Chapter 709 Zhang Anyu is still the presiding judge
Zhang Anyu was not one to back down either. He said in a deep voice, "I am but a lowly official and dare not offend Vice Minister Shu or Minister Li. But I do know how to handle and adjudicate cases. I dare to invite all the civil and military officials of the court to supervise my handling of this case. If I am found to have shown any favoritism or abuse of power, I am willing to resign from my position as Prefect of Jingzhao and never enter officialdom again."
Xie Shang's cold gaze swept over Shu Lang. He really knew how to act superior because of his age. Xie Shang said in a deep voice, "Bring up the transcript and the blood-written letter!"
Zhang Anyu then took out the written record: "Please take a look, Your Majesty."
After Xie Shang read it, "Jin Ji denied raping and murdering Madam Li."
“Yes, I have questioned him, and he denies it. However, I haven’t had time to bring the witnesses to the yamen for questioning yet.” Zhang Anyu continued, “There is something strange. His two henchmen have disappeared. Besides Li Cheng, the only people who can testify to what happened at the time are the guards he brought. However, the Li family is holding a funeral. I wanted to ask the coroner to examine the body at the Li family’s house, but Li Cheng seemed very agitated and unwilling to let me examine the body.”
He went to the Li family's house in the middle of the night with his men, not to perform an autopsy, but to prove that he had been investigating the case all night and that the Li family had indeed not allowed the coroner to examine the body.
Xie Shang said, "Minister Li."
Minister Li stepped forward respectfully and said, "Your subject is here."
"Regarding the case of the murder of Minister Li's daughter-in-law, do you have anything to say?"
Minister Li said, "Your Majesty, I only ask for justice for my daughter-in-law Shuxue and for the murderer to be severely punished. It is heartbreaking that such a thing happened only a few months after Cheng'er and my daughter-in-law got married."
The emperor, seated on his high throne, said, “Everyone wants justice for the deceased, and I feel the same way. We cannot let Madam Li die in vain. Who was it that wanted to harm her? I believe that the net of heaven is vast and its meshes are wide, yet nothing escapes it.”
He continued, “The deceased is Minister Li’s daughter-in-law. You are also a high-ranking official in the court. The Li family is cooperating with Prefect Zhang to investigate the case and find the murderer as soon as possible. Minister Li has no objection, does he?”
Minister Li said, "I have no objection."
"My esteemed ministers, what do you suggest about how this case should be investigated and handled?" Xie Shang asked again.
Zhang Anyu volunteered, "Your Majesty, Lord Shu, and Lord Li, please give me some time. I will definitely investigate the matter thoroughly. However, I also request Your Majesty's permission for the coroner to conduct an autopsy at Minister Li's residence."
Xie Shang said coldly, "This kind of trivial matter does not require my approval. Prefect Zhang should know the procedures for handling cases better than I do. Just go ahead and investigate."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will certainly investigate this case in accordance with the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty and give the deceased justice." Zhang Anyu breathed a sigh of relief. The Emperor's words indicated that the case would still be handled by the Jingzhao Prefecture.
Xie Shang, also to appease the ministers and avoid being accused of unfairness, said, "Just now, Vice Minister Shu mentioned that Prefect Zhang is close to the Jiang family. Is there anyone willing to assist Prefect Zhang in handling this case?"
As soon as the Emperor finished speaking, the ministers began to discuss again. Who would dare to offend the Empress? She was the Emperor's darling. Who would dare to offend the Li and Shu families? So no one wanted to.
Lu Tingwei said, "Your subject is willing to work with Lord Zhang to investigate this case."
Following Lu Tingwei's lead, Tang Jinrong also said, "Your subject is willing to work with Lord Zhang to investigate this case."
Xie Shang's gaze swept across the crowd in the Golden Palace like an eagle's. The moment he looked at Xie Qi, Xie Qi also looked up at the Emperor.
Xie Qi clenched his fists, stepped forward, and bowed in one smooth motion, saying, "Your subject requests permission to assist the ministers in handling this case."
Xie Shang smiled and said, "I'm giving you all the opportunity to supervise Magistrate Zhang's handling of the case. Anyone else want to join?"
