Chapter 38 Xiao Xuance is jointly tried by the three judicial departments
The Crown Prince glanced at the Third Prince and said, "Third Prince, the common people were just saying it casually. Today is your wedding day, so be magnanimous and don't let this affect your good mood as the groom."
“I believe that person was sent by someone with ulterior motives to slander my reputation. He should be arrested and the mastermind behind him should be exposed.”
The crown prince finally showed some intelligence: "The innocent are innocent. Since you care so much, could it be that what that person said is true?"
The Third Prince's heart skipped a beat. Could that person be the Crown Prince's man? Did the Crown Prince hear something and test him?
Only he and his strategist knew about this, and he was certain that his strategist would not betray him.
However, there was one other person who knew this: Yun Jiaoyue, who even said that she knew it in her previous life.
Could it be that she revealed it?
Damn it!
The Third Prince retorted, "Your Highness, are you so concerned about whether I arrest that person or not? Do you perhaps know that person?"
They practically said they were sent by the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince retorted, "If I were to take action, would I only send one person? Are you looking down on me? Third Prince, I think you do indeed have the appearance of an emperor. I know a few masters who can read faces, why don't we ask them to take a look at you?"
"Your Highness is too kind. You are the Crown Prince and the future heir to the throne. I dare not covet it."
These words struck a chord with the crown prince, who burst into a satisfied laugh, "Hahaha!!!"
Seeing that the Crown Prince had been fooled by a few false compliments, the Second Prince cursed inwardly, "Fool!"
He continued, "Third brother, I wondered why you took a fancy to that impoverished family of the Marquis of Yunyang. I never imagined it was because of Miss Yun's innate destiny. Now that you put it this way, it all makes sense."
They didn't know if it was true or not, but seeing how much the Third Prince cared, they couldn't help but tease him, just to cause him some trouble and see how smug he could still be.
"Second brother, you misunderstand. Yue'er and I are in love, which is why we asked Father to grant us a marriage."
"Perhaps they already knew that Miss Yun was born with a phoenix destiny, which is why they sought this marriage by imperial decree."
The third prince retorted, "I am different from my second brother. My second brother can use marriage as a bargaining chip, but I cannot. My mother taught me from a young age that I must stay with the person I love forever, otherwise I will regret it for the rest of my life."
In order to compete with the Crown Prince, the Second Prince married the daughter of the Duke of Ying's family. She was of average appearance and overweight. She was already twenty years old when she got married, and was considered old and ugly.
Everyone says that the Second Prince is going all out to fight for the throne, and they often make fun of him about it in private.
The second prince was so angry that his face turned ashen, then pale.
Damn it, he'll find a fortune teller to read his face later. If it's true, he's dead meat!
He pretended to be indifferent to the throne and indifferent to worldly desires all to win his father's favor.
Once his true colors are revealed, let's see how he tries to deny it.
However, before he could even make a move, someone had already exposed the Third Prince's true colors.
The emperor's imperial carriage stopped in front of the Three Emperors' Palace.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
"Greetings, Father Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
"Your humble servants pay homage to Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
"No need for formalities! Rise!"
The Emperor walked up to the Third Prince, his eyes filled with a hint of relief, the look of an ordinary father looking at his son. "Third Prince, you've finally settled down. I can finally give my mother an explanation."
"Before today, I had already informed my mother that I was getting married today, and that I would bring my wife to offer incense and pay my respects to her every day."
"Good, good, your father knew you were the most filial."
The Third Prince and others escorted the Emperor into the main hall. The bridal sedan chair also arrived at the door. The Third Prince asked the Emperor for permission to go and fetch the bride.
"Go."
"Your subject takes his leave."
Outside, the bridal sedan chair landed, and everyone craned their necks to look.
"Rumor has it that Miss Yun is beautiful and the most beautiful woman in the capital. If one could catch a glimpse of her beauty, it would be worth dying for."
The Great Zhou Dynasty was relatively conservative. Noble ladies from aristocratic families would travel by carriage and wear veils when they went out, never showing their faces in public. Only the original owner and a few others who did not wear veils and paraded around in public had a bad reputation.
“Princess Zhaoxue and Miss Yun are sisters. It is said that one’s appearance reflects one’s heart. She is so vicious yet she is so beautiful. Her appearance must be superior to hers.”
Yun Zhaoxue in the crowd, "..."
The original owner was truly renowned!
When people mentioned Yun Jiaoyue and the Third Prince, they couldn't stop talking about her.
As Yun Jiaoyue sat gracefully in the bridal sedan chair, she heard the people outside belittling Yun Zhaoxue and praising themselves, and the corners of her lips curled up slightly.
Today, the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion will be destroyed. That bitch Yun Zhaoxue won't be smug for long. The one who laughs last will be the winner.
With a shout, "Lower the sedan chair!"
The sedan chair bearers lowered the sedan chair.
The third prince stepped forward, and a maid lifted the curtain for him.
He reached out and led Yun Jiaoyue out.
at the same time--
Dali Temple.
The Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review, sitting in the courtroom, picked up the gavel on the table and slammed it down hard, "Bang!"
"Court is now in session!"
"Bring in the criminals!—"
The words had barely left his mouth.
Xiao Xuance, dressed in prison clothes, with heavy shackles on his feet, hands, and neck, was escorted to the courtroom by two bailiffs.
Every step he took felt like dragging a huge boulder, yet his back remained straight.
He had difficulty walking, and his feet were shackled with heavy leg irons, so he walked very slowly.
As he reached the threshold, everyone waited for him to fall and make a fool of himself.
He gritted his teeth, lifted his foot and stepped over it. When he landed, his steps were as steady as a rock, and his eyes were firm and unyielding.
Officials from the Court of Judicial Review, the Ministry of Justice, and the Censorate sat high behind their desks, their cloudy eyes gleaming with calculation.
Another person was sitting backstage drinking tea, only peeking out from behind a crack in the door, observing the situation in the main hall.
That man was none other than Prime Minister Qin of the current dynasty.
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review slammed his gavel on the table again, "Bang!"
As is customary, the question is asked, "Who is below?"
Xiao Xuance replied, "Xiao Xuance, Deputy Commander of the Xiao Family Army."
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review slammed his gavel again, "Bang!"
"How dare you! You are a prisoner now, you have no military command deputy commander status."
Xiao Xuance said, "The Prince of Zhenbei's mansion has been wronged and has not yet been convicted. The Emperor has not yet stripped me of my official position."
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review didn't waste any words with him and asked directly, "Xiao Xuance, do you know your crime?"
"May I ask, sir, what crime have I committed?"
"I see you won't give up until you're completely convinced. Guards, present the evidence."
A yamen runner placed a box on the desk, saying, "My lord!"
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review grabbed a few papers at random and read them aloud on the spot.
"These letters are all from the Prince of Zhenbei and the Second Prince of the enemy country, who are colluding with the enemy. Do you still want to deny it?"
Xiao Xuance said firmly, "The Zhenbei Prince's Mansion has not colluded with the enemy or betrayed the country. My father never wrote such a letter. Someone deliberately imitated it. I beg you, sir, to investigate thoroughly and restore the innocence of the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion!"
The Minister of Justice roared, "Still dare to argue! I have already had a famous calligrapher examine the writing, and it is indeed written by the same person. Confess and you will be treated leniently; resist and you will be punished severely. Don't force me to use torture to extract a confession from you!"
Xiao Xuance slowly lifted his eyelids, his gaze as calm as a deep pool, a mocking smile curving his lips, "Has Your Excellency not used torture to extract a confession?"
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review froze, speechless after being rebuked.
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