Chapter 226 Standing on the Moral High Ground xx^……
"Thank you for your help, Grand Tutor."
Qi Chengming readily agreed and immediately wrote a letter on the desk in the Ministry of Justice, handing it to the Grand Tutor. He then set aside this case for now and went to deal with other cases.
With the insights gained from the writings of this former Minister of Justice, Qi Chengming managed to review five or six murder cases throughout the day, albeit with some stumbling and difficulty. By the time he was leaving, it was already dark outside the eaves.
"Doesn't the law say that there are at most fifty or sixty cases a year?" Qi Chengming rubbed his aching back and looked at the pile of case files in front of him, unable to believe it.
He felt that either the examples cited in the general law needed to be changed, or there was a major security problem this year.
“In previous years, His Majesty granted amnesty and prayed for the Empress Dowager. Some were sent back to prison for retrial, but the matter dragged on and there was no follow-up.” Grand Secretary Mu stroked his beard and gestured with his eyes.
That's why all of these are categorized under this year.
"..." Qi Chengming now understood just how impatient Emperor Hongren was with handling these major cases from the Ministry of Justice. Was he just dragging things out? He also seemed to understand why the Minister of Justice had resigned. How could someone so meticulous, attentive, and responsible be considered a weakness?
...
The next morning, a servant of the former Minister of Justice delivered a reply.
Qi Chengming arranged a time, first listening to Grand Tutor Wang's lecture in the morning, then meeting up with Grand Scholar Mu before going to visit him.
This was Qi Chengming's second meeting with him.
"Sir, this is the tea you all thought was delicious last time." Qi Chengming even brought some medicinal tea he bought in the south. After distributing a few packets last time, Qi Chengming only had a little left, so he brought it all this time.
"...Hehe, thank you for visiting, Your Highness." The former Minister of Justice's gaze fell on the two packets of medicinal tea, and he thanked him twice with a wry smile. But judging from his appearance, although he had stepped down from his post, he was not so decadent; he was still a spirited little old man.
Qi Chengming felt a little relieved, took out the dossier and supplementary file, and humbly asked, "I saw a line written here by the sir... could it be that you think that Wang Xiaomei...?"
"Your Highness," the old man quickly interrupted Qi Chengming, "I... uh, this is my guess. Various details in the South can corroborate this. As for Wang Danan, she hasn't uttered a word in prison, presumably because she doesn't want to say more about the chastity of women."
Qi Chengming's guess was confirmed, and his brows furrowed even more: "So this is the reason for the son killing his father? Did the magistrate guess it, so he could only change the sentence to execution in the autumn?"
"...Sigh, what good does it do to know? In the end, it's still patricide." The Minister of Justice tacitly agreed, but the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. His fiery temper flared up, and he cursed, "This heinous act is intolerable! This person is a monster!"
Qi Chengming remained silent, continuing to stroke his chin, pondering how to break the deadlock.
The local magistrate didn't include it in the official case file, and Wang Danan remained silent in prison, all to protect Wang Xiaomei's reputation. If her father had truly coerced her, the exposure of such an ethically reprehensible act would have a tremendous impact. Perhaps the father wouldn't have a good end, but the one who would suffer the most tragic fate would undoubtedly be the most innocent victim, Wang Xiaomei.
So this is the truth behind Wang Danan's eventual descent into patricide after reaching his breaking point?
"Where is the mother of the Wang siblings?" Qi Chengming asked after thinking hard for a long time.
Regardless of the reason, relatives and neighbors have now testified that Wang Danan is "unfilial." However, he is the only son in the family. If he still has an elderly mother, could the death penalty be commuted to the "support his parents" penalty? Even if not, if his mother or maternal relatives are still alive, they can always come forward to testify to something.
The former Minister of Justice shook his head regretfully: "She has long since passed away. It is said that her husband also beat her frequently... Her health deteriorated after giving birth to her daughter, and she died of illness a few years later."
Qi Chengming was stunned for a few seconds, then repeated: "Yes, there was a lot of beatings?"
A glint of light suddenly appeared in the former Minister of Justice's cloudy eyes: "...Your Highness, we still need to go back to the prison to question Wang Danan!"
He excitedly stood up, but when he saw that he was no longer wearing the solemn official robes, he paused for a moment before realizing what was happening: "..."
"Please wait here, sir. I'll come back after I've finished asking my questions," Qi Chengming said considerately. He then greeted Grand Scholar Mu, who was quietly watching their discussion, and turned to leave.
When only the two of them remained, Mu Jie looked at his old friend, who was pacing excitedly back and forth in the room, and asked in a low voice, "This case... wasn't handled before?"
"No." The Minister of Justice was so agitated that his blood rushed to his head, and his face flushed. He took a deep breath, picked up his teacup, took a sip absentmindedly, and forcibly suppressed his emotions.
In his previous life, His Highness the Crown Prince did not come to the capital so early, nor was he appointed as the heir apparent so early. At that time, Wang Danan had already been beheaded.
Throughout his life, the Minister of Justice handled countless cases, many of which were wrongful convictions. Despite his fervent appeals and relentless pursuit of the truth, only a handful of cases could be overturned; the majority of outcomes hinged on the whims of those in power. The current Emperor's ideals and ambitions clash with those of the Minister, a situation from which there is no turning back.
The case of Wang Danan is just one of those regrettable cases.
Now, because he had made an early acquaintance with the new emperor to test him, the emperor, who disliked him, dismissed him from his post and sent him to live in seclusion. However, he did not expect that this misfortune would turn into a blessing, as his old friend managed to get the Crown Prince to come to the Ministry of Justice, and he actually took notice of this case!
How could he not have thought of that!
