Chapter 31
Ling Huanchen's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately guessed where the rumors were pointing. He had instructed Yun He to make a noise within three days, but he hadn't expected that the news would reach the palace after just one night.
"Rumor has it there's an abandoned house on the west side of the royal city. A wealthy family used to live there, but for some reason, they all disappeared overnight. No one's bought it since. Last night, the night watchman passed by and heard a woman crying from inside. It was so tragic." Xiao Qi couldn't help but wince as he spoke, rubbing his arms repeatedly. "How could anyone cry when no one lives there, especially in the middle of the night?"
Ling Huanchen said casually, "Maybe there are beggars staying there."
Xiao Qi quickly shook his head. "Master, you don't know. The crying wasn't the most sinister thing. The night watchman, known for his bravery, actually pushed open the door and went in. Guess what? There was a light on in one room. As soon as he opened the door, the light flickered non-stop, and several figures floated back and forth. It scared the night watchman so much that he peed himself on the spot. It's said that there are still traces of it at the door of the deserted house."
Ling Huanchen coughed lightly and lowered his head to eat the cakes.
"Xiao Qi, prepare the carriage."
Xiao Qi came back to his senses from the story, "Master, are you leaving the palace?"
Some court officials are on leave today, which is a rare opportunity.
"Tell Yunhe that I'm going to the Prime Minister's Residence. Keep it simple and don't draw too much attention."
Looking at the officials in Youcheng, the Left Prime Minister was the most suitable ally. Not to mention his crucial position, just speaking of his stance, although the Left Prime Minister was known as a sly old fox and smooth in his dealings, he was indeed wholeheartedly on Yu Xi's side. As long as Ling Huanchen's actions were beneficial to Yu Xi, the Left Prime Minister had no right to oppose him.
It just so happened that the Left Prime Minister had a day off on the same day as him. After the carriage arrived at the Prime Minister's residence, Ling Huanchen soon met the Left Prime Minister.
Seeing him coming, everyone in the Prime Minister's Mansion hurried out to greet him. The Left Prime Minister obviously did not expect Ling Huanchen's sudden visit. He was not sure whether it was Ling Huanchen's own idea or for the benefit of King You. He was in a state of confusion in his mind, but he just treated him with respect on the surface.
"I didn't know Your Highness was coming. I'm sorry for my lack of courtesy. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."
Ling Huanchen saw that this old fox wanted to play Tai Chi with him, so he kept chatting with him from beginning to end, trying to deceive him about his purpose.
The servant hurriedly brought tea, but he inexplicably sensed an undercurrent in the room and didn't want to stay any longer, so he left immediately.
"No need to be so polite, Left Prime Minister. I came here unexpectedly."
The Left Prime Minister smiled and said, "Since Your Highness has come, why not stay and have dinner?"
Ling Huanchen didn't touch his teacup, unwilling to beat around the bush. He got straight to the point and said, "Don't bother. I'm here because of a case. Does the Left Prime Minister know about the Qi Mansion massacre a year ago?"
The Left Prime Minister restrained his smile and said lightly, "I have never heard of it."
This case was kept secret so thoroughly that even the common people only thought that the Qi family had disappeared overnight, but they had no idea that their entire family had been wiped out.
"I reviewed previous cases and felt that this case was concluded hastily and was full of doubts. I want a retrial."
The Left Prime Minister paused, holding the teacup. "So, Your Highness wants me to jointly submit a petition with Your Highness requesting a retrial of this case? Why don't you speak directly to the King? He will surely agree."
Ling Huanchen knew he would say that, but he wasn't annoyed. "What the Left Prime Minister said is indeed feasible. However, the case was hastily closed in the first place, and someone must have covered it up. Their position in the court was likely quite high. I've studied the criminal laws of Youcheng in the past, and they require two or more court officials to jointly petition for a retrial. The king can indeed make an exception for me, but I don't want him to be criticized for me."
This speech, devoid of any selfish motive, forced the Left Prime Minister to reconsider his view of the prince before him. But an old fox is still an old fox, and it is impossible for him to be led by Ling Huanchen's nose.
