gazing at the scene. Perhaps at this moment, he finally understood Ye Chenming's obsession with power, and also understood Ye Chenyin's ruthlessness and decisiveness. If he wanted to protect the peace and beauty before him, he had to hold power.
Rong Yu closed his eyes, letting the sunlight and the fragrance of flowers envelop him. Such a leisurely day was a rarity in modern times. Now, under Ye Chenyin's protection, he would enjoy it to the fullest.
"When life is good, we should enjoy it to the fullest. A love song is a dilemma. Why do we part ways? When life is good, we should enjoy it to the fullest. The love has decayed. There will be no more lonely geese flying back and forth between the north and the south..."
He was completely unaware of the presence behind him and actually began to hum. Although his voice was tone-deaf, the words were clearly discernible.
A shadow suddenly fell, blocking out the warm sun.
Rong Yu didn't open his eyes, a smile on his lips: "Your Highness is so stingy? You won't even let me bask in the sun?"
The gentle smile on Ye Chenyuan's lips instantly faded. He could tell Rong Yu's words weren't directed at him. An indescribable bitterness welled up in his heart. Where had he lost?
Rong Yu didn't hear a response for a long moment, and opened her eyes in confusion. Instead of the stern face she'd expected, she saw His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan, who was as gentle and elegant as a spring breeze, his whole body seemingly tinged with the faint fragrance of flowers.
He stood up hurriedly: "Your Highness Prince Yan? Why are you here?"
Ye Chenyuan smiled gently again: "Why? I can't come?"
Rong Yu realized he had slipped up and quickly waved his hands to explain, "No, no, no, that's absolutely not what I meant! Your Highness is always welcome to come. I'm just a little surprised that I didn't hear the announcement..." He paused and asked cautiously, "Are you here to see His Royal Highness Prince Jing? He hasn't returned home yet after entering the palace. How about you go to the study and wait for him?"
"I came specially to see you. Are your injuries healed?"
"It's all healed! Zhang Yuanpan of the Imperial Hospital came to see it in person." Rong Yu replied.
He actually quite liked this gentle and kind Prince Yan, especially his face.
He had the desire but not the courage. When he thought of the look Ye Chenyin might give him, his thoughts were instantly extinguished.
Judging from the time, it’s time for Ye Chenyin to return.
Rongyu had an awkward smile on his face and didn't dare to say anything more.
Ye Chenyuan understood the deliberately maintained alienation from his slight awkwardness, and a heavy sense of loneliness welled up in his heart. It turned out that there was such a gap between them after all.
"Host, Ye Chenyin is back."
So fast?! Rong Yu’s heart tightened.
"Your Highness Prince Yan, is there anything else?" he asked tactfully, hoping that the other party would be tactful and leave quickly.
Ye Chenyuan understood and tried to maintain his composure: "There is nothing important to do. I will take my leave first."
Let’s go, let’s go!
Rongyu felt relieved and watched them go with a smile.
It happened that Ye Chenyin's carriage stopped in front of the mansion. As soon as he stepped over the threshold, he caught a glimpse of Ye Chenyuan's departing back, and his eyes instantly turned cold as ice.
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