Chapter 18
He said that his eyelids twitched when he woke up this morning, and something must have happened.
It's unlikely that Yu Xi would have sent someone to kill Wang Yi out of resentment over the incident at the Imperial Garden. The sudden disappearance of a healthy and well-being person definitely evokes a hint of conspiracy.
"What else have you heard?"
"It's nothing, that's all. It's not worth the master's concern. Just treat it as a joke." Xiao Qi hesitated, not daring to look into Ling Huanchen's eyes. He thought to himself that he spoke too quickly and why did he bring up such a thing.
Ling Huanchen studied him for a moment, "But is this related to me?"
The thing that can make this child cover up must be something about himself, and it is not a good thing.
Xiao Qi was horrified when he heard this, but by the time he reacted it was too late. He could only shrug his head and answer honestly, "Yes, there are rumors about you. I heard rumors that since Wang Yi returned home that day, he has lost his appetite and has been absent-minded all day, as if his soul has been captured."
He stopped talking halfway and looked at Ling Huanchen's expression.
"continue."
Xiao Qi shrank his neck. "The servants in the palace said that Wang Yi shouted out your name before he died. Master Wang, heartbroken by the loss of his beloved son, has vowed to avenge him."
It was true that when one sat in the palace, injustice would come from heaven. This time, it turned out to be directed at him.
Ling Huanchen rubbed his temples, feeling a headache. "Ask someone to pass a message to the Prince's Mansion, asking Yu Zhao to come into the palace."
Lord Wang, who had threatened revenge, was now kneeling in front of the hall, crying and sobbing in front of Yu Xi and all the civil and military officials, looking so miserable.
The court officials nodded in silence, listening intently. No one spoke out, seeming to be on the sidelines. Lord Wang was old, and having lost his beloved son, his words were inevitably out of tune. Yu Xi's heart skipped a beat as she listened.
"Your Majesty, my family has been loyal to Youcheng for generations. Even if we have no merits, we have worked hard. I only have one child, Yier. He died unjustly and mysteriously. Please, Your Majesty, make a decision for Yier!" As he spoke, Lord Wang kowtowed repeatedly, his head banging loudly on the marble slab.
Yu Xi finally spoke, "I have already ordered an investigation into what Lord Wang has reported. The Vice Minister of Justice will be involved in the investigation and will definitely give Lord Wang justice."
Upon hearing this, Lord Wang raised his head, a red mark already visible on his forehead. "I know who the murderer is. Please, Your Majesty, make the decision for me!"
"Your Majesty, you are overly sad, and I can understand that. The case has not been fully investigated, so it is not appropriate to draw a conclusion. Your Majesty, please return home and wait for the results." Yu Xi said calmly.
Lord Wang used to be a man of measured action, but after Wang Yi's death, he threw all reason aside and shouted recklessly, "I'm reporting on Ling Huanchen, the prince of the mermaid tribe. He's not of our kind, so his heart must be different! He used his beauty to seduce the king, caused chaos in the harem, and then used sorcery to harm my son. This is disloyalty and unrighteousness..."
"That's enough." Yu Xi said coldly, "My dear Lord Wang, be careful with your words."
At this moment, the Minister of Rites and his subordinates suddenly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, what we are reporting today is also related to this matter. This prince of the mermaid tribe is not from Youcheng. Your Majesty, please keep him by your side as a companion, and we have no objection. However, the Jade Luan Palace is the residence of the Empress, how can you let him in without permission? Your Majesty..."
Yu Xi glanced at the two people in front of the hall, and thought that the court officials had kept silent before, and they would eventually take this opportunity to launch an attack together.
"My dear minister, do you mean that I still need to report matters concerning my harem to you?"
Upon hearing this, the Minister of Personnel knelt down hastily and said, "I am terrified. This is indeed against the ancestral system."
Yu Xi smiled instead of getting angry, "When did I ever need your advice on my decision?"
In the seven years since he ascended the throne, Yu Xi has mostly been respectful to the wise and humble, to the point that they have temporarily forgotten the iron-blooded tactics used by King Youcheng when he first ascended the throne.
When Yu Xi wasn't smiling, she was at best serious, but once she did, she was sure to stir up even greater unrest. The other ministers, already observing the situation, opted for cautious self-preservation. Lord Wang and the Minister of Personnel also realized their miscalculation, having underestimated the mermaid's power.
"My Lord, you have delayed the morning court session today, keeping me waiting."
Upon hearing this, everyone turned around to look at the entrance of the hall, only to see Prince Yu Zhaoxin, whom they had not seen for eight hundred years, walking in.
"I'm waiting to report my work to you, my king." Yu Zhao looked down at the two men kneeling and exclaimed in surprise, "Oh, Lord Wang, Lord Zhao, why are you both so embarrassed?"
"Stop messing around." Yu Xi scolded lightly, and her expression softened slightly.
"My dear brother, you know I'm used to misbehaving." Yu Zhao stood beside the Prime Minister and said, "Of course, it's up to you, my brother, to decide where my wife lives. There's no need to bring such a family matter to the court. Is that right, Left Prime Minister?"
The Left Prime Minister nodded slightly, "Your Majesty, what you said makes sense."
The Minister of Personnel looked up at the Left Prime Minister, not daring to say anything, but in his heart he cursed this old fox for always changing his attitude according to the situation.
