Chapter 168 Taking Money to Do Things, Solving Problems for Others
"Your Highness, something terrible has happened! His Highness has vomited blood—"
The anxious voice of the young eunuch came from inside.
"Please wait a moment, my lord!" Dou Wenyi frowned slightly and hurriedly got up and went into the bedroom.
Everyone's expression changed drastically, and they looked toward the inner hall in the direction of the sound. After a while, a little eunuch came out carrying a bluish-white spittoon, and the strong, fishy smell of blood hit their noses.
Eunuch Feng's deep gaze swept over Meng Jingchuan, a half-smile playing on his lips: "Lord Meng, you are young and promising, truly a formidable young man. However, life is full of detours; some paths may seem glamorous, but once you step onto them, you'll find they're uncomfortable."
The emperor's feelings towards the crown prince were complicated. If they angered the crown prince to death, and the emperor later remembered the crown prince's good qualities, they would all be executed along with him!
"Thank you for your advice, Father-in-law." Meng Jingchuan's eyes were cold as he gave a perfunctory reply.
He was related to Meng Xiang by marriage and had long been backed by Prince Rui, so there was no reason for him to desert in the face of battle.
Furthermore, princes are subject to the same laws as commoners. Based on the current evidence, Dou Wenyi is indeed highly suspicious. However, to be on the safe side, he summoned his subordinates and lowered his voice, "Quickly investigate whether Prince Xie has a sachet."
Eunuch Feng narrowed his sharp eyes. Young people always have to suffer a bit.
The next moment, the Crown Prince's deep voice came from inside, "You may all come in."
Inside the inner hall, a strong smell of medicine mixed with the stench of blood was quite pungent, and the young eunuch hurriedly opened the window to ventilate the room.
Pei Siyan sat on the bed, leaning against the pillows, his face pale.
After rinsing his mouth with the teacup he took from Dou Wenyi, he spoke in a weak voice, "Does Lord Meng intend to convict the Crown Princess based on a mere sachet?"
His voice was soft, but to Meng Jingchuan it sounded like a thunderbolt.
"This... The Crown Princess had a conflict with the deceased, which is common knowledge among the noble ladies of Tianning City. She had this motive."
Pei Siyan remained calm. "Xie Mengyao is spreading rumors and causing trouble. The noble ladies have long been able to distinguish right from wrong. To risk a life for a few words? It's clear that your so-called motive is utter nonsense."
Meng Jingchuan raised his hand to wipe his sweat. "But the timing of the Crown Princess's departure also coincides perfectly..."
Pei Siyan coughed a few times, and after a while, he continued, "Was she the only one who left at that time? Quite a few people left during the auction, did you check them all?"
"According to your deduction, Xie Mengyao tore the sachet from her waist? Was there any witness who saw them arguing?"
"As for what kind of sachet the Crown Princess was wearing, many people saw her that day. Ask a few more people, and someone will surely remember something. This sachet is not the one she was wearing."
"Furthermore, when the Crown Princess left the venue midway through the event, she did not bring any rain gear or raincoat. In such heavy rain, why were her clothes and boots not wet? When she returned to the venue, were her boots covered in mud?"
"If she really had time to commit the crime, why didn't she change her clothes?"
Meng Jingchuan reacted quickly, immediately refuting, "Perhaps she changed her clothes when she left the auction..."
Pei Siyan interrupted him directly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, "According to you, this is premeditated murder. As the Crown Princess, she has a thousand ways to kill someone if she wants to. Why dirty her own hands?"
Meng Jingchuan grew anxious, "...No, she was consumed by rage, it was an argument, it was accidental killing, it was a slip of the hand..."
With a "crack," a teacup flew out and smashed right in front of Meng Jingchuan's heel, shattering on the ground and splashing tea onto his official robe.
"Shut up! Is she stupid, or are you stupid?"
Meng Jingchuan felt a chill run down his spine, and a fine layer of sweat beaded on his forehead.
