Lan Linxue took the fan from the palace maid, lazily opened it, and slowly waved it. "Jiang Ming, didn't you tell me a couple of days ago that it was a case committed by bandits? Tell your Fifth Master what exactly happened."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ming broke out in a cold sweat. This was truly the most foolish thing he had ever done.
Originally, he wanted to use this excuse to brush off Lan Linxue, but who knew that this good-for-nothing prince would be so shrewd, not giving him any excuse or opportunity at all. Now he has become a hot potato, and he can't explain it anymore.
"This...this is due to my poor investigation. At the time, I was distraught and, upon finding several weapons commonly used by bandits at the scene, assumed it was the work of bandits. Fortunately, Your Highness is discerning and thorough, preventing me from making a grave mistake! For this, I am extremely grateful to Your Highness! I am writing to express my gratitude for Your Highness's guidance!"
With that, Jiang Ming bowed deeply.
Lan Linxue gave a cold laugh, "Lord Jiang is too modest! However, what I heard seems to differ somewhat from what you've said. What you found in that courtyard wasn't the bandits' weapons, but rather several corpses, wasn't it? Where are those corpses?"
Cold sweat instantly streamed down Jiang Ming's back. Those corpses all belonged to Hu Feifan's men; he had intended to keep it a secret, so how did Lan Linxue find out? If the bodies were brought out now, Hu Feifan would be utterly discredited. Feeling flustered, Jiang Ming looked up at Lan Xiuyuan.
"When answering questions in front of the imperial envoy, does Lord Jiang need to consider the other party's expression first?" Lan Linxue snapped her fan shut, a stern look on her face.
He hadn't forgotten the whole scheme Qin Kou'er had arranged. Since she was desperately trying to frame Hu Feifan, he might as well help her out.
Lan Xiuyuan already knew roughly what happened that night and about the corpses of the Hu family members from Feng Zhouyuan. However, Lan Linxue's revelation of this at this time clearly showed her intention to link the Hu family to Shi Mengjian's murder, revealing her malicious intent.
Unfortunately, Lan Xiuyuan also harbored arsenic in his heart!
"Lord Jiang, since the Crown Prince has spoken, you might as well tell us what happened back then. Don't be nervous, there's always a clear truth to things. I know Lord Jiang's heart is loyal, and that's more important than anything else!" His words carried a deeper meaning.
Jiang Mingfei, a seasoned veteran of officialdom, glanced quickly at Lan Xiuyuan.
Lan Xiuyuan's eyes were gentle, and his smile was warm.
Jiang Ming was immediately relieved and recounted in detail how the body had been found that night. However, he concealed some specific details about the body.
Lan Linxue listened to Jiang Ming's words with a cold smile. Lan Xiuyuan's confident reassurance to Jiang Ming in person meant he must have disposed of the corpses. Qin Kou'er's move was likely to backfire.
"In that case, have the identities of these corpses been confirmed?" Lan Xiuyuan asked Jiang Ming with his usual gentle expression.
Jiang Ming quickly replied, "I'm so sorry for my incompetence! I haven't found out yet!"
Watching Lan Xiuyuan's convincing acting, Lan Linxue suddenly laughed and pointed at Jiang Ming with her fan, saying, "Lord Jiang, I'm afraid you'll never find out in this lifetime! Let me guess instead."
As she spoke, Lan Linxue leisurely fanned herself, looking at Lan Xiuyuan with a half-smile, "The corpses must be badly mangled by now. All the marks on their bodies are blurred and incomplete. More importantly, a piece of flesh must be missing from their upper left arms. Fifth brother, do you think my guess is pretty accurate?"
Lan Xiuyuan quickly stood up and said with a smile, "Your Majesty is always exceptionally wise, so I imagine the situation this time is pretty much as you say! Why don't we send Lord Jiang to check later to see if it's really as Your Majesty says!"
Lan Linxue tried to put Lan Xiuyuan in a difficult position, but Lan Xiuyuan simply passed the ball back to her.
Lan Linxue thought bitterly, if what he said was true, Lan Xiuyuan would definitely smear him and ask how he knew so much. Did he kill the person?
Lan Linxue leaned back lazily in her chair, looked at Lan Xiuyuan, and sighed softly, saying, "Whether we look or not, we won't find any clues! Doesn't Fifth Master already know that Lord Jiang's heart is loyal? Lord Jiang, you should repay kindness with kindness. Your Fifth Master has already relieved your worries. In the future, you should think more about your Fifth Master when you speak! With Fifth Master around, your official career will be smooth sailing, won't it, gentlemen?"
Lan Linxue's words immediately made the people below extremely embarrassed, and they all lowered their heads, sweating profusely.
Lan Xiuyuan acted as if he hadn't heard, maintaining his perfect demeanor, and said to Lan Linxue with a smile, "Your Majesty, I have just arrived in Hangzhou and there are still many things I don't understand. Father's decree is to deal with this severely, and I am quite apprehensive. Fortunately, Your Majesty is here to oversee things, which has put my mind at ease."
Lan Linxue quickly waved her fan, "Don't try to put me on the wrong foot. I can't handle this dangerous and risky situation for you. Fifth Master is wise and insightful; this matter in Yangzhou is nothing more than a toy in your hands!"
"This time is certainly different!" Lan Xiuyuan's expression turned slightly serious. "In any case, Lan Jiayuan's plot to assassinate the Crown Prince is a major case that has shocked the entire country. If everything is true, it is a treason case that will reach the ears of the Emperor. Without Your Majesty's support, how can I, your humble brother, control the situation and get to the bottom of this?!"
"Well said, how to strike the right balance!" Lan Linxue became interested in this statement.
He sat up slightly, looking at Lan Xiuyuan with a meaningful gaze. "Fifth Brother is indeed a wise man. There are witnesses and evidence to prove Lan Jiayuan's treason. If he hadn't truly intended to harm me, how could I have the heart to cut off his arm? Although we are brothers, we are also ruler and subject. I think Fifth Brother will be able to discern the appropriate measure. Traitors and rebellious sons deserve to be punished by everyone. Fifth Brother, am I wrong?"
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com