Chapter 117 Balance
Zhu Yan's sudden appearance to take the blame gave Consort Ruan a chance to catch her breath.
Actually, if you really want to investigate further, there are many clues you can follow.
The other palace servants and eunuchs around Consort Nguyen, those who had been in the palace for more than three years.
Zhu Yan could not have poisoned the second young lady of the Ruan family on her own.
If the officials from the Imperial Household Department or the Ministry of Justice were to conduct an interrogation, they would surely be able to get those people to tell the truth.
Similarly, it would be worth investigating how the Ruan family orchestrated the farce of the second young lady being kidnapped...
There were many clues that could be investigated, but Emperor Xiao Xuan simply wouldn't allow the investigation to continue.
“Consort Ruan was not strict in managing her subordinates, and was demoted from a fourth-rank consort to a fifth-rank concubine.”
His daily salary was halved, and he was confined to his home for six months.
"All the palace servants and eunuchs of Xiushui Pavilion will be given twenty strokes of the cane and have their salaries deducted for a year," Xiao Huaijin and Song Zhimian said.
Song Zhimian didn't say anything more; she felt she hadn't achieved her goal.
A female corpse was unearthed in the peony garden of Xiushui Pavilion. This person was the niece of Consort Ruan, which was definitely not a small matter in the palace.
But Emperor Xiao Xuan simply let the matter drop.
"Father knew what was going on, but he still didn't investigate further."
Firstly, since it was a member of the Ruan family who died, no one from the Ruan family stood up for that second Miss Ruan.
Secondly, Zhu Yan took the blame and committed suicide on the spot, which was seen by others as an exchange of lives.
Thirdly…” Xiao Huaijin continued to explain.
"Thirdly, the King of Wu has come of age and is now in a position to handle affairs in the court."
"He's a prince, after all. This punishment is too harsh. It won't look good on the Prince of Wu, will it?" Song Zhimin interrupted Xiao Huaijin.
Xiao Huaijin sighed.
"Song Zhimian, don't you think you understand this perfectly well?"
Consort Ruan's biggest support is the Fifth Prince, who is now the Prince of Wu and sometimes represents the face of the royal family.
Father... has to consider some things.
Until they find out something specific about Lao Wu, Consort Ruan will be fine.
Fortunately, the Emperor issued a decree.
The original plan was for the fifth prince to accompany the third prince to the northern lands with their father.
Now, the Emperor has allowed the Fifth Prince to stay in the capital and has temporarily assigned him to work in the Ministry of Justice.
In addition, the Emperor also reprimanded the Nguyen family, instructing the Fifth Prince to strictly discipline them and prevent them from causing any further trouble.
"We've achieved our goal!" Xiao Huaijin advised.
Song Zhimian nodded reluctantly.
This King of Wu is extremely cunning; we must find an opportunity to bring him down.
"By the way, Lord Ye is returning from Jiangnan."
Many members of the Ruan and Wu families have been captured by Lord Ye.
"Now that she's back, she'll definitely help you get revenge." Xiao Huaijin continued to comfort Song Zhimian.
Song Zhimian responded with an "oh".
"The palace maid who went missing from Ronghua Palace..."
“She was originally my spy, and I took this opportunity to get her out. She’s already been sent to Jiangnan, and she’ll never return to the capital in her life,” Xiao Huaijin said.
Song Zhimian gained a new understanding of Xiao Huaijin's abilities.
They've managed to plant people in Ronghua Palace; it seems there are quite a few spies in the palace!
...
In the Zhao King's residence, the Zhao King looked at the Wu King's gloomy face and didn't say much.
He was shocked to learn that the Miss Ruan he had once loved had actually been poisoned in the Xiushui Pavilion in the palace.
The King of Wu just told him that this was actually caused by a fight between the two concubines of the Ruan family.
The Third Miss didn't want to see the Second Miss marry into the Zhao Prince's mansion as a concubine, so she bribed Zhu Yan to do this.