Eunuch Feng was slightly taken aback; the Crown Prince rarely showed such anger.
Pei Siyan's lips curled into a mocking smile, his voice cold and stern, "A dignified Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice handles cases like child's play, contradicting himself, acting rashly and arbitrarily. It's truly alarming how stupid a person can be!"
"Or is it that, with justice as the heavens above, Lord Meng is simply taking the money and doing his job, eliminating trouble for others?"
These words were almost a blatant accusation that he was acting under the orders of Prince Rui, disregarding the truth and deliberately framing him.
Meng Jingchuan's face turned pale and then red, and he gritted his teeth and said, "Your Highness is joking. Please don't wrong me."
Pei Siyan lifted his eyelids and looked at the silent Eunuch Feng beside him. "Eunuch Feng, although Lord Meng is Prime Minister Meng's nephew, his abilities are questionable and far inferior to Prime Minister Meng's. This case is not complicated, and he cannot even explain the many suspicious points. Yet he dares to come to question me? He is truly ignorant!"
"If the Ministry of Justice is incompetent, then let the Three Departments investigate."
Meng Jingchuan froze on the spot, his expression instantly becoming a fascinating mix of emotions.
If the Three Judicial Offices were to investigate matters concerning the royal family, it would surely cause a huge uproar. The Crown Prince is so certain; could it be that Dou Wenyi is truly uninvolved in this matter? Furthermore, his own incompetence will surely earn him the displeasure of Prince Rui, and now he has offended the Crown Prince as well.
It's like when the city gate catches fire, the fish in the moat suffer – we've offended both sides!
Eunuch Feng smiled warmly, "Your Highness is absolutely right. This matter will certainly be reported to His Majesty truthfully."
As he spoke, he glanced at Dou Wenyi again, "Your Highness has been frightened! It's good that things have been clarified. Everything requires evidence. If the evidence is insufficient, no one can unjustly accuse an innocent person."
"Lord Meng, is there anything else you wish to ask?"
Meng Jingchuan's expression was solemn, and he silently shook his head.
Eunuch Feng flicked his whisk and prepared to leave, but Pei Siyan stopped him, "Grand Eunuch Feng, please wait a moment. Please present this secret memorial to His Majesty."
Pei Siyan nodded to Dou Wenyi, who then pulled a memorial from a box under the table and handed it to her with both hands.
Eunuch Feng bowed and accepted the memorial with a humble attitude, saying, "Your Highness, please take care. This servant will take his leave now."
Silence returned to the hall.
Dou Wenyi stared intently at his sickly appearance. "This time, they're after me. What memorial did you submit?"
Pei Siyan gently stroked her face, "Silly girl, as long as I remain in the position of Crown Prince, these struggles will never cease. After today, Meng Jingchuan will no longer be handling this case."
He submitted a memorial requesting to be deposed, and the emperor will probably be furious when he receives it.
Pei Siyan held her hand, frowned, and said, "The smell in this room is too strong. Let's go out."
Dou Wenyi gave a soft "hmm" and followed him out of the inner hall.
"The only direct evidence in this case is your sachet. We only need to find a witness to prove that you wore a different sachet that day to prove your innocence."
Dou Wenyi sat casually on the chaise lounge, genuinely puzzled. "I always feel that this matter is related to Xie Guidu. He wouldn't kill his own sister to set up a scheme, would he? That's too illogical."
Pei Siyan's brows furrowed slightly as he glanced at her sideways. "Of course not."
Dou Wenyi recalled that at the auction, she had gotten very close to Princess Fu'an and Shen Lishu, and they might remember her sachet.
However, this method can only clear one's name, not provide a way to retaliate.
She also wanted to know what kind of tricks Prince Rui and Xie Guidu were up to.
Since Xie Guidu is an insider, he is the key to breakthrough.
Dou Wenyi suddenly came up with a brilliant idea to lure the snake out of its hole...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
