The attack on the Marquis of Lin'an's residence last night has alarmed half of the capital.
Early in the morning, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review led a large group to the Marquis of Lin'an's residence, causing widespread panic.
Although most people would keep their distance from such things, there were also some busybodies who stood on the fence formed by the body of the Dali Temple yamen runners and craned their necks to look at the side gate of the Lin'an Marquis's mansion.
"They're out! They're out!"
Someone in the crowd shouted, and more and more people gathered around to watch the spectacle.
Two constables from the Dali Temple carried the corpse out of the mansion through a side gate.
Twenty corpses were carried out in succession, which shocked the onlookers.
Before long, Tan Jiuzhou, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, walked out of the side gate of the Marquis of Lin'an's residence, accompanied by Chen Ziye.
Tan Jiuzhou stepped aside and said, "I already know the whole story. Brother Chen, there's no need to see me off. Please give my regards to the old Marquis."
Chen Ziye clasped his hands in a polite gesture and said, "My father is grateful for your concern, sir. This matter has caused great anxiety in the Marquis of Lin'an's mansion. If the Court of Judicial Review has any questions, you may summon us at any time."
That being said, Tan Jiuzhou wouldn't dare to do that.
The Marquis of Lin'an's family has achieved numerous military exploits and made great contributions to the Jin Dynasty. Even the emperor has to give them some respect.
Furthermore, the Marquis of Lin'an's family was the victim, and with the Shadow Guard interfering by having the coroner examine the body, even if he had ten lives, he wouldn't dare to summon and question them at will.
Tan Jiuzhou smiled and said, "The Marquis of Lin'an's family is the aggrieved party in this matter. If there is anything you don't understand, just send someone to the manor to ask a few questions. I hope Brother Chen won't find it troublesome."
The capital city was full of high-ranking officials and nobles. Although the Dali Temple was different from ordinary officials in the capital, it mostly adhered to the principle of not offending the powerful and influential nobles who were aggrieved, while handling the case well.
Moreover, this matter involves the Crown Prince, and although the Emperor ignores him, he still has the Empress Dowager's protection.
Before dawn, when someone from the manor came to report the news, Tan Jiuzhou felt like he wanted to explode on the spot.
Now, he has no choice but to swallow his pride and personally visit the Marquis of Lin'an's residence, and dare not hand the case over to the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.
After exchanging a few more polite words, Tan Jiuzhou left with the people from the Dali Temple.
Chen Ziye watched the crowd gradually disperse, sighed slightly, and turned back to the Marquis of Lin'an's residence.
The military officer who heard the news last night brought his own soldiers to help, and he still had to prepare a thank-you gift and send it to him.
...
The palace, the main hall.
Before leaving the court, Chen Zirong stepped forward and, in front of all the civil and military officials, performed a grand ceremony to apologize.
The civil and military officials were unaware that Song Binyu was living in the Lin'an Marquis's residence, and assumed that he was still a leisurely person in the Empress Dowager's palace.
But when Chen Zirong revealed that all twenty assassins had died under the swords of the Shadow Guards, the entire audience erupted in uproar.
The discussions among civil and military officials grew louder and louder.
"These assassins have gone too far! Right under the emperor's nose, in the very heart of the capital, they dare to commit violence in an official's residence!"
"When the Crown Prince and his mother were on their way to the imperial mausoleum, they were thrown into chaos and their horses overturned. The mother died and the son survived."
Now, the teenager is in a wheelchair.
Twenty assassins—this is practically a death sentence!
The person who claimed the life was to be taken was a civil official.
Upon hearing this, all the civil and military officials fell silent.
Instantly, the entire hall fell silent; it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
These words naturally did not escape the emperor's ears. His previous attitude towards the eldest grandson was to ignore him and let him recuperate in the Empress Dowager's palace.
Twenty assassins broke into the mansion to kill him. Although he had demoted the eldest prince to a commoner, he was still his eldest son and he couldn't allow anyone to treat him so disrespectfully.
Standing to the side, Li Defu looked down and observed the emperor's expression.
The emperor's face darkened, showing signs of anger. Following the emperor's gaze, he clearly saw that after scanning the civil and military officials, the emperor's eyes settled on several princes.
His expression was authoritative without being angry, and his scrutinizing gaze seemed to be able to see into people's hearts.
After a moment, the emperor withdrew his gaze and turned his attention back to Chen Zirong.
The emperor said, "Assassinating an official of the court is no small matter. The Court of Judicial Review must investigate this matter thoroughly, remove all obstacles, and bring the mastermind behind it to justice."
The emperor made no mention of the assassination attempt on the crown prince, instead pinning the blame for the twenty assassins on the Marquis of Lin'an's residence.
Even if civil and military officials who have served in the capital for several years cannot fully understand the emperor's intentions, they can still guess half of them.
With the marriage alliance between the Great Jin and the Tatars imminent, if news of the assassination of the Crown Prince were to spread, it would lead the Great Yu Kingdom and the Tatars to believe that the Great Jin was unstable.
This is not good news for the Great Jin Dynasty.
Upon hearing the news of Song Binyu's assassination attempt, the Second Prince turned his attention to his younger brothers behind him.
When he saw his brothers, all of whom looked incredulous and innocent, he was momentarily unsure whether they were acting or simply unaware of the situation.
The assassination case was handed over to the Dali Temple for investigation. After the court session, Chen Zirong was kept behind by the emperor.
Standing below the main hall, Chen Zirong held his ivory tablet, awaiting the emperor's question.
The emperor sat on the dragon throne without saying a word. After a long while, he said, "The news that Binyu is living in the Lin'an Marquis's residence is known to everyone in the capital with any sense."
Now that things have been exposed, my dear minister, please send more men. I will also have Prince Song send shadow guards to protect his safety.
As for what information the Dali Temple found, the Marquis of Lin'an's residence didn't need to inquire further.
Chen Zirong understood the emperor's concerns, fearing that relatives might kill each other.
Thinking of this, he bowed and accepted the order, saying, "Yes, Your Majesty."
After the emperor finished giving his instructions, his shoulders slumped slightly, as if he had breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing his aged and frail appearance as he sat on the dragon throne, Chen Zirong took his leave and quickly walked out of the main hall.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