Finally, the second young lady of the Ruan family was murdered and her body was buried in the Peony Garden.
The third young lady married in place of her sister and became a concubine of the King of Zhao...
King Zhao felt a pang of regret, yet he also had to comfort King Wu.
"This matter has nothing to do with you. It's the ignorance of those women in the inner quarters that has implicated you."
I know you've wanted to go to the North for a long time, and this is such a great opportunity...
Forget it, don't think about it anymore.
Since things have escalated so much, Father will definitely have to give the palace an explanation. But I've already spoken with Mother, and the palace will still take care of Xiushui Pavilion.
"As long as you're here, Consort Gui will be alright." King Zhao whispered reassuringly.
The King of Wu did not speak, but simply nodded while drinking.
Seeing that the King of Wu did not answer, the King of Zhao had no choice but to continue speaking.
"Actually, it's better if you stay!"
With the Emperor personally leading the campaign and the Crown Prince overseeing the country, there were so many things he could do.
Although the battle in the north is more important, it must eventually be fought, but we cannot abandon the capital.
Fortunately, your father sent you to the Ministry of Justice; it's good that you're there.
The officials from the Censorate have returned from Jiangnan. Whether they are from the Ruan family or the Wu family, they have all been escorted back to the capital from Jiangnan.
When you go to the Ministry of Justice, please keep an eye on things.
Furthermore, the imperial court is currently preoccupied with the war in the north, and the Emperor will likely be unable to attend to the people brought back by the Censorate for the time being.
Keep a close eye on those people during this time.
"Don't make baseless accusations, and don't say anything carelessly. You're in the Ministry of Justice; arranging this kind of thing will be easier for you."
The King of Wu nodded, then downed the wine in his cup in one gulp.
...
After leaving the Zhao King's residence, the Wu King, sitting in his carriage, opened the carriage window to let the wind in.
Although he had just drunk quite a bit, King Wu was still far from being drunk!
At this moment, the King of Wu had a gloomy face and his hands were clenched into fists.
How could something that happened three years ago be revealed at this time by such a coincidence?
If it wasn't that useless crown prince and the seventh prince who did it, he would have twisted his own head off.
"They really know how to hold back! They must have had something on them long ago, but they just happened to expose it at this time."
"Fine, a gentleman takes his revenge even after ten years. I refuse to believe you can stop everyone!" King Wu smashed the carriage window hard.
The driver in front immediately turned around.
"Your Highness, what are your orders?"
The King of Wu narrowed his eyes.
"Go to the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence!"
...
Soon, the carriage arrived at the gate of the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence. Song Kaishan, who was about to go to bed, immediately came out to greet them after receiving the news.
"Your Highness, is there something important you need to tell us at this time?" Song Kaishan asked while buttoning his long robe.
Without saying a word, King Wu went straight to Song Kaishan's study.
Song Kaishan quickly sent all the servants around him far away.
"Your Highness!" Song Kaishan personally served tea to the Prince of Wu.
The King of Wu did not accept the offer, but simply looked at Song Kaishan.
"Lord Zhongyong, your eldest daughter has entered the Eastern Palace and become the master of ceremonies for the young prince, hasn't she?"
When Song Zhimian was mentioned, Song Kaishan's face was filled with anger.
"Your Highness, please don't mention that unfilial daughter. She's the one who made me a laughingstock. I hate her so much..."
"You must cultivate a good relationship with her and make her filial to you!" King Wu interrupted Song Kaishan with a cold laugh.
Song Kaishan was somewhat helpless.
"Your Highness, that girl is rebellious and has broken with the Marquis's mansion. Apart from her mother, she won't listen to anyone."
But her mother... has been dead for so many years!
"Isn't there still a weakness? Even if someone dies, their bones will remain. I refuse to believe that she can watch her mother be reduced to ashes." King Wu sneered.
Song Kaishan...
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