"Your Highness, please be careful with your words. The ministers of the court are loyal to the emperor and the people, so please do not make arbitrary judgments."
Ling Huanchen smiled, "Whether I'm making a random judgment or not, I think the Left Prime Minister must know it clearly."
Logically speaking, Ling Huanchen was at a disadvantage on this trip, and it was obvious that he was trying to win her over. However, he didn't use the usual tactics of winning her over, but instead seemed to be offering a suggestion from a high position.
The left minister narrowed his eyes, "Your Highness, this doesn't seem like a request."
Ling Huanchen stood up upon hearing this. "I'm not asking for a favor, I'm here to tell the Left Prime Minister. As for whether or not to agree, that's up to him. At worst, I can ask the King to make an exception for me, since it wouldn't be the first time he's done so. I've been out of the palace for a long time, and I'm afraid the King will be worried if he can't find me when he returns, so I'll be leaving first. Please stay, Left Prime Minister, and there's no need to see me off."
After saying this, he turned around and left without giving Zuo Xiang a chance to say anything else.
As long as the Left Prime Minister still cares about Yu Xi and Youcheng, he will definitely stand with him.
As they passed through the courtyard, a figure suddenly passed by and charged towards Ling Huanchen. Yun He immediately stepped in front of the figure and restrained him with one hand.
"Second Miss, Second Miss, please don't run away!"
The servants were so exhausted that they were lying on the ground. If they hadn't been stopped by Ling Huanchen and the others, they would have run themselves to pieces.
The woman shook off Yun He and when she looked at Ling Huanchen, her distinct black and white eyes blinked twice and she suddenly smiled, "Are you the prince in the palace?"
Ling Huanchen was slightly stunned, "Does the girl know me?"
The woman smiled innocently and said, "No, you are so beautiful. I have never seen anyone like you. I just heard that the prince in the palace is very handsome. I think it must be you."
Ling Huanchen was amused by the girl's innocent appearance, "You are quite clever, young lady."
"You are making trouble. Instead of staying in your own courtyard, you ran out and harassed His Highness."
The Left Prime Minister had been standing behind her without her noticing, glaring at her with his beard puffing, but his words were all talk and no action, and he didn't show any anger at all.
The woman curled her lips and said, "Dad, you are actually scaring me. I didn't offend His Highness. He was even very kind to me just now."
The Left Prime Minister bowed hastily and said, "Your Highness, please don't be offended. I am a naughty girl and I am sorry to have disturbed Your Highness."
Ling Huanchen said indifferently, "Your daughter is innocent and naive. She just chatted with me for a few words and didn't disturb me."
As he left the Prime Minister's residence, Ling Huanchen saw the second young lady of the Prime Minister's residence actually climb onto the eaves of the wall and wave at him. With another scolding, the second young lady disappeared.
I didn’t expect that there was such a simple and lovely person in the Prime Minister’s Mansion.
"Master, Lord Du just sent a message saying that he has ordered people to find a group of people who meet the requirements. They are now in the deserted courtyard of Qi Mansion, waiting for you to come over." Yun He reported from outside the carriage.
Ling Huanchen lowered the car curtain and said, "Let's go now."
The guards from the Ministry of Justice were standing guard outside the deserted courtyard of Qi Mansion. When they saw Ling Huanchen's carriage arrive, they hurried in to report.
Du Heng was pacing in the yard, and around him were several ragged beggars, all of them old men and young children.
Ling Huanchen glanced over and slowly shook his head. The person he was looking for was not there at all.
"Don't worry, sir. I'll send someone to look for it."
Ling Huanchen instructed Du Heng to give some money and food to the beggars and let them leave on their own.
After all, it is like looking for a needle in a haystack, and you can't expect to find it quickly.
"Master Du, don't worry. Just follow the steps and search accordingly." Ling Huanchen suddenly remembered something. "Isn't it time for lunch now?"
Yun He replied, "Yes, it's time for dinner."