Yu Zhao turned and saluted, "I have interrupted your Highness's discussion. I beg your Highness to punish me."
The two brothers exchanged glances, and Yu Xi pondered for a moment, "I have to punish you. Come with me to the study and report your lessons carefully. As for Lord Wang, just return home and wait for news. There's no need to say anything else."
As soon as Yu Xi stood up to leave, Fu Changshi immediately raised his head and shouted, "Dismiss the court!"
Yu Zhao, who had agreed to report on his homework, immediately slipped away when he saw that he had accomplished his mission. Yu Xi, who had agreed to take an exam on his homework, did not stay in the study for a moment and went straight to Yuluan Palace after leaving the court.
"Your Majesty is half an hour late." Ling Huanchen came forward with a smile, "How about playing a game of chess with me after lunch?"
"Of course it's good." It would be disrespectful to refuse the invitation of a beautiful woman.
Yu Xi sat down in the main seat and asked, "Did you call Zhao'er?"
"Yes, I am unable to attend the court, but I hope I can do a small favor for the king."
When it comes to making jokes and joking, Yu Zhao is the best. If anyone else did it, they would be looked upon with suspicion, but Yu Zhao could do it. The court officials were accustomed to Yu Zhao's unruly behavior. Because of his royal blood, they even tacitly condoned it, just like Yu Xi.
He knew Yu Xi could settle the matter, but it would inevitably damage the relationship between the emperor and his subjects. He could sit back in the harem and wait for Yu Xi's protection, but he didn't want Yu Xi to bear the accusation of tyranny for this unprovoked disaster. With Yu Zhao mediating, at least they could save some face. He could both settle the matter and gild his reputation.
"Zhao'er has made great progress recently." Ling Huanchen's praise was sincere.
Yu Xi curled her lips and said, "I'll reward him another day."
The Ministry of Justice, receiving the king's order, quickly arranged an investigation, sealing off the palace from all directions, forbidding anyone from entering or leaving. The more public outcry this incident generated, the more ostentatious the investigation became, demonstrating their authority.
Meanwhile, the two people in the Jade Luan Hall seemed to be indifferent, spending the next few days discussing the chess game. Rather than playing chess, it would be more accurate to say they were simply chatting while playing chess. Anyone who saw them would only feel that they were at ease.
Ling Huanchen dropped a white piece, "Your Majesty, do you think that Wang Yi's death was caused by Chongchen?"
Yu Xi focused on Heizi, pondering for a moment before continuing, "Whether his death was directed at you remains to be seen, but the subsequent rumors and reports are certainly directed at you. It could be that someone with ulterior motives is exploiting a long-held grudge, or the real murderer is framing you, or perhaps it's a combination of both."
Ling Huanchen couldn't help but laugh when he heard this, "Your Majesty, do you trust me so much?"
Yu Xi's irritation finally subsided. She raised her eyes and said matter-of-factly, "Of course."
Ling Huanchen was stunned for a moment, but he really didn't hesitate at all.
"How could I not know whether you have any magic?" Yu Xi raised an eyebrow. "If you don't make a move now, you'll lose."
Ling Huanchen touched his nose and said, "Your Majesty, please wait. You can't take advantage of others when they are in danger."
"I never take advantage of others." Yu Xi suddenly leaned forward, a smile in her eyes, "You are not someone else."
Ling Huanchen: “…”
"Your Majesty! The Minister of Justice requests an audience."
Ling Huanchen took the opportunity to disrupt the chess game, "Your Majesty, please get down to business quickly."
Yu Xi glanced at the chessboard that was forced to draw, and sighed helplessly, "Declare."
A moment later, the Minister of Justice hurried into the hall, bending over, and saluted the two men in succession, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you, Your Highness."
Yu Xi said in a deep voice, "Is there any progress?"
"Your Majesty, the coroner has examined the body and confirmed that Wang Yi died of poisoning. This poison can cause hallucinations and is a deadly devastation. Furthermore, this poison is very secretive and would likely have been overlooked if the coroner hadn't conducted a thorough investigation."
"Hallucination? Killing people and destroying their hearts?" Yu Xi recalled the rumors and snorted coldly, "Should we say he's a romantic or a pervert?"
Ling Huanchen looked away, pretending nothing had happened. He was convinced that if it weren't for the Wang family's three dynasties of service, Yu Xi would have kept the emperor's courtesy to his subjects and declared him guilty.
The Minister of Justice was unable to respond and could only lower his head even lower. "I have already sent people to search the palace inside and out. I believe the murderer is in the inner courtyard of the palace."
"Your Majesty," Fu Changshi stepped lightly into the palace. "The guards who just searched the palace report that there's a fire in the inner courtyard."
Ling Huanchen and Yu Xi looked at each other. Why did the water leak at this time instead of earlier? There must be something fishy going on.
"Can the fire be reduced? Are there any casualties?" As a king, one should still show some concern for his subjects, even if it's just for show.
"Your Majesty, the fire was too strong, burning the inner courtyard completely. However, the guards reported that the coroner dug up some soil under a dead peach tree in the courtyard, and the poison in the soil matched that in Wang Yi's body."
Yu Xi nodded. The murderer was most likely identified. "Interrogate the servants of the palace strictly."
The Minister of Justice bowed and said, "I obey your command!"
The author has something to say:
Thank you "Xiaobai" for the nutrient solution encouragement!
Looking forward to more cute comments~ See you tomorrow~
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