Chapter 197 – Righting Wrongs

Chapter 197 - Righting Wrongs

Silent sobs were the most touching. Chang Nian's delicate features made her vulnerability all the more poignant when she was on the verge of tears. Sitting on the ground with a pitiful look, even the insensitive Ye Liang could sense her sorrow and distress.

Ye Jiangbai lowered himself, patting her back gently as he whispered, "Your Highness, there's no need to be too upset. It's better to see some people for who they truly are sooner rather than later."

"Indeed," Feng Jingxian said with a frown. "Prince Wu had no qualms about killing the previous emperor, so it's not surprising that he'd turn on his nephew." She continued, "But I wonder why Duke Guo tolerates him in court despite knowing his true nature?"

Ye Jiangbai sighed and shook his head helplessly.

Feng Jingxian pressed on, "How grave a crime is regicide? Can such a traitor be spared just because he wields great military power? Today's assassination attempt on Seventh Prince couldn't have been the work of Minister Yao alone. The poison came from Prince Wu's hands. With the evidence before us, can Duke Guo really continue to shield him?"

The term "shield" was skillfully used, implying both a higher status for Prince Wu and justification for taking action against him. Ye Jiangbai wished he could give Feng Jingxian a larger salary for her wit.

"Prince Wu is, after all, a royal prince," Ye Jiangbai pretended to be hesitant.

Feng Jingxian harrumphed. "He may be a prince, but Your Highness is the Empress Dowager's appointed crown prince, the rightful heir to the throne."

Her reminder jolted everyone present into remembering that Zhao Chang Nian had been officially named the crown prince by the Empress Dowager. Even though he had suffered a defeat earlier, now that he had returned to the capital, he should ascend the throne.

Minister Yao's unease grew with each passing moment. This situation was beginning to resemble a well-choreographed act. The initial focus had been on the plot against Prince Qi, but now, the ministers were debating whether he should inherit the throne.

Furthermore, Feng Jingxian and Mu Shufang appeared to be questioning Duke Guo, but in reality, they were defending Prince Qi's reputation.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Minister Yao stepped back, hoping to slip away unnoticed. However...

"Where are you off to, Minister?" Ye Jiangbai blocked his path with a faint smile.

Minister Yao straightened himself, trying to maintain composure. "There are still many clansmen waiting for me outside. I can clarify these misunderstandings with Prince Qi at another time."

His words hinted that the Yao family still had many loyal members working for Ye Jiangbai. If this conflict escalated, both sides would suffer.

Seemingly intimidated, Ye Jiangbai's expression darkened as he replied, "This is not a misunderstanding; it's solid evidence."

"So, Duke Guo wishes for this old man to face justice right now?" Minister Yao chuckled, glancing at the Yao family members present in the six ministries before leaning closer and whispering, "Do you dare?"

"Those who break the law, whether emperor or commoner, shall be punished equally," Ye Jiangbai sneered, his voice ringing through the hall. "In three days, I shall present the Empress Dowager's decree and visit your residence to mete out justice!"

Minister Yao exhaled in relief, stepping back and bowing. "Then, this old man shall await your esteemed presence!"

With that, he dramatically flung his sleeves and left in an arrogant manner.

Feng Jingxian watched this unfold, fury in her voice as she said, "You mean to say that the Duke can simply let go of someone who attempted to harm the Crown Prince?"

Ye Jiangbai turned around and sighed. "May I ask, Minister Feng, what is the consequence for attempting to harm the heir apparent?"

Feng Jingxian replied, "The execution of the entire clan."

"In that case, please take a look at all those present here with the surname Yao," Ye Jiangbai said solemnly. "These gentlemen have been loyal to the country, many not having corrupted themselves with Minister Yao. Would it be just to implicating them all in the punishment and have them executed as well?"

Upon hearing this, the majority of those with the Yao surname kneeled, trembling as they cried out, "Duke is wise."

Feng Jingxian asked again, "Wouldn't they still be held accountable after three days?"

Ye Jiangbai replied, "Three days are ample. I will order the Ministry of Revenue to assign twenty personnel specifically for the task of altering their family registers."

"All those bearing the Yao surname who were not involved in the conspiracy against the crown prince may change their family register at the Ministry of Revenue. They will then be spared from punishment."

Upon hearing this, the crowd praised Duke's mercy, and those with impetuous dispositions immediately approached the ministry officials to whisper their intentions.

As Zhao Changnian watched, he felt that Ye Jiangbai was truly cunning. Instead of executing the entire clan, he had them change their family registry. If many people did so, Minister Yao's reliance on his status as the clan head would become insignificant. By then, dealing with him wouldn't destabilize the foundation of the court. If few people changed their registries, there would be an excuse to eliminate them all and remove the tumor causing the injury.

However...

When they were about to part ways, Zhao Changnian couldn't help but ask, "What about Miss Yao?"

"Hmm?" Ye Jiangbai was lost in thought and didn't react immediately. "Which Miss Yao?"

"Yao Youshu," Changnian gestured. "The one you dote on so much that you even brought her along when you left the capital."

Ye Jiangbai sucked in a breath and put his hand over his cheek.

"What's wrong?"

"It's... so sour." Ye Jiangbai winced. "Whose vinegar jar has been spilled?"

Changnian: "......."

"Don't get angry out of embarrassment," Ye Jiangbai teased, grabbing hold of the person who was about to alight from the carriage. "I took her away from the capital for two reasons: First, at Minister Yao's request, and second, to give the then Crown Prince leverage over me so he'd trust me. That's all."

Chang Nian frowned at him. "She really likes you. Don't you think it's too harsh to treat her like this?"

Ye Jiangbai was helpless. "When I left, I told her she could persuade Minister Yao to return home and avoid all these troubles. But she insisted on following me. What could I do? Not every devoted heart will be rewarded. If it is, it's fortunate; if not, it's just fate. Why am I the one blamed for being excessive?"

"But she followed you because she likes you. To use her as a hostage for the Crown Prince is truly unfeeling," Chang Nian pointed out.

Ye Jiangbai nodded as if it were the most reasonable thing in the world. "So what if I'm unfeeling? Should I be affectionate towards someone I don't like? After returning from the Crown Prince, she went back to the Yao residence and hasn't disturbed me since. Isn't that for the best?"

...Was he actually making sense? Chang Nian pondered with a furrowed brow. Did he really dislike Yao Youshu? She had thought...

"Your Highness has time to think about this, but you should pay more attention to Yao Chongye," Ye Jiangbai suggested. "He's now on your side."

Regaining her composure, Zhao Chang Nian smiled. "Chongye is very capable, so I'm at ease."

In his previous life, Yao Chongye had been just an ordinary subordinate by his side. In these few months, she hadn't noticed any remarkable abilities in him. Ye Jiangbai shook his head, looking rather worried as he lifted the carriage curtain to glance outside.

It was already dusk, and Minister Yao's carriage hurriedly headed for Chungmu Palace. Unexpectedly, the palace gates were tightly shut, and the guard bowed as he greeted, "Sir, the Duke has yet to return."

"Chongye!" Minister Yao exclaimed anxiously upon seeing the guard. "You're safe here, but where has the Duke gone? Why hasn't he returned?"

Minister Yao didn't raise his gaze to meet him but said, "Please come in, Your Excellency. The Prince has ventured elsewhere and mentioned that he'll return in two hours."

"Very well." Minister Yao followed him inside and, after casting a glance at him, somewhat awkwardly added, "Chongye, regarding the incident at your residence last time, I truly had no knowledge of it."