Wang Danan's fate depended on his lack of a legitimate reason to persuade His Majesty to reduce his sentence. In his previous life, even when he argued his case before His Majesty and mentioned Wang Xiaomei's affair, His Majesty dismissed him, preferring to avoid trouble. This was because he lacked an important person to speak on his behalf.
Now that we have His Highness the Crown Prince...
Grand Secretary Mu was not optimistic. His face showed no joy, and a slight twitch appeared among the deep wrinkles of his weathered face: "...Your Highness may not be able to help with this matter."
"Why?" The old man was startled from his joy. After regaining his senses, he realized what was happening without needing Scholar Mu's prompting. His face darkened. "..."
The Crown Prince pleaded with His Majesty on behalf of the Emperor for a case involving the murder of his father by his son.
What will His Majesty think and how will he view this?
The two fell silent abruptly, the air cold and still, pondering what other tricks they could use.
This matter now concerns more than just Wang Danan's life and safety. To put it more seriously, if someone wants to attack the Crown Prince, they will seize upon the only loophole in the cases he has handled these past few days—this case—to pressure him. The Crown Prince has failed in his very first task, and the consequences are…
Qi Chengming returned an hour later, travel-worn, only to be met with this eerie and silent atmosphere.
"Wang Danan admitted it! His father had a violent temper, beating his mother, him, and his sister. They were all covered in bruises from childhood. Only after Wang Danan grew up did he gradually rebel. The neighbors' talk of him being disobedient refers to his protecting his sister!" Qi Chengming strode in and said in one breath.
"...No one can say for sure whether Wang Danan's mother died because her health deteriorated from years of beatings. Wang Danan killed his father to avenge his mother; surely this reason can be reported to the Emperor?!"
Parricide is an unforgivable crime, yet avenging one's mother is a filial act praised and celebrated throughout history. When these two conflict, it represents the greatest point of contention between national law and the rule of filial piety. Such cases can only be reported to the emperor for a decision, and due to historical influences, the emperor must deliberate with utmost care…
That way, Emperor Hongren won't be able to slack off and delay any longer, right? He can at least try to get a sentence of exile!
As everyone knows, as long as one is exiled... well, regardless of whether it's north or south, Qi Chengming now has people with him.
This was the solution Qi Chengming had come up with when he heard the word "beating." He knew the Minister of Justice had the same idea—to play on the moral high ground.
"How is it?" Qi Chengming noticed that neither of the two people in the room had a smile on their face.
"Your Highness, this matter requires someone of higher moral standing to persuade His Majesty in order for it to succeed," Grand Scholar Mu said bluntly, directly expressing their concerns.
"..." Qi Chengming's smile faded; he was also at a loss.
He wasn't blind or stubborn; if he were to speak on this matter himself, given his strained relationship with Emperor Hongren, it might backfire. What about the Sixth Prince? That wouldn't work either. Emperor Hongren had been cold and distant towards the Empress lately; who knew when something might happen about her? The Sixth Prince's involvement now—who was he trying to implicate?
Don't let it end up costing the Sixth Prince his life or putting him in confinement.
Who else can go?
Now the three of them were looking at each other in a dilemma. Grand Scholar Mu pondered for a long time, but in the end, the old fox was still the wisest. He narrowed his eyes and said, "I heard that His Highness the Crown Prince is also on good terms with the Empress Dowager's grand-nephew?"
Qi Chengming, puzzled, replied, "Hmm?"
“We should do it this way…” Grand Scholar Mu lowered his eyes, revealed an old secret, and earnestly instructed him.
Qi Chengming nodded thoughtfully.
...
A few days later, the Ministry of Justice transferred the reviewed murder cases from this year to the Court of Judicial Review one after another. There was nothing wrong with the others, but the first case at the top was a shocking case of a son killing his father. However, the comments were all the same: execution in the autumn. Even His Highness the Crown Prince commented in the same way.
This means that this case is unusual, and no one dares to make a decision on their own; the implication is that it needs to be reported.
The Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review was bewildered. Seeing that the case file was incomplete and inaccurate, he dared not delay and immediately dispatched men to the south to investigate further. He was waiting to find out the reason before reporting to the Emperor. This heavy responsibility should fall on the county magistrate who first sentenced him to be executed in the autumn.
However, in the short span of time that followed, rumors began to circulate in the capital. This sensational news quickly ignited the city, with people debating everywhere – in streets and alleys, teahouses and restaurants – whether killing one's father to avenge one's mother should be a severe punishment, punishable by death.
The common people argued fiercely, spittle flying everywhere, while the minor officials in the six ministries also fought heatedly, their faces flushed, none able to convince the others. Only a few individuals listened silently with their heads down, keeping their merits and fame hidden.
And so, on this day, it was once again time for the ladies of the court to enter the palace to inquire about etiquette. Ever since the power of the palace had been transferred from the Empress to the Empress Dowager's palace, the visits of the ladies of the court had become a matter of imperial relatives and nobles trying to please the old lady. The Empress Dowager would only summon some of her familiar and favored peers or juniors at will, and the day would end with them happily drinking tea.
So on this day, some ladies of noble birth inadvertently told the Empress Dowager about this strange and exciting event that had recently become the hottest topic in the capital.
After hearing this, the Empress Dowager was stunned, and finally burst into tears: "This poor child! If only I had this kind of glory in my younger days..."
She choked up and couldn't finish her sentence.
The other ladies-in-waiting were confused after hearing only half of it, but Li Banhui's mother joined in, wiping away tears with shared indignation: "Your Highnesses, you have really suffered too much."
This seemed to involve some old secret, and everyone else fell silent, not daring to speak further. Only the Empress Dowager, her mind in turmoil, remained stunned for a long time before helping the head palace maid to her feet: "...I must go see the Emperor. I must explain this matter!"
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