Since he couldn't find anyone, he might as well go back early and have dinner with Yu Xi.
As the group walked out of the gate of Qi Mansion, suddenly someone came crawling towards Ling Huanchen. The guards drew their swords and subdued the man.
Seeing that the guard's knife was about to fall on the man's arm, Ling Huanchen hurriedly shouted, "Wait!"
The guards stepped aside and only then could they see clearly that the person who had just rushed over was an elderly woman. There was a bulge in the woman's arms, but it didn't seem to be caused by fat.
As the saying goes, you may search for something everywhere but still cannot find it, but when you get it, it is effortless.
The old woman protected her arms and struggled to crawl to Ling Huanchen's feet, "Sir, sir, there is injustice in the Qi Mansion, there is injustice in the Qi Mansion!"
"Sir, this..." Du Heng knew there was something hidden in what the old woman said, but the person in front of him was the king's darling, and he could not afford it if he offended her.
Ling Huanchen helped the old woman up and said, "Old lady, please come with me back to the Ministry of Justice. We can talk slowly if you have anything to say."
The old woman nodded hurriedly, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. She opened her arms hastily and took out the child wrapped in it. Just now, because the clothes blocked the light from outside, the child had closed his eyes and was motionless. Now that he suddenly saw the light, he immediately burst into tears.
Du Heng originally wanted to find another carriage for the old woman and the child, but Ling Huanchen didn't mind and let them ride with him.
The old woman held the child and tried to coax him for a long time but failed. The little baby burst into tears.
"Sir, I'm sorry, child..."
Ling Huanchen smiled and said, "It's okay, children love to cry."
As he spoke, the crying became unexpectedly softer and even gradually stopped.
Ling Huanchen lowered his head to look at the child in the old woman's arms, and met the little baby's round eyes. When she saw him looking at her, she actually smiled.
The old woman breathed a sigh of relief, "It seems this child and adults are destined to be together."
It's quite a coincidence.
Ling Huanchen brought the two old women back to the Ministry of Justice, dismissed everyone else, and only left Yun He and Du Heng.
Ling Huanchen remained calm as the old woman told the story of Qi Mansion's experience, but Du Heng, who was standing beside him, was frightened and frowned.
The old woman recounted the details of how the Qi family had fallen foul of the villains and how they had been murdered. In her statement, she explained that it all started because the eldest daughter of the Qi family had fallen for a scoundrel. This scoundrel's name was Sun Sheng, and he had a strong background, so no one dared to offend him.
However, the young lady of the Qi family already had a lover in her heart and naturally did not want to marry him. So one night, Sun Sheng led his men to massacre the entire Qi family. The old woman and the young lady of the Qi family barely escaped. However, the young lady was about to give birth, and without a midwife, she gave birth to the young lady in a dilapidated temple. Due to excessive bleeding, she died shortly after giving birth.
The old woman, carrying her newborn daughter, had been hiding here and there, not knowing where to turn as the Qifu case was suppressed. Recently, she heard that the Minister of Justice had been replaced, so she dared to come forward.
Ling Huanchen entrusted the old woman and the child to Du Heng, placed them in the Du Mansion, and dispatched double the number of guards to guard them.
Before he knew it, it was already late. He got on a carriage and headed towards the palace under the escort of Yunhe and the guards.
"Master, are you cold? Do you need a coat?" Yun He immediately took out a cloak. "The king specifically told me to bring it."
Mentioning Yu Xi, Ling Huanchen couldn't help but raise the corner of his mouth, "I'm not cold, it's very warm in the carriage."
Yun He had just put away her cloak. When she looked up, her eyes were stern. She moved sideways to block Ling Huanchen, "Master, please don't come out!"
Before he could finish his words, the carriage suddenly shook and he could hear the sound of swords clashing outside.
"There's an assassin!"
The author has something to say:
Today the king lives in the lines, but it doesn’t matter, he will be back soon!
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Thank you "Jiuyue", "duoduo", and "Dada, please update quickly~" for your encouragement~
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