Xie Shang waited for a moment without anyone speaking, then said in a deep voice, "Prince Qi, Minister Lu, Minister Tang, and Prefect Zhang, please step forward to receive my decree."
Several people knelt in the center of the main hall.
The Emperor continued, “Although this case has been handed over to Prefect Zhang, I hereby appoint the three of you to oversee it. I will not allow any favoritism or perversion of justice to occur in the court of the Great Zhou Dynasty, nor will I allow anyone to slander the Empress.”
The men replied, "We obey your decree."
Xie Qi is now Lu Tingwei's prized student. Although he doesn't have much power or connections for the time being, his status as a prince gives him a significant advantage.
With Lu Tingwei's prestige, people would be wary of the compiler of the Great Zhou Laws during the trial.
Xie Shang's decision to involve the Eighth Prince Xie Qi can be seen as giving the Jiang family preferential treatment in investigating the case. Since Xie Qi works in the Court of Justice, the other ministers have no objections.
The most unhappy person was Wang Mian, but he didn't dare to say much. After the incident yesterday, he didn't know who notified the Prefect of Jingzhao, allowing Zhang Anyu to take the person away first. He was a step too late.
Jiang Jinyan gave Wang Mian a deep look. He had no grudge against the Jiang family, so why was Wang Mian opposing them at every turn? Minister Tang was also dishonest. Who else in the Golden Palace disliked the Jiang family?
The Third Prince and the Fourth Prince, among others, also attended court every day. Standing in the ranks, they seemed to be there just to make up the numbers. No one expected that the Emperor would let the inconspicuous Xie Qi participate in the case.
Meanwhile, Jiang Huai also went to the palace early to teach the students.
Even the sound of reading aloud couldn't calm Jiang Taifu down. His eyes were filled with worry. From the day Ruan Ruan was betrothed to the royal family, he had never let his guard down, yet something still happened.
Ah Ji's actions are aimed at the Jiang family; what a vicious trick...
Xie Ziyan called "Grand Tutor Jiang" several times in her soft, sweet voice, but he didn't hear her. So she had to change her address to "Grandfather."
Grand Tutor Jiang finally came to his senses. "Who's calling for my maternal grandfather?"
The children of the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince also entered the palace. Seeing that Grand Tutor Jiang was lost in thought, the children joined in the commotion, saying, "It's Princess Yan calling for her maternal grandfather."
On their first day of studying in the palace, none of them were used to it and didn't want to study. However, they heard that it was the emperor who had ordered them to come to the palace to study.
Xie Ruoyi pouted, full of resentment. She had a tutor at home who taught her to read, so why did her mother send her to the palace so early? She was so sleepy.
She said, "Grand Tutor Jiang is Princess Yan's maternal grandfather. Princess Yan can act spoiled if she doesn't want to study, but I can't. Grand Tutor Jiang, I call you my maternal grandfather, so can I also not study?"
Jiang Huai only wanted to resign when faced with this group of royal children. Before, there were only Yan'er and You'er, so quiet and well-behaved. Now the whole classroom was in chaos.
He said coldly, "No get out of class is over until you've memorized the text." His son, Xiao Chu, was frightened after being pushed into the water by this little girl.
Unexpectedly, Xie Ruoyi burst into tears as soon as he finished speaking. The maids and wet nurses from the Fourth Prince's residence heard the noise and hurriedly pushed open the door to ask, "Princess, what's wrong?"
Xie Ruoyi pointed at Jiang Huai and blatantly lied, "He insulted me, boohoo..."
Jiang Huai was dumbfounded. He stammered, "When did I ever insult you?"
“I cursed him,” Jiang Ruoyi said.
Xie Ziyan was furious and walked straight up to Xie Ruoyi, scolding her, "Idiot, stop crying, you're so noisy! When did Grand Tutor Jiang ever scold you? You're so young and you've already learned to falsely accuse people..."
"He just cursed at me," Jiang Ruoyi cried louder and louder, "You cursed at me too, boohoo..."
As Jiang Taifu stared at Xie Ruoyi, he thought: When Aji was accused of murder, he was probably just as powerless as he is now.
When you encounter an unreasonable person, you should treat them without any "politeness," otherwise they will become increasingly unreasonable.
This was the first time Jiang Huai had used a ruler on a six-year-old child.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
