Chapter 356 "Such a simple thing, why make it so complicated?"
Jiang Yu wasn't surprised at all that the Prime Minister went before the Emperor to apologize; she would have done the same. When Jiang Chengye was tricked into buying the ship that was smuggling salt, wasn't her and her grandfather's first reaction to clean up Jiang Chengye's mess? At that time, they did that not to protect Jiang Chengye, but to protect the entire family.
The Prime Minister is now kneeling before the Emperor to plead guilty, likely for the same purpose.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects." Jiang Yu lifted her robe and knelt on the ground. The emperor looked at her with deep eyes, and after a while, he said, "Rise, Minister Jiang."
However, Jiang Yu did not stand up, but said, "Your subject begs for forgiveness on behalf of my father."
"Your father?" the emperor asked, his expression softening considerably. He already knew what had happened, and he was instinctively displeased that Jiang Yu had clashed with the crown prince.
Regardless of whether Jiang Yu was right or wrong in this matter, he was unhappy. He admired Jiang Yu's abilities, but hoped that she could be a loyal subject, devoted only to him, and not involved in any of the princes' struggles.
Jiang Yu knelt there with his back straight and recounted without any concealment what had happened to the brother of Jiang Chengye's favorite concubine, Aunt Huang. Then he said, "I am usually busy with official duties and have neglected to manage my father's affairs. I only learned about this yesterday."
At this point, a look of helplessness crossed her face, and she continued, "Your Majesty knows what kind of person my father is. I can't interfere in what happens in my father's room. After learning about this matter, I had someone follow my father to prevent him from doing anything that would harm the people."
Who knew that after he went to the Lu family today, Lord Lu would suddenly die? Although my father didn't argue with Lord Lu after arriving at the Lu family, he was present when Lord Lu died.
"So Lu Peichen and your father had such a relationship." The emperor turned his thoughtful gaze to the crown prince and the prime minister. When the two were recounting the events, they had not mentioned the relationship between Jiang Chengye and Lu Peichen.
The Crown Prince felt the Emperor's gaze, and cold sweat began to bead on his forehead. He naturally knew how Lu Peichen had died. He had killed Ren Guanfei and then come to plead guilty, hoping to end the matter there. But if Jiang Yu insisted on pursuing the matter further, the investigation would most likely continue.
The Prime Minister, however, was much calmer. He knew that Jiang Yu wouldn't be aggressive at this time, especially not at the Crown Prince. He raised his head and looked at the Emperor, saying, "If a person has a hidden illness, they may die suddenly if they become agitated and unable to control their emotions."
The emperor's gaze lingered on his face for a moment, and even Jiang Yu, kneeling beside him, felt the pressure. But the prime minister remained calm, seemingly unaffected. Jiang Yu couldn't help but admire him; his core was as solid as a rock.
Jiang Yu didn't think it was a good thing that Pei Chengkun was so stable in front of the emperor. When it was time to show weakness in front of the emperor, one had to do so. However, perhaps Pei Chengkun thought that the emperor was already suspicious of him, and if he showed any weakness at this time, he would be even more easily manipulated by the emperor.
Sure enough, the emperor's gaze darkened for a moment, then slowly returned to Jiang Yu, "What does Minister Jiang think?"
Jiang Yu paused for a moment, then said, "For specifics, just ask Lu Peichen's family and the doctor who usually treats him."
Jiang Yu understood that if the Prime Minister suggested Lu Peichen might have a hidden illness, then Lu Peichen would definitely have one. This matter would most likely end there; as for what benefits the Prime Minister would offer the Lu family afterward, that would depend on their negotiations.
Upon hearing these words, the Crown Prince turned to look at her with a puzzled expression, as if he didn't believe she would be so easy to talk to. Jiang Yu also looked at the Crown Prince, her eyes filled with a hint of respect.
The Crown Prince frowned in confusion. Jiang Yi's attitude towards him hadn't been like this at the Lu family's residence. Turning around, he saw the Emperor seated at the head of the table and suddenly understood why Jiang Yu was acting this way—it was all an act for the Emperor's benefit. He couldn't help but curse Jiang Yu's hypocrisy in his heart.
Seeing the interaction between the two, the emperor's gaze softened as he looked at Jiang Yu. A ruler is a ruler, and a subject is a subject; even if he used the crown prince as a target, he wouldn't allow others to trample on him.
However, the Crown Prince did not want Jiang Yu to feel comfortable. He turned to Jiang Yu and said, "Ren Guanfei was brought to the Lu residence by Jiang Chengye. He was also bribed by Jiang Chengye and had a dispute with Lu Peichen. Jiang Chengye is also involved in Lu Peichen's death."
Upon hearing this, the Prime Minister frowned, sensing that things were about to turn bad. However, Jiang Yu remained silent this time, but Prince Rui, who seemed to be lost in thought, spoke up: "Such a simple matter, why make it so complicated? Someone died, just hand it over to the Court of Judicial Review for investigation."
After saying this, he stood up with an impatient look on his face, cupped his hands to the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, I think it will be a long time before I return."
The emperor frowned and grunted, "You can go back now. Yesterday, the Western Regions sent some jade as tribute. Have Zhao Fuquan pick some out for you. Take whatever you like."
Prince Rui didn't stand on ceremony, cupped his hands in thanks to the Emperor, and then strode out, leaving the Imperial Study silent. The Emperor's aged eyelids drooped, lost in thought. The Crown Prince's hands clenched into fists, his mind filled with the Emperor's earlier attitude towards Prince Rui.
He was favored from birth, but no matter how favored he was, he could never compete with Prince Rui for anything. For example, the matter of his father having Prince Rui select jade had never happened to him.
The Prime Minister was somewhat uneasy. He hadn't expected Prince Rui to make such a sudden suggestion, proposing that the Court of Judicial Review investigate. Recalling the information he had received—that Jiang Yu and Prince Rui had interacted frequently—could it be that Prince Rui's words were because of Jiang Yu?
Otherwise, why would Prince Rui, who had never interfered in court affairs, suddenly propose that the Dali Temple investigate? The Prime Minister thought about many things for a moment. He turned to look at Jiang Yu, who was kneeling there respectfully with his head down, without giving him a single glance.
The prime minister had no choice but to look away. Although he was confident that he had covered up Lu Peichen's death perfectly, he was still uneasy, fearing that the emperor would really order the Dali Temple to investigate.
At this moment, the emperor's voice rang out, "Then let the Dali Temple investigate Lu Peichen's death. Doesn't the Dali Temple have a... a..."
The emperor couldn't recall Shan Wenli's name for a moment, but then Jiang Yu reminded him, "Your Majesty, there is a judge in the Court of Judicial Review named Shan Wenli."
"Yes, it's him. I've heard he's very capable at investigating cases, having solved many unsolved cases. Let him investigate Lu Peichen's death."
After the emperor finished speaking, he looked at Jiang Yu and said, "As for you to plead guilty for your father, let's talk about that after the case is investigated."
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