Having received instructions from Xue Yuan, Xu Huaishan immediately stepped forward and presented an autopsy report.
"Your Majesty is wise. In fact, it is not uncommon for beggars to starve or freeze to death. Our Ministry of Justice does not usually interfere with such matters."
However, the deaths of these individuals were discovered by chance by some traveling merchants passing by the City God Temple. Their skin was black and they were bleeding from all seven orifices, clearly indicating that they had not died a natural death, which is why the matter was reported to the Ministry of Justice.
After careful investigation and extensive evidence gathering over the past few days, I have finally determined that their deaths are related to the Crown Prince and his wife.
Your Majesty, I didn't want to either. I have no grudge against Prince Yan and his wife, and I have no reason to frame them.
Moreover, all the case-handling procedures and documents are archived in the Ministry of Justice. Even if I wanted to tamper with them, it would be impossible for me to do so!
“I didn’t do it. They were just a few beggars I didn’t know. What motive would I have to kill them?” Yan Ling argued.
"Killing doesn't necessarily require a motive. Prince Yan is a chosen one of heaven, wielding an unsheathed sword with imposing presence. The day before his coming-of-age ceremony, he almost crippled my son. Taking the lives of a few insignificant beggars is just a matter of whim and a piece of cake, isn't it?"
Xue Yuan kept his eyes straight ahead, but the words he spoke were as vicious as could be.
Xu Huaishan seized the opportunity to chime in, "Your Majesty, what the Duke of Dingguo said is absolutely right."
As the saying goes, the dead don't lie. This autopsy report clearly shows that the poison that killed those beggars was the pastry they received from Prince Yan. The evidence is conclusive. Does Prince Yan still want to deny it?
The veins on Yan Ling's neck bulged: "You think you can just say that the poison is my Yan family's snack by talking? I'd say that you clearly poisoned those beggars and then framed me!"
Only six days after their marriage, Yanling was already annoyed that she had to get up early to attend court.
I never expected to encounter such an absurd accusation.
His tone became a bit harsh for a moment.
Holding the autopsy report, Shen Lang frowned slightly. "Yan Ling, say less. I will make my own judgment on right and wrong!"
“I…” Yan Ling came from a military background, and when her temper flared up, she couldn’t really control herself.
Just then, Xie Wei stepped forward and glanced at him.
Consider it a suggestion.
"Young Master Yan, you must not be impatient."
Zhang Zhe also stepped forward, "Vice Minister Xu, as the Left Vice Minister, why haven't I heard about the beggar case at the City God Temple? Lord Chen, have you heard about it?"
Chen Ying was the Minister of Justice, and thus had the authority to oversee all matters.
In the past few months, Zhang Zhe has made great strides in his position thanks to his speed, efficiency and accuracy in handling cases, especially in capturing many of the traitors of the Prince of Pingnan, whom Shen Lang deeply despises.
Although most of it was Xie Wei who intentionally exposed it to undermine the power of the Prince of Pingnan in the capital.
Xu Huaishan sneered, "Zhang Zuoshilang is focused on big cases, such as arresting traitors and purging rebels. Why would he care about a small case at the City God Temple?"
"I consulted with Lord Chen first thing yesterday morning, and the coroner was an experienced one; how could there be any falsehood?"
Chen Ying nodded with difficulty, "He did tell me. Old Xu examined the body. You know Old Xu, he seems honest and kind, but he is actually very stubborn. No one can do anything to the body in front of him."
These words undoubtedly confirm that those beggars were indeed poisoned by the pastries.
At this moment, Shen Lang had also finished reading the autopsy report. To be honest, there was not a single flaw. The time, place, witnesses, and physical evidence all matched up.
After seeing all this, it was difficult for him to even believe Yanling.
Combining Chen Ying's words with his own, Shen Lang's expression darkened. "Xie Qing, what do you think of this matter?"
Xie Wei nodded slightly. "Your Majesty, Duke Xue and Minister Xu have testified that the Prince of Yan committed the crime, but the Prince of Yan keeps denying that he did not. In my opinion, it is difficult to draw a conclusion on this case immediately. Perhaps it would be better to hand it over to Minister Zhang for further investigation..."
Before Xie Wei could finish speaking, Xu Huaishan said sarcastically, "I am also an official of the Ministry of Justice. What, does my word not carry weight, and only Zhang Zhe can speak for me?"
Master Xie has a truly eloquent tongue.
Everyone knows that Junior Tutor Xie previously served as the Crown Prince's tutor, indicating a close relationship. Now, he's forcefully defending the Crown Prince before the Emperor; one can only admire his cunning and scheming!
Xie Wei's high regard for Shen Lang was not unrelated to his wisdom, erudition, and talent, but the most crucial factor was his status as a loyal subject.
Therefore, upon hearing this, Shen Lang subconsciously narrowed his eyes. "Oh? Sir, you are quite close to the Yan family?"
Xie Wei remained unmoved, neither humble nor arrogant: "Your Majesty is wise. What I said just now was not out of favoritism, but simply to discuss the matter at hand."
"Ha, who would believe that? It's so obvious, there are witnesses and physical evidence, and you still want to turn black into white!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Lang's face darkened even more, frightening all the civil and military officials into silence.
Xie Wei didn't want to forcefully speak at this time, lest it backfire and Yan Ling would be the one to suffer.
After a moment, Shen Lang shifted his gaze to Chen Ying, "Minister Chen, you speak."
From the perspective of the chain of evidence, isn't the case of the beggars at the City God Temple inextricably linked to Prince Yan and his wife?
Chen Ying was suddenly caught in the middle, unsure whether to speak or remain silent.
They then requested to see the autopsy report, Xu Huaishan's analysis process, and physical evidence again.
Shen Lang generously had the eunuch bring it to him.
Yan Ling was furious. He hadn't done anything wrong, yet he couldn't clear his name for himself and Yue'er!
He finally understood what it felt like for his father to attend court.
Two words: Frustrating!
On impulse, she wanted to speak again, but Xie Wei glared at her the next moment, and Yan Ling paused, so she had to swallow her words.
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